Thank you so much for the replies. Her spelling is pretty good. It has always confused my why her spelling would be good. If you give her a word spelled wrong 3 or 4 different ways she can tell you which one is the right spelling even though she may not be able to tell you what the word is. It's very strange. I taught her how to read phonetically with no sight words. We used the spell to write and read phonetic cards with some other phonetic books. She had a very hard time learning to read and could never remember what sounds I had told her went with what letters. For example I remember telling her at least a billion times(slight exaggeration) that ai says A. Maybe I just need to go back and refresh her on her phonics. Thanks again, Tammi

I am shocking myself. For someone who has only read these boards for years, to have two questions in one day is amazing. You can tell by my limited posts I don't do this very often. Thanks for putting up with the questions. What would you use if you are starting a 8th or 9th grader in Latin for the first time? No Latin or foreign language experience. He has used Rod and Staff English for 3rd-8th and done really well. Need something that can be mostly self taught. Thanks, Tammi

Hi, I had my 6th grader tested in reading yesterday. She tested right on grade level for fluency, but was 5th to 4th grade in comprehension. My question is how to increase her comprehension? I know this has been something she has always struggled with. I purchased the Jane Ervin reading comprehension books last year and she has done 3 of these books. The lady who tested her said to work on vocabulary and that would help. Do any of you have some proven ways that worked for you? If I do need to work more on vocabulary what program would you choose? Also, should I be disappointed that her level of fluency was right on grade level? Should I expect more. Thank you for any help you might offer me. Tammi

This is my 4th year for reading the Bible through chronologically. I tried when I was a young girl, but would fizzle out in Leviticus. My husband and I did a chapter of Proverbs a day for a year about five years ago. Then my grandma gave the challenge to read through the Bible chronologically. My husband and I both decided to take the challenge. The next year we decided to do it again and my son, who was then 10, wanted to also. As I said before, we have done it every year since and we are finishing our 4th year. My son who is 13 is finishing his 3rd year and my daughter who is 11 is finishing her first year. It has helped by doing this with someone because we hold each other accountable. We each have a schedule in our Bibles of what we read each day. We all do our reading separately. My husband does his first thing in the morning before work. My son and daughter usually do it in the morning too. I usually read right before bed. I am very proud of my children. We have not told them to do this. They have decided on their own. There have been many blessing from this. I love the fact that we are in God's word daily. It has been wonderful reading the same thing everyday, because it has caused some wonderful discussions. Whatever you decide to do, you will be blessed from being in God's word daily. Tammi

How many of you use Balancing the Sword? How long have you used it? What are your likes/dislikes about it? Does it get used or do you find it sitting on the shelf? Was it worth the money? Thanks, Tammi

I have a 5 year old boy(April B-day). He can not remember which words go with which numbers. He can count(1-20). He can recognize and tell me numbers 0-5, but can not tell me 6-10. He can even write them. If I point to a 6,7,8,9,10 he will just guess. I have been working with him since he was 4. He was like this with colors, and I think it will be like this with letters. Normal development in everything else. Was walking at 9 months. Talks o.k. He's a busy boy. Should I just wait longer? Any advise welcome. Thanks, Tammi Mom to DS-13, DD-11, DD-7, DS-5,DD-3,DD-9months

I went to the library and checked out some books. I made some mozarella goat cheese from our goat's milk. It was fun, but it took some time. I also tried making some soft cheese with just some goat's milk and vinegar. Mostly I give alot of the milk away to people with allergies, so I never have enough to make cheese. Tammi

I wait until they are reading and writing very well. Then I start them in Rod and Staff Grammar 3 in the 3rd grade. Tammi

I am looking at buying God's Design for Science and have read recently that there were revised versions coming out. Is this true? Do you know what changes were made? Thanks, Tammi

Rainbow Resource is no longer selling Beautiful Feet products. I just e-mailed them a couple days ago because I noticed BF products were not in this years catalog. Tammi

I too have used these this year for two of my children. I love them. Tammi

It is $4.09 here in Reedsport, Oregon. It jumped 10 cents yesterday.

Live out in the country near Reedsport, Oregon. I love it here. My children are the 5th generation on this land.

Thanks for all your responses. Sorry it took so long to say Thank you. I don't get on the computer very often. For the curious minded, I ordered an Electrolux. I have already received it and have been working with it. I like it so far. I will keep you posted if there is anything I don't like about it. Thanks again, Tammi

I have had two children like this. They make homeschooling fun and easy. With my first child I used singapore and miquon. My 7 year old daughter is like this and I have been using singapore and Horizon. I really prefer the singapore/horizon better than singapore/miquon. The Horizon gave more problems and helped cement it better. Hope this helps, Tammi Mom to DS-13, DD-11, DD-7, DS-5, DD-2, DD-6 months

We homeschool year round with only the month of July off. We will be heading into our eighth year of homeschooling. When I started it didn't take very long to get school done with only one, so we would spend a couple of hours every day and then be done. We start the new year in the month of August. We do a heavy load until we get our English and Math done, usually some time in March. Then we have easy days and get caught up on all those things that fell behind a little. We live in the country and when the days start to warm up we like to be outside. I don't give a Christmas break or Spring break. We have Christmas eve and Christmas day off. When my husband has days off they will also get these off. We did take a week off in November because I had a baby(#6). It just works better if we don't have breaks then its not hard to have to get started again. I know. I'm a mean mom.

I am researching mixers. So all you mothers that bake alot and make large amounts of dough could you please give me your advice on these two mixers. Which one is better made? Do any of you own these? Why do you like them? Thank you, Tammi