:iagree: Some states do have an age set in place, even laws on how old a child can be left in the car babysitting while mom runs into the store. That would be my first guideline. Then I would take into consideration the maturity of the babysitter. Thirdly, I'd take into consideration how the younger dc act towards them, are they going to respect the brother or sister who is in charge and follow the rules? I would slowly ease into it. That's what my DH and I did. My ds was 12.5 when he started babysitting the other 2. We started letting him watch them for about 45 min. and we stayed close around a mile or two at a restaurant, to test the waters with him. Over a year we have progressed to him babysitting for about 2 hrs while we shop. They do really good, but my ds (almost 15 now) is a very responsible person! Shoot, sometimes he's more strict than I am!:tongue_smilie:

I just recently added mine. It took me a while to get up the nerve, but I didn't want to be a "?" on the new forum!:tongue_smilie:

When my new HE washer was delivered, the delivery guy said I could finish out my reg. detergent, IF I used a lot less. He said that HE detergent doesn't suds as much.

Quite frequently I get, "We are so much alike, if we were together that much we'd kill eachother!" Again, such love....:tongue_smilie:

I don't know how old your dc is/are but my ds (7) LOVES Queen Homeschool Supply's Pictures In Cursive. It is a cursive program which incorporates Picture Study. Here is a link to the site www.queenhomeschool.com HTH :001_smile:

Don't forget the Walnuts~Still VERY good dipped in raw batter:drool:

Have you looked at Moving Beyond The Page? I bought a few of their literature packs and my advanced ds like them. They read a book, and then there is a workbook that goes with each book. In the workbook it takes the child deeper with activites. You might want to check it out.

Our house is was built in 1967, by a wealthy boat dealer. He lost his $$ in the mid 70's due to his refusal to sell fiberglass boats instead of wooden. Isn't that a hoot? In 1967 this 9,378 square foot home had all the top amenities. Too bad those amenities have stayed the same since then:glare:, and now we get to update it! The house has "good bones", we just need to bring in to 2008. But after 4 years of continuously having an updating project going on, we are getting burnt out! BUT hopefully it will be worth it. It's a wonderful home for a homeschooling family that stays home a lot. Everyone has their own space.:001_smile:

I love your add, I like the response that you wrote, I think it is good! AND, just let me say, I have had only 3 negative comments about me homeschooling my children. All 3 people were public school teachers. I guess they feel inferior, and we make ps look bad because we feel that we as our dc parents can do a better job.

OK, sounds like this is something to try. But let me get this straight. 1. Make the sponge by adding the water, yeast(mixed with 2 tablespoons of water),and 1/2 of the flour. 2.Let it stand for 15-45 minutes. ??What will it be doing during this time?? 3. Add the rest of the ingredients : flour, salt, oil, honey, and milk flakes. 4. Go straight from mixing to kneading. 5. Let it rise (approx. 60 min) 6. Punch it down and put it in pan. 7. Let it rise a second time for (approx. 30-60 min) 8. Bake Does this sound right?

I am trying to make 100% whole wheat bread. I'm using King Authur Flour. I am following the directions on the package to a tee. The texture is great, and it tastes wonderful. BUT in the middle of the loaf it is sunken in a little bit. Am I doing something wrong, or do you think it is just because it is 100% whole wheat bread? I've read that this type of bread is coarser. I really don't expect it to be really light and fluffy like white bread, but I would like the slice to be big enough to fit a slice of ham on it!

But your saying that if I do the worksheets with ds, that it is so clear cut, that we won't need a teachers manual---we will just be learning latin?

After reading just about all the threads about these two latin curr. I'm still having trouble deciding between the two. I have never even seen a latin program in the flesh. So I don't even know really what to look for. What are the components to a good program? By reading the threads, I am assuming that Lively Latin has more history readings in it. And I ask myself why would there be history in a latin program. See? I just don't know... I read where several people did PL and then went to LL then back to PL again because they didn't like LL. That scares me, I don't want to do that. I want a solid program. I am planning to do Latin through highschool and I want to start Greek too in the future. (if that makes any difference). I am a scripted pickup and go type of person. (I LOVE Saxon,FLL,WWE). I don't like to do anything on my own. If that helps. My ds is a good student. He pretty much likes anything if its not terribly boring. What is the biggest difference between these 2 programs? What should I be looking for?

My DH lost 73 lbs in the past year by eating whole vegetables/salad and lean protein. He will not touch anything with HCS---he says it's poison! :ack2:

I like this! When I was first looking at doing MFW last year, I thought I wouldn't be doing the history cycle 3X. But you really could. Correct me if I'm wrong... The basic timeline for a history cycle a la WTM is: Creation to Christ (5000 BC-400) Middle Ages (400-1600) Early Mod Times (1600-1850) The Modern Age ( 1850-Present) You could schedule it like this--- Year One: MFW 1st grade for Creation to Christ up to 1600, using SOTW 1 and 2, you could supplement with SOTW CDs and use SOTW1/2 book recommendations to add in book basket. You could actually spread it out longer if you wanted to go thru the summer. Year Two: MFW Adventures (1600-1850), then supplement with SOTW3 CD's and recommended books for book basket and spread it out over the summer. Year Three: MFW ECC you could supplement with SOTW 4 CDs and Book recommendations. Then you'd be ready to do MFW's history cycle making it your second rotation. In both SOTW and MFW they say that their recommended books are to give you an idea or a starting point. Both say that they encourage you to use things you find on your own. And also WTM says that the first cycle is just an introducation, it is not to give an exhaustive detailed history course in the grammar stage. It's just to "make pegs" to later hang information on in the logic stage. The first rotation is just to expose your child to these stories and introduce them to the info. The logic stage is when they will start asking the why and how of everything. I have to agree with the other poster that said that MFW's history cycle was harder for the lower grades. IMO, after taking a detailed look at the books used, it is definitely more of a logic stage program. If you did not mind doing SOTW twice. You could do SOTW for the grammar stage, and then save MFW for the logic stage. But then you'd be missing the AWESOME bible that's tied in when using MFW. Another thing to think about to is that depending on what latin program you chose, like Lively Latin, they are going to read and learn from the Middle Ages period. You could use that as a resource. And if you use WWE and add in your own dictation and narration you could also pick up some gaps with using history information that is studied in whatever time period you are in. Does that make sense? HTH

This sounds like what we do... We march around in a circle reciting prepositions, they play with playdough or legos while I read aloud, which is good for their motor skills too. Someone on this board said that their child would jump up and down on one of those little exercise trampolines as she recited her math facts.

:iagree: ESPECIALLY if children are involved!

Our read alouds are The Courage of Sarah Noble, The 20th Century Childrens Treasury and A Child's Introduction to Poetry.

Have you been to the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Park in Robbinsville up in the NC mountains? It's gorgeous!

Hey, I wonder if they need some extra? Every two weeks I have plenty to donate. I could be on to something! Instead of Locks of Love Charity, it would be Benevolent Brows Charity!:lol:

Well, I not quite sure if men follow what "in" for women. But I read in several womens beauty magazines that thicker/fuller eyebrows for ladies are the "in" thing and the pencil thin is "out". Maybe the guys are following the girls on this one. Last weekend I was passing by Dillards make up dept and i saw a advertisement with a girl with huge eyebrows! :001_smile: