This is a great resource. I may not print the whole book, but this is great practice. Thanks for sharing! Sarah

I have a brother who is severely disabled and he is living with my parents, so I can understand a little bit of what you are feeling. My dh and I have committed to take care of him when my parents are no longer able to. I think that the main thing for me is just to take one day at a time. It IS overwhelming to think about the future. And it's hard to think about the future. Most of the time, I try to focus on what our family has GAINED from having my brother in our lives. Thinking about what we can't do quickly leads to depression or being overwhelmed. Instead, I try to see how strong our family is, what a cooperative spirit we ahve as we care for my brother together, and how much I have grown personally while facing the challenges involved in being part of his caregiving team. I have seen so much to admire in my parents and how they have handled every step. And every once in a while, I even ask myself what "normal" really means anyway. As homeschoolers, we probably know better than most how much joy can come out of making alternative choices about how we live our lives. On good days, I can see that joy in the life we have that (because of my brother) is so different than most people's "normal" daily life.... Sarah

As it gets closer, I'm hearing more and glad that I already decided not to try it. First, they are actually discouraging people from bringing small children. Second, I've heard about all of the evacuation plans "should something happen" and that makes it an easy decision. Guess we have to content ourselves with being nearby. If they were older, I might do it anyway. I remember going to the fireworks as a small child and the only thing I remember is my terror waiting on the metro platform as the crowds pushed me around. And this is going to be much more crowded than that. I can't imagine! Thanks for the comments though - both for and against! Sarah

to what others have said, but we are using Singapore and Saxon this year and next year I'm probably going to switch to only Singapore. I really agree though that the greatest weakness of SM is that it does not review facts like Saxon does. I can see that next year I'm going to have to put some effort into extra drills for that. For me, Saxon is too scripted. I feel like we're moving way too slow, but it's hard to skip ahead (mostly because I still haven't gotten over the feeling that if I don't do EVERY page of a book I'm going to be scarring my children forever!). For example, over a month ago we learned how to tell time to the hour. I think my kids would have been ready later that week to learn more, but we still haven't come back to time. Again, I'd skip ahead, but then the WS would have other concepts they haven't learned yet. But I'd like them to be able to tell time! We took out the Singapore book, turned to that lesson, and boom, they've learned time to the half hour. I would not characterize my children as mathy. Both DH and I have a very strong English bent and the kids seem to also, but to them SM seems less like "work" and they really enjoy it. I don't know if it's the colorful pictures of if they just like the fact that they "get it" and can work somewhat independently. HTH! Good luck with your decision.. Sarah

Thank you for all of the great suggestions. I don't mind vegetarian at all - I'm not one, but we do eat at least 2 or 3 meatless meals per week (when you buy organic/humane, meat tends to get expensive!). We do have a Whole Foods, not too far away - I may check it out if I need to go out that way running errands. I've actually never been there. Seriously, we have so many grocery stores--it's crazy! I've requested just about every one of the books suggested here from the library. They're going to think I'm opening up my own whole foods restaurant! Thanks for the great advice. I'm looking forward to some fun menu planning over the next couple of weeks! If I find anything fantastic, I'll be sure to post the recipe (isn't there a recipe board somewhere on here?)! Sarah

I already have it requested from my library. And that's exactly what I'm looking for - something that doesn't go with every fad that's out there, just good, healthy, natural eating. I also love the idea of adding whatever meat you want or seasonal vegetables. I'm trying to eat more local, seasonal foods, so that will be wonderful! Thank you! Sarah

Wow, these are great. Thank you to everyone who posted them. I've been looking for something like this also. We'll be adding this to our schedule this week! Sarah

For about a year now, we've been really intentional about eating more whole foods and less processed and packaged stuff. It seems like a lot of folks here are also interested in that kind of lifestyle. So, I'm hoping you can help me! I'm looking for a source (cookbook or I would really love a website or blog) for recipes that really use basic foods but still make good-tasting food. Or even that use ingredients that I can actually find! I seem to have found 2 categories. 1) Things that profess to be this way but call for margarine in some of the recipes (for example, the More With Less cookbook) or 2) Are very organic and wholefoods but call for ingredients like miso paste (which I CANNOT find anywhere and we have a lot of stores to look at, living in a major metropolitan area). I can't spend hours scouring stores for obscure ingredients. So, if you've ever come across this wonderful website or book, I would be SO grateful if you'd share! Thanks, Sarah

I wholeheartedly agree! I will say (not to give you permission but just to be understanding) that it's especially hard whenever there is a crisis or illness. It seems so much easier & comforting to grab something quick and often-times unhealthy. I already eat a lot healthier than most people, I think. We pretty much don't buy anything processed except for the occasional bag of organic tortilla chips. I cook and bake a lot. I think that for me it boils down to breaking patterns from my adult life but even from my family. My Mom is a great cook, but we still grew up on margarine and low-fat products and I'm sure lots of high fructose corn syrup that even snuck into our "healthy" cereals! As Americans, I read somewhere that we've lost our "identity" when it comes to food. I think to some extent that's true - there's so much available that we don't even know what "healthy" is anymore. I don't know that any of this is really helpful, but it was nice for me to know that other people struggle too! Sarah

We live just outside D.C. and I think it would be cool to go this historic Inauguration. Unfortunately, the idea of D.C. with a crowd of 3 million people terrifies me, especially when there's going to be virtually no way to drive in. A crowded metro with 3 small kids is horrible! Well, that and below-freezing temperatures. Still, I'm feeling a little bit wistful about it.... Sarah

I think I just needed "permission" to use only Singapore - I really do prefer it. I like that there is more freedom to learn the concepts in a way that works the best for us, rather than Saxon, which is so scripted. Thank you very much especially for those of you who told me the things that you do add for additional practice. I think we will have a happier math experience for the kids and for me next year thanks to your input! Also, I didn't even realize that there were different editions that would be harder or easier - definitely going to check those out. Thanks again, Sarah

I'm using Saxon AND Singapore this year for my Ker and 1st grader. They're on the same level in Saxon but different Singapore books. I'm finding it tough though to integrate both of them without running out of time. And it's just plain confusing at times trying to do both. They both really prefer the Singapore workbooks to the more tedious and repetitive Saxon worksheets. Saxon is working fine, but I felt like I needed to add a little more to it. While Saxon seems to be very comprehensive, I think it's too repetitive and it's also expensive for my budget. I'm just not that into math, so I don't have a good feel for what *should* be in a curriculum. It seems like most people seem to combine them. Would it be sufficient to use Singapore alone? I think my alternative for next year is to use one or the other - for my planning/time sake and for cost as well. I'd like your thoughts, especially if you only use Singapore. Thanks, sarah

I feel encouraged that we are on the right track - it's so hard to really know sometimes! Thanks especially for the extra phonics ideas, Sahamamama. Wow, that's great you're able to do so much with your dd - and that she WANTS to do it! Definitely a struggle for me to motivate my kids to do it. Thanks for the encouragement. We have one more week of school before a little Christmas break and I feel like I can head into it a little more motivated! Sarah

Last year we did this with my kids (then 6,4, and 2). Surprisingly easy. Hands-on part: We took a regular round ball ornament, painted each child's hand with white paint (one at a time, of course) then had them hold the ornament with their palm on the bottom, fingers stretched up the sides of the ornament. Their part: Once the ornaments are dry, you'll have what looks like 5 little snowmen on the sides of the ball. Using markers, have them draw on hats, scarves, carrot noses. etc. My little one needed help, but the older 2 did really great. They turned out so cute. We actually gave them as gifts to grandparents with this poem: These aren’t just five snowmen As anyone can see. I made them with my hand Which is a part of me. Now each year when you trim the tree You’ll look back and recall Chrismas of 200(8) When my hand was just this small! I loved pulling out the ones that we kept for ourselves this year - a great memory! Sarah

I was just looking for something fun to do this week with the kids and found some great ideas here. Thanks for the great suggestion! Sarah

I'm hoping for some feedback from those of you who use OPGTR. How many lessons per week do you go through? I have been doing 1 per day with my 1st grader and about 3 per week with my Ker. I feel like I'm doing a lot of reading lessons every day. Actually, both the kids seem to be okay with the pace - it's me that's getting worn out!! They also each read at least one book at their reading level. My 1st grader is starting level 1 readers and my Ker is doing Bob books, level 3. It feels like the majority of our school time (and the real hard work) is reading. I'd say they're average readers, although they LOVE LOVE LOVE to be read TO. TIA for your help and advice! Sarah

hey, just wanted to say thanks to everyone who responded. It seems pretty overwhelming that everyone we talk to says do it now, so I think we're going to move forward. It may be better to sell before we "have to" so there's a little less pressure. Well, looks live I have some painting to do! (when I'm not schooling, cleaning, cooking, preparing for the holidays, etc.) :001_smile:

I'm hoping to get some advice/opinions here. We are planning to move sometime within the next year (it's complicated). Basically, several people have said that we should sell now rather than wait until spring or we may not be able to sell our house. I know that nobody here can predict the future, but I wonder what you would do? Sell now or wait, with the possibility that the housing market may get even worse? Just to add a few more details, we COULD move into our new house now (currently owned by family who are selling to us) but we'd be living with family until they can move to their new house. That would be crowded, but we get along well. We really have to sell next year, we can't wait longer, so that's not an option. I'd love to hear some opinions - thanks! Sarah

ETC is a really great workbook to reinforce concepts and work on writing the letters, but I don't think it would really teach a child how to read. I have done 100EZ (a complete failure with my kids) and OPGTTR (that is going very well). I haven't looked at many phonics programs, but I think that doing ETC and phonics would be too much of the same thing. What you really need is something to teach the basics about how to put the sounds together and all the "rules" of reading. I HIGHLY recommend the BOB books - those have been a huge hit with my kids. They even have a pre-beginner set now that my 3 y.o. loves, about shapes, colors, etc. The kids love BOB books because they can read them right away and they progress slowly. We purchased some but now we have been getting them at the library. HTH! Sarah

Faithseed-- I bought some at JoAnns (if you sign up for their mailing list, you'll get 40 percent off coupons, which I used). So I think it was $10/bag. Then we just added in some leftover packing peanuts. According to the website I looked at, packing/shipping places will give you the peanuts for free, but we didn't go that route so I don't know. HTH! Sarah

I do NOT consider myself crafty, but I made them for about $30@. I bought clearance fabric for the liner and another clearance fabric for the outside (fun, furry fabric). The fabric cost about $10 - it was the filling that was expensive. They did have zippers (hardest part) but you could probably even just sew them shut. Anyway, they've lasted a year so far with small children who like to toss them around. I found instructions for free online. Sarah

We pay off our credit card every month, so we're just interested in perks here. So basically we pay for everything on our credit card (even any bills that we can) and then we accrue tons of points which can be translated into products, airfare, or straight cash. With the worldpoints card, my dh was able to buy an ipod with the points we accrued in about 6 months. Kinda fun to buy something like that and not have to pay for it!! We could also get cashback, but it's more fun to buy something "frivolous" after saving up for a while. Lately we've switched to amazon b/c they're giving us 3 pts. per dollar on gas, groceries, etc. If we could manage to save it up, we could probably buy almost all of our hs curriculum in May on amazon!

I asked this question a while back also. My ds is in 1st and we're just doing ETC for now. He's still mastering reading and he hates writing/workbooks. Adding a spelling wb would be torture at this point! That said, we are "doing" spelling. I just printed out a list of 200 high-frequency words and each week we do 10 words (and we add the words he struggled with the previous week). Here's how I'm breaking it down day-by-day: 1-Read through the new words a couple times, notice patterns, etc. 2/3 - Review the words by reading over them together. We play a game called look, say, cover, write, check. That's basically exactly what it sounds like. If he gets it wrong, he corrects it. 4 - Play a game with the words. Our current favorite is "spelling ladder" where I draw a ladder in chalk and he "climbs" up the rungs by writing the words as I say them. If he gets it wrong, we just wipe it out and do it correctly. 5 - Test. We do a final review, focusing on any troublesome words, and then I say the words, use in a sentence, say again. He checks his own test and corrects any that are wrong. We add any he gets wrong to our "trouble" words list. Maybe this sounds like a lot, but really it only takes about 10 minutes or so each day. It's helping his reading a lot as we come across these now-familiar words while we're reading. I guess it's a spelling program without the program. I'm trying to make it more interactive. He's really enjoying it so far and working hard to do well on the tests, so it's going great so far. HTH, Sarah

Thank you! I'm shopping right now..... Sarah

I seem to have this hazy recollection of once stumbling across a website where lots of people would sell homemade things. I have a couple things I'm looking for (#1 - new purse) but I'd like to buy something unique and support small/artisan businesses. If anyone has suggestions, I'd greatly appreciate it! Thanks, Sarah