My answer to ds9 whenever he wants to download something is usually no or a reluctant yes on the ipad. This is because given the chance he would spend all day playing games. He has pestered me several times about minecraft and I've said no but actually I know nothing about it at all, I just assumed that it was another time waster. Seeing more and more posts about people using it here I wondered whether I'm wrong? Is it a good game, can ds use it on an ipad or do I run the risk of ds wanting to play it all the time? Do I need an internet connection to do it? Should I not even go there! Stephanie

I've been known to start a read aloud and then get busy just at an exciting part! ;) Ds then continues it on his own:D Stephanie

Do you have a water meter? Presumably your consumption is measured in some way. When we had the same problem, we asked them to come and measure the water consumption by watching the meter go round (it was difficult to get to and I couldn't do this myself) and I made sure that no appliances were on so water usage was nil. If the meter still shows usage you have a leak. Then you can start looking for it! As someone else said look at the toilet, that's very common Stephanie

What age are the word spy and the activity books for? I can't find a sample for the activity book. Thanks! Stephanie

you're lucky, mine did one in that time! Stephanie

I think that perhaps there is "something" about feeding your spouse that people find hard to cope with. I had exactly the same thing when my mother was ill. There was no way my father would help her. The same with my father in law and his wife. In their eyes, that was what the nurses were for, they are trained to do it. Neither could understand that perhaps their spouse would prefer the help of a family member. They just point blank refused to do it, even if it caused hardship. Stephanie

I would imagine age is the criteria as it theoretically could be possible for a younger child to be in 6th grade. I would therefore ask about the policy with respect to age and not mention grade. Stephanie

Thanks for the reminder about VL, it does look good! Stephanie

He has only had a very quick intro, just enough to know that he does like it. I don't mind taking it slowly, I'm not in any rush, I just need to make sure that I can teach it since I can't really remember much from my school days as we did mostly translation Stephanie

I was going to use LC1 with a 4th grader as FF looked too intimidating! I know that MP uses FF in their 4th grade lesson plans so do you recommend FF over LC even for a 4th grader? Stephanie

ds 9 has had them since he was about 4yrs, although he hasn't had any for a while. Nothing would calm him except for a painkiller. I did mention it to his dr when we were there any way and he said that it is quite common in boys for a time. Stephanie

Well if you do find some in the UK, I can ship them out to you as I'm in London, I'm sure there must be some stockists here somewhere! Stephanie

Well I just googled vegan ballet shoes and found this http://cynthiakingdance.com/vegan-ballet-slippers/ also this http://www.alternativestores.com/ethical-shop/vegetarian-shoes/adults-vegan-ballet-shoes/cat_173.html because you said your son is in England,perhaps he can find some there whilst he is there? http://shoes.lovetoknow.com/Vegan_Dance_Shoes Are either of these any good? Stephanie

You have 7 children! Enough of an excuse? Stephanie

Brilliant ideas! Stephanie

Yes we've ordered that! It looks really good. We weren't sure if it would work but we will try it Stephanie

Originally the goal was to teach about nature in a natural setting in a group. We learnt to identify trees and birds, drew spring flowers etc. The poetry tied in to the seasons with the children listening to and writing seasonal poems. We also needed an indoor activity we could do when we needed to warm up! At the end the children were allowed free play. Stephanie

What can you suggest for a small group age 9-12 to do together outside in all seasons on a weekly basis. We have access to a cafe for when it is really cold/wet and can do some discussion type activities then, sitting at a table. So far I have poetry on the list, we are going through "R is for Rhyme". I'm finding my idea of nature drawing isn't working too well because the children don't want to concentrate on doing solo activities when they have just met up with their friends! They just rush through a drawing, call it done and want to play! I'd like to take advantage of ds being able to learn in a group as he is on his own with me all the school day. We could do a show and tell type activity where a child reads something they have written/memorised during the week but have you done anything else which worked well? All the nature activity books I can find are for much younger children Stephanie

:iagree: I "do the next thing" for example in math, we just go through the book. If ds can complete 10 pages and still be able to concentrate he does, sometimes it could only be 1. Stephanie

:iagree: Send a little of the sauce separately so the son can have it with pasta Stephanie

Thanks! The whole program seems to be what I've been looking for. I'm excited to be able to try it whilst we are slowing down for the summer, seems to be a fun way of doing grammar. Not sure why I haven't heard of it before lol! Stephanie

I ordered 4-9 plus the spelling and the constructing writers which is what she recommended for my 4 th grader. Will update when it gets here! Stephanie

I just ordered and paid 95 for it. Stephanie

I wonder whether somewhere like Christian Book will start to sell it, their overseas shipping seems much more reasonable! Stephanie

Just wondered whether it covers more than say AAS 3 as some people say it doesn't go far enough to be considered complete. Stephanie