We have both Latina Christiana (books and DVD's) and Lively Latin. LC is fine but can lull you to sleep if you're not careful. My kids and I like Lively Latin better due to the variety. There is a lot more practice which is what I was mainly looking for.

Rod & Staff. Of course, I've only had experience with a few math programs (Saxon K-54, a smidgen of Singapore and MUS, and Rod & Staff 3-8). With Rod & Staff, math facts are constantly being drilled and a big portion of each lesson is review of previously learned material. Sample pages.

DH had to go in for a sleep study this summer. It brought sleep lab techs to our attention. The draw back would be working nights. Our local community college has a three term program. Board of Registered Polysomnographic Technologists BTW, as a single mom, I lived with my parents for ... ahem ... a long time. I went to school to be an elementary school teacher, because I thought the hours would be good as a single parent. My dd spent HOURS at daycare while I studied, wrote papers, and made projects. The time involved just wasn't worth it. I knew immediately I wasn't cut out to do it. I wish I had bailed, but I pressed forward and dreaded every day. I hope and pray that you find something that you enjoy!

Yes

Years ago we used Saxon math. We often skipped the first 30+ lessons as it was mostly review. Rod & Staff starts out teaching new material along with review in every lesson. So, you probably wouldn't want to skip lessons unless you were sure your child already knew the material.

Grade 8 book has pre-algebra chapters. I have read on the web that R&S is working on an Algebra program, but it won't be out for a couple of years. Their catalog also says that they are planning an algebra course but it doesn't give a time line.

I never take my kids to Chuck E. Cheese, but one evening as I was driving down the interstate, I saw CEC and decided to take oldest dd. I was so proud of myself for treating my dd. We got inside and all of my neighbors(apt block) and their kids were there for a birthday party. Talk about awkward. The mom very tactfully explained that because my dd was so much older that they had not thought that she would want to come. She was probably 8 and the other kids were 3-4. Looking back, I know she was right, but it really hurt me at the time to be exluded. We have family only birthday parties, and honestly I've never considered if it hurt friends' feelings. I guess I need to think about that in the future.

:lol::lol::lol:

Patty, you ARE getting a lot done. Give yourself a pat on the back!:thumbup1:

Good for you!!! My family doesn't do gifts anymore as we are too far away and shipping was a real hassle. It was my idea :). DH's family - each year we give a family gift to one of DH's siblings. It is set up on a rotation. Example...this year family #2, next year family #3, the next year family #4, and so on.

Flying bees Fact chart

Dawn, I'm glad you shared this. Now I know we aren't alone. I'll PM you.

For my girls it has been 10 years old. I have them read before that of course, but they didn't pick up books willingly until they were about 10. My 3rd dd didn't really start reading until she was 8, and it is taking her longer to love reading. She wants to read chapter books but still needs too much help to do sustained silent reading on her own.

I'm sorry. We went through some disappointing times with our oldest, but by that point she was legally an adult which made me feel like our hands were tied. Because your dd might do this again, I would suggest finding out what your legal responsibilities are. If she gets into any trouble you may find yourself responsible and paying the price for something she does. Good luck!

:grouphug: Rhondabee :grouphug:, good luck with your surgery!

My kids would hate math if I made them copy the problems out of the book. DD (10) gets up earlier than I do (shh! don't tell anyone ;) ). She goes through her math fact cards, does her speed drill, then works a set of problems that I wrote out the night before on a chalkboard. We don't do the oral drill but we do as many of the lesson's problems as we can orally. The few remaining problems are worked on a chalkboard. It takes us about 25-30 minutes. Sometimes when I'm writing out the problems on the chalkboard the night before, I chastise myself for spoiling my kids. But, I would rather spend 7-8 minutes writing down problems than hear them complain every day while copying from the book.

If it came down to losing the house, yes, we would have to put the kids in school. When DH was hired, we felt so secure. It was like belonging to a club. No one was ever let go unless they did something very bad. Fast forward ten years and times have changed. I've lost count of the lay offs and early "retirement" packages that have been offered, etc. A round of lay offs just took place and luckily they found a different job for DH within the company. But, I don't feel secure about it all! Now the company is talking about outsourcing. If DH still has his job in another 2 years, I'll be surprised.

Rod & Staff English and Rod & Staff Math. Not exactly my children's favorite. ;)

Neither of my kids (middle 2) tested well the first time. It was a bit depressing. In fact child #3 used a test that was a grade level below her age and still did poorly. But, I had to remind myself that she was late in learning to read and that she was progressing steadily...even if she was behind the curve. If testing is important to your friend, I would suggest buying a test practice workbook to help the child practice throughout the year. Not just hand it to her but work through the problems with her, so she learns how to think through a problem. Good luck to your friend. We feel a lot of pressure as moms and then to add the responsibility of educating our children also creates even more expectations. It is easy to beat ourselves up for every little thing that goes wrong. Time and maturity can work miracles. :) Polly

:iagree:The one Karen linked does have beautiful illustrations. My favorite is illustrated by Quentin Blake. He has done the illustrations for many of Roald Dahl's books. Unfortunately it is out of print, but our library has a copy and I borrow it every year. :) The link above shows the cover, but if you try to look inside it shows a different book. :001_huh:

I tried to like it. I heard that it was a wonderful book, so I bought it in hardback. I feel the same way about Edward Tulane. There were parts that really touched me, but overall I felt there were too many heartless characters.

Y'all are scaring me! The worst I've experienced here is one of our bicycles being stolen off our front porch. Grrr! We live 5 1/2 miles out of a larger city (50,000) and we feel safe here. Our little city is a bedroom community and probably has less than 2,000 people. My kids run around the neighborhood but with walkie talkies on. I love Halloween here, because I know so many of the kids that come to my door. We lived in the city for 3 years and while we were gone I heard a rumor that they closed a meth house here. Hard to imagine but probably true.

I'm so, so sorry! May God bless you with whatever you stand in need of. I just talked to my brother who is part owner in a commercial air conditioning company in FL and even they have had layoffs. He was in a supervisory position and is now back out in the field in a work truck. :001_huh: I wouldn't expect that in FL.

Sorry I can't help you. My kids just torture one another. :lol:

Happy Birthday Drew! Here's a birthday song for you...You've had a birthday; shout "Hoo-ray!" We want to sing to you today. One year older and wiser too, Happy birthday to you!