H1N1 is the flu. H1N1 is simply part of a strand of the flu. Every year there are different strands. That is why every year we must get a different flu shot. If this strand was caught in time, the "H1N1" would have been included in the flu shot. We would not even know of "swine flu". My son got the flu...""H1N1". I am high risk because I have rheumatoid arthritis. My immune system is suppressed. He wasn't treated. There are no antibiotics for the flu. I was treated with Tamiflu. That helps me in case I do come down with symptoms...since my immune system is weakened. We are all happy and healthy! The 'Swine Flu" is just another strand of the flu. H1N1 is just another immunization to help us. Take it or not. This is actually my 1st year taking the regular flu shot. These are the facts. People die every year from the flu. The H1N1 strand of the flu will also take lives. No more than the regular flu. Please don't let the media, the government, or your neighbor frighten you. If you have a fever, catch a cough, or feel weak...certainly go to the doctor. If you have the flu (swine or other) chances are you will be fine in a week. I'm sharing because many will catch a cold this winter and I don't want anyone to think the worst. This is not a state of emergency. (However I do understand why it was declared.)

It is a heartbreak. I read this and prayed for the girls. It is something you can't just forget. They are in my prayers forever. I can't imagine. I'm so sad for the family. My prayer is the girls are surrounded by love and comfort and protection. I pray for those who will care for those girls. I pray they stay together. I'm so sad and so thankful for my family as I put them to bed tonight.

We started with Saxon 1 and 3. We all really, really, really did not like it. I even bought Saxon 4 to see if it would get better. Not my best idea! I researched and found Christian Light. I ordered 2 light units (10 lessons each) for each grade (around $3 each). It was an inexpensive way to try out a new program. My kids loved it. I loved it. If Saxon isn't working...go for something else. You will be so happy once you find what works. Best of luck!

What is your opinion on the vocabulary? I used Spelling Power or Workout (I can't remember) last year. It seemed like we devoted more time to spelling. I'm a little worried about that.

I'm looking for a new language arts program. I'm using CLE LA and WWE. It works, but I'm not crazy about it. (Let me say that CLE math is the best thing that has ever happened in our homeschool!!!) A Beka looks good. I'm looking at 2/3 and 4/5 grade level. I didn't learn a lot from the website. I did see a few samples. I like what I see. I'm waiting for Rod and Staff samples in the mail. Please share what works for you! Thanks!!!

My ds is 10 (5th grade) and is in 403. I did want to speed him along and get him into the 500 level soon after the holidays, but I'm not stressing about that anymore. His learning is solid and he is moving along with a lesson a day. He really enjoys CLE. I may continue with lessons next summer. That will catch him up. More importantly it will keep him from slipping. Large summer breaks from math is not good for us.

Coconut M & Ms...where do they sell them...I'm moving there!!! With my diet coke, of course.

FWIW, I stayed at the Del while in San Diego, but we spent out time in the Gas District and Old Town. We took the boat across and a train to the "town". If your husband likes cigars, if you like margaritas as big as your head (no joke, I had salt in my hair after I sipped one) it is a quaint and fun throw back to old times. That was our honeymoon trip. If we ever revisit, Old Town here we come!

I am using CLE for Reading for the first time this year. I spoke with a rep at a conference a few months ago and asked the same questions. Because so many other subjects include reading (history, science, etc.) it is only a 6 month study. Here is what I am doing...after our math block (our first subject of the day) we do a "Language Arts" block. They do CLE Language Arts and either CLE Reading or Writing With Ease. I alternate days. So, this week they are doing WWE Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Reading on Tuesday and Thursday. Next week they will do Reading on M/W/F and WWE T/Th. This will stretch the course out to be a year long. They spend about an hour (at least I tell them to) reading other books throughout the day. Additionally, I use http://www.bookadventure.com as a fun way to test comprehension. Mine love that site. HTH

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Any more suggestion? I like hearing what works for everyone.

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Attendance...what is your approach? Do you plan your school days at the beginning of the year to make certain you meet the requirement? Are you flexible...if something fun comes up on a random Tuesday, do you stick to the schedule or hit the door running? What "counts" as a school day? (I know laws are different for everyone.) If you just get in 1 subject...is that a day? Grades...if you are required to submit grades, how do you handle subjects that are not tested. An example, Galloping the Globe or English From The Roots Up. I want their "report card" to reflect that these are part of their studies, but I'm not sure how to do that. "A" for effort? I'm trying to not make this more difficult that it should be, I just need a plan. I would love to hear what works for you!

1st year homeschooling. I love it. Things are going so well. I actually just got back from the Florida Homeschool Convention. It was wonderful. But, I was one of those moms that worked our every morning just after I dropped my kids off at school. That was my time with my friends. I enjoyed my workouts...weights, cardio, pilates classes, spin classes, and even a yoga class here and there. Now, guilt. Morning is when we do "school". I say I will work out in the afternoons and it does not happen. I get up in the 5 o'clock hour to do cardio...and I am exhausted by 3. AND, fast food has made it's way into our vocabulary. For 9 years no McDonalds. My kids had no fast food. Now, I can't say that. My goal if for my kids to eat healthy meals. Now I need fast, easy, and cheap. It was a HUGE leap to buy store made pasta sauce. Don't judge...that's what I loved doing for my family! So, 8 months homeschooling...20 pounds heavier. I am so sad. The kids get plenty of time at the park, playground, and other activities. I sit and chat with my friends. My life is very sedentary. I can't go for a run or go to the gym like I used to... SO, I have got to lose weight. While I am homeschooling. I don't think there is a law against that. I need to get to the gym everyday. We need easy and fast meals. I just need a plan. And support. So, welcome anyone who struggles with this!!!

Christian Light Education http://www.clp.org And I love it!

We ditched Saxon about a month ago. I REALLY wanted it to work for my 2 sons. It simply did not. Here's why... 1. The meetings were dreadful...long and boring. I appreciate going over facts until they are mastered...but the same "meeting" over and over and over. Uggg! 2. We began to skip things that they had already mastered...but that came back to bite us. We would get to a later lesson and needed something from a previous lesson that we had skipped. 3. I did not like math being so scripted. Some subjects I need that, but not math. It slowed us down. 4. My kids started to hate math! They began to beg me not to do it. It was the worst part of out school day. So, I gave in. I found CLE and we are LOVING it! I won't go into details about CLE, just know that if Saxon does not work for you there are plenty of great options out there!

"Writing will never be the same." Stick with what works. Package your product with a theme. I can personally stand behind that slogan. What once was his worst subject in public school is now what he asks to do first. He loves writing now. It will never be the same! Thank you!

http://www.pandora.com It is free music online. No commercials. I typed in an artist (Beethoven) and it just starts playing. So, we are listening to some classical while doing school. (I'll call that our music lesson for today!) A lady at my bible study told me about this last night. I am so glad she did. I wanted to share it with everyone!

I purchased this to keep in my DVD collection and view it as my kids get older. I think it will be a nice addition to science when the time is right. I wasn't "plugging" it as much as just letting people know of a good deal if they were interested.

I do think some kids will love it. I had posted a footnote earlier that there is no blood and guts, just some sad moments. Some children may be sensitive to this. I was in a theater full of small children cheering for the baby caribou to outrun the fox. When he tripped and death was certain, they were sad. When the daddy polar bear is certain to starve to death...it was sad. Yes, it is part of nature. Yes, it is a fact of life. As concerned parents (as we all are) we make the decision as to what is appropriate for our children. I just thought the information would be helpful to others. Those with young children and sensitive children especially.

I would not have taken my kids had a known what it would be like. There is amazing scenery and beautiful footage of exotic animals. But, as James Earl Jones said in the movie, "The urban eye is not accustomed to seeing the natural cycle of life." In other words, you will see animals under attack. You will see animals die. My kids were very sad. I, too, was sad. And, we didn't learn as much as we had hoped. A footnote...there is no blood or guts. There are just sad endings. For example...the polar bear dad starves to death. A baby caribou gets separated from it's mom and is chased by a wolf. All the kids in the theater were cheering for the caribou to run away. He ran, then he tripped. The wolf won. On a positive note...Discovery Channel Store is offering a GREAT package. The entire Planet Earth and Blue Planet DVD series 70% off today only! It is an Earth Day deal. Enter promo code EARTHEML. Mine will be here in 5-7 days! Happy Earth Day! I originally posted this thread in K-8, but I thought everyone might like to know. __________________

A footnote...there is no blood or guts. There are just sad endings. For example...the polar bear dad starves to death. A baby caribou gets separated from it's mom and is chased by a wolf. All the kids in the theater were cheering for the caribou to run away. He ran, then he tripped. The wolf won.

I would not have taken my kids had a known what it would be like. There is amazing scenery and beautiful footage of exotic animals. But, as James Earl Jones said in the movie, "The urban eye is not accustomed to seeing the natural cycle of life." In other words, you will see animals under attack. You will see animals die. My kids were very sad. I, too, was sad. And, we didn't learn as much as we had hoped. On a positive note...Discovery Channel Store is offering a GREAT package. The entire Planet Earth and Blue Planet DVD series 70% off today only! It is an Earth Day deal. Enter promo code EARTHEML. Mine will be here in 5-7 days! Happy Earth Day!

Thanks!

New York and Company (used to be Lerner). They offer talls...that is the ONLY place I buy jeans, shorts, and pants. I have been shopping there 10 years and I LOVE their tall fit!