I can't see the image, but occasionally as a child/teenager, I would have a strong reaction to a mosquito bite where the redness/heat/swelling would grow to about 4-5" in diameter. And once to a horsefly bite.

In my university, the Principles of Logic course was under Philosophy, so I'd say elective.

I do almost this same thing. I just don't do the bell peppers or fajita seasoning, though that sounds really good. Cut up the chicken (easiest when still a little frozen), briefly marinade in olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, and salt, and cook on medium high heat, stirring often. It doesn't take long, and if you don't over cook it, the chicken is tender and delicious. If you do overcook it, yep, it's a bit tough.

I don't cook two meals--I just either cook an additional carb something for them, or let them add it--rice, corn, potatoes, cooked apples or other fruit (I will eat a very small serving of that), bread. It isn't as much work that way, and we are all eating more healthily. It also helps me not feel as deprived if I only have one thing I am having to refuse.

Quite a few years ago, I did Calvert for some of the same reasons. I had always enjoyed researching curriculum and picking and choosing. Due to a difficult move, a pregnancy, and more, I just didn't have the reserves to continue eclectic, nor did I have the mental capacity to decide what to do and what to leave out from curriculums that always had too much. I knew that Calvert was good and solid, that if we did everything it would not be too much, and that if we went through 8th grade with it, my kids could move confidently into any other school option. It was good; I got the rest I needed, and my kids did great. Now that I am back to eclectic with later children, I sometimes wonder if I should have stayed with Calvert for the younger ones as well. It relieved a lot of stress for me.

I just want to point out something here. When you have younger kids, it is easy to see from the younger perspective, and assume that the older child can handle a situation. Several months ago, our family was with some other families. During the time together, a 6yo boy came crying to his dad that my 13yo boy had hurt him. I did not see the incident, and of course, talked strongly and privately to my 13yo, and demanded that he apologize. (The dad, btw, did not treat it like it was any big deal.) Others did see it, and what had happened was that the very active 6yo would not get out of my son's face, hitting on him and pushing his face and body right up in my son's face. After repeatedly telling him to stop with no response, my son pushed him away. He did not hit him, but he had had enough. That is when the little one came to his dad. I can see that the push might have hurt him--not harmed him, but hurt him. But to assume or to expect that a 13yo will always have the wisdom and self-discipline to know how to handle a child hitting on them, is not quite fair to the older kid. I have been in similar situations as an adult where I did not know how to handle the situation (with a 4yo, no less!). I told my son that he must under no circumstances respond to a younger child by hitting them or pushing them, and if he needs to get away from him in order to keep his control, to do so. But the older ones are still learning as well.

But what about reading the favorites to your grandkids!! :sad: You KNOW they won't all still be in print! ;) (j/k. sort of :001_rolleyes: That's the way my mind works, anyway.)

I can't see the photos, but this is what I was going to say--they generally are not in open areas, but on the skin under where the clothing fits tightly, especially waistbands and the legs of underwear, etc.

One thing that helped when I had two school aged kids and twin toddlers was to give the toddlers personal attention first. We cuddled on the couch and read a couple of books, and maybe did another thing or two. It paid off hugely by making them feel loved, and then they were usually happy to play while I worked with the olders. They didn't feel so shuffled off. If I forgot, we suffered for it. :P This may or may not work with yours.

Well, with her beautiful color I keep thinking Butter. Not a normal cat name, I know, lol. Or she could be Daffy, short for Daffodil. Or Dilly, for that matter. I just looked again, and maybe she isn't quite as butter colored as I originally thought. I like Annie as well, since she 'is' a Ragdoll, you know. :) She has such an intelligent looking little face.

I'm so very sorry, Rosie.

Just FYI, for those who need to consider this slant: Our oldest ds went this route. Because he is a highly creative out-of-the-box thinker, we thought it would be a great fit for him. However, due to challenges of the executive function type, the lack of structure, and inclusion of many courses which he had to put together himself by way of learning contracts, etc., he floundered for a while in there, and had to take an extra year to graduate. We all realized that he needed a lot more framework; i.e., classes that were set up in a traditional way, in order to produce the best work. He finished well, but it was not without a lot of heartache and that extra year of school. So, just a thought for those who have a little more trouble with organizational and self-motivational skills--it may not be for you. If your program may require you to put together some courses on your own, rather than piecing together a major from already existing courses, then your skills in this area need to be considered.

I'll PM you, Harriet.

Our daughter took a gap year. She went to a gap-year program that included work, travel, Bible studies, studies of Christian classics, humanitarian aid, outdoor activities, etc., on a scholarship. It was a great choice for her, moving from ex-pat status and a small private school to a large public university. It helped ground her and helped her adjust to American culture in a more gradual and protected way. Her university deferred her scholarships/admittance for a year, just asked for a letter specifying what she would be doing and why.

Yeah, I'm generalizing in referring to 'state uni' and LAC, realizing it is a simplification, and that the state school is the better choice in some fields and the LAC is in others. Doing that mainly in reference to the higher/lower tier schools, I guess, more so than specifically state or private. ETA: I want to clarify that I definitely do not want to come across as having a twisted reverse pride--like anybody should ever apologize for going to a higher tier school or having the finances or scholarships to make that choice. I think it is wonderful when a student has those options. Yet, I don't want to give in to a personal pity party when my kids really do have great opportunities too, and I don't want to be too blind to see that!

Yes, I find myself wavering between being defensive about the 'state school' and being a little academically snobbish. Maybe part of it comes from my own background; I graduated from a mediocre high school and then went to a mediocre state university. I started out at that uni planning to transfer when I figured out what I wanted to major in, but finally had to admit to myself that I really, really enjoyed that school and didn't want to transfer after all. It took a bit for me to overcome that native snobbishness in order to admit I loved my school. Thankfully, I stayed, because I met my husband there, and I couldn't have met anyone more suitable. :) :wub: (I went on to graduate school in a liberal arts field, and did well there.) And honestly, like Creekland said, 'fit' includes so many things. I had some unusual experiences at my school, and didn't really want to study terribly hard after high school. :blushing: I had poured myself into it in high school, and was ready to expand my world in other ways. Yet, I want to say, "but, but, but. . ." and defend how smart and wonderful my own kids are when I read about how those who do not seem to be under the same financial constraints look at education. At the same time, there are many smart and capable students who go to the school where my kids have gone. And while I know money isn't everything, I realize what a relief it is when they graduate, that they are financially prepared and responsible, and don't have that burden over them from the start. I wanted so badly to give our daughter the LAC that she wanted. Yet, it worked out for the best when she changed her major, because she will get either comparable or better training in her field for a much lesser price at the state uni, and is happy there. I still have mixed feelings about debt, as possible future sons-in-law have debt, and I understand why. But for us, our children, and our circumstances, it has definitely been the right decision. Not sure this is even coherent--just a lot of thrown-together thoughts. . .

Sometimes when I read these boards, I get unhappy and discontent that my kids have chosen a state uni. Yet, we cannot take out loans for their education, for reasons I will not go into here, primarily having to do with inability to pay them back. It doesn't matter how wonderful that school environment would be, how much better it might be in their field, etc., etc. Like 8 says, it is purely a financial decision. One of our kids really wanted to go to a small LAC. They offered merit aid of about half the tuition--a nice scholarship package really--about $17,000/year. But there was still another $17,000 to go. So she decided on the state uni after all, where, with the combination of scholarships she has and a small job, she has even been able to save some money. Then right before she started, she changed her major, which made the state uni a better choice anyway. And at orientation, both girls said that they felt very happy that it was the right place for them. Something about being on campus helped them put aside any wishes/longings for what they didn't have. Our first two have graduated with no debt, and with a good education in their fields. Our next two should also, aside from some catastrophic event. When they see their friends graduating with thousands of dollars in debt, it hits them what a gift it is for them to start out without it. I know it is not possible for everyone. We have two more at home, one of whom should be able to qualify for some merit aid. Our youngest son has dyslexia and may not be able to get any merit aid. He is also more interested in a trade at this point. We will have to see what can be done. I find the whole uni situation frustrating and upsetting. Yes, ideally, I would love for my kids to get the education they want from the place they want. Yet, realistically, it says a lot about their character if they are able to go to the "good enough" school and do their best, learning from the opportunities that they have available. Much of life is learning to handle graciously and gracefully what your situation actually is, rather than what you wish it were; a lesson I have to remember when I desire just as much as anybody here that my children have all the best opportunities.

They all look fantastic, but I voted for the Oreo because it reminds me of a pie my mom used to make, so my mouth started watering. And now I want pie. All three kinds.

I think it is good for the exposure. If a student has older siblings, they get to see what their sibs go through with college selection, usually get to visit (even if it isn't an 'official' visit), and just get a general idea of what is involved. If not, it is hard for many of them to visualize what college involves. So, imo, 9th grade is a great time to start looking at the possibilities out there, both of careers and universities.

Yes. However, with mine, it isn't as though I completely leave it wide open--I try to explore interest ideas. But he is really unresponsive. So I have to choose books or courses from what I think he would like, and just assign from them. And then, either he likes it or doesn't. I usually hit it pretty well, but not always. He has been the one least motivated to pick out books from our many and variety-filled bookshelves. Our four older kids were always perusing the shelves. Yet, in some ways, though a little later-blooming, I am increasingly under the impression that he may be my brightest child. I just wish I had a little better idea what to do with him, because he doesn't give me a lot of guidance or help in figuring it out. :confused1: For now, the only thing I know to do is to find the most engaging courses/information in all subjects that I can find, and place them before him. He says he wants to either be an engineer or a writer, and honestly, he could do either. Or any number of things.

Thank you! Can this list be pinned? I don't want to lose it. Would love to have it up there on the top.

I always get inspired when I read threads like this. Then I realize who my son is. :huh: I have finally realized that if I give him solid and challenging (engaging) work, he enjoys that. For instance, he is working through Windows to the World as a 7th grader, and really enjoying it. But he just doesn't go seek things out on his own. So I am having to be okay with making "assignments" for him for the kinds of things my older kids did on their own. That includes all subjects, including assigning pleasure reading from specific books. He goes along happily doing what I have assigned, which is no small blessing (!), but I have to assign it. It puzzles me a little, but that is just the way he is. He does make very elaborate Lego creations, designs games on Scratch, he independently did Nanowrimo this year, etc., but I have to do the plans otherwise. I have asked questions about what he is interested in, asked what he'd like to learn about, etc., and we just don't get anywhere that way. "I don't know" with a shrug of the shoulders is the typical response. My youngest, who is 10, may be more exploratory eventually, but a lot of his "learning energy" is spent on the basics, as he is dyslexic and dysgraphic.

That's helpful, Nerdybird. The new edition doesn't have reviews yet. I think I will hold off as well. Thanks!

:willy_nilly: Ahhh, not another one! :) Too much temptation!

Kareni, I saw a mention of it somewhere, so I looked it up, and read the intro. sample. It intrigued me, but I keep thinking, "Do I 'really' need another book that tells me I need a lot of other new books?" :tongue_smilie: I'm thinking the answer is probably yes. ;)