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Julie in AZ

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Everything posted by Julie in AZ

  1. Growing up, we had a parakeet that we loved. It would sleep in our pockets (when little) and play "hide and seek" (we'd run to another room and it would follow trying to find us). I think it was much less work than a dog. I'd definitely only get one that has been hand raised and as young as possible.
  2. Another fan here. :) Thanks to Crystal, I've cut our monthly grocery spending in half from $600+ to $300. $300 for a family of 4, but my dh travels quite a bit for work. This includes food, toiletries, cleaning supplies, meds. I try to only buy items on sale and stock up.
  3. I'd keep the RS. My ds did levels B and C and it gave him a really good math foundation. He's using Horizons now, so you can switch later on. :)
  4. My parents will be celebrating their 40th next year too. We'd love to have a party for them. We're talking about having a small party with their friends/family during their regular Bible study night. I have their wedding cake topper (we used it for our wedding too) that I plan to have on top of the cake. One thing that people loved from our wedding was fruit and cheese trays as centerpieces on all the tables. Colorful, pretty, and yummy! I hope you get lots of good ideas. :)
  5. I use this site and others like it to buy most of my paper products and toiletries for close to free from the drug stores near me. Using drug store rewards programs, coupons, and shopping sales saves me about $75/week. I consider it my part-time job (which I enjoy!). I've been able to buy things on sale like computer paper and gifts too. I try to only buy produce on sale. For example, one week I bought 3 pineapples for $1/each.
  6. Operation Christmas Child boxes for a boy and girl our kids’ ages Day after Thanksgiving Bring out Christmas decorations Listen to Christmas music in the car until Christmas Christmas book basket of picture books to read at night Advent - 4 Sundays before Christmas Advent devotional and light candles each day (Jesse Tree when younger, Jotham’s Journey series when older) Playmobil or Lego Advent boxes Advent calendar at my parent's house December Adorenaments Christmas Unit Study for school Read Christmas picture books Move Wise men each night closer to nativity (let kids find) Kids decorate my parents’ tree with them Watch Christmas programs on television Dec. 6th St. Nicholas Day Learn about St. Nicholas, read Gingerbread Baby, and make gingerbread cookies Kids each get a small gift Activities Make a Gingerbread house Visit a park - ride the train with Christmas lights in the park Date lunch for hubby and I at our favorite restaurant Drive around looking at lights Candle Nativity Gifts Open presents as they arrive in the mail from family The night before, the kids open presents of matching jammies Stockings with muffins for breakfast 3 gifts for each child Christmas Eve Starbucks Chinese take-out Christmas Day Brunch at my parents
  7. We use Rightstart and Horizons and find them to be a good fit.
  8. :seeya:Here...take my hand...you're doing great! :001_smile:
  9. I really admire you, Holly. You're in a good place and making good decisions. We're working to be debt free after a severe illness.
  10. If you have a drug store with a coupon/rebate program, I think that's a fabulous way to start! I can't believe how much I'm saving by stocking up on "free" items. http://www.moneysavingmom.com/money_saving_mom/2008/03/cvs-101.html
  11. The internet has lots of ideas. I just posted on another thread that we take pictures of the crafts/art and put them in our timeline book. :001_smile:
  12. I take a photo of the kids' art from Artistic Pursuits and put it in our timeline book for the time period.
  13. I just came looking for a review too. I guess we'll give it a try and see how it works out.
  14. I've been playing all summer and I'm hooked. :) The deals are fabulous! I love the advice here: http://moneysavingmom.typepad.com/
  15. :yes: We love Advent! We spend the whole month of December learning about Jesus through several Advent studies. Other schooling is put aside for this important celebration. (We also do a month long Easter unit study in the spring too.) Before Christmas, we spend all summer shopping for our Operation Christmas Child boxes. Then, we keep the kids away from the stores, malls and catalogs as Christmas nears. Our kids aren't allowed to make Christmas lists (they've never really wanted to). To start Advent, we give our children a Playmobil or Lego Advent calendar. They so enjoy getting these small gifts each day. This year, we'll use Jotham's Journey, and The Passion Tree (with puzzle) for our study. On Dec. 6th each year, we celebrate St. Nicholas' Day by learning about the real St. Nicholas, giving each child a small gift and making gingerbread cookies (which he liked). We give the kids new matching pjs on Christmas Eve and are starting back up with the 3 gifts this year. It seems to be plenty for our kiddos. We did a Candle Nativity last year that we plan to do as a family every year. I think traditions are a big part of building a strong family. :) It was posted on another homeschool board last year: Candle Nativity (use candles you have around the house) Light - Mary & Joseph candles Read: Luke 2:1,4,5 Sing (or listen to J): O Little Town of Bethlehem Light: Jesus candle Read: Luke 2:6-7 Sing: Away in a Manager Light: Shepherd candles Read: Luke 2:8 Sing: Joy to the World Light: Tallest angel candle Read: Luke 2:9-14 Light: Other angel candles Sing: Hark the Herald Angels Read: Luke 2:15-17 Light: Wise Men Candles Read: Matt. 2:1,2,9-11 Sing: We Three Kings Read: Matt. 2:12 Snuff out wise men candles Read: Luke 2:20 Snuff out shepherd candles Read: Luke 2:15 "...the angels left them and went into heaven…” Snuff out angel candles Read: "And many years later, Mary and Joseph came to the end of their earthly lives." Snuff out Mary & Joseph candles Read: "But the light that began in Bethlehem was Eternal. The Light still shines in the darkness. Darkness has never overcome the Light. And it all began on a silent, holy night...long ago..." Sing: Silent Night. I hope you find a good fit for your family.
  16. I've just recently figured out how to coupon and I'm having a ball at CVS too! :)
  17. One thing to consider is that your dc are very young. Would going to school with little ones at home be a good fit for you right now? That said, my dh was ill years ago and I was so thankful to have my teaching certificate.
  18. I'm very pleased with All About Spelling. I'm using it with my ds(9) who was a late reader due to vision issues. It's laid out well so it's easy to teach. My ds actually likes it. :) It teaches spelling rules and reviews enough for the student to remember them. If you put magnets on the letter tiles, you don't have to use handwriting if that is a problem area. I highly recommend it.
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