We just joined one locally that started a month ago. It is very informal and open to all ages. Each learner is encouraged to learn about the country in any way they prefer and the group meets 2x month to share with one another. It is modeled from Passports: Crossing Cultural Borders from OPB. Here is the posting from our yahoo group: Join us as we launch an exciting, new geography study group called Passports . Who: This group is open to students of all ages who love to learn about the fascinating world around them and the people we share it with. What: Self-directed learning that you bring and share together as a group. Earn stamps for each area of your passport to gain an ambassadorship for the country studied. How: By exploring as many different aspects about a country and culture as we can and sharing what we learn with others. We will play games and do simple crafts whenever possible.

After 5 years of casual summer use, I just bought my 2nd pair. LOVE THEM!

Children are born wired to learn languages. The more exposure and practice they get when they are young, the more they will understand and be able to communicate in both languages. I just recently read "The Bilingual Edge" by Kendall King. It provided encouragement to begin NOW.... and also gave many suggestions for practice (games, movies, story time, etc.). I speak Spanish fluently and have always been timid about speaking Spanish with my children... fearing that it would confuse them. After reading this book, I was encouraged to start. I try to speak in Spanish 1-2 hrs each day (using a lot of animation and acting it out, occasionally sandwiching the English translation if they aren't getting it). My DD (6) has been taking Mandarin for 6 months - her choice/her passion - but is now quickly picking up Spanish. Both my children take Taekwondo and the dojo uses a lot of Korean. My DD teaches my son Mandarin .... they haven't confused the languages. Granted, they won't be fluent in any one of these.... but they'll have familiarity. When they are older and choose a language for themselves (my DD seemingly has already done so), my hope is that they'll pick up on it more quickly. I try to provide as much exposure and practice in Mandarin and Spanish as I can. My DS has memorized the Polar Express (his passion) so now I encourage him to watch it in Spanish instead. He didn't like it at first but will now request it in Spanish. Sorry for the ramble.... hope I could provide a little something.

When this came up in our house about 8 months ago, I explained to my 3 yr old son and 5 yr old daughter that they were "mommy band-aids". They didn't inquire any further.

My daughter (now 6) expressed interest in learning Mandarin a couple of years ago. We struggled for about 6 months (using DVDs from the library, online sources, etc.) until we found a class for 4-6 year olds. She goes 2x week for 1 hr. Not much but she is getting the basics and building a foundation. The other students are younger and not as motivated however (an important life skill in itself), so after this current session (each is 6 weeks) we will be working with the instructor independantly (private tutoring). Finding someone that speaks Mandarin, I think, is crucial. Over the past year, I have also begun to compile resources in a Squidoo lens. Feel free to visit and explore some of the links: http://www.squidoo.com/FunWithMandarin

I did it! First workout in a week! 4 miles with the aim to push the pace just a little considering I have been sick. It was snowing and I felt great!

I've been a runner all my life but have only recently (past 4 years) been as devoted as I am now. When to run? When you can! For most, that is first thing in the morning. Things happen throughout the day and it is too easy let the run get pushed aside. How to start? Find a plan that looks do-able for you. Jeff Galloway's website is a great place to start. Also, Hal Higdon. Both have training plans for 5K and beyond. Start with a 5K and go from there. Best advice: Go to a running store like Fleet Feet and get good shoes! Definitely worth the extra $. After every run, stretch well and hydrate.

Here is a great place to get skins or templates for FREE... easy to follow instructions too! http://freeskins.blogspot.com/ I use two of these templates for my blogs... one of which I have used my own header.

I do a little of both. I'll try to summarize: What we do a la Charlotte Mason: Lessons of short duration Lots of narration (all oral at this point) Lots of copywork Nature Walks Picture Study Composer Study Living Books (i.e. good literature) Shakespeare Lots of handcrafts (cross-stitch, crochet, illustration, etc.) Masterly Inactivity encouraged What we do a la Classical / Trivium: 4 year rotation (science and history) Story of the World Classic Literature (Gilgamesh, Odyssey, Shakespeare, etc.) Latin (though not yet) Singapore Math

My DD expressed interest in learning Mandarin when she was almost 5. I have not real clue why, she just said, "I want to learn how to speak Chinese." We went with Mandarin because it is more widely used. We started my exploring free online resources like Mango.Languages.com and borrowing language materials from the library (Muzzy, etc.). Nothing was really clicking. Then in the fall of '08, the local Language Institute offered a class for 4-6 year olds. We jumped at the chance! We are now in the midst of the 3rd session and there have always been only 4-5 children enrolled. My understanding is 4 is the minimum so if anyone drops, I am going to hire the instructor for private tutoring. In some respects I'd prefer that now... my DD is the oldest and has the desire to learn... the others play and goof off sometimes. But I also want her to experience that for what it is. The teacher does a lot of games, etc. with them. This 3rd session she is just now beginning to introduce the Chinese written characters and more phrases. She is also explaining/teaching the tones now. We opted to go with Mandarin now as it is a more difficult language to learn. I figure it best to get exposed now when learning languages is easier. I speak Spanish fluently and occasionally speak with my kids in Spanish. I would like to more regularly but it is the first thing that gets dropped. We also took a Sign Language class for a short time and have all the Signing Time DVDs. I was big into signing before the kids could talk... so we know a number of signs. We just don't use it. Again, like Spanish, it gets dropped when we get busy. In a few years, I will also add Latin. Not certain how just yet... we'll be doing it together as I, too, want to learn.

You ladies are rockin'! I haven't been running or swimming or doing much of anything other than typing this past week. We're all sick - congestion, cough, runny nose, dizziness... you name it! I haven't left the house since Tues so we are at each others throats! It is good to come here and see the effort you are all making. Kudos!

My DD is 1st grade and I am an avid blogger. Homeschooling. Oregon Style. :D

I'm taking it a year at a time but I hope to hs through 12th. We'll see, though. I don't want to promise anything - and be disappointed later.

SOTW 1 Singapore Math (DD placed into 2A) Lots of copywork Science - lots of nature study, focus on life sciences Art Study (Charlotte Mason style) Composer Study (Charlotte Mason style) Mandarin (through our parks & rec) Taekwondo & Swimming

I didn't run - but I swam! :) 2050m I felt great!

I didn't see the original post you are referring to .... but I have had photobooks printed at several online vendors and have been pleased with them all. I do, however, recommend hard-bound as opposed to soft-bound... the soft-bound one the pages started to pop out because the glue didn't bind them in well enough to be handled often. Shutterfly Snapfish MyPublisher If you are going to use a lot of text - you may prefer Blurb.

Oh! I wish I had thought of that. It's been a little confusing jumping back and forth. Particularly when we read a bunch of books from the library and they are generally more broad scope.

We are in the midst of first grade right now. Throughout our unit, I integrated ecology studies. We did many nature walks. Went to the zoo... the aquarium, etc. I try to incorporate as many field trips as I can. We homeschool year round so our schedule may be a little different but here was my plan: Summer: Plant Kingdom / Forest Ecology Fall: Animal Kingdom - Vertebrates / Desert Ecology Winter: Animal Kingdom - Invertebrates / Marine Ecology Spring: Human Body / History of Medicine / Cells Periodically, the kiddos would ask questions about earth/space... I answered as best I could and told them that we would study earth/space more extensively soon. Finally, in December, they said, "We are tired of learning about animals. Can we learn about earth now?" We've thereby changed direction.... we never made it to the human body this year, but plan to return to it this summer or fall.

I am in the process of creating a Squidoo lens for Geology... it is still in progress (as I'll continue to add to it as we progress - we just started a geology unit upon the request of my kiddos - I had intended on doing life sciences this year but they kept asking ?s about earth & space). http://www.squidoo.com/GeologyRocks There are links to texts, online videos, and lapbooking resources. I hope you can find something of use.

I haven't yet read the book, regrettably, but I took my two kiddos on Friday. My DD is 6, my son will be 4 next month. They both enjoyed the film and said afterwards, "There were a couple scary parts but I really liked it." My DD said the scariest part was at the end when the shadow was brought out... another scary part was in the middle when they escaped from Capricorn's castle and the tornado came... also when they were trying to find another copy of the book and Capricorn's came after them, capturing the author and the girl. Hope that helps some...

Just as the tide ebbs and flows, so too does our exercise ... I've slowly been rebuilding and trying to overcome an injury (plantars faciitis). Mon - 1700m swim Tues - rest Wed - 6 mile tempo run Thr - 2450m swim Fri - rest Sat - 4.5 mile run Sun - nothing thus far..... I have been debating whether or not to register for a marathon vs. half marathon in May. I just haven't decided one way or the other. It is great to see other ladies here for motivation... to see I'm not alone in the occasional struggle. Kudos to all of us - where ever we are in the process. :D

Here's a great little video: http://www.brainpop.com/science/weather/snowflakes/

I got one last winter so I could continue to train for my marathon when it was too treacherous to be out. I'm not talking wind and rain or cold temps (I love running outdoors in all weather) - I'm talking packed snow, ice --- I fell and broke my wrist one year running on ice so DH doesn't want me to do that again. Also, my kiddos are still young and I have to push them in a double stroller. That isn't possible when there is snow... the stroller and the kids weighs well over 100 lbs and the wheels just sink into the snow. This winter, however, DH has been using my treadmill more than I - he is putting me to shame. I'm not really training for anything specific so it is too easy for me to talk myself out of running if I have to run on the treadmill.

DH wakes me around 5:10 as he gets into the shower. I make him breakfast - we read the paper together - he goes to work and then I generally have 2 hour window before the kids get up. On weekends, he and I are still up by 6 ... we try to stick to the same schedule throughout the week. We're usually in bed by 9. Though sometimes, I get up after he falls asleep if I have a project in mind. I'm a night owl and love to work while everyone else is sleeping. He sets an alarm but is generally awake before it goes off.

KateMary ~ I love your approach! Thank you!