My parents did something similar when they lived overseas--they left a van in a shed on my grandparents' property and used it when they were back for a summer. It worked well for them. That van is still in the family, I'm driving it now :)

Thanks for sharing the instrument links. We love music around here as well.

Yeah, the Finnish educational results really show up negligent parents like 8FillTheHeart and Regentrude. Too bad they have neglected their children so severely and can't match the results of the Finnish system :001_rolleyes:

There was a time when it was obvious to most people that the world was flat. There was a time when it was obvious to most people that air drafts caused illness. There was a time when it was obvious to most people that witchcraft caused miscarriage. There was a time when it was obvious to most people that formula was superior to breast milk. This is not a valid argument.

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hmmmpphhh hee hee hee I'm sitting here laughing at the idea of calling the police on a first grader for using a potentially controversial word...

That's an amazing price, where did you find it?

We've got time before dealing with this with my kids, but I've been discussing this same issue recently with a sister in law whose kids are hitting the college application stage. From what I have seen in my own family and among people I know attending an elite college over just an ordinary good college doesn't have a huge impact on quality of life. Certainly getting into the perfect college is less important than choosing a major that is a good fit. The reality is that there are good educations and experiences to be had in many different places, though of course experiences will not be the same. Some of my siblings attended elite schools for their undergraduate degrees (Stanford, USAFA), some of us (me!) attended BYU--which I would classify as an excellent school but definitely not in the elite tier, and certainly much easier to get admitted to. ALL of us had excellent undergraduate experiences with unique opportunities, and were well prepared for the paths we chose to pursue after graduation. For my own family, unless I have a child who is personally driven to attend an elite school to take advantage of some particular resources and opportunities, I have no intention of pursuing admission to a super selective university. I really hope my kids will chose to pursue interests and develop talents because those things are of personal value to them, not because they are trying to create the perfect high school resume to hopefully get past the gatekeepers of one of the tippy-top schools in the country.

Definitely jealous.

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Woops, posted on the wrong thread.

Regentrude, I know your children are older than mine, but I really hope you stick around the boards after they have graduated from high school. Your posts always seem to resonate with me.

8, I will take your many years of experience raising and educating a large family over Spycar's experience with one young child any day. You are one of the people I most look up to on these boards. I hope you stay around for a long time so I can glean from your wisdom.

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I've got the same problem--formerly fit and very active, now....well, I want to exercise but can't get away from the kids. No gyms with childcare included, and the one that I looked into would have been outrageously expensive to pay for each child.

The Hive needs no advertising :)

Oh how aweful.

I originally learned to type using double spaces, but gave that up at some point--in college maybe? I'm happing with single spacing.

I am sorry. :(

Well, when I say something looks like a lot what I am thinking is it would be overwhelming to me. I'm not judging whether or not you and your child should be doing all of that :) I have five children, three of whom are now school age and two littles getting underfoot and needing attention. The only way school will get done around here is if I keep it simple and to the point--decide on my priorities and go with those. Anything as complex as your schedule would be completely unworkable for me and mine.

Wow bnwhitaker, that does look like a lot! My 3rd grader is doing: Math: a mix of Mathematical Reasoning (Thinking Company), Math Mammoth, and Beast Academy Science: some physics, electronics, and magnetism kits History: TOG, mostly just read alouds, plus Classical Conversations Language Arts: Copywork and reading, I plan to have him choose one book a month from my list to read himself, otherwise listening to family read alouds Foreign Language: currently Chinese, Michel Thomas method CD's and Mango App Cello and piano