That's so great! What a great experience!!

I am curious about this, too. We are currently using Rod & Staff simply because I feel like it is very thorough. But it is almost too much repetition for my DD. We are working through Aesop and moving on to Homer in the Fall, and I wonder if it would benefit us to switch - or not matter at all? Thanks for starting this thread - I hope it will help with our decisions :).

I am not sure that I want to get back into this again because I think that we must come from very different experience/backgrounds, and I feel like people are starting to take this all personally or something. But, I just relate this situation to the military (from my experience). Going through bootcamp and serving alongside men and a lot of boys, I do see that some boys can be uncomfortable with working in a very physical environment alongside women. But they don't get the choice to opt out...they must "deal with it." My husband is a pilot and has had to fly with females and spend days out in the field with women. Both of these are very intimate situations, yet he must deal with it. I should also say that for the most part in our combined experiences both with female wrestlers and female military members (of which I was one) - they are stellar performers, and strong women, so maybe "dealing with it" - for us, is not the case. At any rate - for our family, we believe that our boys can and will be strong enough in every way to learn these kind of lessons from an early age on. I would let them wrestle a girl, as I would hope that they would respect a women in the workplace in the future. (And please - I am not in any way insinuating that your boys wouldn't - I am just trying to objectively show another viewpoint).

A few more thoughts: -Almost every wrestling team has 2 or 3 kids waiting in the wings at each weight class, and many wrestlers wrestle "up or down" a wt. class depending on the opponents. Many teams take forfeits for different purposes depending on match up strategy. These things are extremely common (and would not reflect badly on the wrestler's overall record - which is usually what is important to them). If a wrestling family had any objections to wrestling a girl, they could talk openly with the coach (most people are quite reasonable), and their boy would be moved around or something in order to avoid the girl without hurting the team or the wrestler's record itself. No one would even know except the family and the coach. Of course, in a tournament, it may be a different story...the thing is...like I said before...the girls who wrestle AND the wrestling community itself are making great strides in order to give the girls their own brackets at tournaments. - This is NOT an easy sport, or one that a person plays just for some exercise or for fun. There is pain involved and is extremely rigorous physically. Any female that takes this up must be super serious about it IMO. If they have higher goals like National tournaments, college, and the Olympics (which are completely segregated) they are going to wrestle when and where they can. I won't judge her or her parents decisions just as I will not judge those boys who "opt out." - In living in a huge wrestling town where the entire community is involved in the wrestling programs from 4 year old up....I can say that in places like that, it has been accepted. The girls are split up if they can, and if not, they are treated like anyone else. People really don't have a problem with it - and these are some very conservative people. I think they are ok with it because they know the sport, and they know it is not sexual or offensive to the girl. - These boys who wrestle are well disciplined young men with high morals. They would and do stick up for the females in their school. In fact, in many schools the wrestling team tends to fashion themselves as the "protectors" of the girls and the picked on kids.

# 1 reason: DH was one of those extremely gifted children that simply fell through the cracks at PS. #2 : DD was 2 and she was crying because she didn't know what the words in her books said...and then by three was reading rather fluently... Before K registration, we took her in and explained that she was ready for 1st grade both academically, mentally, and emotionally...they basically laughed us off. They tested her for 3 hours straight at 4.5 years old, and she patiently sat through it while scoring very high, and then they told us that they don't let children skip grades.:confused: #3: We put her in Kindergarten...they sat her off to the side to read by herself. She came home crying every day saying "they made me read "baby" books", "Can you believe that all we did today was learn the letter D?", " I hate school!" - We yanked her out that very day... #4: Flexibility - DH is in the Army, and he works all kinds of crazy hours. HSing gave him a chance to see his kids, and when he is off - so are we. I am so glad we did it. It is a challenge for our family, but it has been so worth it. Good luck with your decisions!:grouphug:

Well, I would definitely put a halt to that, too. I think your father was completely correct. However, IMO wrestling around with the boys while kids are just goofing around is completely different (and could definitely go too far) than serious athletes competing in a sport. In a wrestling room (with good coaches), horseplay between the different sexes does not happen. Drilling, running, take-down drills - I seriously doubt anyone has the energy to think of anything but actually getting through practice without puking.

Well a bit of my background first... DH has wrestled his whole life and has also coached wrestling to kids from 4 years old all the way up to grown men. There have been a few times that he has coached girls at the high school age level. I am a HUGE fan and supporter of the sport of wrestling. It instills discipline in a person like no other sport - IMO. The first time we encountered girls wrestling was many years ago in Hawaii. The girls wrestled other girls at meets and tournaments; however, there were not enough girls at each school at the same weight to practice with. These girls practiced with the boys. When we moved back to the mainland, DH coached in many different states. Most places do not have enough girls, and if they want to wrestle, they must do so against boys. The places that DH coached were never allowed to turn away a girl, but they did sit her down with her parents and explain EXPLICITLY what she was getting herself into, and then it was up to them to decide. As far as the boys go, and the parents of the boys - I have never seen a boy refuse to wrestle a girl (I am sure it happens - and that is absolutely the prerogative of that boy and his parents). However, most of the time we have noticed that since encountering girls on the mat is more commonplace these days, it doesn't seem to change anything. The boy is out there to wrestle an opponent, not a person - and that is what the coaches instill in them for EVERY opponent. I have NEVER seen or even heard anything sexual from the boys (and we have heard all of the wrestling room and locker room talk). It seems to me that if the girls take the sport seriously, they are viewed, in most cases, with respect as a competitor. Wrestling is an up and coming sport for women. There are college scholarships, Olympic teams, and there are even women on the Armed Forces wrestling teams (in all of these cases the women wrestle other women). It is getting easier and easier for young girls to find other girls to compete against. I believe that it will not be long before the girls will have their own place in the wrestling room and not have to be in with the boys, but until that happens.... Now, would we let our DD - 10 wrestle? It would be a little tough for us because we are conservative with our children, but if she were "serious" about it (which she is totally not interested at all), we would let her and encourage her to follow her dreams- and if she had to wrestle boys here and there - fine. I KNOW that this is not for everyone. I completely understand this. I don't have a problem with people not allowing their boys to wrestle girls, and I don't have a problem with people disliking even the thought of boys and girls wrestling each other. But, in no way would I want anyone taking away the rights of a girl who loves the sport. Just my 2 cents...

I can relate to you in every way...DH has even resorted to putting up a swing and a climbing wall in our living room (it actually blends in since we have a log cabin ;)). Also, as soon as the snow is off of the ground, my kids (ESPECIALLY DD) refuse to wear shoes outside, come tromping through the house with scratched up/sliced up feet full of mud and muddy/frog touching hands and try to eat lunch without washing up - ugh! HELLO? How does that not gross them out? But, it makes me happy to see - at least they are outside exploring and having fun!

Grammar: Rod & Staff Writing: CW Homer Typing: Some random book I had from college and Spongebob Typing (I know.... I know... but it's working quite well!!!! Spelling: Spelling Workout - McGuffey's Eclectic Speller Math: Singapore 5A - 5B, Life of Fred - Fractions & Decimals Science: My Pals are Here - Singapore Science 5&6 Geography: Geography for Every Kids - Janice VanCleave Music: Classical Kids, guitar Art: Mark Kistler's online drawing program, Discovering Great Artists, and watercolor, painting, drawing with Daddy PE: swimteam, Biathlon, and Mountaineering/survival skills with Daddy Latin: Great Latin Adventure French: Rosetta Stone Logic: Mind Benders, Memory Challenge History: SOTW Ancients - and supplements Other: Getting ready for babysitting skills..... First aide/CPR, cooking, and lots of helping with the crazy little brothers :D

Ok, I think this is it... Grammar: Rod & Staff 3 Writing: Aesop A Spelling: ????????? Spelling Workout is not working out:D Cursive: Zaner-Bloser Math: Singapore 3A - 3B, Timez Attack Latin: Great Latin Adventure French: Rosetta Stone History: SOTW Ancients with 5th Grade sister - and tonz of extra reading and projects Science: My Pals are Here 3 & 4 - Singapore www.froguts.com Nature walks and study Music: Classical Kids and hopefully piano/guitar Art: Mark Kistler's Online drawing program & watercolor, painting, and drawing with Daddy PE: Swim team, running and target shooting (like Biathlon), and Mountaineering/survival skills with Daddy Computer Programming: Small Basic

Well, I just want to encourage you in every way. You can do it - definitely. We are a military family, and are far away from any of our close friends or family. DH is deployed right now, and we are hsing a 10 year old and an 8 year old with two ridiculously crazy littles running around (3 and 1). It has been quite a test of my patience and my strength (we had a heck of a winter up here this year - and EVERYTHING broke:glare:). But, we are making it through just fine... I have realized that I can take breaks, days off, weeks off here and there and still keep these guys up to par on the really important stuff. I usually plan a couple months in advance, and then we try to stick to it as closely as possible. If it all doesn't get done, it doesn't... I am ok with that. Hopefully, as time goes on, DH will get to help with it more than he can now (because he really wants to!!). Just try to get as much planned out over the summer, and realize that you can do it!

I was told by DS to add the Nicktoon/Spongebob games, and our very favorite (mine, too).... KINGDOM HEARTS - super fun! You get to travel with Donald and Goofy to different worlds (all Disney movies like Tarzan, Alladin, Peter Pan, Hercules, etc...) in order to help King Mickey . It may sound juvenile, but it really isn't at all. It has great graphics and the story line is quite smart. My kids have loved this game and the sequel continuously for many, many years. (I have even "won" the game 2x - and enjoyed it quite a bit;)).

Can you get your local channels with an antenna? I think we bought ours at Lowe's for like $45. We get most of our local channels, 4 different PBS channels, and like 3 channels from Canada from the antenna, and most of them are in HD now, which is nice! Maybe that would be an easier transition for you.:001_smile:

Unfortunately, we are pros at the moving thing. In the past 12 years, DH and I have moved 12 times - ridiculous! We don't even buy boxes anymore, because we have those plastic bins for everything. DH is a purger extraordinaire. There were a few times that we had to move from house w/basement, barn, and 2 outbuildings down to a 2 bedroom house on post with NO storage. It has been an adventure to say the least. The only things I won't let go of are books :D... it has been a struggle at times, but I am glad we kept them! All I can say is, put in the work now (organizing, decluttering, throwing the junk away), and you will be happy that you did!

We are "satellite"-free for 3 months now! It has been both great and difficult (mostly for me). But, we do get some of the local channels via antennae (and a few French Canadian ones! So every once in a while when the kids are getting desperate, I find them watching cartoons in French - which I don't mind at all! ) I think the hardest thing for me is when Project Runway comes back on in the fall....I am so addicted:D.

I just finished ordering everything today...ugh...$600-999... I am really trying to buy things that I will use again with my two littles, so that hopefully the costs will manage to stay around the same even as we go from 2 school-aged kids to 3 to 4... Maybe it is a bit of a lost cause :confused: A good $200 is on books---our library is not the best, and DD tends to reread everything several times. It is just easier to simply buy most of our reading list books.

Mine like the Shrek games, Ratchet and Clank, LEGO.... SSX, SSX tricky (snowboarding games), any kind of skateboarding game, oh, and also those ATV, Motocross games, too - those are BIG faves around here. I have to also say that mine LOVE all of the Lord of the Rings games - they are freaks about the movies and the books, so although the violence is a bit on the high side, DH and I enjoy them and dont mind letting them destroy some orcs :)

Try http://www.froguts.com. The demo takes you through the beginning stages of a frog dissection. It is really great!

Is your son looking to fly for the Navy? I was just curious because the Army has a great Warrant Officer Aviation program. My husband switched over from the Navy to the Army in order to fly. I mention this for two reasons: 1) The irony of our switch is that not 3 or 4 months after we left the Navy, they launched a trial program similar to the Army's - I don't have the details, but we heard that it was going to open up the aviation avenue for more people to actually become aviators in the Navy. 2) We have quite a few friends who have gone through the academy systems, and many have said that it was very difficult to get the career path that you want. I am sure this is not always the case, but paths like aviation are hot ones. Also, I believe that the Navy is a bit different than the Army, but in the Army most pilots who are general Officers only get to fly (significant amounts of hours) for a few years until they must take a Command. Some don't even stay in Aviation their entire career. We have many friends who have switched over to the Warrant Officer side simply in order to keep flying. I guess my convoluted point is that there are many routes to some of these goals. I think the Academies are fantastic, many universities have super ROTC programs (Texas A&M is the first one that pops into mind), and there are also other routes (the Army's High-School to Flight School program, Warrant Officer programs, etc.) So, yes, I say prepare for the Academy - then if he changes his mind, or can't get in - not a total loss, he can still achieve his goals, and he will be prepared for anything else he may want to do. **My good friend who is standing across the room from me right now and attended West Point says that if you don't get in the first time, keep trying! She knows several people who got in on their 2nd or 3rd attempt!**

We are 3 weeks from R&R here, and I have to say that the Skype/Yahoo thing has been great! We are lucky that DH has been in a place where he has good internet access. He usually calls or at least chats online with us once a day. He has even talked me through several plumbing/electrical/snow plow disasters on the phone which I am so thankful for. DH is not even back yet, and they are already slotted to leave again 11 mos after they get back, ugh! I hope that they are able to have a similiar arrangement in A-stan, because the kids have really been able to keep up with him on so many things. The kids love to talk to Daddy on the webcam, and we did set up email accounts for the older ones. They enjoy getting "individual" letters from Daddy that even I don't get to see (wink, wink). I wish we had done more "actual" letters, but the kids do send individual notes, pictures, art projects in with the packages we send about once a month. It is cute b/c when they chat on the webcam, they can see the things they sent him hanging on the wall behind him in his CHU, and DH really enjoys getting them, too! Another helpful thing for us is that we cross off the "weeks" until he is home instead of days. Some people do this using trash day or Mondays. But even for me, seeing it in week-sized chunks seems to be easier than days. Much love to you in the next year :grouphug:.

I am happy to hear that your boys are enjoying it! This will be our first year of doing Science for "real", and I am hoping that it will be fun. So, are you doing Science everyday? Also, do you find that the homework books are a "must"? I did not purchase them hoping that they would get enough repetition from the activitybooks and the HOTS book. It's a bit like pulling teeth to get any Science done around here anyway, but I am hoping that will change. Thank you for your input!

I just received all of our books, and I am excited about them, too! Have anyone worked out a schedule yet? I will have DS doing 3/4 and DD doing 5/6 next year and I am feeling a bit overwhelmed about getting a plan going. Maybe it is just the end of the year exhaustion setting in :).

:iagree: I went to UNT. I commuted from Carrollton - it was about a 35 min. drive. They have good programs and are competitive financially. Also, I believe they have a "great books" program - not sure if that is still the case - it has been a while! :)

Sadly, we are TX residents and have always had to follow local rules. I wish it were the case that you could follow your home state :). We are currently at Fort Drum. We do not live on post, but I do know that they are building new housing that looks nice (but its privatized :confused: so I am not sure how that is going). We really love it here. There are so many outdoor activities to do. The summers are fabulous! The Adirondacks, St. Lawrence Seaway, Niagra Falls, Lake Placid, Erie Canal, and Canada are all relatively close by. The YMCA has a few homeschooling programs and is very active here (swimming, hockey, lacrosse, and soccer, etc.) And, if you live on post, the base has great school-age programs and sports. Homeschooling laws are more strict than TX, but not terrible (quarterly reports, and a year-end review as well as state testing every other year starting in 4th grade - in a nutshell). Good luck! Like I said, we really love it here, but if you decide to live off base be prepared. The winters are pretty harsh (cold and lots of snow). And unfortunately, 10th Mountain is the most deployed unit in the Army.

Hi everyone! We moved here to the Watertown area a little over a year ago from Alabama. We are currently homeschooling DD -10, DS -7, and have 2 more rugrats under 3yo...busy, busy, busy! :) Nice to meet you all!