[*THUD* I ordered graph paper from Miller Pads & Paper yesterday.]

Yes it is expensive, but I really doubt you have been overcharged. Shipping is just very expensive these days. And paper is heavy.

[A question for Fiestaware users]

Do Fiestaware dishes fit in your dishwasher OK? My mom has Fiestaware and I find her dishwasher hard to load, especially the bowls. I'm thinking of buying Fiestaware for myself, but am concerned abut this issue.

 

Thanks,

Dawn

[If you have 4 or more (small) kids AND you're a church-goer,]

I guess we don't get sick that often. Our attendance is probably about 95%. I have missed one Sunday this winter because of a sick child. Sickness is the only thing that would keep us home. We attend two services on Sunday, plus Sunday school and often a meal or meeting too. We also attend Wed. evening prayer meeting.

[Who is watching 24?]

Tonight was a 2 hour episode. You (and I) missed the first hour. Boo hoo!

[Is there an illness with high fever going around?]

Last weekend my baby was sick for about two days with a high fever. It got up to almost 105 once, which is the highest I've ever seen with any of my kids. She was fussy, but didn't have any cold symptoms or respiratory trouble. The doctor tested her for the flu, but it came back negative. We just had to wait it out. I hope your son feels better soon.

[What one thing are you procrastinating?]

getting back into a healthy breakfast routine

grading math homework

touching up paint in the bathroom

getting my hair cut

[what do you think of this quote from Keeping House]

I just finished reading Keeping House by Margaret Peterson. (I thought it had been discussed here, but I can't find the thread.) This quote from the last chapter really struck me as profound. As a homeschooler, I often feel like I have to achieve "maximum efficiency"... which I don't achieve... and then I am very frustrated. What are your thoughts?

 

"Efficiency can be the enemy of hospitable housekeeping, especially in the face of small or large emergencies. All too often, efficiency is just another name for being spread too thin. A few years ago there were massive cascading power failures all over the eastern United States that were eventually attributed in part to design features meant to make the distribution of power as efficient as possible. It turned out that because all parts of the system were working at maximum efficiency all of the time, the system as a whole had no way to adjust to problems, and small-scale disruptions rapidly became large-scale catastrophes.

 

Maximum efficiency in housekeeping routines can have the same effect. If we are working as fast as we can, all the time, there is no way to adjust to the inevitable disruptions. Moreover, maximum efficiency easily turns into no rest for the weary. You are never done because the plan is never to be done; the plan is to be working at something or other, full speed ahead, all the time."

[What toys for the church nursery?]

I appreciate all the ideas!

 

What type of trains/tracks? Doesn't Brio/Thomas have pieces that are too small for toddlers?

 

Where would I store the puzzles? Should they be out of reach and given to children one a time?

 

:)

[What toys for the church nursery?]

I am in charge of overhauling our church nursery. It is in poor shape right now, with lots of old yucky toys. I am going to purchase some type of baskets/bins/containers for the toy shelves. I want to fill the 6 containers with 6 types of toys. What toys do you suggest? Maybe blocks, cars, Little People?

 

What large toys are good for a church nursery? Slide, kitchen, rocking horse??

 

I'd love to hear your ideas. TIA!

[Woo hoo... I don't know what EVER gift under the tree is :)]

I am getting more excited than usual about Christmas. I think it is because I didn't have to personally buy every gift under the tree. The kids are getting old enough to shop for each other. My daughter just wrapped several gifts without any help from me. So on Christmas morning there will be quite a few things that will be a surprise. Woo hoo! :)

[Views on Christmas... Poll, no debate please]

Though we do sing songs about Jesus' birth during this time of year (we actually sing them at other times too, though), we really see Christmas as a family tradition -- all about fun, giving, and feasting.

 

Dec 25 was not chosen for it's Christian significance, and Jesus most likely was NOT born in December. We stopped trying to put the Christ back in Christmas and stopped calling Jesus the reason for the season -- choosing to have pure, simple fun this time of the year and making sure we walk in a manner worthy of His calling every day of the year.

 

:iagree: This is our view too.

[Moldy, yucky shower door]

Thanks, ladies. I think this will be one of my projects for next week. My concern is that there might not be a high enough lip/edge to the shower stall to keep the curtain in place. Does that make sense? Anyway, I think I'll give it a try. :)

[Moldy, yucky shower door]

The shower stall in our master bath is just gross. The caulk around the door is moldy and the metal is rusty. Has anyone opted for a shower curtain instead of a door for a stand-alone shower stall? Would it work?

 

I hate cleaning shower doors, especially when they never really get clean. And I'm sure replacing it would cost quite a bit. Any ideas?

[I'd love to see your family picture...]

Here is my crew. :)

[What are you getting your parents for Christmas??]

I am getting my parents a six month subscription to Netflix. And I will set up their queue for them with lots of good movie recommendations. I am really excited! I never know what to get them and I think they'll enjoy this.

[International Baccalaureate program?]

Very helpful! Thanks for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate the feedback. :)

[International Baccalaureate program?]

Our public high school offers the International Baccalaureate program. My oldest child is in 6th grade right now, but I am looking ahead a few years and wondering if this might be something good for her to pursue. I don't know much about the program. Do any of you have experience with it? How difficult is the program? My daughter isn't super smart, but she works hard. Is it hard to get into an IB program?

[a church question...]

Every reformed church I have attended had either the word Reformed or Presbyterian in the name. So that is a good place to start. But there are many presbyterian churches that are not reformed, so you will have to investigate further. If you can find out what denomination they are in, that is helpful. PCA, OPC, RP and BP are some reformed denominations that I would recommend.

[s/o: Most c-sections, had by someone you know?]

a friend had 6 c-sections in 7.5 years. she doesn't plan to have any more.

[Poll: On what day of the week were your dc born?]

dd1 was born on Wednesday

ds2 was born on Monday

 

and the other three were all scheduled inductions on Tuesday because that is when my favorite midwife is on call. :)

[What has your toddler/preschooler been playing with during school time?]

My almost 3 year old has been so good for our first week of school! He loves Magnetix and can play with them quietly for a long time. He also likes putting bands on the geoboard. He really likes to be near us as we work. What have your little people been doing during school time?

[US History for a first grader]

What curriculum do you recommend for US History for a first grader? I really like the way SOTW is set up for history. Is there something similar that I could use to cover US history?

[Where to buy table pads?]

I went to my local furniture store and ordered one from there. The salesperson actually offered to come to my house and measure my table for me. That was great. I was nervous about not measuring it exactly right and then ending up with a pad that didn't fit.

[Rod and Staff- writing in the textbook?]

and will do it again this year with the 8th grade book. Our son is not a writing person, akin to torture for him. I figure he needs to write in other subjects so he learns to write, so why add math as well. When he starts algebra, we will switch to using notebook paper.

Cindy

 

Even though there were some problems that couldn't be done in the book, the ones that could helped with the copying out. I would say we got through half the year before it became necessary to copy out very much.

 

Julie

 

Thanks everyone! I think I will definitely let my son write in the textbook for 4th grade, but maybe I will consider it for my daughter also who is in 6th. My daughter actually struggles with it more than my son. Thanks for the input! :)

[Chore Charts....can I see yours?]

I just made a new chore list for my kids. It is a Word document. I'd be happy to email it to you if you'd like. I don't know any way to post it. I just used a table in Word. It isn't fancy, but it works for us. :)