We just started using the Writing Skills book for my 5th Grader. It's easy to follow and straightforward. My son hates writing, but this book is working well for him. My 7th grader is using Jump In and is doing really well with it. He also hates writing, but he's having fun with the assignments in this program.

My oldest is 12 (almost 13) and he loves to cook. He's been making full meals for a couple of years now. His pancakes rock! I trust him (most of the time) and he does fine. My second oldest is 11 and I would never trust him in the kitchen by himself. He enjoys helping out and wants to try to do things on his own, but he's spacey, forgetful, and impulsive. He requires close supervision. My 9 year old doesn't really have the patience to be in the kitchen (and honestly I don't have the patience to have him in there either). I think I'm going to get my 5 year old some child sized kitchen tools and a kid cookbook for Christmas and let her help out some more. See how she does and if she likes helping out.

but the freshly fallen snow was calling our name. We are so far behind on schoolwork I'm going to regret it later, but I couldn't resist letting them go out and play in it while the PS kids were still in school. We just moved here and where we lived previously didn't get snow (although my kids have seen it and played in it before). They love it and are having a blast.

From our own experience, CLE is tough and is a lot of work. If your kids aren't too fond of math (like mine, lol), adding in a complete second program might make them mutiny. I would suggest doing Math Mammoth Blue series and picking the topics they need help with. This is what I am doing with my 5th grader.

Unfortunately, we got a late start to the school year and are behind. So we will be doing regular school M-W, have Thursday off for Thanksgiving, and as long as DH goes to work on Friday, we will have school on Friday as well. It stinks, but I hate feeling like we're constantly behind and taking the week off (or just a day or two) would make it worse.

No advice because I know EXACTLY how you feel!! I started this year looking forward to doing lots of read alouds with the kids, but the reality of it is, I just haven't found the time. I go back and forth all day long between the four of them. Then it's chores, activities, dinner, cleanup, time for DH (who doesn't get home until 8 or 9pm). By then, I'm so exhausted I just want to fall in bed and sleep. I tell myself every day I'll find the time, but never manage to actually do it.

I would be interested in a course like this as well.

Ours was out for 11 hours a couple of weeks ago. I was really worried about the stuff in the fridge but everything was fine. It was still cold when I opened the door. I was relieved because it was right after we did our big payday shopping trip.

Thank you! I just wasn't sure McRuffy taught the same things as OPGTR. I think she doesn't like it because the words on the page are too small and there aren't any pictures, lol. I had a dry erase board but it was damaged in the move and we haven't replaced it yet. The small one I have is still too small for her. We are using McRuffy Math too and she LOVES it! She often asks to do 2 lessons a day.

My daughter is 5 (just turned 5 in August). She knows all of her letters and sounds (most of the time, lol). I bought OPGTR to be our main program and McRuffy K for fun and reinforcement. I also have ETC that I get for free and she has fun filling out the workbook (we have been using Before the Code and it's too easy for her so just today I stepped her up to ETC). She HATES OPGTR. She begged me this morning to not use it anymore. We are on lesson 33 (we had a slow start and went through some of the alphabet parts before she just suddenly knew all of her letters and sounds). Is McRuffy enough? Or should I push on with OPGTR. She'll do it if I tell her we have to, but I don't want to risk killing her love of learning.

Those look pretty good! Thank you. I just ordered a couple from Paperbackswap.

We put about 6 boneless, skinless thighs in with 2 cans of cream of celery and 2 cans cheddar soup (I think we put in a can of water too). Cook all day and kind of tear the chicken pieces up right before serving. Serve over rice. Everybody LOVED it!

We stayed at the Comfort Inn Ballston when we were there this summer. It was about a 15 minute walk (that's with 4 kids) to the metro station. It's safe and clean (we walked from the metro at night and I felt perfectly safe and I'm a freakazoid about that stuff, lol). I checked it out though and it's $230 for tomorrow night :001_huh:. We didn't pay that much when we stayed there, but it's probably a decent rate if something is going on.

Pros: My kids can work at their own pace. I get to spend more time with them. I can teach each one the way that works best for them. Cons: I am totally responsible for their education (if they fail, it's my fault, lol). I do feel that my kids are missing out on some of the fun I had in school (parties, dances, etc.) I spend all day, every day with my kids (yes, it's a pro and a con; I never have any time to myself which I need for my sanity).

My parents divorced around the 15 year mark and so did my DH's parents. We hit 15 years in January and I'm proud to say things couldn't be better (well, we are adjusting to DH's new work schedule; it's hard, but I know it won't last forever so that helps). The way I see it, our first 5 years were extremely difficult, so we deserve to have it relatively easy now, lol.

I am looking for a new grammar program for my 5th grader (who has ADHD, doesn't like school, and is overall difficult to teach). He has used Growing With Grammar in the past and I just don't feel that it's working for him (although my 7th grader is using it with much success). He just fills out the worksheets and doesn't remember any of it. Right now, I am looking at the following programs and was wondering if anyone had any experience with them: Winston Grammar Calvert Foundations in Grammar 1 Excercises in English Giggly Guide to Grammar

We are doing pretty good with most things. We LOVE McRuffy LA for my Kindergartner and 3rd Grader. I also LOVE the McRuffy K Math. Not too sure about the 3rd grade math yet. It doesn't seem to be enough (my son would say otherwise, lol). Sequential Spelling is definitely NOT working for my 3rd or 5th grader. I will be replacing it with either Soaring with Spelling and Vocab. or Apples and Pears Spelling. I loved the idea behind Sequential Spelling and really thought it would work, but my boys aren't catching on. The grammar I have for my 5th grader isn't working either. Not sure what I'm going to replace it with yet.

My son just got to the problem area in the book as well. He has been able to figure it out so far, but he is very displeased with the mistake. This week he also noticed a mistake in his spelling program which didn't make him happy either!

Try looking for a Bed and Breakfast. We found those to be the cheapest option for lodging in Europe for our family of 6. We stayed at one near the airport and walked to the train station to take it into London. Can't remember the name of it right now though.

The Apennines are the range that covers most of Italy. It runs right down the center all the way to the boot. The Dolomites only cover the northern part.

Thank you!!! I will be checking out all of these options tonight after we finish school and get some more boxes unpacked. Is the Focus On CPO books the same as the regular ones? I don't know why I am leary about using them, but I am desperate and it is a cheaper option.

I think the only ones that exist are CPO and Prentice Hall, but I thought I'd try. I am in desperate need of science for my 7th grader. I was going to buy CPO, but the price of the books on Amazon have gone WAY up. We've already started our school year, so I really need something fast. I want him to do Life Science this year to stay on track with the PS since he will be going back to PS.

Here!

I am doing American history with my 5th grader (10 almost 11 years old) and my 3rd grader (9 years old). My Kindergartner (will be 5 by the time school starts) will be tagging along.

My baby starts Kindergarten this year. We plan on doing: Phonics/Reading: OPGTR and McRuffy Phonics K Math: McRuffy Math K Handwriting: HWOT K Extra: Five In a Row Also, tagging along for: Artistic Pursuits K-3 Book 2 Elemental Science Biology American History And we'll go through What Your K'er Needs to Know.