My oldest is like this--very impulsive, but mostly towards others. He will pull horrible (and painful) pranks, wants to wrestle a little too aggressively. I have to really watch him with his little brothers if he's had too much. For him, though I don't know if it's the sugar or additives. He doesn't seem to react as badly if he eats a homemade cupcake than a store-bought.

We have the same issues here. Mostly with family so that was easily solved by telling them all whoever feeds the junk, keeps the kids for the night. :lol: Everyone thought I was joking until the night I told my mom she was keeping the kids after *sneaking* them some candy (because it doesn't really hurt, right?)....and I really did leave my oldest who reacts the worst. She learned that I wasn't just being overly picky. Suddenly everyone in our family is very careful about what they serve at gatherings. I have learned that plain chocolate bars don't have the same effect as a bag of skittles (or a cupcake with tons of colored icing) with my boys so I always ask that if candy be present, it at least be chocolate....or hide the Skittles until my boys have left. Our biggest problem now is soda pop, although I have converted my sisters. They only keep milk, water, and juice at their houses for their kids now too. I do have a child who IS allergic to *something* in the icing. We still have yet to figure it out so for now we just don't allow it. Not a nut allergy because he has eaten all kinds of nuts, but has the same reaction. Face swells and turns red, breathing becomes labored. Awful.

If your grandmother would rather see toys, here are a couple of my ideas. My 18 month old loves these puzzles. Sam's Club has a cool version too. This looks cute and fun!! We have a wooden version that all of my boys have loved. How about this? Might be a little young now, but these Leap Frog Fridge toys are awesome!! Also, my 18 month old is really into balls and vehicles of all shapes and sizes.

Love it!

Btw, Rebecca--I thought of you tonight at my youngest son's soccer practice. A mom said her son missed the game last week because he had the croop. She went on and on about how sick he was last week and how he STILL is.....but there he was, out there practicing with all the other kids on a cool night. :glare: Felt SO bad for HIM because he obviously wasn't not 100% (he kept having to stop to catch his breath) and SO mad at her for bringing him anyway.

I just don't know. I was a definite no before, but now I'm on the fence. One minute I'm saying yes and the next no. There is a perfectly healthy football player not far from us who is fighting for his life at the children's hospital. Perfectly healthy teen boy. Scares me. My boys are SO healthy. I honestly don't remember the last time my oldest was sick, and it still scares me. I honestly don't think it matters. I called our peds doctor to find out if they have the vax yet, and they don't. Plus they have no idea when/if they will. The public schools all around us are starting to give it to ps kids. Our local school will next week. I think by the time it reaches the health dept or doctor's offices, it won't matter. I'm sure we've been exposed already. A family in our homeschool group had it a couple weeks ago, and I have two kids who do sports. Still I just don't know.

My k'ner is working on ending blends right now in OPG. I'm looking for some fun printable ending blend games online. I'm finding nothing!! He loves file folder games, and we use them mostly as a fun review. I am finding plenty of beginning blend games, and plan to print those so I don't have to search for them again. Anyone with some links to a couple ending blend games? Thank you so much!!!

glad to hear he is home and safe. Now to hear the rest of the story.....

Me too! I'm glued to the tv and internet just waiting for some kind of word. I really hope this is a hoax or the boy is just hiding out.

Thank you for the responses!! I appreciate it! Dh's oldest son and his wife had their TWINS this morning so as soon as I get a free moment, I'll sit and read. thanks so much!!

Neither are mine. :glare::lol:

I don't do that part for my oldest son. Really there is no filling them each night for us because we don't use them that way. We just use the hanging file folders to keep books, workbooks, and such for each subject in one place but separated. So for math, his book and test forms are in an expanded hanging file folder with the number 3 on it. His binder for math is on the shelf below with the rest of the binders. Nothing else ever goes in the folder but his book and test forms. When he completes his math for the day, he puts the book back into the file folder and places the 3 on the grid. That way he can glace up at the grid and know math is completed for the day. Plus I can check up on him without interrupting him by just looking at his grid. The checklist is just a laminated grid with all of the file folder numbers on one side and the days across the top. He fills in his weekly schedule based on what he did the week before. A lot of his work is just *do the next lesson* so he knows if he completed lesson 21 on Friday, the next week he will do lessons 22-26. He can fill it in himself with a dry erase and then mark it off each day. Mostly the checklist is just another way to make sure he has done his work. Plus I would eventually like to use just the checklist for him. To be honest, I don't even require that he do the numbers in order. He does them in order most days just because he works from the front to back of the storage tub, but English and math usually get done earlier or later than the numbered schedule depending on when we get together for those two subjects. We use the numbers so he can glance at the grid and see what he has completed and what is left to do. I guess we use our workboxes mainly for storage. Nathan is pretty much independent on his work since we started our version of the system. Does that make better sense about how he is learning how to be completely responsible and organized with his work? I forget that really our version of the system doesn't really resemble the *true* workbox system. Now for our group projects and arts/crafts, I do fill a seperate (my) workbox with all the necessary items, but this is really more for my benefit so I don't have to go searching for things last minute. I am super scatterbrained (...after reading about adult add, I'm positive I fit the bill) so *I* need the organization that the workbox system (how it is suppose to be used) provides.

Thank you for the replies. Neurofeedback is something we are considering. A family friend's son is doing those treatments and we are waiting to see how it helps him. So far it has definitely helped with the migraines he has, but that is about it. Actually I do need to check with her on his progress. It has been a few weeks since we last talked about it. His doctor does work with us most times. She has suggested some other meds to try. I'm reluctant because of the horrible side effects some of the other meds we've tried have had. The patch didn't work for him at all....and it kept falling off or rolling up. We tried Vyvanse which caused severe depression. I have never seen anything like that in a child! There is a drug similar to Concerta but supposedly doesn't have the stomach and and headache issues. I'm just not excited about trying it. I think we could manage if it weren't for the forgetfulness, outbursts and treatment of his little brothers (picking and pestering) which I guess are caused more by the ODD than ADHD, it wouldn't be so bad. The workbox system helps keep him focused, and big laminated checklists on bright paper help with chores and such. He can be such a PAIN and that is what we need help with the most! I know that sounds harsh, but I think you know what I mean if you have a child with adhd.

I DO use a version of the workboxes to keep myself organized and on track with art projects, group assignments, and more. I have a habit of printing out or finding great projects to do with the boys, but then losing them before we get there. I file everything for the week in my own tub of hanging file folders. I agree with Cat. My oldest, who is almost 12, is responsible for his own workbox. I don't keep it organized. I don't tell him what needs to be done. He keeps track of his own progress. It gives him a HUGE sense of accomplishment and independence. He feels more organized and confident when he uses the workbox correctly. I can see him moving to just a checklist and maybe organizing the work into folders later on down the road.

How do you do it?? My oldest has ADHD with ODD tendencies and is on Concerta at the max dosage right now. He HATES it! He has constant headaches, stomach trouble, sleep issues. The problem is its the best medication we have found for him. So many others either didn't work at all or had worse side effects. We're at a point where his peds doctor just wants to add MORE scripts on top of the Concerta. I don't feel comfortable about that. On top of that, I am beginning to wonder if he is developing a resistance to the Concerta anyway. We have tried various diets. We tried NAET treatments and only found that he really isn't allergic to much that matters. We stay away from artificial colors and favors, limit dairy, and have a fairly strict schedule. We kept him off his meds for four months, and it was awful for all of us. Not only with the behavior and all, but he also gets his younger brothers worked up and they are learning the bad behaviors from him. He knows he needs some help, but some days he cries when he takes his meds because he knows how it will make him feel. Any ideas? Thank you!!

We use a version of the workbox system. My oldest has a hanging file folder tub with a file for each subject. We use the expanded folders for books like math and English. A laminated checklist sits in front of the folders in the box, but its purpose is mostly so he knows what specifically needs to be done in each subject. We have the little velcro numbers on the files and then a grid above his workbox tub. I found this is a good way for him to keep track of what hasn't been finished. He works throughout the day on his independent work and I call him when I'm ready to work one-on-one. We went with this system after trying many others. It helps him keep organized (because everything has a place and number) and stay on track (he knows exactly where he is just by glancing at his grid). We only use our version for schoolwork. No fun or goody boxes. It is simply a way to keep his adhd brain focused. Plus I don't have to keep on him to complete his work. I just have to ask what number he is on and that tells both of us what kind of progress he is making.

ME!!! Except it's me that seems to be staying sick. I'm happy that the kids are staying healthy for the most part, but I am worn out. Allergies, sinuses, cold, chills, fatigue, the ever present headache....I am so sick of it all. :glare:

Christmas Eve-We go to Mass with dh's family. Then we have dinner at their house. Santa comes by to give all the under 18 kids one gift each, and then we open presents from extended family. Christmas morning-I wake up waaaay earlier than everyone else (because I'm too excited for the boys to see what *Santa* brought). I sneak into the living room to turn on the Christmas lights and music. That usually wakes my oldest who loves waking the others. The boys ohh and ahh over Santa gifts and then we open the rest of our gifts. Before my parents' divorce, we would meet my two sisters and their families at our parents house for a very specific breakfast-homemade drop biscuits, chocolate and white gravy, eggs, sausage, and bacon with chocolate milk and orange juice. We've had the same Christmas morning breakfast since as long as we can remember. Now that my parents are divorced, we force them to stick to tradition since they were the ones who started it in the first place. :tongue_smilie: Breakfast is held at either my house or my twin sister's house now. We do an Advent calendar of some sort every year. One year we had a little manager and added a piece each day with Jesus being added Christmas morning. Last year we did a paper chain with little things written on each *link*.

I went way over the usual Easter this year, and spent more than I do for birthdays. Dh had received a bonus from work and split it with me. I really wanted to splurge on the boys.....and Easter was around the corner! :lol: It was a good fun excuse anyway.

For birthdays, we spend around $100 for gifts and the party. They know if they want the Chuck E Cheese or skating party, they won't be getting many gifts. For Christmas we shoot for $150-$175 each, but it really depends. I usually end up spending more on my oldest because he is into electronics and games. Also that amount includes any new winter clothes, shoes, and books that they want, not just a bunch of toys. I think I spent maybe $30 on my youngest last year because he was just a baby and (being the 4th boy in the house) didn't need anything. Still won't spend much on him this year for the same reason. We don't buy a whole lot for our boys throughout the year so I like to spoil them a little on Christmas. We spend $50 each on birthdays and Christmas for my dh's two oldest boys, dil, and grandkids.

My boys are making either a mosiac or freezer paper stenciled wall art with the letter of the grandparents' last name, except for my mom. Hers will say Nana. Godparents will get something along those lines too, but probably on a smaller scale...maybe mosaic coasters or something. We did this for Easter. I have noticed that my mom and dh's mom still have them on display in a pretty vase!!

My sil's name is spelled Kellie, and is actually short for Kellien. People spell it wrong all the time too. My first name, Christie, is spelled so many different ways. When someone who will be writing my name asks what it is my response is always "Christie, C-H-R-I-S-T-I-E." We also don't shorten our boys names. My husband can't stand that. Every time we have a child, family tries to shorten his name and dh lets them know there will be no nicknaming. I guess because his long first name was shortened into something he couldn't stand as he grew up....he went with a totally different name when he and his family moved during his junior year of high school. Most people here don't even know his *real* name now. :D

My maiden name has a *ei* at the beginning and most people use the short e sound when saying it when actually it's a long e. I always corrected but not in a big way. They say my last name (for whatever reason, calling my name or whatever) and I'd just respond by saying it the right way (instead of "here", "yes?" and such). My twin sister's name is Megan with a long e. She gets called Megan with a short e or long a all the time. Sometimes she corrects and sometimes not, just depends on the situation. I used to correct people all the time when they said Megan wrong. Bugged me for some reason. Dh and I chose easily pronounced names for the boys, but every now and then Gabriel will be called Gabrielle if someone is reading his name out loud. Our priest called him that during his baptism...over and over again, even after I corrected him a couple times. We just giggled mostly though. :lol: A lot of the folks at mass that day were shocked later on to see we actually had a BOY named Gabriel instead of a girl named Gabrielle. :D

My husband was VERY skeptical to say the least. He understood why I wanted to homeschool and agreed with my reasoning, but he was afraid I wouldn't take it seriously, I would get bored and just put them back in school, they would miss out on sports, and people would think they were weird. :lol: After a year (and really before the first year was over), he is completely on board and is 110% supportive. My oldest took the IOWA standardized test this past spring (the same one they take in ps here in AR), his scores went from mid- and upper-80 percentiles to 98 and 99 percentile! (and I really didn't think we accomplished near as much as we should have....) I am doing Apologia Astronomy this year with both my 6th grader and k'ner. Really my k'ner is enjoying it MUCH more than my oldest. It is one of his favorites subjects! Here are to REALLY great yahoo groups that we use for notebooking/lapbooking. Both have printables that are specific to Astronomy. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Elem_Apologia_Science/ <---click on files and you'll see the link to the Astronomy pages. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Notebooking2Learn/ <---you'll want to click on Files, then Science, and then Astronomy here. We use Saxon math and R&S English, and love both!! Like a pp, we combine history as well with Mystery of History and love this too. Good luck to you!! :grouphug:

It's a rollback price at WM and I thought I had read it would be for a while. I noticed Kmart has it on sale for $199 too but I'm not sure how long.