Here are mine, I'm looking for any I may have missed.....so please share your favorites. Leapfrog Letter Factory Liberty Kids Bill Nye the Science Guy Beakman's world Schoolhouse Rock Carmen Sandiego Magic School Bus BBC's Horrible Histories BBC's Roman Mysteries Young Indiana Jones DVD series (indyintheclassroom.com great resource with these) Signing Times American Girl Historical character movies, Felicity, Samantha, Molly, Kit Dreamworks Cartoons The Prince of Egypt and Joseph King of Dreams We own a ton of DVD's from the history channel and they are ALL good, but the following 3 are exceptional and worth mentioning: Engineering an Empire (entire series) America the Story of US Mankind the Story of ALL of US Little House on the Prairie (more entertainment, but the kids love watching them) Any jewels I may have missed?

Thanks!

As long as he eats them all it should be fine....I've always been hesitant to believe in homeopathic remedies (not herbal, I've always believed in those)....But I've used Oscillo several times and it has always shortened the severity and duration of the flu...I'm a firm believer now. We also like cold ease, vick's vapor rub for babies (has lavender and chamomile in it) and elderberry syrup (homemade and swirled by the spoonful in warm peppermint tea when sick)....For the last 3 or so years a combination of these things has treated all cold/flu/respiratory problems in our house w/out the need to see a doctor. (Key is to catch it early)....The only *traditional* pharmaceutical in my family medicine chest for colds/flu is Mucinex....if congestion moves into the lungs I've found that to be the best treatment for a fast recovery (and much easier than trying to keep an onion/garlic poltice on a squirming child). If a sore throat is an issue, warm salt water truly works, especially if done every 15 min for first hour or 2 and then once every hour till symptoms subside. (Once I even gargled w/ organic apple cider vinegar, not for the faint of heart...but I was out of salt (don't ask) It worked with one treatment...but it was truly AWFUL..lol.)

DS is 13 with hair past his butt....He started growing it out at the age of 6 when he found a photo of his dad and all his uncles with hair past their knees when they were kids.... He is responsible for washing and brushing it, but it is SO thick I help braid it everyday (the braid is thicker than my wrist) It tangles dreadfully beacuse its so long if not kept in a braid. He started washing it on his own around 10, but even now I don't think he always does as good a job as he could...KWIM? I still give him a good scrub down about every 6 months, I have him put on swim trunks and I help to make sure the scalp is really clean....I've also been known to have him *rewash* his hair if I think he didn't get his scalp as good as he should have. DD's (7) hair is just as long and I help her wash it, but just recently she started brushing it on her own (she said I was too rough...lol). There are some morning's I swear it takes 2 hours just to get everyone dressed and hair brushed/braided, mainly because it takes them 3x as long to detangle it than it does me, but if they want it long they have to learn how to care for it....

We have Netflix & Amazon Prime (lots of great BBC series)...We tried Hulu & Hulu Plus but didn't feel it compared to Netflix, especially now since Netflix has signed deal with Disney/ABC Family and has LOTS of Disney movies/Shows (except stuff in the vaults) For example my DD was excited to note that all the Disney Fairies Movies were now on Netflix, and we like how Netflix has a *kids* section separate from adult movie listings.

I'm in the south and can confirm using red kidney beans for most of my red beans & rice dishes, but I've also been known to throw whatever beans I've had on hand in the pot, especially since the *spice* is what usually carries the dish. I've been to a friends house, where we were served a traditional puerto rican dinner, homemade plantain chips and all...they used red kidney beans with their rice. I think it is both a regional and a *use whatever is available* thing.....no wrong answer. Or you could totally blow their minds and use orca beans & white rice (DD's favorite dish....she hates *spice*...kinda bland, but it is pretty to look at! :) Edited because iPad autocorrect is my nemesis!

DS is loving Latin Prep (We have the Book, answer book & both workbooks and their answer book...so 5 books total) I actually plan on getting the pronunciation DVD because I think i'm saying a few words incorrectly and don't want to confuse him from the start, but its not necessary. He did most of GSWL, and I spent alot of time debating between Henle, FFL, and Latin Prep. So glad I went with Latin Prep. DS has profound dyslexia, and because of this we decided no foreign languages except ASL, but added latin 2 years ago to help him with roots/meanings to english words. Latin has greatly improved his vocabulary and understanding of the English language, and I was worried for some time that I wouldn't find a program he could succeed at like he did with GSWL. Latin Prep is fun and the lessons are brief enough that it isn't overwhelming, but it builds consistant understanding at the same time. (Bonus Books 1-3 of Latin Prep = 2 years of High School Foreign Language from everything I'm reading..YAY!!!)

i think your looking for etsy.... www.etsy.com

Keep it to bare bones, and if its easier, have *school* for an hour or 2 in the evening after DH (or whomever) is home and can help wrangle the lil ones.... At this age, it doesn't take much 1/1 time to get everything done......

I know which ones you mean!! I think these have a larger font, not like the adult ones where they try to cram all of shakespere into one book KWIM? You can click on Pictures under the book on BN site and it shows the title page and illustration plates (interior of book). I remember glancing at the books in store monts ago and thinking child x would love this edition. (I can't remember the font, but I don't think I would have thought to get it at a later point if it was a small font like the adult classics) Does this rambling make sense? I ordered a few (there goes my no spend week...lol) but if the font is too small they will go back.

Not sure if this has been posted yet. I was mucking around trying to find a new hardback edition of our current read aloud (The one I have is falling apart) I usually order from Amazon because 90% of the time its cheaper than B&N esp with Prime Shipping, but I always check. I was at B&N and saw all the Children's Leatherbound classics marked down 50% (From $10) .....all but one that is, A little Princess is stil $9.00. $4.99 is a Great Price for an Illustrated Hardback Edition. Thought I'd let the hive know. http://www.barnesand...rbound classics

Sam's in Virginia Beach and Chesapeake, Costco in Norfolk (Both the Sam's are about 20 min from anywhere in Norfolk w/ interstate system) New Whole Foods opened in October in Virginia Beach, almost right next to Trader Joes & Fresh Market (very much like Whole Foods). All three of these are about 20-30 min or less from anywhere in Norfolk. Only other *close* Trader Joe's is in Newport News. Most of these places/municipalities are within 20-40 min from Norfolk. Its kind of hard to explain, but the area is so built up and the interstates/roads so interconnected that many people work/live wherever and just communte. That is the traffic issue. With as many military bases as we have in one area, we have noticeable rush hour traffic. (don't even attempt the HRBT tunnel on I64 or the Downtown/Midtown tunnels in Norfolk after 3:30pm-6:30pm is one example) It is also why the area is commonly referred to as Tidewater or Hampton Roads....People move freely around to shop/visit/work. Bases in the area include Fort Eustis, Yorktown Naval Weapons Station ,Camp Perry, Little Creek Amphib, Norfolk Naval, Oceana, Langley AFB...a coast guard base and I'm sure a few I've missed. All the places to go/see in the surrounding cities mentioned previously by others are within a 20-45 min drive or even less from anywhere in Norfolk...If you look on a map you'll see that norfolk is borded by the Chesapeake Bay, then circled by these other areas. Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake, Portsmouth, Newport News & Hampton. The interstate/roads are almost like a spiderweb over top (unlike many areas that have one major road/path in and out, the tidewater area has major interstate/roads connecting everything together. (They will definatly need an updated GPS to figure it out at first, then it just becomes second nature) HTH

Wow...I think I just had the same conversation with my 13 yo DS....*grin* I definately plan on implementing Kristina's approach with my 7yo perfectionist, OCD daughter tomorrow....The 13yo is a lost cause at this point. (Up until recently he's always been my laid back, happy to please one. Not anymore, but it's more hormones than behavior at this point..hehehe.)

We use sequential spelling, the DVD version after AAS failed for us. (kids hated the board, hated having to be dependent on me...Now they just do the lesson, with audio and visual immediate feedback via the DVD. Hands free for me and they actually like spelling now...takes about 10 min a day.

./agree with Margaret My dd, now 7, behaved much the same as your child last year. We've always called her our firecracker, older ds is much more laid back & nAturally mellow, even as a pre-teen. Last year she stopped giving me trouble after I took away all electronics/screen time for two weeks (reboot) then allowed them back only on weekends and only if schoolwork for the week was completed. Even then it's only for 2 hours on each day (sat/sun). During the reboot behavior escalated and I just kept taking toys till she was down to 1 doll and her books.....but it worked. She realized I wasn't going to allow her to dictate/control our household, that everyone has responsibilities and hers includes schoolwork. She earned her toys back, loves selecting what she wants to spend her *screen* hours on, and even gets *bonus* screen time during the week when we have family movie nights or educational DVDs tied to a subject we are studying. BUT that reboot period was ugly, she was stubborn and pushed and pushed (like most kids do) convinced I would give in first. It sounds like your son has learned that if he pushes enough he will get his way....kids naturally want to please their parents unless they've become desensitized/bored because rl isn't as exciting/entertaining as they become accostomed to with lots of screen stimuli and/or getting their way all the time. It may be time for a little tough love.

Totally agree....add a field guide for wild edibles/hebs for your area and you have everything covered.

Perhaps I should have clarified my statement as synthetic chemical compositions and fragrances, but I didn't realize I needed to clarify. I understood the intent of the OP's question, even if the wording wasn't precise. Of course I am aware that everything we eat, drink, use and own is chemical in nature in some way. But some chemicals are far more SAFE than others. I wouldn't drink a bottle of lysol or bleach.... .......I can and do use the herbal cleaning vinegars I make as salad dressing (mixed with a little olive oil)...they are quite yummy!!

Vinegar and water...simple, cheap and super effective. Seriously. Add a baking soda paste for scrubbing and your pretty covered for most everything. I have a child with severe chemical sensitivities. Standard cleaners, even *green* ones don't work around her. If you want to fancy it up, make and use herbal vinegars and/or essential oils (rosemary, lavender, sage, peppermint & thyme are herbs you can use that cover anti-viral, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal & anti-parasetic) Easy to make just add herbs to jar with vinegar and let seep for several weeks. The longer the better. When you clean with herbal vinegars the vinegar smell evaporates quickly and your left with a light herbal scent. I use 50/50 vinegar & water with a few drops of lime essential oil in my kitchen, Strong herbal vinegar for cleaning bathrooms (more a 75vinegar/25water mix for toilets/tubs) and a standard herbal vinegar mix with 50/50 ratio for rest of the house including floors. I do use biokleen cold water liquid laundry detergent (128 loads in my HE machine for $9 or less, This is cheaper than even the homemade laundry detergent I used to make from nag champa, borax and washing soda, esp since I able to wash all loads in cold water...I buy this from vitacost, luckyvitamin or drugstore depending on who is running the best price. And biokleen bac-out is the best stain treater I've ever found...it cleans up blood, grease and pet accidents like they were never there. I also use biokleen dishwashing liquid (sink) and powder for the dishwashing machine, as a backup I use Dr. Bronner's Peppermint Castile soap diluted. I use vinegar as the rinse aid in my dishwasher. These are the only *green* cleaning products I use that I don't make myself.

It's so big they plan on "days" of goodness before the bomb drops. Trust me, I remember doing this to my mom for a week.....before I dropped the bomb about wanting to go with friends on a European Trip...... Just wait for it...*grin*

I use BBC Dance Mat Typing for my yongest (she's 7). My oldest (13) uses typing instructor, which he isn't crazy about, but he thinks Dance Mat is too "babyish" for him. So, like you, I'm waiting to see if there are any "older" free typing alternatives mentioned. Dance Mat is free on BBC website, just google Dance Mat typing it will appear. My DD loves it.

Anyone?

Dh just got a promotion, it was one of those take it or leave type opportunities that was too good to pass up, but he only had 7 days to decide/start, I did enough research at the time to know I COULD hs in WV, and that was enough for him, lol. He left 2 months ago and has been coming home whenever he can to visit. (Job is just outside DC on tip of WV that meets VA, MD & DC) We are a former military family so we actually see him more than if he was deployed. I stayed behind with the kiddos to pack. I've also had to find a management company and renters for our house, find a place to rent for all of us in WV.....get all our duck in order so to speak. We HAVE to live on the WVA side, cost of living in Northern VA is just too much to swing both rent/mortgage in a worst case scenario. (Renting to military means orders can break leases and it can take time to find new renters) I've done a little research on homeschooling in WV, from what I understand annual review is either testing IN the School or by portfolio review (I've got a 2E and a dyslexic so it will be portfolio all the way here, I can't even imagine trying to get new IEP's going at this point....I took them out of PS 3 years ago because accomodations for testing were so difficult, and my kids weren't actually learning anything) We do currently live in VA, where we've been fortunate enough to just do CAT testing each year. Anyway...my question is, what is the HS vibe like in WV.... some states are better than others.....(and did I understand the annual review options correctly?) Do I need to find an umbrella school? Do the school boards give home educators a hard time? Let me know what you like or don't like about HS'ing in WV Thanks!!!!!

I'd love to know too.....it looks interesting and dd7 has been asking to go........ :lurk5:

I wish I had waited. I love the LOTR movies......but I fell asleep in the middle of the Hobbit. I have NEVER in my life been so bored during a movie that I fell asleep...not ever. We went with a large family group, everyone felt that the effort to stretch 1 book into 3 movies left a lot of DULLness to wade through......I still can't believe I fell asleep, but it happened.

I agree. As a parent I now fully understand the disgust my mother expressed at a sermon/funeral for the children of a family friend killed in an auto accident when I was younger. At that time the minister kept saying it was "god's plan" and the children were in a better place....and they now had god's love more perfect than any here on earth. How exactly does this console those left behind? In retrospect, the mother of those children left that church soon after......and I can't imagine a more devout Christian, someone who would in theory love such strong "going home to jesus" imagery. But theory and reality are two very different things, especially to the parents of a dead child.