I voted to keep the politics though I rarely get involved in those threads. Frankly, I love the diversity on this board. I so rarely have the opportunity to interact with those whose views, esp related to religion or politics differ than mine that this is a refreshing place to be! But, I am also invested in the great work of PHP continuing to thrive. Thanks SWB and friends for all that you do to raise the bar! Whatever you decide, I'm coming back!

I do feel better knowing I'm standing with SWB!!

you are a better woman than me. It's one of the few books I"ve never been able to finish. I've started it probably a 1/2 a dozen times so I know the first chapter quite well. but; I.just.can't.finish.it. Even when I taught high school lit- sad, huh. I'm a Melville flunky.

You do have some other things on your mind right now, true? Buying a large piece of property and considering all that goes into that is probably taking up some of your brain space so give yourself a break and, again, breathe;) I am right there with you regarding creative, brilliant children (ours) who KNOW how to play and learn and BE. Someone told me last week that I have "Waldorf children." I'm not a waldorf gal but I did take it as a compliment - my kids are FULL of wonder and I want to cultivate that. Sometimes it is hard to interrupt their play. That being said, however, they are happier, more fulfilled and more satisfied overall with both free time and required "stuff" (jobs) when I provide some learning structure, no matter how small. Today they all did their regular jobs and then I did phonics with the 5 yr, italic with the 8 yr old who also washed a load of dishes, spelling with the 14 yo, who also did laundry and made lunch. In 2 weeks we'll start the hard core schedule (we have early and hard winters here so we are taking in the sun!) and when it's here we'll be ready. Until then we'll stick with the 1-2 subjects per kid (that don't take any brain work on my part) and read-alouds (just re-discovered Hank the Cowdog!- what a hoot!). I've read lots of the books about/by "successful" unschoolers and my heart is warmed by the lives some of these people are leading. Not to sound too corny but it's not our "path." When I stray too far from what I know I am called to do for my kids (classical) I regret it -kwim? and in the grand scheme of things my kids are "unschoolers" during the hours and hours of free time that they do have - so, they get the best of both worlds :001_smile: You rock. You are an awesome Mom. You know what your kids need.

Galaxy Quest :) For Richer or Poorer

Take a piece of lined notebook paper, fold it in half lengthwise, fold it again. You should have four columns. We've used this technique for 2 years - 8 columns a page gets us through a lot of spelling words.

You might also check out Marmee's kitchen. I bought a bosch on sale during a blow out sale at her "place" and it came with a great little cookbook that she created - full of healthy recipes. www.marmeeskitchen.com I also like the "More with Less" Cookbook by Doris Longacre. I've used the granola recipe from there for years- very simple and healthy. I love the "Joy of Cooking." Good wholeseme recipes. The "Moosewood" cookbook "Laurel's Kitchen." have fun :)

Don't forget homemade vanilla:) (a hive mind classic). And homemade biscotti. Dip in chocoloate and then drizzle with white chocoloate or put colored sprinkles on it. Then put 2 in a cello gift bag, tie with pretty ribbon. Put a small, gourmet bag of coffee with, or package in a pretty mug- voila! Buy a pack of "bib" aprons at Sams (3 for under $10). Put cute Xmas sayings with fabric paint or X-stitch (i.e, "Dear Santa, Define Good," "Me, Naughty? I can explain." etc). I love theme baskets: gardening (now is a good time to get stuff with the end of the season sales), cooking, pets, book lovers, chocolate lovers, scrapbookers, pampering basket. Coupon book with special coupons in it for the recipient: time together, foot massage, do a yuky job for the person, clean the car, etc. There are websites with salt and sugar scrubs, bath bombs, etc. have fun!

don't know of anything free other than writing something yourself (we've done that and it turned out great!). Logos has a couple of play books which we've used for drama camp. It's pretty reasonable price wise.

rustic squash tart, steamed corn on cob, fresh strawberries, fresh green beans and dates for dessert. delish! Any day now I hope to add fresh cukes to the menu :)

I need to plan a menu/ budget to feed 55/60 people for Monday- Thursday eve. 3 breakfasts 3 lunches 4 dinners snacks Plus, a group of 20 for breakfast and dinner on Friday. Help, thoughts, suggestions. TIA!!

Thanks for posting! What a great experience your dd had, and one that she will always remember. You are a brave mom! Hats off to both of you! :thumbup:

oops and thanks. I think we were posting at the same time.

Rose, could you explain more about how this works? Do we just bookmark the site and then can link with others on the ring? and who in the heck is posting from Tea, SD? I drive through Tea all the time!

Have you looked at IEW? They do have a Student Writing Intensive "A" for 3-4th graders. You turn on the DVD and have an excellent in-home "teacher", the student creates a writing notebook based on the lessons.

sorry for the multiple posts here- I'm getting tired! Just a thought on the Bible Memory work. "Educated people know the Bible." (can't remember where I saw that, but it always made me stop and think. It is one of the great classics and referenced by all. I would think that some of the "basics" would easily fit into a secularists memory schedue, such as the 10 Commandments, some of the Beatitudes, quotes from Jesus, etc.

Dragons - thanks a lot! I'm now going to have to spend time on the CM site- wow!! awesome link.

Memorization that we do: Math facts - skip counting, conversions, measurement, Grammar facts (First Language Lessons) Latin vocab, declensions and conjugations, phrases, geography- places, mountains, rivers, oceans, etc. science definitions and facts Bible - we did Awana's for years. We've memorized from sentences through chapters- (am definitly going to be checking out what Rose recommended) Poetry Memorization (we love IEW's "Language Aquistition Through Poetry) and Logos has a great workbook on Poetry with tons more poems. Both programs recommend memory work as part of poetry study. Logos also has some memory work for the grammar stage on CD. History -dates, quotes, people quotes VP timeline cards plays (my kids are usually in 1-2 a year so they end up memorizing most/all of the plays) and of course dialogue from books and movie lines ad neuseum! :001_smile:

Is the sibling group from the U.S. or international? That will make a difference in the issues that they are dealing with as they adjust. Has the 16 yo been independent, the psuedo-parent for the other kids? That will make a HUGE difference. Do the kids have a clear sense of cohesivenss as a unit? Do they see themselves as a family that has had to unite "against" the world in order to survive? Do the kids have medical problems, learning disabilities, attitude disorders? Have they lived in foster care, group homes or ophanages? What were the circumstances that they have been living under? Are thier parents/ relatives still alive and in contact? What kind of people are the relatives? Does the oldest child have a history of drug use or sexual activity? Do they consider themselves an adult? Have you done much reading on adoptions (U.S. or international). Are you aware of attachment disorder (could be a possibility depending on the kids). Do you have a clear, educated and compassionate support group that will love you, pray for you and counsel you? Is your dh 110% on board and committed to seeing things through. We know several families that have adopted sibling groups. Some of these have worked out great and some have been horrible. This is a situation that I would enter into with fear and trembling and lots and lots of prayer and educate yourself and your current family as much as possible. May God bless you as you seek to care for His little ones.

:iagree: with what's already been posted. In addition, the independence of homeschoolers and the difficulty in working together on things (but maybe that's just where I live?). The lack of opportunities for high schoolers (again could be location).

We just came in from ours: the spinach and lettuce are done but there was sooo much we couldn't give it away and alot went to seed. Tomatoes- just starting to harvest. Getting an o.k. amount- not like I thought from 6 plants, but we are getting some from friends so I'll probably can tomorrow. Beans- beautiful and bountiful. Next year I'm planting more so that we can put some up for winter. Green Peppers- 6 plants and they are gorgeous. I've always had sickly looking pepper plants but this year they rock and we picked two they could win ribbons. Carrots, radishes, zucchini, some raspberries (baby plants), some strawberries, kale, parsley, basil. We have 4 pumpkins turning orange already and I am hoping that the cukes start maturing because we heard it's supposed to frost the first week in Sept. How unfair is that?? And it was a hard, cold, long winter last year! ugh. I LOVE summer!!! Oh, and our BIG deal from the garden this year: GRAPES. My ds planted 4 plants and we harvested a couple pounds of beautiful concords - he is so thrilled. I am such a mediocre gardener but I like to think that I make up for it with enthusiasm:001_smile:

sniff.sniff. I KNEW I was out here (cold and North) alone (I think I'm the only SDer here).

Jenny -thanks for the encouragement! It did help me to feel better! She's on class day 3 and loving it. No mention of what she doesn't have with her. Hoping all of our kids have an awesome year!!

:grouphug:Christiana:grouphug: I am so sorry!! A thought: have you looked at any on-line academies? Vertias Press, Potter's School, etc? It would provide a schedule and could "move" with you. It might bring some simplicity to what sounds to be a crazy fall. We are in the same boat regarding our high school support. I, too, am a little overwhelmed at "going it alone." Praying for you right now, that God gives you wisdom and peace! Blessings!!

My 5 yo (who hears her older sis peaking Romanian to friends on the puter): "Mom, we need to take the kittens to church." Me: "Church is not a good place to take kittens, honey," DD: "We HAVE to take them. They need to go to Sunday School and learn about Jesus!" (said very empahtically with a straight face- she was serious!) Me: "Honey, I think that you need to teach the kittens about Jesus here at home." DD: "Mom, I CAN'T! I don't speak "Meow!"