I am so bummed....do you think this is legit? http://www.iphonerepairs.net/ I want to have a plan in place before I "break" the news to DH. He's going to be less than thrilled. :glare:

WHERE is SWB going to be in April???? I wanna go too! :D

Have you seen these? They really spurred a love of LIW in our home...however, she'd probably enjoy the "originals" also! :001_smile:

I normally microwave mine for 7 minutes when it is one big one. Not sure if that helps AT ALL. :lol:

Yesterday, DD4 somehow taught our lab to pull her around the house on a big blanket! So much fun for all involved! :lol:

I used Simply Spelling when my son was 6.5 -- I thought we would be ok since he was working at about a 3rd grade level at that time. The first two weeks were rather short passages, and we did well with it. I really, really loved the layout and concept! However, by the third week or so the passages were considerably longer...mid-way through the 3rd grade level, the passages were entire paragraphs.:001_huh: I thought the program was very well done and I would highly recommend it for a child who loves to write!:001_smile: Unless the child is quite precocious in that area (writing stamina), I would definately hold off until those finger muscles are built up a bit and able to handle the work load. The passages were wonderful, and should be able to be appreciated by the student. IMHO. ;) HTH!

First off, that's awesome that you are going! :001_smile: We went in 2008, and the planning was definately overwhelming to me. :lol: Looking back, I'm totally glad I approached it as the geek that I am and took the time to "figure things out." We would have had fun no matter what, but a few hours planning ahead really helped everything to run smoothly. I'm by no means an expert in Disney planning, but I can't see it being too busy in March....that's a good thing! :001_smile: My first suggestion is to check out Walt Disney World with Kids if your library has it. Many, many helpful suggestions. You can also go to the DisBoards for answers to questions, packing lists, advice from people that have gone bunches of times, etc. HOWEVER - it is really easy to get sucked in on the DisBoards and feel that you must create the.most.magical.experience.ever! You do not need to print out 1000 itty bitty Cinderella-themed gum wrappers, cover them mod-podge and glitter, and pay out the mouse ears for someone made of fairy dust to arrange them in an authentic Cinderella's pumpkin carriage mosaic on your daughter's bed upon your arrival. You could. But fight the urge! I never had the urge to do such things until I stumbled upon the DisBoards. :lol: My kiddos (and hubby and myself) all had the best time ever and not an ounce of mod-podge was used. ;) Are you doing a meal package? That was awesome when we did it. Breathe! :D You're doing to have a great time!!!! :D

I'm looking to buy some things....see my signature! :lol:

Dawn, you are a great mom and you're "fighting the good fight." :grouphug: So many parents would have never even been tuned in enough to realize what was going on with thier child. Way to go!:)

Amen! :iagree:I agree on all counts! I go crazy no matter what, also! I think we have to be a bit of a perfectionist when doing cakes and such, otherwise we'd be satisfied just slopping something together and calling it a day. That's what I tell myself, anyway. :lol: It's us driving ourselves completely batty for a few days that results in those ooohs and ahhhhhs! :D Keep it up! You're doing a great job! :D

I think any time there is a cake order, you can officially declare it "Guilt Free Paper Plate Time!" :001_smile: Add in all that other stuff, and wow! :tongue_smilie: You don't need to feel guilty about any "short cuts" right now! You've got a ton going on! You're no good to anyone if you're going crazy trying to keep up. :grouphug:

:D I'm jumping up and down reading this! I have always had paper plate guilt, and my dh thinks I'm completely nuts. :lol: He's gotten me to realize that it is SOOOOOOOOO much more convenient, but every time I reach for one I still cringe a bit. At least I will purchase them and use them sometimes now. I think we are in the same boat a bit....I also have a cake/cupcake business that requires me to dirty up tons and tons of dishes when completing an order....on those weeks I am eternally grateful and guilt free about the paper plates. :001_smile: HTH!

I also use Biblioplan and just love it. I have very little (read: none) Biblical or historial knowledge and now I feel like I have a great framework to refer to. :001_smile:

Hi there! Yes, after using it for a little over 6 months, I am VERY happy with it! :001_smile: Do you know about the placement tests and the samples online? That should help you to find exactly where he should be placed. The publisher says repeatedly on the yahoo group that the "levels" are not meant to be "grade levels" per se. Starting where the child is comfortable then progressing from there has prevented frustration for my son. :001_smile: HTH!

Thank you!:001_smile:

I LOVE using Biblioplan for this! You can get the "new" version that schedules MOH and SOTW and Bible reading, or you can get the "old" version that doesn't tie in MOH. I used MOH for a few things, but I wasn't greatly impressed with it for a younger student. Mine was 6 at the time, though, so maybe your 8 year old would get more out of it. :)

I'm not sure if I should purchase WWE workbook #1 or #2 for my son. He's done quite a bit of copywork and narration up to this point and has a very strong grasp of grammar (capitalization, etc.) He is also an advanced reader. If I went with WWE 1, we'd be starting at least 75% through the book. I guess I'm just nervous about not "starting at the beginning." I have used up all my use of WWE at the library and I can't seem to find a good answer as to where to place him online....any clues as to what he should comfortably be able to do before making the decision? Thanks so much! :D

Thanks, Laurel! Dang! At least I know to stop looking for it! :tongue_smilie:

Could someone please share the link of the yahoo groups that has permission for the free download of the Minimus teachers manual? I'm not having much luck. Thanks!

I love this workbook that can be printed out for free! :) I wish I would have done it. Anyone know if the same person did one for SOTW 2?

I have been dreaming of this for like 3 years....and it happened this morning!!! My craft organizer!!!!!:D It's an over-the-door shoe holder and in each pouch there is a lovingly-saved JIF peanut butter jar filled with craft supplies: buttons, feathers, paintbrushes, glue sticks etc, etc, etc On top of that is some kind of wall file with paper, colored paper, fancy oragami paper, and felt. YAY! I hung it in an out-of-sight, out-of-the-way spot between the kitchen and playroom.

We have used CLE for the past 6 months or so and I couldn't be more thrilled with it! :) It is rigorous yet gentle, and touches on things other programs do not. The only area that needs supplementing, in my humble opinion, is the writing. For that we are about to start using the WWE workbooks. I was trying to pull together my own sentences and do it on my own, but that proved to be rediculous. :tongue_smilie: I really cannot reccommend CLE highly enough! My son had absolutely zero problems with the dictionary markings; if fact, I think it helped his pronunciation of several things. IMO, the dictionary markings aren't used frequently enough to warrant not using the program, if that is your only hang-up with it. It is such a rich program and I constantly find more reasons to love it! :D Feel free to PM me if you have more questions...my post keeps getting deleted on accident, so this is probably a disointed response. :lol:

What made them release him so quickly? What is the magic phrase I can say to have them let me go early?;)

Besides getting up too early and wasting a babysitter?:glare:

What's everyone doing tonight? This is the first year I'm not with DH on NYE since we've known each other.:crying: DD has had a cough/sniff the last couple of days and I figured I shouldn't plan on anything since she'd probably be feeling crummy and want mama anyway. Well, today she's fine of course, but too late to line up anyone to watch the sweeties so I can join DH, who is of course working... So we are making pizza, decorating party hats, eating "ice cream party hats," watching a movie, and having a balloon drop at 9pm. I'm praying that my MIL is going to call and say they are done with thier plans early and would I like her to come over, but that is kinda a long shot.;) If I'm supposed to be there, He'll make it happen. :lurk5: Happy New Year's Eve!