I can't seem to be able with a way for this to work for us this coming year. However, my husband and I have talked it over, and we really like the idea. I am going to try to plan for it next year.

I got my iMac for just under $900, including the shipping. The laptops are a bit pricey, I'll give you that. However, it's got a dual processing chip, so when it says its a 2GHz, it actually runs at roughly 3.75GHz. I am able to run both Mac OS and Windows XP. I use OSXs own Bootcamp, so I didn't have to purchase Parallels or VM Fusion. Apple not only offers a homeschool discount (which at the time I forgot to use!!!), but on their website they have links to tons of educational freeware and shareware to download. They also tend to not need to be upgraded nearly as often. Some will say that they don't get viruses, but he truth is, sometimes they do - it's just not often, because the virus makers don't bother wasting their time making OSX viruses (or so I've heard!). However, there are some really simple steps that you can take to protect your computer. About Macworld: I'm looking at the June 2008 copy right now. There's a great article on how to choose the Mac that's right for you. :D

My first computer use was on an Apple back in 1990. I avoided DOS like the plague. Finally, when Microsoft went to a graphic desktop, I thought, "Well, this isn't so bad." However, I am a Mac user and always will be. I hate that I have to use the Windows OS for work, though. For the person who mentioned the price - Apple has refurbished computers for decent prices on their website. They come with a 1-year warranty, but you can purchase up to 3 years if you want. For regular home use, an iMac is all you need.

Once the wall gets completely covered, take a picture. Then you can pitch all but your absolute favorite pieces.

We're doing the same with my 4-year-old daughter. She wishes she was Diego, so we're going to studying lots of animals!

Local hardware store...

Glad to hear it went well for you!

The original song that was posted on here? I watched it twice yesterday, and woke up with it in my head. :smilielol5:

OCD in Children

That's funny. :smilielol5:

Our library is who sent me to the school reading teacher. I'll ask our childrens' librarian again if she has any other ideas.

Kind of both. I did a test online that tests for words only, and it shows her at a 4th grade level. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but I'm pretty sure she's beyond the 1st grade stuff by now. She started reading The Boxcar Children one day when I had left it in her room. I'm not sure that the comprehension was there, because she was stopping to sound some of the words out. I don't want to hold her back by forcing her to do reading and phonics activities that she obviously doesn't need. So, I would like to have an idea of where she is at, so that I can choose appropriate materials for school and library books for fun reading.

My daughter just turned 4 a few months ago. I had her reading evaluated last fall at a local public school, and she was reading and comprehending at a mid-1st grade level. I think she has progressed quite a bit since then, so I want to get her tested again. However, the teacher who tested her said her principal won't let her do it again. Are there any reliable sources on the internet that I can use to test her reading level? Or any good books that might help me out?

If it's in your actual disposal, I'm not sure what you can do, short of taking it apart and cleaning it out. (I'm not sure how to actually do this, though.) However, if it has worked its way into your pipe, it's very easy to take the pipe off and run the snake down through there. Just be sure that you use a bucket and some towels, in case there is any water that might leak out when you remove the pipe. And wear old clothes and gloves - it can be pretty gross in those pipes. A note about ice cubes: they will sharpen your blades, too!

I'm going to try the schedule I already have planned out for a couple weeks, but if it seems to be going way past the time I think it should, I think we will try this approach. Thanks ladies! :grouphug:

I have not read all of the comments, but I wanted to add that there were two people that I graduated with that didn't want to go to college. So they enlisted instead. It seems like I remember they were sick of academics, so that's why they chose that path.

Well, during my shower I came up with this: I will have her here M-F from 9 until noon. That gives her 15 hours of work a week, afternoons and nights free, and still allows me to work during my youngest daughter's nap, without having to pay someone. She still naps for about 2 to 2-1/2 hours most days. During that time, I usually allow my oldest to watch a show or play a game on our other computer. I can get a good hour or so of work in during that time, if I really focus. I think this will be the best situation, since if it's a really hot day, we can still go out in the pool in the afternoon without me feeling like I should be working. If I don't have someone here so I can work during the day, I know I won't work hardly at all this summer, since we like to go for walks, play in the pool, etc. in the evenings.

I make an average of about $9.00 an hour right now. Last night, however, I made $16 an hour. It all depends on the work. I'm hoping that the ability to work more throughout the summer will allow me to get faster. I'd like to be making an average of $15 an hour by the end of the summer. Of course, there are those rare doctors that are a pain to make out that drop that down. But that's why I need to be able to work for more than the 2 hours a day I'm working now.

I had a stomachache and slight dizziness on standing on Thursday, followed by a REALLY sore throat on Saturday and Sunday (was thinking strep, since it can be accompanied by nausea), then Monday and Tuesday I had a HORRIBLE sinus thing going on (lots of Puffs Plus, lots of Sudafed, wanted to sleep, watery eyes, sinus headache, sneezing). Today I've been tons better, but still have a bit of lingering runny nose and scratchy throat. But my energy is back and I don't feel like total dog doodoo, so I'm thankful. Hope you feel better!

What am I missing?

Maybe they're finishing up their work? I am going to have two to balance next year. I'm hoping to do each subject each day. I have it worked out that while my 1st grader is doing her math worksheet, I'll be working or reading with my younger one. (Or something similar to that, anyway.) I do like the sound of this, though. I'll have to think this over some more. Swann... is this Alexandra Swann's mother?

Wal-Mart has been falling apart since Sam died. It's a shame--he had a good thing going...

I don't see the connection between the two threads that some people are seeing. But... I have to say the equipment around here seems pretty nice. There are also a lot of parks, and most of those have nice equipment, too.

I'm just relaying what I have read before on another board. As I stated above, I know nothing about this, as I do not buy from Scholastic, and have not since I purchased the My First Winnie the Pooh collection almost 4 years ago. Maybe this was more of an employee issue with homeschooling, rather than a company issue.

We were supposed to buy ourselves a Wii for Christmas, but have yet to find one. So, last week we got a PS3 instead. I've been playing Tiger Woods, but it only gives your thumbs a workout! Maybe I'll ask for the Wii fit and a Wii for Christmas this year.