Oops... but really, *I* didn't double post - the computer did :p

The by hand part was what was the part that getting to me! Yikes!!! I was already reading apparently... in fact, it must have been in 1st grade that they were worried about me and scheduled me for testing because I wouldn't read. My parents just looked at them like they were nuts, then the psych that did the testing wanted to know why I was there since I could read. I was bored. I just pulled my 1st grade report card out and in reading for the first semester it says, "Tracey is making satisfactory progress but slowly. She is working in book D of the BRL Sullivan reading program. Also she is reading some pre-primers." Oh, and I need, "Ample supervision to get work done." I was bored. Anyway, I totally agree - we have swung to far. I'm honestly looked at like I'm NUTS around here for DD starting late. Sorry, I knew her phonological awareness was delayed (she was in private speech therapy with a tad bit of language). I wish there was more of an ability based division/tract for kids instead of so much of locking them down into a grade. I understand why the PS's can't do that so much - but it would be nice. I'm not pulling my middle school report cards out of this booklet i found :p

Did you take the time to let them know that? I've had 4-5 orders since late March. I had one really long backorder that perplexed them, but other than that everything has been shipped the next day. I just personally feel there is a dynamics to their ordering system that "we" don't know. It isn't my business to know - and there are certainly enough choices out there for everyone to find the best one for them. Some of the items I have ordered this year - the savings totals up to be a substantial savings for me (probably in the $50 range). I can handle it for that! And heck, I honestly think the funky backorder this year was only my 3rd backorder from them in my 9 years of order from them!

All of their free shipping is DHL unless the order is over $150. DHL is who the post office requires them to use for all of their Media Mail shipping now - they told me they do not have a choice and understand the frustration. anythingI have decided to pay for antyhing i want in a timely manner.... although I did have two DHL orders from RR (not other places) show up in 5 days. Ordered on Friday/weekend, had it in my hands by the following friday.

OK... here is what K was like for me back in 1973, in CA. I turned 5 in late November. She wrote almost as much on the back too - can you imagine having to do that today? Interestingly enough, she had me pegged at that age. I am pretty selective about my friends and prefer close friends over a crowd :D

While it might be absurd - it is also costly. Over the years RR has made improvements to their flow - they used to take WEEKS to ship all year. I'm not sure if that was a technology thing on their warehouse side, or if it was just hiring and workflow changes or what, but it worked. Having worked in a computer room, that ran "outdated" software because it worked very well for us, I can appreciate that the disruption that bringing a new system online might bring. I spent "Y2K" eve in the computer room rolling some systems back date-wise because we had a failure when we brought something up. Trying to do major updates like that in a working environment is tough. They are one of the few people that I don't mind having this type of ordering - rarely do I need my stuff "right now", and if I do I find their shipping to be fair, and their customer service gals on the phone nice. AND, if changing would mean increasing prices - um, no thanks!!

DD is a July girl, and was red shirted because she was lacking in phonological awareness. She entered public K late July and was still obviously ahead of her classmates. Her teacher had retired after 30 years up north, and decided to go back to teaching when the school needed K teachers. She's aid she wished more parents would hold their kids back these days. But they don't and you can't tell them otherwise. Her K class had 2 kids repeat K ( out of 20), they just weren't ready to learn to read. Being older isn't impacting her yet, but we will see how 3rd grade goes. I recently came across my K report card..... It's almost comical to see what I was graded on. I keep meaning to post it. For the reord I was a November 27 baby in CA with a Dec 1 cut off and was not red-shirted. I was fine (driving that late in my junior year sucked!), but it is a case by case type of scenario in my mind.

I balance my iPad to read or type -right now the corner is on my chest and I'm holding up at the diagonal to type. Its never been an issue for me. That said, the shape of the other devices would make that difficult. My boyfriend has a 10" tablet (same size/shape as the galaxy tab) and because it is 16:9, I couldn't do that as easily. It's just longgggg. Do go hold them and see. I couldn't give up the screen space on my iPad.... Even if I do lust for the mini! Lol!

Yup, and, they are normally very nice on the phone! They might be the only people i do not dread calling! Lol!

I had two backorders this year and never got an email, I knew because I called to ask the day after. I've alo called before ordering and asked... Really, it is nice o talk to people that know their product, are pleasant, and do not make you feel as if you are on a timer! Foe me, they make RR real, and because of that I will stick with them (even if I would prefer stock info). It is the way it is with them, they tell you of the backorder shipping policy when you order. I would say you probably had one. Ivenever ordered from CBD, I just use RR and Amazon or the publisher. The great thing is we have choices to fit our needs!

It sounds like you had a backorder, did you call and ask that? And the post office is making them use DHL for their media mail shipping. Blame e USPS, DHL stinks, and RR told me they hate it as much as we do..... That said, in the beginning of summer if I could order over the weekend and have my DHL stuff by Friday in Florida. Only the RR stuff, the DHL from better world books? Still sucked.

Ohhhh, perfect - and I get chocolate out of the deal too!!!! I sent it to DD - and apparently the HS art teacher wants to make them in art class one day!

I could really go for a date stamp.... well, I have one, but it is old and the years aren't current!

It would be really wrong of me to buy baby food just to make these..... wouldn't it? I bought Dr. Suess pencils, lego pencil sharpeners (Michaels, with a coupon!), two of those plastic sliding pencil boxes in prints from Dollar Tree. I took some stuff back i'd bought... like the Cat in the Hat socks :( I could buy more..... i'm a sucker!

We started school today.... I had like an hour of things being 1/2 way "together" and didn't take pics. oops! I'm still working, some life issues took over!

My DD had her reading go from "so-so" last year, to ending the year testing at a mid-4th grade level. It just clicked! If you have a year I wouldn't stress unless you really feel he needs a different program.

She can go withdraw them, and has to file her NOI within 30 days of beginning her program. She could also choose to enroll them in an umbrella school (a private school of HSing families) if she doesn't want the district involved in her life (since there is apparently a problem with the school - i thought that might be worth mentioning). It is to late to attempt FLVS-FT probably - enrollment needs to be complete by Tuesday. Her county will offer other virtual options that might be of interest to her.

Is he still 7? My just turned 9 yo daughter is going into 3rd. She was in ps since mid-k and her age wasn't a problem. She wasn't the oldest. She was delayed in learning to read and this was where she needed to be grade wise. If it is a month you have, well, maybe you could blast thru something like logic of English? But he might not grap it that fast anyway... Have you requested any testing? Good luck!

Miele owner here.... I will type more later at a keyboard. I know I did a couple of months ago on another thread too.

I noticed there is a buy starting this week at HSBC on the Mindstorms. I have no idea what there discount normally is.... but sigh, I want it!

I was going to say that you should at least try to get your hands on the $10 video that is an overview. TWSS teaches you to teach, i'll 6th that the binder won't do you a bit of good without the DVDs (although, it might be of some use with the $10 review). Some theme books have 2 books - one for the teacher, one for the student, some are a combo book. On the scheduling - if you kids aren't struggling with a lesson - then move on!

YOu have to assign those courses to the students - I had the same problem. My trial is up so I can't go check on it for you though! Check their forums - I probably posted it there!! :lol:

I've covered two ikea magazine holders with scrapbook paper, made homemade modge-podge, found THE glass vase/cups for our pencils..... Then DDs Connections Academy stuff showed up and has me in a tailspin.... I cannot do what I had hoped with it, so I'm pondering that. So I'm doing the creative stuff instead :p

I've seen what Susan has, but at the same time what Martha has - they just don't treat the stuff with respect for how expensive it is (and right now there is very little I could replace). Anything that is out I have to consider fair game - hence stuff put out of sight that I would love out and more accessible for my kids. I'm rearranging some this weekend - so that might help me separate it. But things are more exciting here, we have cool stuff. I just need it to stay cool for my kids! :D I got yelled at by a person at gymnastics once for tell her precious grandson to stop trying to run up the freshly painted wall behind her chair. She was ignoring him, after 20 minutes I had had it (i had helped paint!). He denied it... so she yelled at me for making up lies. That was when I realized I had a different sense of respect for property than a lot of the people in my area. Over the years there have been more and more of it. I can see both sides - I live both sides... so i just stay a hermit!

I've encountered the same people - and no, the kids appear to NOT be learning any type of respect for others property from the "adults" in their lives. Drives me insane. How much longer until you move again????