Aw...but their cost of living area is soooo high! I know, I know, I'm going to hel...:angelsad2:

I'll just go ahead and vent a little. We are a family of four living on $16K a year. Last year we eeked by on less than $10K. Up until 5 years ago we spent all of the $60K to $80K a year my dh brought home...so it's been positively scary at times...but we're still here. We purposely didn't sell the pop-up camper...just in case. Sometimes life just throws hard things at people... and I'm feeling a little frazzled tonight. 'Nuff said. Geo

:001_huh:...taking a fork to the book would be a better choice.

Saw this on ebay, seems to be the type you're looking for. Some of them are "I CAN" books.... http://www.ebay.com/itm/lot-8-childrens-drawing-books-can-draw-see-other-lots-combine-/160868732246?pt=US_Childrens_Books&hash=item2574860d56

Praying...:grouphug:

I hope my eldest children go that way, so they could build on our property! Dh has looked at metal shipping containers... he would like to convert one and have a second home in Guatemala. I'm more than a little skiddish on the idea... "Remember...Adventure Is Out There!"

I have mine. I feel special. ;)

His reaction to the meds wearing off is called "rebounding" . Irritability or agitation is most common. ODD would present throughout the day....every day, trust me. :glare: Since your son has PDD, that probably makes it worse. Do you have the book, The Incredible 5-Point Scale? If you coud talk about the meltdowns and the rebounding of the meds ahead of time, and develop a plan of action in preparation for them, you may be able to help him learn or find a better way of coping through them...eventually. Understanding may make a big difference.I'm sure he's miserable from it too. Also, I've read that Vyvanse has less rebound effects. That may be worth looking into. http://www.amazon.com/Incredible-Assisting-Understanding-Interactions-Controlling/dp/1931282528/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342721030&sr=8-1&keywords=the+incredible+5+point+scale

That's not far from where we live. Not bliss exactly, but good enough. I love when I see the black bears and bald eagles fishing in the river...but don't love it when a mountain lion watches me feed the chickens and ducks, or drags a fresh kill (fawn) across the driveway. :eek: Free ranging has become a non-option, we lost 18 pullets last month! Oh...and when five-foot long black snakes (hunting baby squirrels) fall out of the trees! It just sucks all the fun out of those walks on the trails...I'm always looking up! :rolleyes:

We have our Matriarch, people!

I never figured you to be an "age evader"....:rolleyes: tisk, tisk, tisk

You win! (so far)....TWICE! :D Kalanamak, Maus, and amyg are 64. ...and then there's me...at 63. I think we're the oldest so far. :001_huh: ETA: And SueinWI, above ;)

Have you talked to the Dr. about it? She may need her dose adjusted, or try a different med altogether. How long has she been taking it? Geo

I had a friend who became a widow while still homeschooling her youngest child. It too was a sudden loss, her dh fell off a roof while working. It took her quite awhile to get to the place of prior, normal functioning...about a year. She then gathered herself together and faced having to place the youngest in school, and got a full-time job. A local christian school gave her son a full scholarship to help ease the transition. You might think about checking into something like that for her. She had a hard time speaking without crying for the first year. Love on her. Pray for her...and let her hear your prayers, it's a comfort just to hear what's in people's hearts for her. I'm so sorry for you all.:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

Not a diagnosis, but....that isn't normal, by any stretch. My youngest (10yods) also takes a long, long time to write. He has no automaticity to his handwriting at all. He has to think, sometimes even ask, how to form a letter. He also had problems summarizing when we used WWE. He was dx'd with with dysgraphia, a LD in written expression. We accomodate it with "Dragon Naturally Speaking" or I scribe for him. I do suggest you sit and observe her while she writes. Does her hand shake? Any complaints of pain or cramping? Does she feel exhausted after writing? Does she "draw" her letters? Does she forget how to form them? If you do suspect an ld, ask your pediatrician for a referral for a psycho-educational evaluation. You also may consider posting on the Special Needs Board. There are some really knowledgable ladies there. http://voices.yahoo.com/8-signs-child-has-dysgraphia-545852.html?cat=25 Geo

ETA: Originally Posted by Smurphygt We started out with borderline CAPD, but I was unsuccessful at getting that retested. I know every child is different, but my son does not act the same as the kids I've met with autism or Aspergers. However, he is very rigid in his thinking, likes rules, has difficulty interpreting how a person is feeling, will talk excessively about his own interests, is shy and reserved, and generally uncomfortable in social settings. This is what I question though...is every child who has difficulty with social interactions automatically on the spectrum? Well, generally, PDD-NOS is milder than Asperger's. There are probably other PDD-NOS kids that are milder/more severe than your son. No, not every kid with social deficits would be considered on the spectrum. Take my son, for example, he sounds just like your son. Only mine was diagnosed (by Ed-Psych) with Nonverbal Learning Disorder, which has many similarities to Asperger's (socially), but NLD is not on the spectrum. It also includes specific learning disabilities that are not related to autism...eg: dysgraphia,(a writing disability), dyscalculia (math), and visual/spatial (visual perception). Wide discrepancies between verbal skills and non-verbal skill test scores would be seen on the WISC-IV. ADHD is also a common co-morbid, as is anxiety disorder, which ds also has. The DSM changes...it doesn't really pin him down. Who is considered 'on the spectrum" currently, may not be in the future. OR...in my case, ds may qualify for PDD-NOS as well, if he were to go to the neuro-psych.

Oh man does this thread hit home, ugh. :glare: Note to self: "Fill a bag today, and throw it away." Keep moving forward...

Add these over time: Felt - different colors, styles, textures Tacky Glue, Fast grab, Quick dry, etc...less time to set or dry, = reduced frustration (try the small multi-pak at walmart) Lots of different types of paper in assorted colors, sizes, and weights like cardstock, construction, printer paper, tissue, mylar "tissue" paper, watercolor paper, sketch. 11x16 is perfect for folded "books". Stapler and lots of staples..attachment is as much fun as decoration Tape....tape is empowering :D like duct, cellophane, packing, etc.. Prismacolor color pencils...improves the overall quality of the artwork Watercolor pencils - draw and the brush with water Wiki sticks (beeswax coated string) Beeswax or other non-hardening modeling clay Air-Dry Clay...for pinch or coil pots and other creations Washable tempura paints Watercolors - liquid types make for more intense colors=better results Sparklies - confetti stars, glass blobs, googly eyes, feathers, fur, leather.... Dollar woodcraft kits from Michael's Chenille stems, or pipe cleaners Magnetic adhesive "buttons" Cardboard tubes Styrofoam balls, assorted sizes Low-temp hot glue gun Wire and wire cutters - floral wire, craft wire, beading wire...wire is fun and largely reuseable! Beads - (appropriate for the user) wood beads for doll/people heads, not just necklaces Wool roving for hair, animal bodies (find on ebay-1/4 to 1 oz will do) For a creative craft lover, new supplies are always inspiring! Keep an eye out for unusual materials.

Nope. There are herbal preparations that can regulate one's cycle just as well, or even better. We've used Feminine Herbal by GNLD. Worked like a charm.

First...:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: I know a little about how you're feeling, we've been burglarized once. It's such a creepy feeling that a stranger was in our home going through our belongings and touching our stuff! We all felt so violated. I hope you have a low deductible on your Homeowner's Insurance. :tongue_smilie: :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Geo

Dem's alot boots dere. :D

I guess I would make sure that the preparation for 6th grade was there in QLL....NOT because I'm a "play by the rules gal" (I'm not), but because OM places more emphasis on the developmental stages of learning rather than traditional topic cycles. If you're going to skip their bridge (5th) and plan to jump back in at 6th, it would be good to know you're not missing something in the writing sequence. Frustration with the writing assignments in 6th can spoil writing beyond 6th. :glare: My only suggestion would be to buy the 5th grade syllabus and pore over it to see exactly what it contains, taking note of writing skills covered, and how much. "No surprises" is my motto. I have also heard that the writing really takes off in OM 5 and 6. Best wishes!

Well....I'm not exactly the person you're hoping to hear from, but at least this will give your post a bump. :tongue_smilie: I have the current 4th grade syllabus too, and I agree, it does look great. Like you, I have considered extending the 4th year and skipping 5th. However, while reading about the 5th, the description specifically mentioned that the 5th year prepares the student for the writing demands of the 6th...hence, the worm in my plan. So...how would you prepare your child for the writing in 6th, without the preparation of the 5th year?

I had "1" child out of 6 that actually asked to be put on the potty at 15 months..and was night-dry by 2yo. The rest were day-trained somewhere in their twos, but some weren't able to stay dry at night until beyond 10+. I don't think it's always about how it's managed. We have a family history of enuresis and ADHD....that makes for late bloomers and wetters. :)

I bought a 32oz can of Hunts tomato paste at Big Lots once. :D