After years of following this forum and thinking about homeschooling, we're pretty sure we're going to take the plunge for my sons kinder year (He'll be six in November)! He's currently in a play based pre-kindergarten program which spends about 30 minutes a day on academics using kindergarten math and language arts materials. Language Arts: OPGTR (we'll review the lessons that he's mastered at school, and then continue on) adding in Spelling Workout A and FLL after we get to lesson 80 or so. We may add WWE half way through the year but we may wait until next year. Math: Singapore 1a (slowly) Handwriting: HWT Science/History: We're going to start with the prehistory unit from BYL, using the usborne encyclopedia and library books. Once we finish prehistory we'll slowly add in SOTW1 if he's interested. We'll watch a lot of science TV and get library books based on his interests. Logic: Start with mind benders and go from there. Art:arts and crafts from pinterest focusing on some of our library books. Music: We may start piano lessons with a neighbor, but until then just listen to music of all kinds.

My son stopped napping around 2 and we tried to do quiet time. In the begining it resulted in such a fit that I gave up. He ended up falling asleep around dinner time if I let him lay down. We then tried it again a couple months later and I made sure he had tons of books and stuffed animals in his room. Also, his lock was turned the other way when we moved in and we never moved it back so we had that. He is really good at self entertaining, so he finally got the idea and just played or 'read'. Eventually he even started napping again and now he naps 90% of the time. If he doesn't fall asleep he comes out after an hour and then goes to bed earlier. he turned three last month.

We're in Texas too, in the suburbs north of Dallas. I'm from Buffalo, NY and lived in Boston for years. I would move in a heartbeat. I would happily give up our big house and low cost of living if the opportunity arose. We live in an HOA (everything here is an HOA) with a really nice city park that is always empty. No kids to be found despite the fact that there are tons of kids in the neighborhood. People just don't play outside. If you are not religious or don't attend a specific church you might as well not bother trying to make friends. The heat and humidity is awful in the summer. I know of one Catholic Church in the area, so I wouldn't say you'd find a pocket. Every one that I'm friends with is from somewhere outside of Texas and really dislike living here. Like I said, I'd move back north in a second (and have been pushing my husband to find a job elsewhere). (Edited because I said low standard of living instead of cost! Big difference!)

My son is almost 3 and loves the leap frog videos. Letter factory is huge for the letter sounds, as others have recommended, but I didn't know about that one at first. We started with the newer ones that don't seem to have much educational value (all available on Netflix) when I needed distration while packing. We started with Numberland at around 2 and within a week he could recognize numbers through ten. Then Alphabet Amusement Park (only teaches letter names not sounds). My son loved these so much, and loved Tad, Lilly and Scout, that when I realized that Letter Factor and Talking Word Factory existed he ate those up to. I really credit leap frog videos with his love of numbers and letters. He spends time on his own every day going through magnetic letters and saying what sounds they make and he is now starting to try to make words. Honestly, I never expected a video/tv show to teach him so much. I know that it could be the type of learner he is, and it may not work for my next child, but its definitely worth a try!

This sounds wonderful!

My mom taught my husband that dishes don't need to be rinsed. Like you said, it might work for her dishwasher but not for mine. I'm still trying to unteach this, several months later!

Weight watchers? It's supposed to be a lifestyle change, and gives you the opportunity to eat almost everything, so long as you do so in moderation. You can eat unlimited fruits and veggies, and earn extra points by working out. It worked for me before, and I just started again to lose the weight that I've been holding on to since having my son 18 months ago. Whatever you decide, good luck!

You are not crazy for considering it! We have moved twice in the past year for my husbands work. While we only had a baby and a cat and dog, the actual moving part is over before you know it. The new company may pay for the packing/moving, and depending on the size of the company, may fully arrange the move for you. It doesn't hurt for him to consider it, go to the interview and then consider what the move would mean for all of you. New experiences are fun!

I did manic panic (violent violet) when I was in high school. It did not go over well, but that is another story all together. My hair is blonde, but not light. It turned a very nice shade of violet. It lasted a couple of months. I had a similar effect when I tried to go reddish brown with a normal semi-permanent dye. That washed out in a week or so. A friends mom did it for me, but I don't think it would have been that difficult to do on my own. I love that you are okay with this!

That's such wonderful news!

You can download both the kindle reader app and the nook reader app for the ipad. Also, the website that I use for the free classics ebooks (project gutenberg) allows downloads in multiple formats and has its own app (which I discovered five minutes ago, so I haven't used it yet!) I hope that helps! ETA: there is no specific app for project gutenburg, but they explain how to use the website on the various devices. sorry if any confusion!

Oh my! I have been lurking for a week or so, but just joined tonight (hi everyone) and all I can say is that you guys are awesome. Laughing my butt off here!