for one person or a small family, I would consider that well-off. But for a small family business...no. My husband's family had a small business, and there were years where we had a few million in receivables, but almost all of it went out again to pay employees, materials, taxes, fees, overhead, insurance.

I didn't have it at first and then I got a couple spammy messages, so I turned it on. Irritating that I have to do that...

My husband is also half Mexican like me, and he does not look it- so my kids are actually half-Mexican (I think that's how it works)- I actually do check the Hispanic box on their school stuff...just in case, some day it might come in handy. My sister, who looks Mexican, has a son who has white/blonde hair and blue eyes..I joke that he should have been my kid. She was paranoid for a while that she would be mistaken for her kid's nanny-not their mom, but I guess it hasn't happened and she if over it now. I like to shock people that I am half Mexican, because I look like I would be Irish or something.

It sounds like you hit on a good solution. High-five mom!:001_smile:

mine's up, another one of our cat...he continues to be the subject of photos with his funny antics. here it is: Wordless Wednesday-an open and shut case happy Wednesday everyone!

my dad is Mexican (dark skin) and my mom is white. I look white, with blue eyes, blond hair and light skin- my sister looks Mexican. My sister and I are the same in parentage and upbringing, but she is considered hispanic and I am considered white..it is totally because of our skin color. I always thought it was unfair that she could get hispanic scholarships and aid and I probably couldn't.

I packed up and took off when I was around 4...I wasn't really running away, I decided I wanted to go to school- and I packed up and walked pretty far to the Jr. High school. It was saturday and not open. I walked home and got spanked. I remember my 4 year old thinking was very fuzzy- it wasn't a real 'plan', I didn't think beyond my goal or about danger. I thought the spanking was unfair. I wouldn't spank for this, and I am a conservative/discipline mom...but I think you need to be the warm, fuzzy place to run to- and I think you need to hear what he his trying to tell you. I am homeschooling 2 boys, both age 8 -beside the other 3 kids- and I do way less then what you mentioned. We start school on a really good day at 9, but more likely 10- we work an hour (3 or 4 subjects- 15 minutes each, getting up to move to a new location like the couch, getting up to use the whiteboard...they are not just sitting the whole time) then we have a 15 minute break and snack time and they go out and play, then we are back for another hour, and then we break for lunch. After lunch I might read another story one day or paint a map, or snag each kid one at a time for a 20 minute phonics time..but that is it. I think much more would be just too much for them. Kids need to get up and play and dream and build forts. The academic stuff can get more intense when they get closer to Jr. High...they can catch up easily to all the stuff we feel pressured that they "need" to cover...really. I would suggest that you be a warm place to confide in, and hear him...and change things some so he knows that you heard him. I am not saying throw all school out the window to please him...he has to learn..but change things around, school gently and give him time to not be busy. another mom mentioned a game plan or schedule..it sounds like the schedule you had out- looked like too much to him when he saw it, maybe do a gentle/simple- here is what the flow of the day will look like ,just so he knows what to expect but not intimidating. Something like Circle time history reading math break spelling handwriting lunch reading done no being lost in tiny details and by -the- minute, just gentle and flowing. When I say circle time at my house, I am thinking in my head: Greek/latin word study, character story, history story..but I don't write that out, it looks/sounds intimidating- I just start and see how the kids are doing and if it is getting to be too much I leave one of the stories off and move over to the table and start the next subject. I think if you talk about this with dh and pray, and brainstorm together- you will hit on a solution to make things better for your son, while still communicating that learning is important. :grouphug: I am really sorry you had such a scare, and I am glad he was safe!

I know it is two words, but I say it as one word, and think of it that way...so, when I am doing things quickly, like writing a post on a forum I don't correct myself on that. If I am writing a letter or something, or blogging- I do try to go back and correct it, but it slips through sometimes. I know which is correct, but it is not a biggie for me. sorry it bothers you. tho' is not a word either, but I like that one too- in an informal way. I also like 'cus too, but not as much. I'm making your hair curl, aren't I?? sorry.:D

I think the part about having separate schedules and having the kids make a schedule is intended for older kids, like high-school students. My oldest is in 8th grade, and we work on a schedule together, she is not able to keep on track by herself yet. I love the idea of pre-making notebooks for my kids- meaning, printing out the maps and student activity pages and reading assignment pages before the year starts, but I am just not that organized. I am homeschooling 5 kids, I have a 3-ring binder for each child, and the week before I copy their assignments, SAP's, coloring sheets (from STOW), maps etc. and place them in their notebooks. I also place other stuff for the week like handwriting pages, math pages, or a week checklist. While I am printing things out, I am also looking to 2 weeks ahead in my reading assignment pages and putting things on hold at the library. I think this is as good at pre-organizing as I am going to get right now, maybe next year I will be able to plan a whole year's notebook. work at what works for you and don't worry if you aren't doing it a certain way...don't sweat the small stuff:D if you really want to try it, do a search for Karen's TOG notebook, she has photos and everything on her blog...it is very instructive.

Hi guys! I love this idea, but I am never together enough to do it. Mine is up...I had to do it in 2 parts, it was kind of long. I love reading the other reporters, I've found some good ideas just by visiting. Mine took a while to do, I'm not sure how often I will do these, but this is my offering this week...a little late!! Weekly report Oct.5-10 part 1 have a great week everyone!:001_smile:

we went on RC years ago...it was wonderful. I was about 8 months pregnant and we went on the tail end of hurricane season, on lobster night I was really sea-sick and had to leave dinner. The waiter later sent a new lobster dinner up to my room for me. They really, really take care of you. One of our favorite vacations ever.

I am using TOG year 1- and I don't have the writing part either. So far, we seem to get in a good amount of writing by: For the younger kids ages 6, 8 and 8; I have them at least once a week, sometimes twice- narrate our history or lit reading by drawing a picture and writing a few sentences to describe it. We also do that with our Noeo science, so that is a good amount of writing. For my older students ages 11 and 13: They narrate a history or lit passage at least once a week, the same for our science. And once every week or two I come up with another assignment. A few weeks ago I asked for a creative writing assignment about an ancient Indian town that disappeared- I gave them a writing prompt and they had to start from there (I got the idea from Story of the World activity book). This last week I asked each for a one or two page report on a Chinese invention. I think if you are looking for them, writing ideas will jump out at you.

it has both, you can choose which you want to use. we got ours a few weeks ago, but the cd was scratched, they sent a new one right out- I just need to start now.

Ellie, thanks! I love a good pat on the head! All cats are misanthropes at times. That and philosophers.:001_smile:

it's nice to visit someone who left a comment...and many people do reply to comments and many don't..it depends if you want to carry out a conversation in your comments. I don't always reply to every comment, but I try to reply to some, and I always try to return a visit. I don't think people keep score, or notice or anything. The replying and visiting keep the community going.

love it! :lol:

I love cats, and so do my girls- we adore our cat.. but..we were laughing over these stories till I cried! cats are such a mix of comedy, misanthropy, and hauteur, that is is hard not to have a good laugh at their antics. I do feel bad for the cat...after the good laugh!

I got 39, it was a pretty good list. I posted it at my blog with a few comments. thanks for sharing this Angelica!

I like having all 4 levels there on the page, too. For my 11 year old, I often choose different levels- I make the choice looking at the book suggested and decide which is a better fit for her. (funny thing too, my two older girls ages 11 and 13 also love to sit in on my read alouds to my lower grammar students- I don't assign those books to them, but they don't want to miss them) I am pretty sure you can buy TOG a unit at a time, for example- Year 1 Unit 1, which would stretch out the price and make it easier to swallow- but in the end you will be paying the same price. I made it a lot easier on our wallet by purchasing the year and only a couple of books used for multiple years or through the whole year core. The rest I am able to find between two different libraries in our area.

we just started last week, I have the pre-made cards, but I am having my kids use them as a template and make their own- I think that might help them learn better. I also have the book. So far it seems pretty straightforward to me, I write the word on a whiteboard and write the definition. Point out if it is a Greek or Latin word (green border for greek, red for latin) then we discuss the derivatives and I ask them for a few, then I write them on the whiteboard. I give the kids index cards, I have done the borders and written the word on the front- for the little kids I have written the derivatives and their defs on the back, I left a blank space on the top for them to write the definition. for the older kids, the back is blank and they write all that in. that is pretty much it. The book has charts on greek alphabet and how to pronounce latin, it suggests how to use it in a classroom and suggests a good dictionary. The rest are whole pages for each word, much like the flashcards. I think you could easily use it without the book. good luck with it!

I actually love both programs, and I am using parts of my STOW with my TOG. I picked TOG because I could do all 5 of my students together. The weekly book plan is very neatly laid out for me. I love the literature student worksheets. This is one of my favorite parts of the program. I like that it is very solid for the older grades, and that I can recycle through my year plans. I am using my story of the world activity book, mostly for the maps-I find them easier for the younger students to use. Also the coloring page. Story of the world is scheduled in the alternate book list, I do use it some weeks when I cannot find the history core book at the library, or when I feel the story of the world chapter is just more interesting. We have it on audio, too. I also am enjoying the Christian aspect of it.

wow, that is really upsetting. I think your note is perfect, I might add the word "concerned" to it. If you get the brush off, I would seriously consider taking them out of youth group. Just my 2 cents.

my family knows about my blog, tho only my father ever reads it. Still, I am very careful about what I say on my blog, I really don't want to insult anyone and start a feud or something. (just my luck, the one time I let myself go, the offending party would read it or something...:glare: I go through times when I wish I hadn't told my family about it...I have some great stories about my crazy step-family no one would believe...:lurk5:but I did start it with the hope of my family knowing more about my kids and our lives, they never ask questions, so they know little about us. If your going to make fun of family or family situations, don't tell them about it, or start another blog and keep it secret. just my 2 cents...:D

I have a blog on blogger, I'll take a shot at this...from my memory, I think the display name is the name that will show up when you comment on blogs, like my name is Jenny, but my display name is Jenny in Ca. somewhere when you are registering it asks you for your real name and then you can check a box to show that name in your profile or not. When some bloggers comment, their display name is the name of their blog. I hope this is right, it has been a while since I set mine all up. I am thinking your display name might show up after you post, too- like a signature. Mine doesn't, but I have a custom template. You can feel free to make up names on your blog for your family- mine all have fake names except me.