Awesome booklist. I am going to look to it for planning next year. We are using Wee Gillis to discover Scotland right now. It is a fantastic lead-in to differences between Highland and Lowland cultures. I will need to check out Greyfriars Bobby too.

FIAR has been fun for us. I am planning this year to use the titles set in different countries. The guide doesn't offer any geography instruction other than find ____ on a map and discuss capitals or landmarks etc. So we use the FIAR title as a jumping place for nonfiction geography or science books. (FWIW, I am really impressed with the art instruction in the FIAR guides.) Books that we have read that you could look for at the library. Story about Ping, set on the Yangtze River in China. So we watched "Wild China" documentaries, read books about China, ducks and cormorants. Madeline, set in Paris. We read books about France, built a lego Eiffel Tower, watched a documentary on the Eiffel Tower, and made crepes. Papa Piccolo, set in Venice. We learned more about Italy and cats. Other books will lead into studies of Spain, Scotland, Japan, Russia.

5th or 6th grade, but if they choose it on their own earlier I would be fine with it. I was reading all genres of books by 5th and 6th grade, so at least HG is juvenile fiction.

Good idea

sorry to read this and sorry to say that I wouldn't eat the peaches either.

Let her enjoy it.

betterworldbooks.com for used copies

I was going to ask if that was the current ratio. I know it was difficult for some of my male classmates. It was also part of the reason I joined a sorority.

I remember Ike as I never thought I would see a hurricane in the midwest. Wow that hit Ohio as a crazy storm. We didn't have power for a week.

So glad you had a good visit; it is a place very near to my heart.

About 4 times a year for the 5 hour drive, and 2 or 3 times for the 9 hour trip. If I homeschooled we would travel more often.

Say ya to da UP, eh.

Instead of quitting, have you tried decreasing the required amount of practice?

I would call and talk to the doctor yourself just to clarify your questions. Last year, my son had pneu. He started an antibiotic and was already on a daily antihistamine. He was getting worse, so we went back in and he was diagnosed with asthma. I was told that it could be asthma related to the illness and not necessarily life long. They did caution though that if he got sick again we could see it again. He is set up with asthma medicine but we haven't used them in the past year.

have fun with the party.

There is a chance that Giraffe that walked to Paris could be reprinted someday. I am keeping my fingers crossed. Another book that tells about the same real event is http://www.amazon.com/Zarafa-The-Giraffe-Walked-King/dp/0399250492/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1351049668&sr=8-2&keywords=zarafa and another http://www.amazon.com/Giraffe-Goes-Paris-Tavener-Holmes/dp/0761455957/ref=la_B001JS994A_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351049800&sr=1-1 I was lucky to get all three books from the library, so we could compare them.

I don't know if you are familiar with Five in a Row but one of the books is The Giraffe That Walked to Paris. It is out of print, but fun to read if your library has it. You could try googling the title to look for FIAR blogs.

I love giraffes. We just had a baby born near us. The last time a baby giraffe was born at our zoo (sadly she only lived a few weeks) we celebrated by using a cookie cutter from this set. I have seen them at joanns, and other places. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Plastic-Cookie-Cutters-50-Pkg-Animal-Pals/11070466

We have one family plus grandparents and babies that live very happily in a Fisher Price "my first dollhouse".

Actually, I thought our school was very through and extremely accommodating with services for my dd. It could be because we started when she was 3. I have heard it is harder for older students. I do wonder though what you are hoping for an outcome. What are you hoping the school could provide? I am assuming you homeschool. I would think many IEPs for ADHD students involve accommodations for classrooms.

I wish you the best with the transition.

I think so if they are under 3 oz and all fit in a quart bag etc.

Mouse and the Motorcycle if you are looking for read aloud

Oct. 30 this year to make it Tues. night. I don't understand it.

Huge issue of mine: Trick or treating will be on Tues. this year (Oct 30) from 6 - 8. I don't understand it but this town will not allow T or T on Sat, Sun or Weds, or maybe that is Fri, Sun or Weds. Either way, crazy!