We have been back and forth structure-wise. The past few years have been most structured for us, but this year I've had to cut back due to our new baby and DH's illness. Our only scheduled subjects right now are math, history, grammar, and literature. My kids are also taking a few outside classes (art, band, and Japanese). They take notes on what they read, but mainly we have discussions about it when we can. They are using the extra time they have to pursue subjects they enjoy. Oldest DD studies Japanese quite a bit, and draws anime. DS writes stories. Youngest DD draws constantly. They all read a lot. We talk a lot and play board games. It's all I can handle right now, and I'm hoping it's enough academically.

:grouphug: No advice, but we are in the same boat. We are members of the local Christian homeschool group, but I don't sign the statement of faith. We pretty much just go on the field trips they offer. It's difficult for us to make connections with people, as religion is always a major topic of conversation. My kids have made a few friends by taking an elective class at the local public school, but it's hard to keep those relationships going when they aren't there every day.

Nelson, New Zealand

:iagree::lol: This is what we do when somebody tries to give us advice about DH's liver disease. I'll be honest, he has tried various vitamins and supplements to manage different symptoms, but none have made a difference. And a lot of these people act like they've come across something totally new. As if we haven't been scouring the internet almost daily, looking for treatments. I think it's in the wording, too. We seem to get a lot of "he needs to." He needs to get up and move around more (um, he'd love to do that, if he wasn't dizzy constantly), he needs to eat more vegetables (he *loves* vegetables but right now he can only tolerate fruit and maybe peas and corn). When you're dealing with a disease day in and day out, and you're constantly receiving advice, it can get a bit wearing. :iagree:

I haven't read the whole thread, so this may have already been mentioned but I wanted to add that you might want to make sure he's drinking enough water. I went through this with one of my kids, and we added more fiber to his diet, and it made it worse because we didn't up his water intake. Fiber is good, just be sure to add liquids!

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:I totally get this. In fact, I posted a similar thread a couple of months ago. It seems like everyone I know in "real" life has extremely nice houses, and all we want is one that our family will fit in. We've got 6 people living in a 2 bedroom house right now. We have a full basement but it's unfinished, so we have bare cement floors and blankets hanging up for walls. There are no windows so its not very cheerful down here, lol. On top of that DH is chronically ill and bedridden much of the time, and we're broke and don't see a way out of our situation any time soon, so the whole situation is very depressing. Yeah, I know we should be thankful for what we have, but we're only human, right? We're allowed blow off a little steam now and then!

:lol: and :iagree:

This will be my 3rd year. I'm hoping to win again....it's going to be tough for me this year due various issues, but I figure if I can do it this year, I can do anything! :D

We love that show! Wally cracks me up. The other day we watched the episode where Ward and June leave Wally and Beaver home alone for the night. Wally makes dinner and Beaver is upstairs taking a bath, so Wally yells "Hey Beaver hurry up, the junk is getting cold." :lol:

My 12 yr old DS is going as a Ghostbuster.

Facebook has been really slow for me too.

Thanks for your replies! This helps a lot. :)

This is probably a dumb question, but here goes: My plan is for DD15 and I to work through the history list in the WTM. We're going to start with the Bible, from Genesis-Job. I can't seem to find the Bible listed under any of the categories in WEM. I thought I'd find it under history or poetry, but I don't see it. I'm searching on my Kindle, so maybe I'm missing it? I just want us to be able to read the correct section before diving in.

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: I'm so sorry.

Great to see everyone gearing up for NaNoWriMo this year! I haven't read the whole thread yet, but I thought I'd mention the WTM NaNo social group just in case: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/group.php?groupid=40 Come join the conversation! I was late getting all of the new web badges up, but they're there now. :001_smile:

Set...I love this game because so many different ages can play, there's not a lot of set up, and it's quick. But we usually end up playing a lot of rounds because it's so fun!

:iagree::iagree::iagree: I came to post those three!

I'm so sorry! :grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Sending healing thoughts your way.:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug:

ETA: Well, I spoke too soon. I sent them an email before I posted here, and they already replied with an apology saying that they'd refund the $9.89! Now that's some fast customer service. I heard from them within the hour. Back to your regularly scheduled programming. :D So I bought a book on Amazon for $19.77,thinking it was hard cover. When I received it, it was paperback. My fault entirely, didn't read the description closely. I sent it back, knowing I'd have to pay 3.99 for shipping. I just got my "refund" email saying they received the book: Here's the breakdown of your refund for this item: Item Refund: $19.77 Return Shipping Fee Refund Deduction: ($3.99) Restocking Fee Refund Deduction: ($9.89) We'll apply your refund to the following payment method(s):$5.89 $9.89 restocking fee?! If I'd known there was a fee at all, I never would have sent the book back...but $9.89?!!! Is this their normal procedure? So I'm getting back 5.89 and they get the book plus $13 of my money?

In so sorry. :grouphug: I hope you're able to fight this. It's so unfair.

I know how you feel! I was planning on starting in September, but we still have a few things to finish from this year. I also still have to purchase some books for the new year. We had to wait due to financial issues, so I've done a tiny bit at at time. Also, my house was a wreck. I spent a week cleaning and de-cluttering. I got rid of several shelves worth of stuff, and donated a ton of outgrown clothes, books and toys. I'm so glad I did that before school starts (still have a bit to do though). Can you wait awhile to start, or just add a bit at a time? We're not starting a full school day until October 1, but my kids have a few outside classes that we're gradually adding in to our schedule. Then we'll add another subject at home, and then another, so we don't get overwhelmed. (Okay, so *I* don't get overwhelmed.) :blush:

Thanks to both of you! Oh, yes we have the Ms. Frizzle Egypt one, but I didn't know about the other one. Thanks, Julie!

I would like to find a list somewhere of the original Magic School Bus books, the ones that were written before the animated show came out. The writing quality of the first books seems to be a lot better than the others. DD7 and I read the warm-blooded cold blooded animals book the other night, and there were hardly any facts in it, just a weird story that didn't really teach anything. Anyone have any ideas?

:iagree: I also don't like the fact that the principal didn't want you to come visit. When my older 2 kids kids were in school for a brief period several years ago, the teachers and staff made it clear we could stop by any time. If taking her out isn't an option, I wonder if you could volunteer in the classroom for awhile? The schools around here encourage parents to volunteer.

Thanks everyone for your suggestions! I've never had my thyroid checked (I actually haven't been to a doctor in several years) so I should probably get that checked just in case. Lack of sleep might be a problem too; I've been getting about 4 hours a night lately, with an hour nap during the day.