With six kids 9 and under I am NEVER caught up! However, I am not drowning in it right now (:

We are. I teach an adjunct course online and I am trying desperately to wait until this semester ends in a few weeks. The kids are getting antsy though! It was snowing here this morning also and we had a late start to accommodate snow play (:

Hotel coupons.com is the site linked to those great little coupon books. I also found La Quinta inn worked well for our family with 4 kids when we did this a few years ago.

We live about 45 minutes south and I will agree that housing prices vary tremendously. There re some areas, like mine, that the housing crash has affected tremendously, and others that have hardly budged. It is a lovely area. I had my last baby up there and my Dh and I both enjoy visiting every once in a while. Traffic and cost of living can be intimidating but are doable! Homeschooling isn't bad at all, you just file with the county, as someone already stated. Good luck with your decision.

Any suggestions from the hive on how to find affordable lodging for a large family at the last minute? Dh would like to take a last minute trip because he has a few days off and we've been wanting to see the historic sites. What would make the favorites list with a crew ages 6 months to 9 years?

That is a tough question. We live 3000 miles from family, and my FIL is dying (hospice for melanoma). We have 6 kids, ages 6 months-9 yrs. Dh lost his job Dec. 2011. He was able to find another job last August. This job makes much less (30%) than previous one but we are scraping by. However, he has no benefits, commutes for approx. 3 hours a day, and has a VERY erratic schedule that is prone to change at the last minute. He is soldiering on ( actually a former soldier (; ) but it is slowly killing us with the strain. We have an opportunity to move to a steady factory job and my parents have graciously offered to help us out by letting us stay in their 1700 sf basement to get back on our feet. It would be a different field, but right now my dh's field, international affairs and intelligence, is Not looking promising. This would allow us to be with family, enjoy more time together and recoup some sanity. So do we have to move? For the sake of our sanity, yes. Please don't flame me, this has been a wrenching decision. We strive to be ethical and honest, do all the right things, but sometimes life just gives you miserable choices. We both have advanced degrees, he has served our country, we are trying to raise good citizens, but we find ourselves in a tough spot.

I just looked up the VA compromise program, I had not seen that information before. Thanks!

I just posted something about short sales but just wanted some other perspectives. We are planning to relocate in a few months but are terribly underwater in our mortgage. We are considering attempting to rent the home ( although I am not sure if we have the funds we would need to be landlords), putting the house on the market as a short sale, or worst case scenario facing foreclosure. Any words of advice from more experienced people? We have lived here for 4 years, the market has continued a steady decline since we bought and houses in our neighborhood seem to sit on the rental/sale market for months at a time. Our neighbor two doors down recently had her home listed (similar style) for a full 100k less than we owe and it STILL did not sell. We are excited about the move for other reasons, but trying to better understand our options in regards to the house. Also, we bought with a VA loan. We cannot use that again, right? TIA if anyone can offer any advice! Susie

My Dh and I will mst likely be moving in the next 2-3 months. We have lived in our home (our 1st) for nearly 4 years. When we bought we thought the market was near the bottom, but were unfortunately wrong. We are underwater by a solid chunk of change but need to move for employment/personal reasons. Although we have very good credit and worked hard to keep it that way during 7 months of unemployment and the current employment at a much lower rate of pay, we are willing to take a hit in order to get out of here. I'm just interested in hearing from others who have been in the situation of needing to do a short sale. What things do you wish you had known? Thanks!

I don't have much advice, but wanted to send hugs! My littles can do so e crazy things while I am working with the olders. I feel your pain!

I recommend them as well. We have a sofa and chaise that we purchased nearly 4 years ago and they are holding up beautifully, even with 6 kids! I find them quite comfortable.

Do you think it could be modified to fit an old earth mind set? I think it is possible, but it would entail a lot of discussion with my kids about different beliefs. I'll probably use it as a jumping off point. We've already ordered WWS for our rising 5th, and the Creative Writer, for example, and are excited about using them and cannot imagine not using Story of the World as the backbone of our history.

There would definitely be supplementing, but I think it could be a good core. Next year I will have a 5th, 3rd, 1st, and pre/4 along with a 2 year old and 1 year old. Add my online teaching on top of that and this would ensure everyone at least got the basics and I could spend a bit of time with the littles. Has anyone here used just khan academy math for older kids?

I did notice that. There are definitely a few things, like the view on creationism that I would approach carefully, I need to study the site more to see how much that plays into it. If it's not a big issue that would be great! Now I'm curious to know if there is any classical connection. . .

I just wondered if anyone else has looked at this site, and what they think of it. It is no classical model, but actually seems like a decent self led option. What saith the hive? I'm considering using it (with supplementation) for most of my kids this Fall, for a number of reasons, but would love some other perspectives.

I just wondered if anyone else has looked at this site, and what they think of it. It is no classical model, but actually seems like a decent self led option. What saith the hive? I'm considering using it (with supplementation) for most of my kids this Fall, for a number of reasons, but would love some other perspectives.

Interesting question. We manage it, but it takes a lot of work and planning. We try to eat lots of fresh fruits and veggies but rely a lot on what is in season and frozen. For fish it is often tuna or frozen fish from Aldi. We live in a moderately HCOL area outside of DC but I shop carefully and we have good bulk food storage for things like rice, beans, wheat, etc.

I think I actually have that book, I guess I should dust it off.

I have been lurking here since last summer, but (like in real life) I prefer to hang back and watch everybody most of the time, until I am quite comfortable. I guess I could be seen as a troll on some of the boards I frequent, because I don't often post unless I feel something is very important to me. I enjoy getting input without putting it all out on the line in front of people who know me well, you know. I need to jump in more though, I enjoy reading many discussions and need to post more!

Interesting point about the dyes and preservatives. We don't consume much of either, but I'm not religious about avoiding them either. A food journal is a great idea!

You're right, this just seemed like an easy place to start. I'll make some calls in the morning.

Thanks!

Aw, I see. The baby is 5 months. As I said, he has always had a naughty streak, but it has been particularly bad for a couple months, downright mean. The older brother really doesn't do much to egg him on, although he does have a tendency to act like the oldest, try to take charge.

Hahahahaha-when I have time and am not distracted (; That's a good idea though. Tomato staking?

You're absolutely right, the line HAS been crossed, I guess I'm just not sure how to best approach the situation. Our family life is stressful right now- Dh lost his good federal job 14 months ago, then we had an unexpected pregnancy. He found another job last summer but it is a miserable one with crazy hours, physical strain, lower pay and no benefits. We are both running on fumes and good intentions and hope. So, calling his pediatrician would probably be the best start, right?