That is a completely unacceptable violation of boundaries. Not only should you not have to put up with that as a homeschool family, your children should not have to be singled out and put under fire that way. I would put a stop to that right.now.

I've been doing some searches, and would love more input. I've added my answers below. I would love more help figuring out where to go next. Particularly if he should just move on to an algebra text once he's finished up with CLE 700. He could finish algebra before next fall and start geometry his freshman year. Help! :bigear:

:iagree: This is one of those toys that my ds keeps coming back to. He'll play with it constantly, then set it aside for a time. Then he realizes it's there again and gets it out again. He's had it for a couple of years.

Can someone link me to where the 30 day trial is? I can't find it on the website, but see some of you have tried it.

I've read where Saxon 1/2 is just different than the others, but was not sure why, or if that assessment was accurate. Perhaps I will dig deeper there. If he completes CLE 800 if he would be ready for Saxon Algebra 1, and just skip the 8/7 and 1/2 entirely? Any other good high school maths I should be looking at? ETA: I'm not sure why he hated Saxon, exactly. He just had a really hard time understanding it. I lean toward the feeling that he did not have a solid foundation before he was put into Saxon. He did well with Saxon at school, but I never really felt like he was comprehending what he was doing entirely. Just being led through the motions. Or perhaps my mistake was doing Algebra 1/2 and not a different level. I really struggled with picking out curriculum with all three kids at such different levels. Now that we've got a groove with hs'ing established, I want to fine-tune.

My oldest is currently in 8th grade, here's the background: We public schooled through 4th grade, then switched to parochial for 5 & 6th where they used Saxon. For various reasons, we pulled them and started homeschooling. He was doing Saxon "Level 2" at school. He placed into Algebra 1/2, and I scored a deal on the package complete for $10. So I added in the DIVE cd and that's where he started. I could see he wasn't doing real well with it, he could complete it, but had a lot wrong, and I just felt he was not getting it at all. We put it aside, tried different programs before settling on CLE. He has been doing fine with CLE, I feel that it has filled some gaps for him. But losing all that time is why he's a bit behind. Currently, he's finishing up CLE 700 and will start the 800 level in January. We will do it through the summer until he's finished. My biggest question then becomes "what next?". I could really use some advice as far as programs that work after completing CLE. I will say he's resistant to going back to Saxon after using it in school and then Algebra 1/2. He really disliked it. Advice?

Ours does one service Sunday mornings and it is not cancelled. We do have a Christmas Eve service added in.

Isaiah 43

Holiday glass blocks. The kind you use for windows in a basement. You can get them with holes pre-drilled and then put lights in them. There are SO many ways to decorate them, and they turn out pretty. Google glass block crafts. You can see what I mean.

I agree with the triclosan. Noxema has a product out with it, for around $4. 2x a day and it's made a big difference.

CLE is similar to Saxon, but I found the format to be much better. They do have speed drills daily, but I never timed the kids for those. I just tell them to do every problem, however long it takes, and we correct whatever is missed. My dd is now confident enough that she is asking for me to set the timer so she can be challenged. CLE is also cheap enough that you could buy one light unit for around $4 to see how you like it.

:iagree: Or relishes, chili, jerky. Stuff that is consumable, but not necessarily right away, as most people are already on overload with food for the holidays.

My ds#2 was like that. He was 9lb7oz at birth and nursed like a champ. He never did stretch out, though. He's currently 11 y/o, 150 lbs with a size 12 mens shoe. I always joked that he was born with a steel spine, he was just 'dense', very heavy to carry. Doctors have never been concerned, they just laugh and say he will be a very big man. He's strong and healthy, eats well and exercises.

:iagree: The older KitchenAids are the best. I bought my Pro600 in 2007 and it is not doing well. It died, Dh fixed something in it so it runs, but now it sounds horrible.

I beg to differ. My dh opened the top on mine, and said it is a disposable motor in it. It is made so that you cannot get it apart without damage. I went with a Professional 600. It lasted 4 years. Dh was able to tweak something inside it so that it still runs, but it's louder than heck with a high-pitched squeal. I think the older models were meant to be serviced and keep on going. But the newer ones are just not the same. I was so disappointed, I loved my mixer, and used it all the time. Weekly pizza dough was probably the culprit for us. I now have a Bosch, but it's taking some getting used to. I do not like the center post.

I would be interested in a more detailed explanation of the oil methods. :) Otherwise, Vanicream from Walgreens. It was recommended to me by a friend whose boys have eczema really badly. There is no fragrance, color, or allergens. It is really thick, and one of the only things I have been able to use on my face w/out a breakout.

Casting Crowns' Peace on Earth

In our house, first snow = frosted cut-out cookies. I'm baking today. :)

THANK YOU for this!! I just whipped up 2 sets of these for about $3 a set (my fabric stash was nil). I don't even sew that well, and these were really easy! Now to try the tea wreath with materials I already have.... :D

Love all the ideas, thank you! I would love to have a tutorial on pine needle baskets. We have a large source of those not far from us. :)

I apologize if a thread like this has been started. I am just compiliing ideas of things to make for Christmas presents, rather than buy. Does anyone else make gifts anymore? My kids and I are going to make these for my nephews: http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/bowling-boys-941520/ I have some wool sweaters I was given that I am going to felt into mittens and a purse. I will be sewing an owl apron for my daughter. I'd love some more ideas. :)

DH and I are going to see it this weekend, I cannot wait.

Thank you! We use and like CLE, but I was suffering from the "grass is greener" syndrome. This has helped reassure me to stay put with it. :)

I started with a 1st, 4th, and 7th grader. It was tough. But it's where God wanted us, and we stuck to it. My biggest recommendations for a resistant homeschooler is finding a co-op where they can see other kids regularly. Ours was so critical to the success of homeschooling, both for my kids to be around the other kids and for me to have the other moms to bounce my many questions off of. Another recommendation is to start with one subject at a time. I jumped in with many and it just didn't work, for me or them. Take your time. Lastly, deschool for a while. Learn how to be home. Have fun, make cookies, take walks. Read together. Play outside. Then gradually add in school, but don't eliminate the fun stuff!! Continue to do art, baking, etc. Pray about everything. God is faithful. :)