That sounds delicious. I usually use noodles like most other posters. But I'm completely clueless on how to add barley & would love to hear how you do it. (Soon, if possible, because my carcass is simmering as I type.) TIA!

I use ziplocs in the freezer to store open bags of frozen fruit and vegetables. If I finish a bag of fruit or vegetables, I keep the ziploc in the freezer to reuse the next time I have an open bag of that same item. I also save old bread/roll bags. I clean them out & use them when I bake my own bread. I just can't see the point in throwing away a perfectly good bag. And I don't consider myself "green", I just don't like to waste things.

During my visit last week to TJ's, I discovered that they now sell chocolate covered potato chips. They're amazing! (But the bag is pretty small, so I would ask for a few.)

My all time favorite (which I was surprised not to see mentioned) is Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. It's thick, but I could not put it down. I keep an extra copy on my book shelf to share with friends.

I recommend Sequence for Kids. It's simple to play, but involves enough strategy to interest older children. My ds (now 5) has loved it since he was 3, and I enjoy it as well (whereas I could barely get through a game of Candyland).

I'm sure you have your reasons for not wanting to shop on Ebay, but you might want to consider just browsing, because there are a ton of instruction books listed, including multi-book lots, that are going for what seems to be a very low price (considering what you saw on Amazon). Even if you don't want to buy through Ebay, sometimes sellers have their own independent websites you can link to via Ebay & maybe you could find something that way.

I'm quite surprised to hear this. I was getting ready to start SOTW Ancients, but now I'm a little concerned about this series. I was wondering what other conclusions you noticed in the series that were similarly objectionable, in your opinion, if you're willing to share. (I don't mean to turn this into a political discussion -- I'm just trying to determine how much this series may conflict with our family's personal viewpoints so that I can make a better informed decision before purchasing.) Of course, even if the series presents viewpoints with which one disagrees, you can address them yourself - just wanted to know what I might be dealing with. Thanks, Kathleen

I certainly appreciate all of the comments. They made me smile, and some even made me laugh. But most of all, they reaffirmed my belief in my decisions. And several did such a wonderful job of putting into words all those thoughts running through my head that I have trouble articulating when I'm put on the spot by someone questioning my decision. Thanks so much! Kathleen

Thanks so much. I don't purchase many books new, but there is something I really wanted, and your timing is perfect!

Okay, I really wanted to discuss this here with people who might "get it". I recently had a conversation with a very nice neighbor about the fact that we started homeschooling this year. A couple of times, he opined "it's hard to let go." After returning home, that phrase kept running through my head, because I've been struggling with whether homeschooling is a good idea for our family. I questioned myself -- "Do I just want to homeschool because I don't want to let my son go?" I don't want this to be a decision I make for my own selfish reasons, but what's best for my son. But then I thought, "no, I don't want to let him go, not to an institution that can do him more harm than good." And I went on to realize that I certainly could find plenty of things I would enjoy doing while he's stuck all day at school. So no, it's not a selfish decision. But I still couldn't stop thinking about those words. And it struck me that the powers that be who created compulsory schooling have caused us to believe that we need to "let go" of our children when they are most vulnerable . . . . let them go to a place that will form their values and ideas for a lifetime. We, their families, are not to have a part in that. That is the job of the state, who knows what's best for our children. It really saddenned me that our society has been convinced of this fact, and it is therefore now "normal" to "let go" of our dear children so that somebody else may influence them and guide them away from strong relationships with their families. Thanks for letting me share. Kathleen

I've discovered that two amazing books are available free online. "The Deliberate Dumbing Down of America" can be downloaded here: http://www.deliberatedumbingdown.com/ Also, John Taylor Gatto's excellent book "The Underground History of American Education" can be read online here: http://www.johntaylorgatto.com/chapters/index.htm (This one wasn't even available from my local library district of some 20 libraries.) Enjoy!!

We also have a laminated world map for my ds (5). It's a standard world map - nothing made just for kids. We got it at Borders (before they went out of business, sadly). I was planning on hanging it, but he has so much fun spreading it out on our living room table. He loves driving his Matchbox cars to different continents & countries. He's learned the location of more countries than I could have ever imagined just from playing what we call "the map game". We've expanded the game by also using the globe and driving the cars to the same country on the map then the globe. (I think the different perspective of the globe is good to learn. And yes, countries like Russia are totally distorted on a 2D map.) Our globe is an inexpensive regular globe (again, not one made just for children) - I think my mom found it at Walmart. At some point we might put the map on the wall, but for now we're enjoying using it this way, and rolling it up in the corner when not in use. The other advantage of a laminated map is that you can write on it (& then wipe the writing off) for other fun activities. Have fun!!

As a little supplement to whatever you decide, consider letting the kids collect the state quarters. My ds (5) LOVES finding new state quarters & putting them in his collection book, which he got as a gift. When we put a quarter in the book, we locate the state, find on the quarter the year it became a state, and discuss why the picture on the back of the quarter was chosen for that state. Sometimes we'll pull out our book about states for further discussion. And family & friends now love to bring him a quarter when they visit -- much better than another toy to clutter the house. Also, we're making a list of different license plates we see when we're driving. Again, each time one is found & added to the list, it can be a point of discussion. You can even keep a map and/or book in the car for reference. Good luck! Kathleen

If anybody knows where to find the thread for the lists for SOTW1 & SOTW2, I really would appreciate it. Thanks, Kathleen

I'm going to be starting this study shortly with my ds5, and I'm looking for recommendations for short storybooks/picture books that deal with archaeology and/or nomads. Thanks in advance! Kathleen

Thank you for all the helpful replies. I agree that I have difficulty writing on the larger paper with midlines. We'll definitely give the smaller paper a try when we get started in a couple of weeks. Thanks again, Kathleen

I'm considering using the WRTR for kindergarden. The book recommends using paper with 5/8-inch spacing between lines for beginners through second grade, contending that wider spacing forces children to draw letters instead of writing. (And it discourages using paper with a dotted midline.) While I appreciate this concept, it strikes me that this is very small spacing for a 5-year old. If anybody has used this smaller spacing paper for a beginning writer, I would be interested in whether it was successful and any other input you might have. Thanks, Kathleen