I'm glad you're okay too. I've had to use the epi-pen once on my DD. It was very freaky. I worry about needing to use it again because I've heard that reactions just keep getting worse. It's really scary.

I wish BJU were in our future. It looks really good. My DD is a struggling student though and would probably be frustrated trying to keep up.

Thanks for the input everyone. It sounds like since General science was a bust for us this year it probably would just be better to move on. I think it's just all the homeschool helps available for Apologia that keep me looking again.

Thanks for the input. DD and I started out the year with General and just didn't care for it. It wasn't visual enough for her, and too long-winded for me. I've been trying to decide on what we are going to use for next year, and I wasn't sure whether or not to rule Physical out yet. Sounds like I probably should. It's funny how Apologia science and Sonlight affect me. I look at their curriculum every year knowing that aren't a good fit, but there is just something about them.

What are everybody's feeling about the upper level Apologia books (General and up)? If you don't like one, is it a pretty good guess that you'd not like any of the others? Or vice versa, if you like one, are you likely to like the rest? Or if that isn't the case, have there been some books that you have liked better than others and which ones?

What are everybody's feeling about the upper level Apologia books (General and up)? If you don't like one, is it a pretty good guess that you'd not like any of the others? Or vice versa, if you like one, are you likely to like the rest? Or if that isn't the case, have there been some books that you have liked better than others and which ones?

I have a 10 month old German Shepherd/Lab that can also drive me crazy. He learns quickly, but is also very stubborn. It doesn't help that he entered his bratty adolescent phase at 6 months and it is still going with no end in sight. He isn't big on playing with toys either, but there is something about that flirt pole that he loves and it can wear him out quickly. He does prefer our purchased one over our homemade one though. I'd still recommend to give it a try. Training and walks help. Also, the frozen kong and frozen bone trick work really well. I always have something frozen for him to chew on. Other than that, he also gets his meals each day in either an interactive toy (like the kong wobbler or magic mushroom) or in one of those slow feeder bowls. That makes him have to work harder for his food. We don't need to anymore, but we also used a lot of gates and containment fields to keep him in certain areas. Good luck! I know it's frustrating but hang in there.

I've been thinking a lot lately about what we want to do with science next year after having a somewhat crummy year this year. In looking at all our past science programs, I realized that Nancy Larson was the one that always got done and seemed to stick the most. I think this was for a few reasons: 1. The kit included all the materials and any extra books 2. The experiments/demonstrations really applied to what we were learning 3. The little booklets that were included were meant to be interacted with (highlight here, draw something here...) 4. There was an emphasis on learning the vocabulary words I realize that I can buy kits and add highlighting and vocabulary to what we are currently using, but I was wondering if there is anything even slightly similar at the middle school level. We'll be in 8th grade next year.

I thought this one looked interesting, but haven't used it myself. It's an online course: http://experienceastronomy.com/

How many dogs do you have currently? Only one What breed? A german shepherd/lab mix What brand of food do you feed them? Costco's Nature's Domain Turkey and Sweet Potato (the only thing that has cured his chronic loose stool) How much do you think you spend on your dog every year? Right now, a ton. But he is a puppy so I'm paying a lot for training, immunizations, and replacing chewed up toys. The cost definitely decreases during the middle years. How often do you leave them to travel? Or do you travel with your dog? Haven't left him yet. But will leave him at a boarding facility when we do travel. What do you love about having a dog? They make you laugh with their goofiness. And the walking buddy. What do you hate about having a dog? The awful, stubborn adolescent stage. We are currently going through this. Of course the land-shark phase wasn't fun either. The worst part is when you have to let them go though. Will you always have a dog? I'm not sure. I used to think yes, but life is much simpler without a dog. How many dogs have you had in your life? All throughout my childhood. I'm on my second since moving out. My avatar picture is my old dog, whom we lost in 2015. I haven't updated it with my new pup. Why do you have a dog? Because I love having somebody that gets happy to see me when I come home.

I just slice into circles, but did vote also for long ways....in case of banana splits. Bananas must be sliced though. For some reason they taste a lot better that way.

We have moved onto ABeka 7th grade science this year after realizing how much we disliked Apologia General. It isn't perfect, but at least it doesn't make us hate science.

I would really say that it depended on your goals and how best your student learns. I have used Winston in the past and am currently using GWG (also having used it in the past). For us, I would say that Winston is both quicker each day and gave us more retention. We would only spend about 15 minutes on it each day, working through about 3-4 sentences at a time on the board. Unfortunately Winston doesn't cover a few grammar topics such as punctuation, capitalization, etc. But my DD and I both learned a ton going through Winston basic. GWG follows a more traditional grammar scope. In my opinion, retention of the material isn't immediate. Meaning that it takes a few years of working through the same topics to truly show master. Again, just my opinion. What is does have going for it is that it is a get-it-done approach that includes diagramming. So, if your DD is struggling with grammar concepts, I really recommend Winston. If she is pretty solid and just needing grammar to continue her skills, I would say you are better off with GWG. We've used both at different seasons of our life for different purposes. We are using GWG this year just as filler until my DD can move on to Advanced Winston.

Yes, she did finish Horizons 6 with very few issues.

It's too bad that you can't find any samples to Lial's anywhere online. That would make my decision much easier. Forgot to mention that unfortunately she doesn't like TT either. Last year, using Horizons 6, we realized that she does do a lot better when concepts are presented in more of a chapter format (which Horizons 4-6 surprisingly does). Unfortunately, she wasn't very challenged by Horizons 6, having covered most of it in CLE 500. But the extra review for that year was beneficial. Because of that, we decided to go ahead and bump up to a pre-algebra course, figuring that she was ready. Unfortunately, BJU just presents too many new things too quickly. For example, our last lesson was about exponents, but then went on to combining exponents in multiplication and division (2^5 * 2^4 = 2^9). Not only that, but they also expected you to do it with variables. She could pick up on that sort of teaching, just not all in one lesson. It would have been better stretched out over 2-3 lessons for her. I tried splitting it up, but the practice problems for that day were impossible to split up accordingly. I don't necessarily have a problem with her waiting on pre-algebra until 8th and doing algebra in 9th. But I also think a less rigorous (or at least more step-by-step) pre-algebra, might also work well since we have been solidifying basic math for the past 2 years.

I need to change my DD's math program. She has had a bit of a mish-mash up until this point: BJU K5 Saxon 1,2, part of 3 CLE 200-500 Horizons 6 She is in 7th grade this year and I went ahead with our top pick of BJU Pre-algebra. Well, needless to say that it it just too much too fast. The content is very nice, but she is just in over her head. I've been working along side her to account for adjusting to the change from workbook to textbook, so I know that isn't the entire issue. So now I'm trying to decide where to go next. I could just drop her back down to BJU 7th grade (Fundamentals of Math) and have no problem doing that. But I was also wondering about her placement in Lial's instead. I'm very strong in math and have no problem teaching it. She is what I would consider an average math student. She does really well with calculations, but concepts are a bit harder for her. Returning to either CLE or Saxon are out as well.

Dog experts...experiences please. We just adopted a now 9 week old german shepherd/lab mix puppy from our local shelter. We previously had a german shepherd/lab mix dog for 14 years before crossing over the rainbow bridge last October. We are all really enjoying and loving our new puppy even though he is a lot of work. We used to have some minor reactions to our old dog, but nothing that we couldn't deal with. But with the new puppy, our allergies are something else. My DS is wheezing and has itchy eyes, my DD is super congested and her eczema is flaring up. I'm the worst off because I'm doing most of the training. My eyes are itchy, I'm sneezing constantly, and anyplace he mouths me or rubs against me I'm getting red skin and hives. My hands won't stop itching. My DH is mostly okay, except for itchy hands as well. Usually any dog allergies I've had in the past will taper off within the first week, but no such luck. They just seem to be getting worse each day. I even gave him a bath yesterday hoping that would help. Are we having more issues because he is a puppy and therefore more mouthy? Do you think we will eventually get used to him? Or is it more logical to return him before we all bond too much? I really don't like the idea of returning him to the shelter during such an impressionable age, but I also don't know how long to give it. Being a young puppy, he would be adopted very quickly, but I would still feel awful. Help please.

If I were you, I would wait another day or 2 to see if the seizures continue. If they do, then I do believe it is time. We just had to put our 15 year old lab/shepherd mix (in my avatar) down in October. I would have loved to use the mobile service available here, but it was way outside our budget. Our vet was very nice and I have no complaints. I would suggest trying to get either a very early morning appointment or an end of the day appointment because the clinic will be less busy - giving you a bit more time and privacy if needed. Prayers and hugs!

Get some Nature's miracle spray. You can find it at pet stores usually.

I agree that probably the most important thing for her right now is the palate expander. They are doing these earlier now so that the body views this as normal growth patterns. This makes the expanded mouth stay expanded without the need for retainers. Also, it helps the future adult teeth have room to grow, making for less orthodontic work later. I don't agree with the current trend of 2 rounds of braces though. Usually they do the first round around 6-9 years old, and then a second round once they have all their adult teeth. For my DD, we went with an expander for 9 months when she was 6 going on 7. She just got her actual braces on a few months ago at age 12. It's worked out really well. I would definitely ask around for a second opinion. Our regular pediatric dentist was able to do the expander for us if that is an option at this time. But I do think that your current orthodontist is just trying to figure out a way to get started with your DD given the amount of anxiety she is showing. And, yes, impressions are not pleasant, but they are a necessary part of the braces process. They will be repeated when it comes time for retainers as well.

I'm going to agree with stopping by the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The chapel there is beautiful. Highly recommend. I'd take the cog rail up Pikes Peak if you aren't used to driving mountains. Otherwise, Garden of the Gods is a very nice spot to stop. There is some walking, but it is mostly level.

Pricey, but BJU might fit.

:iagree: My DD has moderate dyslexia, showing up mainly in areas of spelling. We started A&P nearly 6 years ago and are just now about to finish book D. We have some dysgraphia going on here as well, so we've been doing a pace of 1 page a day 4-5 days a week, but also taking summers off. Don't let the slow pace disturb you. It wasn't until we were about 1/2 way through book C that I noticed a huge jump in spelling for us. And there are still words that A&P doesn't really teach that we are going to have to learn after we finish book D. That being said, those few words that are very non-phonetic in spelling do somewhat show a possible auditory processing problem. Have you ever given your daughter the readiness test from the Barton website to see how she does with phonemic activities? If not, that might be a good place to start.

You could see if you have any Keepers of the Faith groups near you.

We did just this past year. We do have to declare a grade and test every other year here. So, we decided to repeat 6th grade this year because my DD has a summer birthday and learning difficulties. We knew she wasn't ready for 7th grade level work. It wasn't that big of a deal. When I reenrolled through our umbrella school, I just declared 6th and gave a sorry explanation. No questions were asked.