:iagree: Even after I "officially" finished highschool I continued my studies at home. Sometimes I feel like I never really finished hs'ing, and now I am transitioning to hs'ing my own.

Well that would be a long post. ;) We used a lot of different things. Our homeschool evolved and changed each year as my parents would learn about new things and meet other homeschoolers (not as many back then). I began with the complete boxed set of Calvert, as this was easy for my first-time-homeschooling-mom. Then my parents began putting things together themselves--so it was quite an eclectic mix. Our homeschool has used a little BJ (early on), A Beka, Saxon math, LLATL, R&S, just to name a few off the top of my head. My parents are still trying new things. My mom is the one who loaned me TWTM last year. She just ordered SOTW1 to begin with her youger ones. :) It is really amazing how the internet has changed homeschooling.

Yes, all of my siblings are biological. I'm the oldest of nine (:ohmy:). What an amazing thing for your parents to do; I think that is wonderful. I'm sure they face challenges many could never quite understand. I have one ds (not quite 2). He already loves learning new things, so I'm really looking forward to hs'ing him.

OK, this may sound like a repeat, but it really is my story: I was homeschooled (I "finished" in 2000). My mom is still homeschooling 7 of my siblings and the youngest is soon-to-be 7. My mom (parents) has been homeschooling for over 20 years now(!). And she still has some years ahead. I am planning to homeschool as well.

I think its a great idea. We too live in an area that often sees those summer afternoon storms. Here it gets so hot in the summer that there is very little you want to do outside by mid-day anyway--so its a great time for a little schoolwork (so you don't get bored)--especially if you're going to be indoors already. Then you can take more time off in the spring and fall if you like. Sometimes kids start to get a little tired and grumpy later in the day though (especially if they have had a busy morning), so you will just have to try it out and see what you think. It is starting to feel more like summer here and we try to go out as early as possible and then find more indoor things to do in the afternoon. Good luck!

I am still striving to be one of "those" moms as well. One thing I've come to realize though is how much time the internet can use up! I can spend so much time on this board and "researching" and not even realize how much time has gone by. One great tip that works for some people is to set a timer for your internet use. This might make you feel like a child, but it works. If you have a bit of a schedule and you know what you need to accomplish in a day, you can probably decide ahead of time how much time you can devote to "surfing the net" and such whithout hindering the rest of your to-do list. Then when time is up--get off the computer and work on the next thing. Sometimes I think I've only been on the internet for about 10 minutes or so, but in reality its been more like 20 minutes. Setting a timer for 10 minutes will tell me EXACTLY when 10 minutes has gone by--not when I think it has. I too love to plan, research, map it all out, but then I don't always get around to implementing all of it. I'll admit, I know how easy it can be for me to spend an afternoon on Jessica's blog and then get up and wonder why I can't seem to do as much as she does. :o

My FAVORITE muffin recipe (and believe me, I've made A LOT of really bad recipes in the past): ~3 cups flour ~1 Tbs. baking powder ~1/2 tsp. baking soda ~1/2 tsp. salt ~10 Tbs. (1 1/4 sticks) butter, softened ~1 cup sugar ~2 large eggs ~1 1/2 cups plain yogurt ~1 tsp. lemon zest ~1 1/2 cups blueberries -Whisk together dry ingredients and set aside. -In large bowl, cream butter and sugar, beating until fluffy. Add eggs one at a time. Beat in lemon zest. -Mix in dry ingredients alternately with yogurt--ending with yogurt. Blend just until incorporated. -Fold in blueberries. If using frozen blueberries--defrost, drain excess liquid and coat in a light dusting of flour (about a Tbs.). -Pour into greased 12-tin muffin pan. Bake about 25-30 minutes at 375 degrees. Set pan on wire rack to cool 5 min. before removing muffins from pan. -Optional--you can top the muffins with granola, or streusel, or cinnamon & sugar before baking. I first made these without the lemon zest (didn't have any and was never much of "zest person"), but I soon discovered that the lemon zest is a must! The muffins don't taste like lemon, but the zest is the secret ingredient that rounds out the flavor. This muffin recipe is also great substituting the blueberries with chocolate chips or other berries/fruit.

~1 pint blueberries ~1/4 cup orange juice ~1 Tbs. maple syrup Combine ingredients in small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until blueberries pop and sauce thickens into a syrup consistency, about 10 minutes. You can strain it afterwards if you like. As you can see this is sort of a "healthy" syrup recipe--no sugar--so you may want to add a bit more maple syrup depending on your taste and the sweetness of your blueberries. :001_smile:

:bigear: I think I'll go spend some more time on your blog--I'm interested in seeing all of the curriculum you're using (or have used). I like how you're incorporating CM.

Thanks Linda! That is nice to know. Another question though--do any of you find that you still want to supplement PLL and ILL with another English/grammar, or does it seem to cover enough for those early grades? I'm liking the style/approach they seem to have. I guess I'm just wondering about parts of speech, diagramming sentences, etc. and wondering if those things are eventually covered. Maybe I should just try to find a copy so I can see the entire book for myself. :001_smile:

Wow Jessica, you always have such great information (I like your blog too btw)! I'm trying to look at FLL vs. PLL. I'm beginning to lean towards the PLL, but I'm wondering--if PLL begins in about second grade, what do use for pre-second grade? What should I begin with if I plan to eventually use PLL and ILL? Do some of you simply teach things on your own while concentrating on reading or do you use a particular curriculum for this? I'm thinking of purchasing the OPG to begin our reading, but I'm not sure what or how much I should add to that in the way of grammar/language.

My husband just installed a GE wireless alarm that he found on Amazon for about $25--it came with one for the door and a few for the windows. I know there are a lot of similar products out there. We are pleased with our's--great for toddlers--very easy to install.

I like it! I live a couple of hours from Harper Lee's hometown, so we all love Atticus (and G. P. ;)) around these parts. Funny though, I don't think I've ever met an Atticus...

My husband just installed something very similar to this in our home--he found it very inexpensively through Amazon. We have one on our front door and some on our son's bedroom windows. It is loud enough to wake you up at night, but not as loud as a smoke detector. We really like it. We can easily set it to a simple "ding" or to something a bit more dramatic. :001_smile: Or we can just turn it off. It could easily be placed on bedroom doors as well.

C'mon, what is the name?!?!? :bigear:

I gave it a quick try, but got overwhelmed. :tongue_smilie: We'll just have to wait for someone else to clue us in.

Well, it sounds like a chaming little girl or a beautiful woman. And btw her picture is lovely. I enjoy searching for old, lesser known (or forgotten) names.

Haha, maybe she'll tell now that you have. :D I think Lavinia is a beautiful name! I have to admit, I'm not sure I've ever heard it before. I love seeing older names on little children--it makes the names fresh and new again.

Now I'm so curious to hear your daughter's name. ??? I like old, slightly obscure names. ;) And yes, we've all had to hear the "oh is that a family name?" (since there's no other reason you'd use it, right?).

We went to Universal Studios in mid/late September and never stood in a line! We would exit a ride, then turn back into the entrance and ride it again. The weather was warm--still felt kind of summery--but not too hot. One thing to keep in mind though is hurricane season. Fall (September especially) can be a busy time for tropical weather. It can put a kink in travel/flight plans.

I have a sister who wasn't named until she was a couple of days old. :001_smile: BTW--now I'm so curious to hear the name you are thinking of!

You can read the entire Charlotte Mason series on AmblesideOnline.org--I'd recommend reading the first volume at least--very inspiring! (esp. if you have young ones)

I've enjoyed hearing everyone's different stories. Its so nice to "meet" all of you. :001_smile: My mom is still homeschooling as well--the youngest is 6 :ohmy:...so she has quite a ways to go still. Even though homeschooling is so familiar to me, it can be quite scary when I think about being the one "in charge" now. I'm learning a lot from all of you on these forums already--everyone has a different story and there are so many unique perspectives--I love it.

Just for fun... I was curious to know if any of you parents are "returning", or shall we say "continuing" homeschoolers? I was homeschooled my entire life (except for the first couple months of second grade). I am now 26 and looking forward to homeschooling my own (I have an 18 month ds).

Thanks so much for the advice FloridaLisa! I think we may head to the Botanical Gardens... (from a mommy in the early stages of motherhood :))