Other...we school year round!

I'm a relaxed schooler, too. Too many things/life getting in the way. That is why halfway through our first year, I realized piece-mealing was not going to be my thing and bought curriculums for our core subjects (Saxon Math and Phonics) and did a year long plan for our writing/reading. That way, I just look at the next lesson..no matter what day it is, and do that next. The curriculums and my plans rarely need extra materials that we do not always have on hand. With this method and these materials, I know I am meeting the important goals, they are all laid out there for me, but I can add and modify to their learing, as needed. And, I have time to plan more fun activities that involve the arts, science, ss, as well when we have moments. Good luck, there are so many choices and ways!

Mad Libs, Mad Libs, Mad Libs!!! I loved those and a great suggestion I am going to use too, thanks!

We are basically 4 days a week here. Outings w/ friends one day a week.

:iagree:

:D

Board games, card games, dice games. Going outside and exploring plants, trees, bugs, digging and weeding, nature hunt. Outside painting on the driveway or boxes or each other, LOL, paint w/ water (bucket of water and brushes on the driveway) or other crafts. We have tons of simple science experiment and craft books, so that's a first choice for them, always. They made piggy/animal banks out of plastics to be recyled. Painted them, googled eyes, etc. all by themselves! Making clay models or playdough. Pearler beads My kids love PBS online for learning games. Making cards for loved ones and sending them...they love getting them too. Watching all the suggestions...thanks!

Completely normal! Keep trying high interest books to get him motivated and build confidence, and it will spill over to other areas. Inventive spelling (spelling like it sounds) and reversals are all normal too. Spacing...you can you a popsicle stick w/ a face as "spaceman" to help him put spaces between words, or just use his finger.

Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBp68rhT_Sg

Same here..75-80%.

Line dried equals stiff, no way around it. Plus the allergens in the clothes, are another reason why I don't line dry. Now, my MIL loves the feel of line dried and has no allergies. I have a friend who hangs all her clothes on hangers to dry, inside and then irons EVERYTHING. I'm sticking with the dryer, LOL!

My twins are going to pre-school this year for the first time. I have mixed feelings, but with only 3 half days, I am doing ok. I know they will have such fun, and still spend so much time with us. I am already debating if I want to try them in PS K next year or just start homeschooling them. So, I hear you, OP!

We spend the about the same as you OP, and the price just keeps going up, as they get bigger and the cost of food gets more expensive. Sigh

I rarely (like never) drink liquor. Too much Tequila when I was young and blech. But, I sent DH straight to the liquor store Friday night as soon as I saw her post and the vodka cake recipes. It is so YUM. And, it is good straight from the shot glass, too!

Yes!

Pictures and videos of everything we do. The kids still love watching old videos of themselves from the day they were born! ETA: I let them make their own scrap books with construction paper and binding. They can pick what pics they want to print out or mementos of where they went, and put them in there!

:iagree: Doing more hands on science. Working through the writing battle with a :chillpill: pill.

I'm a newbie, and with links, got to read some interesting old threads. Ryan Gosling's Hey girl homeschool was cracking me up!

Enjoy! That is why drinks are around.;) I hope it all works out, soon!

I know what one is, and it's use. Want one, but not for mashing potatoes, LOL. I use a mixer for mashed potatoes!

I love my Hoover windtunnel w/ bag, too! I had the Dyson and hated it! I have heard good things about the Orek from many friends and family. I just didn't want to spend that much $$.

:lurk5: I am intererested in this too!

Trying to answer some of your questions and explain our guidelines.;) We all wake up, eat breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bed about the same time each day...just how it works. They use one cup all day long. And, they clean up their dishes after each meal. We wash towels one time per week, and we each have a towel to use. I throw my kitchen/bath hand towels in the wash each night before bed. DH cleans the kitchen each night including all food, dishes, and counters, while I give baths, or vice versa. I have to wake up to a clean kitchen. Mine each have a locker for keeping jackets and shoes, etc., so they are never in the house. There is a place for everything in our house and it most of it is put back in it's place at night. We have a child of the day and they are responsible for feeding/water the animals vacuuming downstairs compost recyclables and they get first served and dibs on lots of things we do/get each day, like getting in the car first or the pool or picking a read aloud, getting food first, etc. Mine earn fake money. $5 on their day for chores, and dollars throughout the day, as they do well. If they get a treat/toy/anything while we are out, they pay me for those items with their fake money. They can also earn treats or special things like my iphone games, pick at tv show, computer time, a game or other fun things we have come up with as rewards. I can see what they have/have not accomplished during the day, and if I see chores not being done or someone being non-compliant, I am quick to take away money/treats when things are not accomplished. I will also take away toys/favorites and they have to buy them back with their $, so behavior/chores/rewards all work together in our house. I am also huge on manners, sharing, and gratitude and those add/take away from rewards, as well! Our schedule which may or may not get done on the day, (anymore) but is done each week. Mom is black, kids are red: Daily-laundry, dishwasher, pickup as needed, cat, dog, other Laundry, dishes from table, feed dog/cat, clean up outside toys, other Mon- vacuum/mop downstairs/clean bath Clean up all downstairs toys, vacuum Tues-vacuum/mop upstairs/baths Clean up all upstairs toys Wed- sheets and towels/grocery shopping Take sheets off, help make beds, act appropriately when shopping Thurs- monthly task, see following: Week1-with magic eraser, clean all tubs and showers, wash bath mats Free day Week2- pay, organize, and file bills Leave me along, as bills are frustrating and time consuming. J Week3-dust downstairs (incl. fans, doors, baseboards, furniture) and wash walls and appliances, as needed Dust Week4-dust upstairs (everything) dust Fri- vacuum/mop downstairs/clean bath Clean up downstairs, vacuum Sat- upstairs baths/windex Windex Even with good intentions and guidlines, sometimes my house is a COMPLETE disaster. I try to accomplish two of these things each day, because I cannot do all 3; excellent instuction, cleaning the house, or having an outing. Good luck!

I've tried both (4 kids..see below) and I lose my mind either way, LOL! Having a set schedule burns me out, and then I have to veg for like a week after keeping on a strict schedule for 3 weeks. Or, something comes up to really change my schedule for the week, and I am all off. And, it gets in the way of flexibility, because I think...no, we are "supposed" to be doing this, right now and I get frustrated. I'm sticking with guidelines of what to do each day/week/month, but with lots of flexibility and a let it go attitude, as needed. Probably doesn't help, sorry! Just know you are not alone!!! Will post my guidelines...

I was going to say dress up, too. We seriously have bins of dress ups, here and they use them every single week. We have also made vehicles to match from boxes, like, a fire truck, race car, bus, castle-mobile. Endless fun!