We are doing MEP math (level 1), 100 ez lessons, basic writing and letters, scripture memorization, and reading. I'm in a similar boat- 3 year old and 8 month old. Not much energy or time! I feel like this will be sufficient. Next year we'll be doing FLL, AAS, WWE, new american cursive, saxon 1, and literature pockets (I think that's all). I would have done saxon K but we didn't plan on homeschooling until late in the game and i couldn't decide anything!

Thank you! We're doing 100 ez lessons now. I think we'll follow the recommendations in the back of the book and read stories from the library. If he still needs help after we finish this spring I'll look into something extra for him. Thanks for the recommendation- I'll look into that. Thank you. I'm just afraid that I won't get around to the copy work-- at least not this year since we're not doing much history or literature. I definitely plan on doing that with our course work next year. I plan on making copies for my other children and the workbook is only $20ish. I'll check out classical kids and young genius. No apps for me :( although my son told my mother I want an ipad for Christmas. lol. no chance of that though!

I wanted some feedback on our 1st grade plans. We plan on starting early this summer, as we want to do year around schooling. First language lessons 1. Is the CD necessary? worth the $10? or not needed? Everyday? All about spelling- level 1. 3 times a week? Writing with ease, level 1. 2 times a week? New American Cursive, 1. Daily? Literature pockets. Out loud reading. Saxon 1. Daily. I want to do some basic art, music, spanish, and possibly (gentle intro to) science/geography, using mainly online or library resources. If you have a great resource please share. These, however, are secondary. We're planning on Veritas Press' bible and history, starting in 2nd grade. :)

a new pair of running shoes

We just moved from Louisville! There are a ton of homeschoolers but it's mostly religious (the seminary community for example). I hope you find some support.

I'd like it better if the dog could clean up the mess on the floor :tongue_smilie:

i think this thread is going to give me nightmares. ick.

we never shared any names before our babies were born. sorry about your mum.

I would be starving. Oatmeal holds me like 5 minutes. I have blood sugar issues. I've cut all grains mostly. We have 2 eggs and 1-2 pieces of bacon for breakfast everyday. I feed my kids pb & js or grilled cheese or quesadillas with apples/carrots for lunch. pretzels and peanut butter or fruit and cheese for snack and they eat dinner with us. We spend ~$300 on groceries for the 5 of us (including diapers and toilet paper). I'd tackle the food thing and the disobedience thing separately. Try adding more fat into their diet and less sugars/processed carbs. They may just be hungry!

I had the chicken pox when I was 5, I believe. Got shingles when I was 25 (though it was unconfirmed by the test. I think the doc didn't get a good sample).

All three of mine did. First one born 8 pounds 7 ounces. Only weighed 17 pounds 3 ounces at one year. Second one born 9 pounds 6 ounces. Weighed 19 pounds 1 ounce at one year- just had his 3 year appointment... weighed 31 pounds. The baby was born at 8 pounds 7 ounces and weighs maybe 17 pounds so big for me :) but still pretty small. All of them ate a ton, nursed often, but never stop moving!

we're not to that age yet, but planning on it. I just wanted to say that I'm glad to hear that it's something they can do on their own as I'm already trying to figure out how I can manage more than 1 kid in school plus housework. We plan on doing the bible as well.

wow- that is exciting! I often think about that for our family but the baby is only 8 months. side note, when do boys usually take over wiping themselves well enough to do it by themselves?

I've never ever had to wait.

Yes. This is the problem I'm running into with almost every subject. We don't have a lot of money. I don't mind switching programs after a year but we just don't have the money to spend ~$50 on a math program and a few weeks/months later want to spend another $50 on a different program for the same level. I think I feel very inadequate to teach, especially math. I put in the effort as a student but just did not get math. And I have trouble deciding what to make for dinner every night, so trying to pick curriculum and vision for our homeschool is overwhelming. I was probably more decided before really looking into what was out there. I don't want my son to suffer because of my indecision. At this point I am considering some of the miquon to do for the rest of this year...

Yes, I mean "formal", following a program math. We count, talk about basic math concepts and play games. We're also learning time and money some. Every time I sit down to do some research on curriculum I get more confused. I think I just need to pick something, try it and see if it works. I'm just afraid of spending too much money on something that doesn't work... we don't have a lot of wiggle room in our budget. I have some emails/downloads from the mammoth math program so maybe we'll look through some of those or MEP or CSMP for our kindy year and see how that works for us. :001_huh:

We're doing a very simple kindergarten schedule (100 EZ, some basic art, basic handwriting, reading) and I haven't even decided on a math program! Can I wait and just start in the fall? I'm considering math-u-see (Would I start with the primer?) or saxon (1?). Thoughts? For the rest of first grade we're planning on OPGTR (starting on this in the spring after finishing 100 ez), FLL, AAS, and WWE; art of some sort, cursive of some sort, and a short thing on geography before launching into bible/history through Veritas Press in 2nd grade. What do you think? Thanks :001_smile:

I love the flexibility too! My kids get up at the crack of dawn but we usually don't get around to school until later. They play the best in the morning so I take advantage of that and either get something done or sit and enjoy my coffee. :)

we're doing 4 days a week... but we've just started so I can't say how it's going. We plan on breaks through out the year, like this past week we went to visit family and had "fall break." we'll probably do language arts and math every day of the 4. reading every day, of course.

that's way more than we are doing right now! we're doing phonics, outloud reading, and memorization. Plan on adding something else this winter, and probably math in the spring. it sounds like you have a very good day planned out. I'd like to do more and be more organized but with the baby added in, i'm a mess. So simple and slowly for us. I have a young 5 (june b-day) so I feel okay about that.

http://mollypiper.com/2008/03/how-to-help-your-grieving-friend/ http://mollypiper.com/category/grief/ :grouphug:

I am undecided but I lean towards yes. I would take care of my in-laws and my parents, if needed. I do not want to be a burden but I fear what our healthcare system will be like for seniors and how they/we will be treated in a nursing home.

:iagree: High fat, low carb. REAL food! "Exercise" as a natural part of life- hiking, walking, lifting heavy things.

We never get the games here so my husband went out to the bar to watch. came home at half time, mad and filled up with too much beer... woke up to the good news today lol.

I kinda cloth diapered my first and second... long stretches of disposables as well as at night. Sold them before I ever even put them on the third. Just too much. Made my husband very happy though! He hated those things!