Thanks for all the ideas...:001_smile:

This is what ds had done, only the dr. did not treat the nail bed to keep it from growing over so far and now he is having problems again.:glare: I don't want to take him back because it was a pretty tramatic experiance for him, but he doesn't handle medical stuff well at all! Good luck, I hope you toe feels better soon.

:lol::lol: How funny! I eyed the boxes of Hamburger Helper at the grocery store yesterday evening as I was quickly trying to find something to make out of the hamburger I had at home for dinner! I ended up going w/ spaghetti, but now almost wishing I would have chosen the other since my youngers didn't like the sauce. UGH! I just cannot win. Glad you enjoyed you dinner. Don't feel guily about it at all. Sometimes you just need a splurge and every now and then will not kill you!:D

Thank you guys for your thoughts opinions. I think it would be better for us if I didn't buy the journals, but just printed out our own pages. Does anyone have any other links other than the Apologia website?

Thank you all for the great ideas. I've got quite a bit to look into. Keep 'em coming... I'm not sure where we will be staying yet so I figure if I find things to do all over the city, once we know where we wil be then I can pick & choose from what is close.

This is one of the reasons we were excited about the possibility of going to Indianapolis because it is so close to the Creation Museum. If we get to go, we plan to go home by way of The Creation Museum (this will be our big $$ splurge). We have wanted to go for quite some time now. I hadn't thought about the Childrens Museum being so crowded on free night (my small town living is showing it's true colors :D). We may have to rethink that one. Thanks for the heads up guys.

Thanks, I just went to their website and admission is free the 1st Thursday of every month from 4pm-8pm! Woo Hoo!

Dh might be going on a business trip to Indianapolis the end of Feb/first of Mar. and the kids & I want to tag along. So, I need some help from anyone who live near Indianapolis to help me plan our trip. What is there to do there that is cheap or free? I know homeschoolers are notorious for finding inexpensive/free activities so I thought I'd ask here. I've looked a little at White River State Park and it looks really neat, but I can't find anywhere that says if it costs to get in, or is it a free park? I would really appreciate any ideas you can share...:001_smile:

We are getting ready to begin the Apologia Botany book with dd9 & ds11 and I'm wondering if I should buy the notebooking journals for them, or put together our own journal using free printable pages. We used the Zoology journals last year and enjoyed them, but did not use all the pages. So, part of me is wondering if it would be better to just put our own together. I don't have a lot of extra time to spend on searching the web for pages, but at the same time if I bought the journals it would use the last few $$ in our school budget. Help me decide what to do. Share with me your thoughts, ideas, links to botany related printable pages etc. Thanks so much...:001_smile:

We have a grocery store that will hold your cart full of groceries at the covered curb after you have checked out, and then load them into your vehicle when you pull up. This makes shopping with little kids so much easier! I can focus on getting the kids in the car and not have to worry about the groceries at the same time.

Mine is not a "from scratch" recipe, but when I find something that everyone eats without complaining (and even asks for more) I hang onto it. It doesn't hurt that it can be on the table in 30 minutes! Here is what I do: 4lbs ground beef 3 packets chili seasoning (from Aldi) 12 (8oz) cans tomato sauce 4 cans chili beans Cook beef, drain, add other ingredients & simmer for awhile. Makes an amazing mild chili (according to my "non spicy" kids LOL!!).

Do you have a local home school group in your area? Sometimes home school groups have lending libraries where you can borrow books for the year. That would definately make it easier on your budget. Sometimes even public libraries have textbooks you can borrow. There are also a lot of free online options (of course non that I can think of right off the top of my head, but I'll look around and try to come back & post some links for you). Way to go for wanting to further your education on your own!

My girls are using the Biology 101 DVD's as part of their biology course this year and we are really liking it! We hope to use Chemistry 101 for next year.

ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! I find it VERY strange that the parents would not be informed of where there children will be on a youth trip. Ok, so keep it a mystery from the kids, but the parents absolutely must know in my opinion! Hoping your ds made it home safe...

Check out the Hillbilly Housewife. I have learned many frugal tips there (especially stretching food). http://www.hillbillyhousewife.com/

From what I've heard, ALL has been suspended indefinately. So it sounds like it will not be available.:crying: I had planned on starting WWS & ALL w/ my ds11 this week...we started WWS on Monday and we are liking it alot, but now I'm scrambling to figure something else out for grammar. Good luck!

We are using STOW with MFW. I'm not sure if they schedule all 4 books, but I know the last 3 are scheduled.

Wow, thanks for sharing, it looks really good (and the price is GREAT!!)

Thank you for all the suggestions. I hadn't thought of Hake. I remember hearing about it when it first came out (I think?). Off to go check it out.

Ok, so I had planned on beginning Advanced Language Lessons with ds11 this month, but since it is not going to be released, obviously I need a new plan. We have used R&S (3 & 4) but it just isn't a door I want to open again. I'm looking for something open & go/easy to use and fairly inexpensive. So...anyone have any suggestions for me?

:iagree: I just can't imagine! Having to deal with this whole mess after losing her husband on Christmas day! Wow, she is truely a strong woman!

How adorable!!! Happy 3 month birthday little one! :party:

I don't know if this will work for you or not, but I would move the computer, put a password on it so dc had to come to you every time he wanted to use it (thus making you aware of when he was on the computer so you could moniter him more closely) or just disconnect internet all together until he could be trusted to use it again. In my opinion, internet freedom that is being abused/used for distasteful reasons is not something to take lightly. Good luck...

Dd15 has her permit now and is "patiently" awaiting her 16th birthday so she can get her liscense (she is VERY excited!). Dd has a good head on her shoulders, and I think she is ready for the responsiblity of driving. However, dh & I reserve the right to revoke said drivers liscense for any reason if poor choices are made relating to driving!

:grouphug: I'm sorry you are having a hard time w/ the principal. This is one reason we pulled out kids out of ps. I got really tired of school officials thinking that they had control or "power" over me & my kids!!! Thank you very much for your hard work at trying to provide an education for my children, but the are just that, MY children which means I make the decisions!