[Would You Worry? Friend MIA]

Is there any chance that mom's phone died completely and, in the meantime, her DD got grounded/phone taken away so she isn't returning the texts AND that mom is a flake and forgot OR that she thought it was this Friday not this past one? Like a whole series of problems kind of a deal.  Maybe they also couldn't pay/didn't pay their phone bill so they got shut off for awhile?  Just a thought.  I'm dying to know what's going on as well!

[I lost a fur baby last night.]

:grouphug: I'm so sorry for your loss!

[Would You Worry? Friend MIA]

I'd be worried for sure. I can't believe you haven't heard from them at all yet!

[at what age do you let your kids watch whatever they want?]

My oldest is currently 15 years old.  He still can't.  I don't know what age we'll allow him to watch whatever he wants. Maybe when he moves out? Lol. Whatever the age, I hope by then he has a good hold on what is considered appropriate for viewing. :)

[WTM forum tabs - how many do you have open?]

So I answered the question posed in the poll.  How many WTM tabs do I have open right now? 1...but then in your first post it sounded like you were asking about all of my tabs, not just the WTM tab...that answer would be 9. :)

[Best Dahl books?]

I loved the following growing up and my kids have enjoyed them so far as well:

 

Matilda

James and the Giant Peach

The BFG

[First Grade Planning Thread?]

Is there one yet? I did a search and couldn't find one, but wanted to share my current ideas! What do you all think of this for my youngest?

 

History/Geography: Ambleside year 1 with oral narrations here and there, maps to go with Paddle to the Sea

 

Math: Math-U-See Alpha with online games for practice like those from Shepperd Software, Math Playground, and Turtle Diary

 

Reading/literature: Books from the library plus the Ambleside year 1 list

 

Phonics: Explode the Code, starting with book 3

 

Spelling: McGuffey Spelling (free public domain book) possibly

 

Handwriting: I'm thinking of going with "A Reason for Handwriting A" not positive though

 

Science: some nature study, also Apologia Zoology 3 with his sister

 

Art: I have these fun books that I got when they were free for Kindle called "24 ______'s Paintings for Kids" and plan to use those for study and inspiration.

 

Music: He's on our Kid's Worship team at church.

 

Too much? Not enough? Any better ideas for anything that will be free or low cost? Thanks! :)

 

What are you all planning in first grade?  Maybe you'll give me some other ideas too! :D

 

 

[Florida law re: swim diapers?]

I said sad. I meant it as in "I'm sure some poor older person was horrified to lose control in a public setting like that and they will probably never swim again. Getting older can be heartbreaking."

 

This was exactly how I interpreted your phrase.

[Book Recommendations, Please]

Not really "Dear America" but has she read "The Book Thief" yet? So good! It's about a girl in Nazi Germany from the perspective of a poor german girl. Very good read in my opinion.

 

ETA: "The Help" was really good too! And what about "To Kill a Mockingbird?" Not sure of your religious affiliation, but the "Christian Heroes" series has been a good one as well.

[Discarded Library Books - Suggestions Please]

My library sells them at a used book sale and then donates any unsold books to a local thrift store that is still accepting them.  The bulk of them actually do sell at the book sale though.

[OT the FB thread: Do you tweet? Do you instagram?]

I chose Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram because I actually use those regularly.  I have a Twitter and LinkedIn account but never use them.

[The downside of Facebook]

I actually just "unfollow" the people that are making me crazy. Lol. On a different note, have you seen those shirts come through your feed about calling oneself a homeschool mom because awesomely amazing super talented ninja is already taken? I homeschool and those shirts bug ME. Lol. (No offense to anyone who thinks they're wonderful)

[Statistic on soda consumption and a poll]

My older two will drink it at a restaurant anytime we go out (which is usually a few times a month).  DD sometimes orders soda, but often gets water with lemon (like me, lol). YDS doesn't like soda OR juice (except apple juice, go figure). He likes tea, water in a bottle, and chocolate milk.  He always gets chocolate milk when we go out. And like PPs have said, they all get their sugar in other ways too! Lol. YDS may not like soda, but he loves chocolate and cheese (not together, haha).

 

I find that stat hard to believe as well, though I guess I'm not hanging out with big soda drinkers either...

[What curriculum does it seem "everyone" loves...but didn't work for you?]

As I'm reading through some of these, I'm realizing that I have several of my own "flops" to add to this list:

 

- SOTW: Oddly, my children didn't enjoy this one. :ohmy:

- FLL: Oh. My. Word. SO slow...

- TOG: It was just way too much. I love the concept. The idea is amazing and I wanted to love this, but even with a hard copy, I was way overwhelmed by it all. :(

- LOF: I actually love LOF and so does DD (he makes her laugh), but there isn't enough practice and she just doesn't retain a lot of the lessons.

- Singapore math: This one turned my "math okay" ODS into a math confused child quickly.

- IEW PAL: I really wanted to like this one too, but YDS and I struggled with it for awhile before giving up on it.

- 100 EZ Lessons: So boring

- LLATL: This one actually reduced my school loving MDS to tears more than once.

- KISS Grammar: It starts out great but quickly gets too complicated for the younger kids (though I may try it again with MDS now that he is middle school age...maybe)

 

I think that's it for now...can't think of any others ATM. 

[Beast Academy questions...because my questions will get lost in that other thread. ;)]

Okay, thanks!! All very helpful information. It really looks like something DD would enjoy but she is definitely the "needs lots of practice and review" type.  What are you all using for that side of things then?

[Beast Academy questions...because my questions will get lost in that other thread. ;)]

Yes, I saw the placement test on their website...hoping for more information here to make a good decision. :)

[Beast Academy questions...because my questions will get lost in that other thread. ;)]

So the other thread on Beast Academy has me looking at it for DD for next year.  First, she is just finishing up MUS Beta this year though she is in third grade.  She has also read through LOF Farming, if that is any indication of her math abilities.  My questions:

 

1. Would Beast Academy 3A be a good place for her to start knowing the above information?

2. How quickly are you to move through each unit?

3. Would 3A and 3B be enough for the year or would she truly get through all four in a school year do you think?

4. Can this stand alone or is it a supplement?

 

Thanks! :)

[What is a "MILF"?]

HAHAHAHA! This whole thread is hilarious!  :lol:  :lol:

[Wanna explain What color is this dress? To me?]

I see white and gold almost every time.  DH sees black and blue.

[So remember how I wanted the "dream house?"]

Sooo jealous! !!!

 

My turn soon, peeeasse. ;-)

 

I hope tomorrow's inspection goes well! As, I have my eyes on a dream home too.......but scared it will sell before ours.

 

Congrats! !!!! Well done, happy that dreams do come true!

 

Hopefully it'll work out for you as well! There was actually another offer on this house at the same time as ours went in! But they took ours!!! :)

[So remember how I wanted the "dream house?"]

Oh, and the bluebirds! Not so common these days!

 

Seriously! :) I had never seen one before I saw them here! I was pretty excited about them. And our neighbor across the street has a bunch of bluebird houses in his yard, which is all the more awesome! They'll stick around!

[So remember how I wanted the "dream house?"]

How exciting! I hope the jays don't get testy about sharing the yard!

 

Really? I don't know much about birds at this point (this house should change things, lol). What might they do? There are also chickens that like to visit from across the street! Hehehe.

[So remember how I wanted the "dream house?"]

Thanks everyone!! It's been a long time coming honestly! :) DH started working on this house under contract with the bank that owned it over a year ago.  That was when we were first interested. I'm glad it's finally come to fruition! 

 

:party:

[So remember how I wanted the "dream house?"]

We BOUGHT IT!!!!!!

 

We put our house on the market after all in November. It was on a week when we got an offer. Oddly, from the same lady who said she wanted it and then backed out.  We were seriously skeptical, but entertained the offer.  She put it in writing. She had her pre-approval (from a different bank; the other one was just terrible). So we accepted the offer and prayed the whole time. Lol.

 

Long story short, we finally officially signed the paperwork at the start of February and moved in! We own the house I wanted!! And we love it. I can't wait for spring and the ability to send my kids outside to play for hours in our enormous yard. :) And I've already seen three different kinds of birds that you NEVER see in town- blue jays, bluebirds, and cardinals. Isn't that awesome??

 

Just had to share the news! 

[Ugg-overflowed toilet--where to start??]

First :grouphug: Been there. It sucks!

 

I'd start with a shop-vac to suck up the bulk of the excess water.  I'd wipe down the walls with disinfectant. Then I'd borrow a carpet cleaner and clean that section of carpet several times. I'd also apply some sort of disinfecting cleaner to the floor in the bathroom.