Yes...king sheets on a queen bed are a marriage saver, not to mention they keep my buns from freezing! Another solution...and the one we're using now...is for each to have their own top sheet. I have a twin sheet; dh cocoons in a blanket. (We're having some temperature differences at the moment!)

Congratulations! We've got a big gap here as well...our kids were almost 10 and 13 when the little guy was born. He's been a great thing for our family. Hope to see you in Cincy! Sandy

My teens both work at our local, very small branch. (Big system but we're close to one of the smallest branches) The librarians know everyone by name and don't hesitate to kick the kids out if they're unruly. And the best time to go is during the school hours as there's no kids hanging out there at the free babysitter!

I love this board! I learn so many great things here...thanks for the list.

I give the Stanford or Iowa test (usually Stanford) to kids in our hs group each spring. (Volunteer basis) I'm a certified teacher and purchase them from BJUP.

My 7 yr old is just now getting the hang of writing...and still complaining loudly that I won't let him make the letters the way he wants to. And I'm teaching a teen to drive, too. It's just neverending!

I would absolutely drive 3 hours to see Mt. Rushmore. I remember going as a child--it's absolutely magnificient.

Church, homeschool support group, friends and family. DS1 also belongs to the local juggling club.

To do something special, two people would have to remember. Guess who usually forgets?

I think it's because of the PSAT. My son is receiving a bunch of stuff, too, and it just started. Since he hasn't registered anywhere other than the College Board site, that must be it.

We'll do R&S 3-8. That will be grammar--period. (Lit and writing in high school) That's the plan, anyway.

I've graduated one, will graduate the second next year and plan to hs the youngest till he graduates--in another 11 years.

It's on abebooks.com http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=Hyer&sts=t&tn=laurel+reader&x=0&y=0

You might try fetchbook.info or abebooks.com.

What a gift for your son and family! Praying here that he recognizes and redeems this opportunity.

The Lowell Observatory is in Flagstaff and was very interesting to tour. (Course my bil works there and I got the behind-the-scenes tour!) Sedona is about an hour or so away from Flag and is absolutely beautiful--not to be missed.

If I understand correctly, traditionally his delegates will vote for whomever he endorses. (But they are not legally required to do so...) http://www.republicansource.com/primaries.htm

DH had this happen recently. I got a collection notice for a cell bill in California--neither of us has stepped foot in California for over 30 years! Contact the credit bureaus immediately and file a fraud report. Put a hold on your credit. Order reports and look them over carefully, then dispute anything that's not yours. And, according to the Fair Debt Collection Act, if you inform a caller that the debt is not yours and you do not want them to call you, they legally cannot call you anymore. Google the Fair Debt Collection Act and read it carefully. Then mention it when you receive a call....that usually shuts them down right away. But you must be sure these accounts are not on your record...don't hesitate, go to the credit bureau sites and submit a dispute right away.

My dh postponed our wedding--the day after I'd sent out the invitations. It was horrible! But...we needed the time to hash out some things. We spent six months fighting like cats and dogs and decided that we needed each other anyway. Got married 21 1/2 yrs ago--and I can count on one hand the times we've actually fought about something in those years. I'll be praying for your sister. I KNOW how very hard this is for her.

I can remember living on mashed potatoes, jello and pudding for about a week after every orthodontia appt. Not a fun time...but I'm glad I had it done. (not just cosmetic for me)

I picked this up last week, and my ds thinks it's a hoot. All I have to do is ask "is it a belly or..." and he starts chuckling. It's really helped him with b and d.

Thanks for mentioning starfall.com. (I'd never heard of it.) I checked it out last night and today ds was thrilled with the activities. I don't think he even realized he was reading. (He thinks reading is toooo hard.) I learn so much from this board.

My dd used AO science in 7th grade. It was horrible, horrible, horrible. Are you looking for something secular?

I truly think that R&S grammar through book 8 is MORE than enough grammar. If you see a deficiency in writing during the high school years, then I'd plan on a brush up. Otherwise, I'd spend the time on something else. Neither of my older kids has done grammar in hs. My oldest is an English major in college...and is president of the university's English honor society.