Oh Goodie! We will still get some then :D And coming in June, gee, that's just in time for vacation....or the kitchen project, or maybe I can finally get my blackberry...Or, >sigh< maybe we can just pay off some debt. :( But that's no fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!

A handful of bran flakes wiht a 1/2 t of oat bran and a cup of skim milk. This is what I eat BEFORE the kids awaken. As I was fixing the kids' breakfast I scarfed down a couple of Trader Joe's ginger snaps (instead of the usual fruit). Thank Goodness they are gone now!

I know target had some in the spring/summer with their picnic ware. I dont know if they have any now, though. I'm sure tupperware has them, though. And ebay is a WONDERFUL place for things such as that.

I think it starts getting reduced at incomes over $75k. :rolleyes: With the way inflation is, 75K could still use some help.

If I ever get it done, I'll let you know :D

I live near there, but will not be attending the convention. If you all get together aside from the convention, I'd love to come too!!

Resources: WTM, What Your X Grader Needs to Know, The Educated Child (Wm Bennett) The ABC's and all their Tricks, The Reading Resource Book for Teachers Curricula: Teach Your Child to Read in 100 ez Lessons, R&S Math, Reading & Grammar, Handwriting w/o Tears, Spelling Power, Singapore Earlybird Math Books

Would Lively Latin work well if I am using an English Grammar Program? Would it work for a 2nd grader with no previous Latin experience? Or should I finish up (ok, START and finish) Prima Latin? TIA

I have a b&w laser HP 3055 that I LOVE. Our inkjet color HP has not been as great, but I would still recommend HP. DH works in computers, and the HP printers are the ones he recommends. And he's seen a lot. The one thing I can tell you...do NOT go lexmark. Affordable and Disposable. They do not hold up well at all.

Our pencils are the same way....everywhere, and yet nary a one to be found when it's time to do schoolwork. :rolleyes:

We pay all our bills online, that give us that option. We do not do automatic withdrawal for any. We've been trying to do direct deposit with MIL's SS check. 6 mos later, we're still getting it in the mail. It's not a HUGE hassle to deposit it, but it would be nice if we didn't have to. Remembering to deposit is more of a problem than actually doing it :rolleyes:.

We didn't do the handwriting. DD wasn't ready for it. We did HWOT when she was more ready.

I have worn glasses since I was I was in 4th grade, about 35 years. I did wear soft contacts for a short time, but I finally realized that they were a migraine trigger, so I stopped. For me, glasses are like bras. Not always convenient, but you have to wear it. I've gotten use to not wearing them at the pool, and I have had prescription sunglasses, but now I use the clips that you can get at walmart or target. I do get the 'thin' lenses because if I didn't, they would be too heavy to stay on my nose. I would say you're vain:p but if I had to START at my age, I would probably be the same way. They are like underwear to me. I put them on as soon as I wake up in the morning and they are the last thing I take off at night. As far as swimming...I don't wear them when I swim. For me, it is like seeing people from behind. You know that Bob is wearing a red shirt and Bill is wearing yellow, so you know who is who. It's like that for me in the pool. Piper is taller and has a blue swimsuit, Zoie is shorter and has an orange one. I know this is rambling, I'm on pain medicine for a migraine, but I do hope it helps.

;)When we were in Vietnam we discovered that the literacy rate is 99%. THAT alone is something to admire. They do place a HUGE importance on education. That is how the government exerts their control on the population. 2 children are educated free, after that, the family has to pay for schooling (unless you live in the countryside, where labor is needed, and that is a whole different story...). That being said, my oldest tested borderline gifted and has drive and energy that is about to kill me. She is working ahead at least a grade level in 3 subjects, actually 3, if she had started K at age 6, this year. She started reading at age 3.5 and I did NOT push. A recent study has pointed out that fish is a major component of the Asian diet, which has been shown to enhance brain development while in utero. They do have drive, but they also have something worth pushing. Also, one has to consider the economics of these countries...If one doens't succeed, there is no welfare or social security. You are a beggar. Period. Now, having said all that, I don't necessarily agree with the pushing that is done, but the parents are wanting the same as us: sucess for our children, food on their tables and clothes on their backs. I have added this book to my '889' list ;)

As of right now, we're using God's World, with some of Jessica's lesson plans. This is all Biology. I really like Noeo, but I have a demanding toddler, so I really needed something that Piper could do on her own, for the most part.

And mine http://cin131.blogspot.com/

Unfortunately, I cannot change the sheets (BAD back) so I have to wait for DH to change ours. That is usually 3-4 weeks. The girls have bunkbeds, so he changes there's at the same time ours gets done. Which means by the time all the sheets are cleaned it's time to do it again. I REALLY hate laundry. REALLY REALLY hate it.

He was probably upset about his wreck, but in a few days, he'll understand, and probably wonder why ANYONE would open the door at 11 pm to a strange man!!!

I have the linking blocks that you mentioned from Rainbow Resources. I had the original linking blocks but my girls couldn't link them. These are much easier to link together. It mentioned in tha catalog description that they were easy to use, so I bought 'em! I am just starting my lists for next year. Have Fun!!!

I was for awhile. It was a great boost to my self-esteem, which, at the time, I needed alot. My dd does not qualify, I think. I was shocked that I did! There weren't any SIGs near me that I was interested in, but I enjoyed just 'being' a member. I will have to check the website for kids and see if there is anything good for the girls.

I'm cin(dy) and I'm homeschooling my 2 girls. Piper was reading at 3 1/2. She is 6 and is currently doign R&S math & reading, 2, grammar, & SOTW 1. She loves problem solving stuff, so I am working her through Primarily Creativity, Thinking and Logiv, 2 word game books that I found and Mind Benders 2. I do one page from each per week. She also loves spelling, but doesn't need it. I have spelling power, and each week we have a 'pre-test' where I go through the page having her spell words. WHen I get around 15 that she miss spelled, I have her spelling list. I've tried to discontinue spelling, but she REALLY loves it (I think it strokes her ego). She also LOVES reading, and I've been really working hard to find books AT THE LIBRARY that are appropriate for her. She's VERY sensitive and still has night terrors/mares so we have to be somewhat careful. In addition to the fact that alot of the books are just twaddle :rolleyes: I'm goign to turn her lose on the LIttle House books soon. If you've read this far, THANKS!!! I know she's not as far ahead as some of your kids, but it's still nice to be able to share with others who are in the same boat, and won't think I"m bragging.

So far I've read: A Wrinkle in time, Fast Food Nation& Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire. I'm working through Fox's Book of Martyrs, a book about Einstein's brain, Pride and Prejudice, and Death's Acre. I had to replace a couple because of availablity. The library didn't have some of my top picks, so I've tried to stay with the general topic (I wanted a biography of Einstein, for example, but the library had the story of the travels of his brain). I am enjoying the diversity and enlightenment :)

My cycles are alot like Anna's. I have 4 wk cycles, which include 7-10 days of PMS and 4-5 days of migraines, cramps and all the other fun stuff. My options were a complete or take the pill without a break. Since I have 2 littles I opted for the pill without a break. At some point in the near future I will probably opt for the surgery. All that to say that quality of life IS important, and if it causes something in 30-40 yrs, well, by then I'll probably have a bunch of other things too. Until then, I want to HAVE FUN!!!! hugs

I wake up at 7:00, when DH brings my glass of milk up before he leaves for work. I watch the news, read my Bible and sometimes doze until 8:00 when I get dressed and go wake THEM. Getting them dressed is enough in the morning. I do not require them to make their beds (I too, do not make mine!). I try to have them downstairs by 8:30 for breakfast, then brush their teeth and wipe off their faces and 'go to' school. I do their hair during that get dressed time. THey have no free time before school. DD3 is the slowest eater so when dd6 is done she is told to go start her math. :p Such a fun mommy!

I don't remember when our math book introduced subtraction, but they were taught together. We didn't memorize our addition facts before we started subtraction, in fact, right now we are learning the facts as number families. 8, 3, 11. The problems are mixed on the page but all center around those three numbers.