Hi Alanae! I'm moving up to Gastonia this week from FL so we're probably not to far from each other! We've been homeschooling our 12 yo ds since first grade and I'll be looking for some secular groups as well -- maybe we can get together! How old are your older kids? Carol

What is life without chocolate chip cookie dough?! :001_smile: Carol

Hi Aubrey, ARRGH how frustrating!! How's the baby? I'm so glad to be through with reserve duty for awhile and back home. Today's our first day of school! Looking forward to posting and hanging out here more often. Carol

:grouphug: Oh Aubrey he is beautiful!! Congratulations!! :001_smile: Carol

:grouphug: me too ... take care, Carol

Chiming in kinda late here, but, yes, I awoke at 6 am a split second before Niagara Falls flooded the bed the day my son was born ... no popping sensation at all and no labor until hours later when the doc put some hormone pill up inside me to get my labor going ... This is so exciting!!! :001_smile::001_smile: Carol

:iagree: as well! Of All the Nerve! I'm so sorry you're going through this ... you're right ... how are you ever going to sit around a campfire with her?! :grouphug: Everyone else has already spoken so eloquently ... just wanted to let you know I'm here rooting for you too! Carol

:iagree: with everything Lori just wrote. This was EXACTLY the case with handwriting for my ds, age 11, who has SPD and fine motor delay. Vision therapy and therapeutic riding lessons have helped him tremendously!! We also use Sequential Spelling (SS) and this year he learned to use the keyboard with a program from the SS folks. His spelling ability has skyrocketed along with his reading comprehension and writing ability. He'll be 12 in Oct. Carol

:iagree: I don't like them either ... and here in FL I'm always on guard. :glare: Carol

:iagree: Cake Batter is yummy .... also the new Cinnamon Buns flavor, Chocolate Chip cookie dough, Phish Food ... We have the B&J recipe book and make th Heath Bar Crunch every once in awhile ... YUMMY!!! Carol

:iagree: ... and I'll be away for two weeks starting next week ... will be going through withdrawal I think! :glare::001_smile: Carol

I would contact the Homeschool Legal Defense Agency -- they have tons of positive studies and statistics at their fingertips -- I'm sure they would help you; they are attorneys who specialize in defending homeschoolers nationwide. Go to www.hslda.org or call them directly at 540-338-5600. HTH, Carol

:iagree: with Carol in CA! :grouphug: and please be careful! Carol

:iagree: My ds, age 11, also has SPD/fine motor delay and everything Southern Mom has outlined -- we've done here as well. He now uses the keyboard for nearly all his writing and it has helped tremendously. Another thing that has benefitted him -- therapy horseback riding -- hippotherapy. We're fortunate to have a facilty just a few miles from here, especially since our insurance won't pay for any OT and the ps system said he didn't qualify for it. (Too long of a story to go into here ...) When he rides -- there is at least one person walking alongside and guiding him through OT exercises. You could try googling hippotherapy, etc to see if there's any facilities in your area. HTH, Carol

I always use the credit card and we pay it off in full every month -- and get the airline travel miles. Glad to know I'm not the only curriculum junkie here! :001_smile: Carol