This is exactly how I would handle it. If doc was really giving me a bad time I'd call around and switch. If I generally liked him/her I'd just take the matter of fact approach. We're selectively vaxing our youngest on a delayed schedule (she actually hasn't had any yet at 15mths) and we're pretty matter of fact about it. Our doc is great, we actually go to church with him, but we agree to disagree about this particular issue. We just avoid well baby visits in general. She's our 4th and right on target so unless there's a problem we don't head in.

Our oldest two were 17mths apart and I'd second the playpen suggestion made earlier. We never used it much for actually playing in, just to sleep in on our very occassional trips. I'd be afraid to use the crib for reasons already mentioned. Personally I've found 12-18mths or so the most difficult phase for me as a mom with each of my four kids. I'm wishy washy with discipline at this age and it shows in the behavior of my kids. My youngest is 15mths right now and we're struggling to be more firm and consistent.

Last year we also had a bout with random vommitting. My then 9yo dd went through this for several days. On like day 4 we made a trip to the doc and she had an asymptomatic strep throat. Yup, no sore throat feeling at all, no fever either. Doc explained that anything dripping down the throat like post nasal drip, tonsil drainage from an infection, etc. can cause this type of vommitting. So I'd take her to the dd and get her checked.

We joined the local Y last year. We tend to go more regularly in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. We peak during the really cold months. We go much less often in the summer, as we also have a pool membership, and we end up there most every day from May-Labor Day. What's important for us is cleanliness, friendliness of the staff, scheduling of class times, and the availability/quality of childcare. Most gyms where I live offer a 1 or 2 week trial period. We took advantage of that and tried to attend on different days and times (like early AM vs. evening for example). We asked the staff about peak and slow times and days. We used that information to help fine tune our schedule. For instance Saturdays and Sunday afternoons are pretty quiet there but Monday nights are packed. Since I don't like waiting in line for an elliptical I factor that in. A Christian friendly enviornment and relatively modest clothing were also considerations for us. Really that was one of the deciding factors in joining a local Y branch versus some of the other private gyms in our area. We take kids to a cardio class one afternoon per week (I use treadmill or eliptical), then dh and I take 2-3 spinning classes per week together and use childcare for the younger of our two kids. So we attend 3-4 times per week, say on average 14 times per month. We pay $60 per month for a family membership. That works out to slightly more than $4 per visit in our case. Oh, I'd also check into whether discounts are available through your employer or health plan. Our iniation fee was waived due to an agreement with dh's workplace. Our former healthplan also offered a yearly reimbursement.

Perfect! That's exactly what I needed. Thanks!

I have the newer edition, which is dating Nomads in the fertile crescent at 7000BC and the walls of Jerico at 6800BC. This is actually the text itself (Vol. 1 pg 13), not the AG though. I think the older edition that I originally looked at had the dates in the AG. But anyhow we do use the 6000 BC date for creation so that's why these other dates don't work for us. I don't envision such conflicts once we get a bit further on though. Overall I think it's a great text.

We're using it with BP ancients which adds a ton of extra reading with our 5th grader. We're also having her supplement with the KHE. I like it, but don't think I'd use it alone honestly. But I'm only 1 week into teaching it and 10 weeks into planning it. So please take my opinion with a grain of salt. Pro's- Engaging, dd (almost 11) begs to read it each day. Strong Christian worldview. Includes mapwork that's more advanced than SOTW AG. Con's- Needs some supplementation, but coordinating that can be tricky. For hands on activity, arts, crafts, etc. I think the SOTW AG is better.

We are excited about Heroes, Bionic Woman, and Friday Night Lights. Not sure when any of them start.

Hmmm, what type of breed and does the dog swim a lot? We've always owned retrievers and it is a problem for us particularly if the dogs spend time in the water. After each swim or say twice a week during the colder months we use a preventative ear wash to keep them cleaned out. This helps a lot. I think it's only gotten to the anti-biotic stage once since here. My in-laws have a Newfie that gets 'hot' ears seasonally. The vets determined it to be allergies in her case and she's treated with Benadryl for 10-14 days. They go off of it for a while but if they notice her pawing at her ears, etc. they begin a new cycle. I've also heard of earmites that will make the ears rusty and smelly. If you can't get to the bottom of it let me know. I have a SIL who works at a major veterinary hospital and I'll check with her.

We're using SOTW and MOH in conjunction with BP this year. We're also timelining for the first time ever. I'm having trouble deciding what events to include and how to assign them dates. Since we're young earth creationists the dates in the AG or the UILE don't work for us. BP and MOH only have general suggestions with no or very broad date ranges. I'm hoping that someone else might have a list to share. Thanks in advance!

For some reason I've struggled with all four of my girls between the ages of about 12 and 18 mths. All of mine have walked at 10 mths or so and are just into everything by a year. Once we hit around age two things have traditionally gotten much easier. Honestly it's probably a lack of child training/discipline on my part, but I'm so wishy washy at this age, when it's sometimes hard to discern (at least for me) what's being willfully done. We're relatively new to homeschooling, having started after Christmas last year. Our youngest who has just turned 15mths is making our school routine difficult, heck she's making life difficult right now. So dh and I are considering enrolling her in our church's Mother's Day Out program for 1-2 mornings per week. The day runs from 9-1. I actually used to teach a pre-K class for them before becoming a SAHM so I know the program and staff well. I am so uncertain about this. I feel as though this could be a selfish move on my part. I know that it will be a financial stretch. She's been battling freqent ear infections and while she's developmentally and physically on target now, she was a preemie. I vowed when leaving a full time teaching position a decade ago that I'd never use 'daycare' again. I waited until our then youngest got preschool age to take on a part time teaching position that included her and have been home completely since the birth of our fourth. Sure, I could just keep doing school with the others, but I'm having trouble doing school the way dh and I envisioned it this year. I've tried some survival techniques like special toys and areas, pairing her with others, and even Baby Einstein. She's just not having any of it. Last year she wasn't mobile and napped twice each day. We had way more good days than bad. Now I'm just frustrated. I feel like sending her could make all of us more productive and happier. I worry that my stress level will spread to the older girls. Somehow though I feel like it would failing. Isn't the whole point of homeschooling to train them at home? I'd appreciate hearing about how others have handled similiar situations. Thanks also for reading this ramble. Beth

We're in a similiar situation. We have gone with BP Ancients for the very reason that it will use both spines, SOTW for our 1st grader and MOH for our 5th grader. BP is civilization based so both SOTW and MOH readings are not in exact order, but the arrangement is logical and easy to follow using their schedule. Yes, I've been a bit overwhelmed trying to wrap my mind around using seperate spines, but when it all comes down to it both students will be studying the same topic so it should work well. More specifically we'll be using the SOTW AG some with our 1st grader and making a small index card version of a timeline using SOTW reference cards (as we study them per BP). We'll also do a bit of narration and copy work. Our fifth grader will listen to our SOTW and other readings (like UILE, story Bible, Victor, etc.) but will read the MOH and selections from the KHE on her own. She'll do the slightly more complicated map work from MOH, outlining of her MOH/KHE, and a more comprehensive timeline. BP gives you map and timelining ideas geared towards the logic stage. BP is a schedule and reading list only. Both the SOTW AG and MOH have hands on activity ideas and writing suggestions. You could pick and choose from those. In order to make it easier for me I've taken the extra readers and read alouds suggested by BP and have scheduled those in for my students as Reading, treating it almost like a second subject. There is a lot to pick and choose from here. We most certainly will not cover every book. I've made my reading lists up a unit at a time and have been able to find most everything through our local library system. Two days a week our 5th grader will read one of the extra readers to our 1st grader, taking a bit of the burden off of me. It should be good for both of them. If you have specific questions please feel free to PM. HTH, Beth

I heartily agree, our oldest is also in 7th this year. I feel like things are getting a bit high stakes with our older ones. But dh is a teacher here in GA and when he talks about what's going on in his school I know our kids are much better off.

We're starting tomorrow also. Since my dh is a p/s teacher we follow the local calendar pretty closely so that our breaks occur together. I'm excited and feeling very ready to be back on a more structured schedule.

I ordered lots from Amazon this year, but I also placed a reasonably large order (about$275) with RR on 7/31. I used their free shipping. On the advice of the phone representative who took my order I called the next day after placing it to check on it. One item was backordered. Had I not called they would have waited to ship my entire order. It was a non-essential item, so I removed it on Friday the 1st and my order shipped on Monday. I received it all on Thursday. The one item that was not available I've ordered from a different source. I'd agree with other posters that you certainly need to call and check on your order. I've found their customer service personnel to be friendly and knowledgeable.

I also have just the TE of 5/6. It has the answers on the left and student pages on the right, which I photocopy. I'd say just get the TE.

We are using Saxon Alg. 1 w/DIVE this year for my 7th grader who's a strong math student. Our youngers are in Singapore though and I'm not sure what we'll do with them when they get more advanced. IMO Saxon works well for some students, but not for others. Our oldest really enjoys math and is not easily intimidated. For her Saxon works fine. Though my other students excel in other disciplines, they are not as strong in math. For them Saxon was quite frustrating, so we switched. If she's a strong student (seems that way based on your original post) you could give it a try. Saxon does have free placement tests on their website, so you could try those as well. That will give you a better idea of the style and content of the course.

No advice as I'm a total newbie in this area. We are using BP ancients for the first time this year with a 1st and 5th grader. I'm feeling overwhelmed as well between SOTW1 and its AG, MOH, UILE, and Victor. Of course I want to add in lots of supplemental reading and literature, that's why I bought BP in the first place. But I feel totally burried right now! We're starting school on Monday and I have the first two weeks planned. We'll see what happens, but I may well drop some things and go with 1 spine.

I used both of Abeka's 4th/5th grade history programs last year with my two older students. They are indeed chock full of facts and do have a strong Christian worldview. They are challenging reads, I made my own tests so I was able to avoid having them memorize some of the lesser details. Their 4th grade text was American History. The 5th grade text started with Ancients and progressed forward. I thought the first half was great. The second half transitioned into lots of material on various European countries. For instance it would have a chapter on England and touch (very) briefly on events from say middle ages to present and throw in lots of geography. All good info., but a little abrupt and not really what I was expecting. This year our oldest (now 7th) will be using BJU 7th grade text. It is Word History from about the middle ages to present. We're combining it with some selections from the WTM 2 and 3 year reading for logic stage. We're also doing a timeline and some map work. The BJU text is a much more engaging read, IMO. I don't have experience with the 6th grade course from either publisher though. I think Abeka's 5th flows nicely into BJU's 7th.

We try and swim with wet hair and a leave in conditioner here. After swimming we spray with another conditioner in the form of a detangling spray and comb through.

I'm a relative newbie here. In GA we're required to test at least every 3 years for grades 3 and above, but dh and I are thinking that we'd like to test yearly. A local association offers Stanford testing each spring, but I'm looking into other options for our three students in grades 7, 5, and 1. Dh is a certified teacher and we have many teacher friends, so I'm open to options which require such. I'd like as complete a battery as possible, but am hesitant to devote weeks to testing as I'd have to do with our local group since I have a wide age spread. TIA!

I'm using a more classical approach for the first time this year with my girls. I've chosen Biblioplan ancients for my 1st and 5th grader. We've purchased SOTW1, the AG, and many other supplements. I've got the UILE as a reference for both and the KHE for the 5th grader. I went ahead and also ordered MOH1 and thought I'd peek at it, but it arrived today shrink wrapped from Amazon. I was thinking that I'd have the 5th grader read it using the BP schedule. With all of the other reading and references I was wondering if we'll actually need it or not? It seems that between SOTW, all of the readers BP recommends, and the other resources (story Bible, Victor, etc.) that we may be quite busy w/o it. We'll be trying timelining for the first time this year also, not to mention keeping up with my 7th grader and chasing our very busy 14mth-er. We are also way over budget this year and the book was somewhat expensive. Thoughts?!? Will I be missing something if I return it?

Jessica, I feel your pain. This thread is especially timely for me as I'm leaving tonight for an extended trip to visit both sets of the family in New England. I'm already a bundle of tension and nerves because I'm anticpating another round of the battles that you described so well. Both of our families don't really share or even understand the path that we walk with the Lord. They don't understand why we homeschool or why we raise our 4 dd's the way that we do. Our siblings raise their children much differently and it is so apparent as we spend time together. I try hard to respect their choices, but I often don't feel that we get that same respect in return. For instance I don't criticize my SIL for her ultra-permissive parenting style or her constant yelling at the kids (yes, she let's them do whatever, but then yells about it). I don't criticize her choice of a p/s (a horrible one, both dh and I taught there prior to moving south). I don't even criticize the fact that her children have never been to church and don't know the Lord (although it deeply saddens me). Yet she often feels free to say jokingly and not so jokingly to our girls how mean and ridiculously strict their parents are. To which my girls are like, huh?!? They are quite happy, thank you very much. The modesty issue is a big one with our girls also. As they've aged I've grown so tired of people asking our olders about boys and boyfriends as well. We strongly discourage dating. I try hard to enjoy our time together and to let things *roll* when possible, but it's tough. I wish that I didn't feel the need to shield and protect the girls from members of their own family! As much as dh and I *know* that we're raising our girls as the Lord intended, it is still hard to stand against the current.

Yes, he thought both BJU and Apologia were good options at the upper levels, but slightly preferred Apologia.

I used Abeka last year with my then 4th and 6th graders. We did not like either course. The girls found it boring and it seemed to jump around a bit. The part of the year where we used the health courses was considerably better. The girls begged for a change this year and I've obliged. They're good students and usually not complainers and only asked to ditch their two abeka courses, science and grammar. We'll be using BJU's 7th grade Life Science next year with our oldest. We'll be using AIG's life science materials for our 5th and 1st graders (with some modification for the younger student). Our long range plan includes switching over to Apologia for 8th-12th. My dh is a high school Chemistry teacher, so this is one subject that he's pretty picky about. He wasn't overly impressed with the Abeka books from the beginning and he was absolutely right! (sshhhhhh, don't tell him I said that :001_smile:) So this year he picked!