Nope, we had a shelter that was large enough to fit 100 people at a time. We prayed a lot and ended up with a beautiful, warm, sunny day and had a fabulous time outside!

We're having dd's graduation party on Sunday afternoon (graduation ceremony is on Saturday, late afternoon-evening). We are hosting it at a local park/lake under at large shelter. We're going to have food (pork BBQ sandwiches, beans, slaw, hot dogs, fruit, veggies, chips, and cake), outdoor games (volleyball, cornhole, frisbee, etc) and there is also a playground nearby. It is a family-oriented event consisting of about 80-100 of her friends, our friends, and a few family members.

Our disappointments came not on the academic end, but on the financial side. Our daughter was accepted to four out of the six schools she applied to and waitlisted at one of the others. She received the highest merit based scholarship at one of the schools (High Point University) and a merit scholarship and fellows scholarship at Elon. However, even with need-based financial aid at both schools, we would have been left with other $26K in loans. Considering our EFC is $1536, there was simply no way to make that happen. Our daughter made a wise (albeit difficult) decision to go to a school that offered her the largest merit scholarship. She'll be able to graduate with very minimal debt (likely way under $18K for all 4 years). Since she is planning on getting her masters and possibly her doctorate, she does not want to accumulate a ridiculous amount of debt in undergrad.

We are in a somewhat similar situation. Dd applied to a small, private school (Wingate University). She was awarded nearly a full ride ($25000 in scholarships per year, plus financial aid). She can go there and incur minimal debt (meaning she can probably graduate with less than $5000 in loans over the 4 years of undergrad studies). The downfalls--its a very small school, probably not as academically challenging as the other schools on her list, and it doesn't have as many programs/clubs/extracurriculars as she would like. But, we are not in a financial position to help with much of the college costs. Her top two choices at this time, Elon University and High Point University, are around 45K per year. While she has been awarded presidential scholarships at both (6K and 10K per year, respectively) and is pursuing other scholarships, it likely won't add up to enough for her to be able to attend these schools without incurring large student loans. We are waiting to make decisions until she has all final offers in from all of the schools. It's going to be a tough decision for her.

Daugher Wingate University, presidential scholarship, High Point University, presidential scholarship, honors Elon University, presidential scholarship, finalist for Honors Fellows University of North Carolina-Charlotte

So far, dd is 3 for 4. She's been accepted to Wingate University, High Point University and Elon University, all with their presidential scholarships. She did not get into Davidson. At this time, Elon is her top choice. She is still waiting to hear from UNC-Charlotte (January 1) and Wake Forest (April 1).

My daughter received her first acceptance and a rather large scholarship this past weekend while touring a school. It is her "bottom choice" out of all those she applied to, but it was still great to get that first acceptance and have $$ included as well. It will remain an option depending on the outcome of her other applications.

Does anyone have a sample of a "school report" for the common app? Just looking for a general example so I can get a feel for what they are looking to see included. Thanks!!

I haven't found many templates that look as official as a traditional high school transcipt. Does anyone have a template using MS Publisher? I'd love to avoid having to recreate the wheel! Thanks!

Thank you for the suggestions and input! I will discuss these options with my dd and with my husband!

DD16 is a rising senior. She has used Math U See (3rd grade thru Algebra 1), Teaching textbooks (geometry, algebra 2 and pre-calc). She has done relatively well with these programs (mostly A's, few A-'s). She is a solid math student, but not overly interested in it. She has done well on the ACT and SAT math portions, but the English side is more her focus. She needs a math credit for her senior year. She definitely does not want to take AP Calculus. She would prefer a regular Calculus class or a Statistics class. We are looking for a curriculum that has a dvd or computer component that covers the "teaching portion" (much like TT or MUS). TT does not offer Calc or Statistics. MUS offers a Calculus, but we are looking to see if anything else is out there! Please post with your suggestions!

We have used parts of Memoria Press curriculum for Kindergarten and First grade (mostly using the lesson plans, copywork, phonics, literature suggestions). We use our own math program. We did not use the New American Cursive 1 book last year because my 7 year old had broken her arm in the fall and spent much of the fall not able to write. When it was healed we just did printing. So, this year, do I need to go back and do New American Cursive 1 with her or do I just do the suggested New American Cursive 2 book that is listed in the 2nd grade curriculum?

I can almost see the weekend on the horizon! get up, showered and dressed breakfast daycare kiddo arrives (8am) showers for older kids run dishwasher start 1st load of laundry write out bills go pick up our free bagels from Brueggers this morning / have morning snack school: dd6: phonics, math, handwriting, reading dd10: reading, handwriting, MegaWords, Wordly Wise, math, history ds: reading, handwriting, Wordly Wise, math, history, science, dd16: finish scholarship essay, APUSH, AP Language, Chem, Economics project, Pre-Calc, chores: empty/reload dishwasher, 4 loads of laundry, wipe down bathroom counters, sweep floors, vacuum living room & bedrooms, trash/recycling/composting, clean toilets dd10: art class (12-1) and birthday party (1-3pm) dd16: dance classes (4-5 and 7-9pm) daycare child gets picked up (4;30) dinner go to gym (7:15-8:45) relax and get to bed at a decent hour

Ready to tackle Tuesday... DONE: get up, showered and dressed breakfast showers for older kids daycare child arrived (7:45am) take sheets off of our bed so they can be washed STILL TO DO: school IN PROGRESS make pizza sauce chores: empty/reload dishwasher, clean counters, trash/recycling/composting, vacuum, 2 loads of laundry go to bank to make GS Troop deposit go to Aldi's library naptime for daycare child reading time for 3 of my kids dd16: dance class (4-5pm) daycare child gets picked up (5pm) make homemade pizza for dinner kitchen clean-up bath for dd6 bedtime

After 4 snow days last week, today's biggest challenge was getting up and getting back to a good routine! It's 1:15pm now and so far we've had a fairly good day. DONE: up, showered, dressed breakfast showers for kids dd16: Economics class (9-10:30) dd9: dentist appt (11-11:30) bank post office gas station school: dd6: math, phonics, handwriting, reading dd10: handwriting, reading, ds: science, math, reading, handwriting, chores: empty/reload dishwasher, 2 loads of laundry, STILL TO DO: chores: finish folding and putting away laundry, wipe down bathrooms counters, sweep bathrooms, trash/recycling/composting, vacuum living room & bedrooms school: dd6: spelling dd10: math, history, Megawords, Wordly Wise ds: history, work on archaelogy merit badge for scouts dd16: APUSH, AP Language, Pre-Calc, finish Spanish assignment, work on Chemistry dd6: dance class (4-5pm) dd16: dance classes (4:30-8:45) dd10: girl Scouts (6:30-8) ds & dh: Boy Scouts (7:30-9) me: work out at gym (5:30-7:15)

(((Amy))) I am grateful that your mom's passing was peaceful and pray that you continue to feel God comforting you in your grief.

DONE: showered, dressed breakfast daycare child arrived (8am) take daycare child to preschool (9am) dentist appts for all 4 kids (10-11:15) lunch school: dd6: phonics, math, handwriting, reading dd10: math, Megawords, Wordly WIse, handwriting, reading ds: math, Wordly Wise, handwriting, science, review scout stuff for Scoutmaster conference tonight chores: 2 loads of laundry, empty/reload dishwasher, trash, wipe down bathroom counters, sweep bathroom floors, vacuum, pick up daycare child from preschool (1pm) STILL TO DO: dd6: dance class (4-5pm) cook dinner daycare child gets picked up (4;30-4:45) dd16: dance class (4:30-8:45pm) dd10: Girl Scout meeting 6:30-7:30 ds & dh: Boy Scout meeting 7:30-9 take dd6 and dd10 to deliver GS cookies to a friend general kitchen tidy after dinner relax

shower, get dressed, daycare child (7:45am) breakfast take daycare child to preschool (9am) bank school dd6: phonics, handwriting, math, reading dd10: handwriting, Megawords, Wordly Wise, math, reading, art ds: science, handwriting, math, Wordly Wise, reading dd16: Pre-Calc, AP Language (finish paper), APUSH (submit weekly assignments) pick up daycare child from preschool lunch household chores: clean bathroom & kitchen counters, sweep, vacuum, wipe down kitchen appliances, empty/reload dishwasher, put away load of laundry from dryer, wash dog's blankets, get daycare child down for a nap write letters for two big kids (church retreat this weekend) make sure ds packed appropriately for weekend retreat STILL TO DO: scrub showers (2) go to Walmart to buy new shower curtain liners replace shower curtain liners pick out new curtains and paint for upstairs bathrooms (master and kids) renew library books online daycare child gets picked up (5pm) cook dinner drop ds off at church (7pm) (dd16 will drive herself since she has to be there early for set-up) clean kitchen

It's been a productive day so far. DONE: up, showered and dressed breakfast school: dd6: phonics, math, handwriting, reading, spelling dd9: math, Megawords, Wordly WIse, reading, ds: math, Wordly Wise, science, reading, dd16: APUSH, AP Language, Pre-Calc chores: empty/reload dishwasher, scrub kitchen surfaces, clean bathrooms, declutter bedroom, vacuum bedroom, sweep/vacuum living room, make dinner in crockpot lunch clean out cabinets in kitchen clean living room blinds STILL TO DO: drop items off at thrift store pick up GS cookies from dd9's troop leader pick up GS cookies from dd6's troop leader dd16: dance class (4-5pm) dinner go to gym (6-8pm) shower clean kitchen counters / do dishes / sweep relax

Happy Monday! I've been tackling it in full force today! DONE: up, showered and dressed breakfast fold 2 loads of laundry and put away strip bed linens, wash, dry and put back on beds school: dd6: handwriting, math, phonics, spelling dd9: Megawords, Wordly Wise, math, handwriting, reading ds: Wordly Wise, science, math, handwriting, reading dd16: Pre-Calc, APUSH, AP Language, finish Spanish homework dd16: Economics class (9-10:30) chores: empty/reload dishwasher, wipe down bathroom & kitchen counters, sweep/vacuum, wash pots & pans, trash & recycling start dinner in crockpot watch friend's daughter while she has an appt (11-1pm) history lessons with dd9 and ds STILL TO DO: read Jungle Book with ds and dd9 request library books for this history unit pack clothes to take to the gym dd6: dance class (4-5pm) dd16: dance classes (4:30-8:45) go to gym (after dd6's dance class) dinner go to Aldi's ds & dh : Boy Scouts (7:30-9pm) list items for sale / continue decluttering mop kitchen & bathroom floors

I've been away for almost a full month. We had a death in our family (my grandfather) just before Christmas, which led to an unplanned trip home to NY for the funeral. We did have a fabulous Christmas and relaxing winter break. At the start of the New Year, our washer and microwave both died (on the same day), so we spent this past weekend shopping for a new washer/dryer set and my dad got me a new over range microwave for my birthday (which was yesterday). The washer and dryer were delivered yesterday, so I spent my bday catching up on laundry! Today is our third day "back to school" and things are going fairly well. We are still in a more relaxed mode since my "daycare children" are still not back. We will ramp things back up to full speed next week! up, showered, and dressed breakfast school: dd6: phonics, math, reading, handwriting dd9: reading, math, Megawords, Wordly Wise, ds: science, math, Wordly Wise, reading, dd16: APUSH, AP Language, Pre-Calc, Chemistry ds: Spanish class 11am-12pm dd16: Spanish class 12:45-2:15 go to bank library Walmart dollar store ds: make two pans of brownies to take to his LifeGroup meeting at church tonight chores: 2 loads of laundry (wash/dry/fold/put away), wipe down bathroom counters, empty/reload dishwasher, sweep/vacuum living room, vacuum stairs/master bedroom, trash/recycling, put away Nativity Set throw away poinsettias list items for sale go to gym make dinner ds and dd16: LifeGroups at church (6:30-8pm) evening cleaning job (9pm-1am) (this will be shock to my system after not having to do it for 2+ weeks)

2:30pm update Chugging along through the day.... daycare child (8-5pm) fold and put away 2 loads of laundry strip bed linens, wash, dry, and put back on beds empty/reload dishwasher wrap presents write out Christmas cards / take picture of kids / order prints from CVS / mail cards thaw chicken for dinner prep dinner in the crockpot dd16: APUSH, AP Language, finish Spanish, work on Chem mid-term, Pre-Calc ds: work on Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Science, and Archaeology merit badges for BS make bank deposit for dd9's GS troop have dd16 pick up another box of Christmas cards from Hallmark since I ran out. dd16: ballet class (4-5pm) make final decisions re: Christmas baking / make grocery list vacuum / sweep wipe down bathrooms / clean toilets

11am update: Kids were bickering this morning and I could see the day headed downhill. I decided to change the mood by making them a yummy breakfast (biscuits, bacon, and clementines). It seems to have done the trick and all are getting along better now. Phew! daycare child (8-5pm) fold and put away 2 loads of laundry strip bed linens, wash, dry, and put back on beds (this will likely take 3 loads). empty/reload dishwasher wrap presents write out Christmas cards / take picture of kids / order prints from CVS / mail cards thaw chicken for dinner prep dinner in the crockpot dd16: APUSH, AP Language, finish Spanish, work on Chem mid-term, Pre-Calc ds: work on Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Science, and Archaeology merit badges for BS make bank deposit for dd9's GS troop dd16: ballet class (4-5pm) make final decisions re: Christmas baking / make grocery list vacuum / sweep wipe down bathrooms / clean toilets

Good morning, everyone! I need to tackle the day before it tackles me! I was up late last night chatting with my cousin and awaiting updates on my grandfather. The end of his earthly life is very near and I expect that he may pass today. At this point, we are praying for a quick, peaceful passing. (He broke his hip about a month ago and has now stopped eating and has developed an infection). There will be travel arrangements to make for my dad to travel to NY. I feel torn regarding my own decision as to whether or not I should travel for the funeral. daycare child (8-5pm) fold and put away 2 loads of laundry strip bed linens, wash, dry, and put back on beds (this will likely take 3 loads). empty/reload dishwasher wrap presents write out Christmas cards / take picture of kids / order prints from CVS / mail cards prep dinner in the crockpot dd16: APUSH, AP Language, finish Spanish, work on Chem mid-term, Pre-Calc ds: work on Emergency Preparedness, Environmental Science, and Archaeology merit badges for BS make bank deposit for dd9's GS troop dd16: ballet class (4-5pm) make final decisions re: Christmas baking / make grocery list vacuum / sweep wipe down bathrooms / clean toilets

It's been a fairly good Monday! DONE: daycare child (8-4:15) take daycare child to preschool (9am) go to bank workout at the Y shower lunch clean kitchen pick daycare child up from preschool (1pm) grocery store nap for daycare child get dd6 ready for dance dd6 dance class (4-5pm) (dd16 drove her there and dh is picking her up) dd16: dance classes (4:30-8:45) prep dinner (sausage & potato roast) 2 loads of laundry sweep & vacuum STILL TO DO: run to store to get a mug and gift bag for the Secret Santa gift that dd9 has to bring to GS tonight dinner take dd9 to GS / stay for mandatory parent meeting (6:30-8) (will probably have to take dd6 with us) ds & dh - Boy Scouts (7:30-9) general clean up / make sure laundry is folded & put away / Advent reading with kids wrap presents?