Ds is still loving his RR lessons. The real kicker for him is recognizing and automatically knowing the sound. He knows all of the sounds but every time he sees a letter in a word there has to be a split second think before he has it. We have a work book that we are using where he says the sounds or numbers of each line on the little test each day. It doesn't seem to be enough and frankly if we do it too much in a day it gets very boring. We have flash cards too but I can't think of any good fun things to do so we can keep up the practice. He asked me today why he can memorize anything in a picture or that he sees on tv but he has to think for numbers and letters. All I could think to say was that is just the way his brain is wired at the moment. I have at least realized how much this is effecting his reading but I need some new coping things for him to do. Any ideas?

We just got AG rather than go on with R&S 7. I think once you get through all three seasons (as they call them) it will be quite sufficient. For us it became just too much with R&S. And we wanted to add literature and a stronger writing program. For us I think this will work. I am sure so old hands at this will be able to better describe it. Did you watch the video that they have on their website? It is looong but it is informative. We are actually going to start it this coming week and I hope it will be just what we need. We will probably speed it a long between seasons though as I want to be in review mode only during eighth grade and then if needed get the reinforcements for high school.

Oh I know where you were!!! Yes to the durian. I don't remember there being seeds in the frozen kind. My oldest likes durian smoothies. He also likes jack fruit smoothies. Basically it is just frozen fruit, swettened condensed milk and ice. I don't like them. I find them sickly sweet. We usually get the jack fruit canned especially up here in the Northland. Man am I jealous that you got to go.

I have just started Tom Sawyer as dd is going to be reading it for LL starting Friday. I have to say I am not getting into it either. I was wondering if I could cliff note it.:rolleyes: For me it isn't so much the book as I really want to be reading something of my own choosing, kwim? I want to be rereading Jane Eyre. Oh well, if I tell her to do it I had better do it too. Good luck with it.

We did Keys to fractions. It was a great refresher for me as well. Good luck with them. I don't think I have used them either except for cooking.

I line the little trash cans with grocery bags. It lessens the clean up time for mom. I also do the towel thing with my 7yo who has only recently begun to wake up enough to move from the bed. Good luck. We have the cold/flu bug at our house. I don't envy you.

Actually I try to go used most of the time. I have been fortunate to pick up so great finds (as in someone bought it new and changed their minds) that have really helped me stretch the budget. If I could get IEW used I would be running to that deal!

We are getting ready to start MUS as soon as all of the stuff arrives. The only thing I puchased new is the student books. I got the dvds and tm, blocks and the skip counting cd from fs/wtb boards here. I figure the first year looks most expensive as there are the blocks to get but after that it isn't too bad. We will have to see how it goes for us beyond that. Melissa

Joanne, Are you still in the Katy area? Katy Budget Books can order for you or I bet they may even have most of what you need. It has been to long since I have been but they do have a major sale twice a year. Also see if they will hold books fro you as they come in to the store. Melissa

If there is room for one more I would loved to read something by someone I actually "know". I promise I won't make it "bleed" as my dh has claimed of my editing his papers for school.

I like fabric.com as well. Better for you since you are GA is that they have a warehouse sale once a year. I missed it due to my move here to MN but I hear it is great! They are just a ways north of Atlanta as I remember it.

So good to know that silverware disappears in someone else's house. I don't know where it goes. Pencils I have but only because I buy in volume. I would like to know where my blue pens go though, I am the "only" one who uses them but I can never find them.

I haven't yet. When DS was working for Hobby Lobby that just schedule around our vacation. Melissa

What a trooper! I love the way he sleeps with his hands behind his head. I have one who has always done that. He looks very happy in spite of his surgery. YOu must be so relieved.

That is wonderful. When she is older she will appreciate aging only every four years! Way to go Mom!

I was thinking cut it into bite size bits cook it and it to the pasta sauce of your choice or turn it into soup. Melissa

Sadly his came without warning well I did think he was getting a cold as his sister had one but wasn't expecting a middle of the night barking session. Now it seems I am getting a lovely cough.

Oh good. Now I can start selling ( I hope). Thank you

I really need to start selling the stuff I am not going to use. I went and looked on paypal and I couldn't figure out if I had to do something special to be able to accept non cc payments. I have an acct so that I can pay but do I have to do something to receive payments? TIA

Me too wonder what my WW leader will think if I have that down as my veggies in my journal???:eek:

Hmm depending on the store you saw me in you might see a cr*p cart because I buy my produce elsewhere!;) Right now I have... Fresh:lemons limes oranges apples (2 kinds) bananas grapes kiwi mangos pears carrots onions chinese cabbage celery broccoli lettuce bagged salad garlic sweet potatoes baking potatoes Frozen: broccoli corn peas spinach potatoes blackberries peaches Canned: Tomatoes (in all there various varieties) Green bean black beans pumpkin apples (homemade sauce and pie filling) peaches Dried: cranberries raisin So I am wondering since grits are made from hominy are they a dried veggie?? If so I get to count one more. Well that was better than I thought but now I realize I need some things from the store. Gee, thanks!:rolleyes:

Thanks everyone it does seem to be croup. I took him outside early this morning. He hated it and it helped. I will watch him today and tonight.

I think you may be right. I just keep thinking my baby is too old at seven. But since it is only most common in the under 5 set I imagine it is quite possible. Melissa

All of the sudden he is sick with the worst barking cough and fever of 102. Should have known when he demanded to go to bed early. NOw I have him propped up in the sunroom next to me waiting for his meds to kick in and make feel a bit more comfortable. He can no longer speak as his throat hurts from coughing, I think. Oh, and he is very mucousy. Is this going around? Is there anything that will give him some comfort? Melissa

My seven year old would just say yes. He LOVES all pickles. I love bread and butter though. And I am the mommy so it is my vote that counts. Well at least on this for now.