That was an interesting article. I, too, was disappointed in Sam. I've always liked that name. That was my grandpa's name.

A friend of mine had two brothers..... Myron and Rayford. I can't see those ever making a come back!

Generally I'll put in "biography if so-and-so" and then narrow it in "Children's Books". You can generally tell what age level it's written for in the description.

Chuck. It's chuck. When you "chunk" something, you are cutting it into pieces.

That's a good one! Have you tried searching Amazon?

I lived in São Paulo, Brasil for 2 years, back in my single days (taught at a missionary school) and I brought with me taco seasoning packets. That's one thing I really missed and we couldn't get. Also, canned pumpkin for Thanksgiving pies. Once, a friend of mine went back to the States to visit and when she got on the plane in Dallas, the last thing she did was buy a Taco Bell burrito for me. She kept it in her pocket the whole flight. I had teased her before she left about bringing Taco Bell back for me, and she did. That was the only fast food I really missed. McDonalds was all over São Paulo and we could get American pizza at the occasional Pizza Hut, but Mexican food was not available. I brought back to the States cans of Guarana, which is one of the most popular soft drinks in Brasil. I also brought back chocolates and pao de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread) mix.

Hi Ladies, Looks like I'll be staying home from church. DD3 threw up twice this morning. She seems fine now, but.... she goes to the nursery at church and I just don't want to risk it. I don't think the other parents would be very appreciative if she announced that she'd thrown up this morning and Mommy brought her anyway. She occasionally throws up for no real reason, though. Can't figure that one out. So, I'll keep her and dd2 home and dh can take the older three. He should be fine with them. So.... today.... I will do as little as possible.

Well, got laundry done and bills dealt with. And DH completed his task of buying a new car. Woohoo! His 1994 Honda Accord has 200K miles on it and was just nickel and diming us to death. So, he finallllllllly made the decision to get a new car. He was going to get a new Honda Civic, but at the last minute changed his mind and got a new Corolla. I'm glad. I like the interior of the Corolla much better. It's a nice car and now he can drive it without being paranoid of every sound. We were waiting in a line of cars to get into the National Park a couple weeks ago and the car next to us was making a funny sound, but he was so worried that it was him.that's no way to live. So, yayyy! We have a shiny new car in the garage.

The DVD tells you everything. It basically teaches the class. IMHO, the DVDs are essential. I would not try to do the curriculum without them. Even Prima Latina

Good Morning, Ladies! I am done with VBS. (Loud cheers would be erupting except that I am still exhausted). We had an unbelievable week, but I am so so so glad it is over. Today may plans are.... ** grocery shopping ** catch up on the laundry that's been piling up all week And that's all. And rest. And maybe peep at the garden that I've been neglecting all week.

We "have" a beautiful gray tabby who's been "with us " about 5 years now. She came and stayed. An then she goes for a while. And then she comes back a little thinner and quite hungry. She's fixed and very loving and we're sure she has at least one other home.

I was disappointed, especially since I spent close to $60 each. I got King Tut and Hadrian's Wall last year because we were studying the Ancients. I don't know how else I would have used them, but I just felt like for what they were and what we did with them, they weren't worth it. I'm going for the free primary sources on the Web this coming year as we do the Middle Ages.

Well, my goodness, that's the kind of Classical education we teach, don't you? My 11 year old son was fascinated with the fertility goddess study we did this year!

Reedley:)

Orange Cove? That's just another town over. Lol!

Nope, Central Valley, Fresno area. I agree that spring and fall are heavenly. Summer, not so much!

I don't know our brand, but I do have a bit of advice my bil, who was the contractor who built our house told us about AC units - buy one that is bigger than you need for the square footage of your house. It will ultimately save you $ on your energy bill since it won't have to work so hard to cool your house.

That's what I say, too!

Do you mean cilantro? I've never heard it called that before, although I knew it was the leaf of the coriander plant. I love cilantro. OK, I'll play, though I don't have much on my list.... ** scrambled eggs ** tuna fish ** liver

Well, not in all parts of California.;) When it's 105 in the summer we just hibernate with popcicles and air-conditioning!

I have taught at them all - middle schools, K-8 schools and K-12 schools. They were all private Christian Schools. My favorite was the K-12 school. My least favorite - the middle school. I am very much against the whole middle school thing. There is a big difference between having a basic core of kids who have been together since kindy and know each other, grew up together and in most cases are very accepting of each other, vs. a group of kids you just throw together right when hormones start to rage.

Oh, you have to use the DVDs. I just sit and learn alongside my kids. We've gone through Prima Latina, Latina Christiana and First Form Latin, all with DVDs. They're really good and thorough.

Classical in every category!

Wonderful news!

Welcome to California. Good advice for all of the above. Don't forget to sign up for Homeschool Days at the Monterey Bay Aqurium. You and your family get in free on specially assigned days. And FWIW, I knew you meant the San Francisco Bay Area. I lived in the East Bay for a while.