Another vote for Rainbow.

I began using "one minute math" drills (purchased from RR) after 1A. We progressed up through level A addition, then level A subtraction, and are now working through level B. We're in 2B of Singapore now and she's gotten them down. We take a break whenever the mult./division chapters come up and drill those with flashcards. She's gotten 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, and 11 so far. We'll continue until in this pattern and hopefully by the end of 3A we'll just drill mult. facts as needed. So I'd suggest finding a daily fact drill that you like and incorporate it in. Mult. is gradually introduced from 1B (I think) on. So you'll want to drill some of those eventually also.

One of my dds is particularly famous for silly remarks. Here's one from this past weekend: Dh says, "Do you want to watch the football game with me?" P. replies, "Don't you know that I don't speak football Dad?" Yes, football is not a sport it's a language :-).

I love the 'rabbit trails' of homeschooling, especially the productive ones! Let us know how the re-fi goes.

I've never frozen freshly grated cheese, but the above directions look good. I often freeze the pre-packed grated. It keeps well for up to 3mths. I thaw it slowly in the fridge a day or so before I need it.

:lol::lol::lol:

4-H, it's much more diverse than it used to be and is focused only on farming and agriculture.

Great thread. I guess we're weird in the sense that we intentionally collect such things. My dh loves to cook and whenever someone on his side of the family has passed away he's gotten some of their kitchen gadgets. We have a huge collection of cast iron pans and ice cream scoops for example. We do use those regularly. Then we have other items, like serving platters, punch bowls, and soup tureens (sp?) that we don't get much use out of. I'm not nearly as sentimental as my hubby and have often gifted non-heirloom items that I don't use. I've given away 2 george forman grills, a bread machine, a quesadilla maker, and a pampered chef food chopper.

We use the texts, intensive practice books (instead of the workbook), and the CWP only. I also supplement with math fact drills for my younger student.

Yes, this is my tendancy too. That's why I just don't understand other parents sometimes.

The thread about the woman who repeated accused another child of stealing got me thinking... I am constantly frustrated by other parents who always insist that their child is perfect, right, etc. Perhaps it's unintentional, but don't they realize that in doing so they demonize the children of everyone else around them? I have never felt or insinuated that my own children were always right or perfect, but I feel surrounded by people who seem to feel that way lately. Am I alone in that? I just have trouble relating to folks who seem to see their children unrealistic, rose colored glasses. I honestly believe that I see my own children quite realistically? I have no problem admitting that they have done something wrong. Do you think it's possible to truly be unbiased about your own children or not? One of my SIL's is terrible, since birth her kids have been totally perfect. Everytime we were together and there was an arguement it was always my child's fault. I also had a similar issue as the OP of the other thread where a cousin accused my child of lying repeatedly, when I knew it wasn't true. She saw nothing wrong with calling my child a liar, but refused to even consider that her own son (who had some motivation to lie in this scenario) could possibly not tell her the complete truth. I suggested that both children obviously had different versions of the story and that since we were not there we may never know the truth. I suggested that maybe it was more the fault of the adults present (her and I) for not providing better supervision. She replied back with, "I know the truth. Your daughter did _, because my son said so." :confused: Why can't parents accept that often one child is not completely right or wrong? I experienced this also with parents of my students when I taught in a school setting. I'd come to think that some parents some *need* their child to be right. Perhaps that they can't deal with the idea of them not being perfect? I'm looking for thoughts and insights. How do others deal with this? It's strained several relationships amongst my friends and family.

In this particular case I'd suggest maybe trying to arrange a play date or sleepover for your son with one of his friends. You could offer to have the other child over to your house, in exchange. You could also schedule some alone time with your husband during one of your sons activities, a sports practice, youth group event, or other. That's how we handled things when we moved a great distance away from family and friends.

I would not send a gift card because it seems likely that they'd use it to purchase additional toys for their son, which would in turn reinforce his behavior. Also, because it may send a message to your son that you doubt his version of the story, when it seems like you have complete confidence in him. I would quietly distance myself from this friendship. I wouldn't discuss it further unless the individual asked why we were no longer available to get together.

Heavy vacumming has also been effective here, twice per day with our regular vac which is immediately empited into the outside trash. Another tool we've used is the flea trap. Shallow pans filled with water and a bit of dish soap. We light a tea light candle and float it in the pan. Fleas are attracted to the light and jump into the pan, but can't get back out because of the soap. This would not be the most efficient way to tackle a large infestation, but is helpful to see which rooms fleas are in and to track progress. We did it in the evening after our littles were in bed, but before we turned in for the night because of the candles.

We're in GA, but are just minutes from the SC line. From what I understand the job situation in SC is bleak generally. It may be differ from community to community. I did spend the weekend in Hilton Head, SC two weeks ago. That's a huge resort community. I got into conversation with a shop owner there who indicated that business was down significantly. They count on summer business to sustain them for the rest of the year and he said that usually by July he's covered expenses and making a profit to put aside for the coming winter. As of the second weekend in August he still had not broke even yet and was questioning whether he would exist through the winter and open again. Our hotel was about half filled and the beaches moderately crowded, but not packed as they usually are. The restaurants did seem to be doing a decent business though. We went through Beaufort, SC on the way home and that seemed quiet quiet. Other resort communities to look into would be Myrtle Beach and the outer banks areas of NC, Charleston, SC or the Savannah/Tybee Island area of GA.

Thanks so much Paige. I look forward to using it.

One of my girls went through this phase as well. I believe she was 4 and I remember that it seemed to last forever, close to a year. I also saw it happen to various students during my teaching years. The causes seem to vary a lot, for some kids it's a fear of death, sickness, or frailty. For others it could be a reluctance to take on more decision making, responsibility, independance, or chores. Some have concerns about specific events or milestones. Some of these fears and concerns are based on real experiences, often times though there seems to be a confusion or mis-perception at work. My advice would be to talk, talk, talk, gently and try to get at the root. If it continues you may want to keep some notes and look for a pattern like certain people or situations that cause the anxiety.

Thanks to you all :-).

Anyone?

((hugs)) I've been in a funk for the last several weeks too and wrestling with some similiar issues. It's shocking for my dh and kids as I usually don't craze solitude.

Thanks for the suggestions, ladies. Her older sisters were very eager readers who progressed rapidly through this phase. The "keeker" books (by Higginson) were a breakthrough for us because she finally seemed to read for pleasure. I'll look into everyone's recommendations.

Great thread! As a mother of four precious girls (13, 11, 7, and 2) I share many of these concerns. I also worry about each precedent that I set with my oldest as it seems to carry on down the line with her three younger sisters. My 7 and 2 year olds are honestly much more socially savy and fashion conscious than my older two ever were at the same age. It's a bit frightening, but seems to be unavoidable. My girls have a wonderful unity, and our olders are very involved with our youngers. This was one of the biggest benefits of bringing them home for school three years ago. But, since it has meant that the youngers have more time to try and emulate their older sisters. I spend a lot of time praying about many of the same concerns that you all have expressed here. We insist on modest dress (so hard to find these days), allow scant bits of make-up on the oldest only (since age 12). She does now have a cell phone and got a FB account on her 13th birthday. We monitor her phone and internet usage closely though. We have shared our desire that our girls consider courtship when we get to that point and have had some shared discussion and reading about it, but I honestly can't say what we'll do if they decide that they want to date. Thankfully I seem to still have some time there.

Anyone have any other series recommendations? She doesn't care for Magic Tree House, Junie B. Jones, or Amber Brown books. She's an early 2nd grade reading level roughly. She enjoyed the first volumes in the "Pony Crazy Princess" and "Cul-de-sac Kids" series, but they are a bit too challenging for her to read independantly.

I was not able to find this info. on his site and I'm wanting a for sure answer as I make my curric. purchases for the coming year.

I've been in the same situation. I have not found the perfect one for us, but am using some borrowed SL materials from a friend. Some others for you to look at might be Truth Quest (2 vol. middle ages and renn.), Winter Promise, or Veritas Press. I'm not aware of a program that uses Miller's books as spines.