Smilebox is free if you are sending an email. You can make cards, scrapbooks, slide shows, etc. It's fun and really easy to figure out. If you want to print them out, you have to pay a fee.

You can freeze them to use in soups/sauces. You just have to blanch them in hot water, peel the skins off, and throw them in baggies or containers. Or you could make up a huge batch of spaghetti sauce and freeze that in smaller portions. Or you could make yummy BLT sandwiches, my favorite summer-time meal!

We love them! Ds12, dd10, ds7 and I have read them all. The only thing I can remember that was objectionable was an occasional taking the name of the Lord in vain, which did bother me. They are written by different authors--not horribly written but far from 'literature' study material, imo. There is a bit of educational info tucked inside--which can lead to rabbit trail studies on related topics perhaps. They kind of remind me of a more grown up Magic Tree House; each book has the same characters, different location around the world, but they are searching for clues. My biggest problem with them is I hate to spend $10 a book...and there will be 39 of them! If I found them at yard sales, I'd buy them for sure.. As for the cards, my kids don't do anything with them. We've only bought the first two books. Most of the time we get the books from the library, and there aren't any cards there.

We were in Iowa City for 8 years; dh went to law school & then worked for a law firm there in IC. We moved about 5 years ago...but we will always love Iowa....beautiful, rolling hills, friendly people, lovely barns. (I'll choose to forget how cold that wind is in the winter...and how hot & humid it is in the summer).

I think once they are reading well, the biggest thing is just to keep reading a variety of things. I think you're right on track to have her reading for 30 minutes of free reading during the day. Then I'd use the school 'reading time' to focus on quality literature books that you don't want her to miss or that is worth discussing together. (NOt that you have to have deep discussion yet, simply stating that I think there are some books more worthy of reading & discussing than others...for example, Charlotte's Web vs. Puppy Patrol). I'd second the suggestion to start working on vocabulary (Wordly Wise also has online activities that you can do for free). Or find some educational games to introduce new vocabulary or start a Word of the Day type of thing. And I'd say that now that she can read well, the focus switches to comprehension. You might want to choose a chapter book & literature guide to use during reading time. The lit guide would have comprehension questions and different kinds of questions to focus on during the reading of the book. (Thinking Bloom's Taxonomy here...the basic level of questioning is recall...what happened in the story? Who was the main character....then you move up to more difficult types of discussion questions about why something happened or how it affected the characters). I also would suggest reading short selections (either a collection of short stories or by chapter) and then having her orally narrate back to you (while you write it down)...working up to her writing her own narrations. SWB talks a lot of narration, especially across subjects such as history & science. I've gotten a few of the Reading Comprehension workbooks at stores like Barnes & Noble before to work with my kids. You could go up a few grades (probably to 3rd) and find some that might introduce some of the reading strategies that readers use...looking for the main idea, making inferences, summarizing, etc. (Not necessarily a full reading program, just the little workbook type things that supplement) Happy Reading!

I love the merit badge books and do make sure ds reads them...if I can find a copy of the book. Luckily our library has a bunch and we have friends we can borrow from. I find it frustrating that they can't make the books available online or something though....

City of Ember (and sequels) The Seems (and sequels) Ranger's Apprentice

I totally get what you are saying. For some reason, two can play well together and whenever the third is added to the mix, all heck can break loose. It's kinda weird with our crew--it changes frequently--it's not always the same two playing well together...but we are incapable of playing in groups of 3 unless a parent is close by. Drives me nuts. A few possible suggestions for you: --Could you have 30-minute blocks of time where dd1 & dd3 play together and then at another time dd2 & dd3 play...and then give dd1 & dd2 time without dd3. Seems like it might be a little too much 'micromanaging' to actually make it happen, but somehow encouraging & teaching the olders to play with dd3. --Is there something that you can encourage all three to play together, if just for a few minutes a day. Perhaps a fun game that all three could play together or an art activity. You might need to be right there at the beginning, but then go in another room and see how they do. Perhaps you'd need to set expectations and then give them a chance to try it.

Ranger's Apprentice...there are 7 books so far in the series; ds12 LOVES them, dh loved them, I loved them. The picture on the front cover made it look like a really dark book, but so far I've found little to be concerned with (there are a few bad words...maybe 3 in the whole series).

Nerf Gun, Water Gun, Marshmallow shooter Book of Immaturity (may be more like $12-15) Blockbuster Movie rental certificate, popcorn, pop, candy bar in a gift bag Coin collecting book & bag of coins Football cards Klutz book (they have a cool Lego contraptions one and a fun movie-making one that my ds12 loves...they are over your budget, but if you have a Michaels near you, you can use a half-off coupon)

Half Magic (Edward Eager, I think) was simply delightful!

:lurk5:

I came across a fun summer idea and thought I'd share it: http://chocolateonmycranium.blogspot.com/2009/06/cool-summer-days-paper-calendar.html Anybody else have a fun way that they keep the kids happy & busy during the summer?

We definitely do more schooling in the summer than during the year. It's kind of my chance to have them all to myself...and I'm a homeschooler-at-heart...so I love to use this time to focus on things at home. (I'm not working, but thought I'd share my plans anyway!) Typically, my kids do 1 hour of schoolwork, 1 hour of chores, and 1/2 hour of music practice at least four days a week in the summer. That still leaves plenty of time for fun & free time. We will be doing a scripture reading in the morning, read aloud at lunch time, outings (Monday is water-play day at home, Tuesday is library day, Wednesday is park day, Thursday is swimming day, Friday is field trip day), and then I plan little activities that I consider educational throughout the day (cooking, science experiments, art projects, etc). I also assign a few different books to each child to read during the summer-they are all big readers, but I do want to make sure they read a few from my 'required' list mixed with their free-choice books. This year we are doing: DS12--Grammar (using vintage texts from google that I can print out), Vocabulary (using a workbook I bought at the thrift store, but is SAT prep type of words), Writing (haven't finalized this yet), cello DD10--Math (Life of Fred Algebra), Writing (haven't finalized this yet), Grammar (Grammarland), violin DS7--Math facts (fun games, drill, etc), Writing (Narration), Grammar (Grammarland), violin In the past, I've taken a different 'theme' a week--to coordinate our read-aloud, art projects, fun activities...kind of a unit study. (Oceans, Egypt, Fairy Tales, etc)

Wow, 15 kids! I bet you're ready for bed, too! Way to go, Mom!

Actually, I'd probably try on purpose to do this...and then they'd get the point.

You've gotten some great advice here. I'd just like to pipe in to add that I was only able to nurse my first for 6 weeks, but with the other three I was able to continue much longer. Don't assume your first experience is how this one will go, too. I think part of the reason was that I had relaxed quite a bit. And I asked for help more directly--going to LLL meetings before baby, seeing a lactation consultant before & during hospital stay, having a LLL friend help me after. I'd highly recommend you find someone NOW who will be able to help you through it. Another thing that helped me was changing my expectations a little. I think with the first I just assumed breastfeeding was going to work perfectly. But with the other three, I was prepared emotionally that it was going to be hard work...be painful...be challenging...but that it would be worth it for my baby...for however long I could do it. And so I just had it in my mind to expect the first two months to be tough...and that it would take about that long for the breastfeeding to be well established. For some reason, this changed my whole attitude and outlook on the whole process. Using a hospital pump for a few weeks made a huge difference to me--not that I always got tons of milk, but it really helped establish my milk supply. Anyway...just wanted to share a little encouragement, put a plug in for positive vibes, but also say that if it doesn't work out again, it's okay.

We've had a 'service auction' before...where the youth offer specific services (raking leaves, babysitting, lawn-mowing, window-washing) and then people in the church bid. They've also brought baked goods that they've made and done a cake auction at the same time. I like it somewhat better than just asking for donations--because I think it's good for the kids to learn to work to earn their way.

Perhaps not very useful, but a step up from cotton balls as bunny tails, I'd suggest origami.

Wow...that is a great deal! I just ordered mine, too!

I also find it hard to strike a balance in this area. I feel the guilt and concern, too, at times and wonder if we are on the right path or not. For me, it is because there are so many GOOD things that I would love for my children to experience...and for some reason, it seems like they have to have those experiences in order to make it in the world or something. I don't really believe they need to do it all...but I often feel this pressure to somehow fit it all in. It would be easier to sort through it all if it was just a matter of something being good or bad! Does that make any sense? Actually, it reminds me a great article written by a leader in my church, "Good, Better, Best," which talks about making these hard choices. The basic idea is that sometimes we have to let the good things go in order to make sure the best things are happening with our families...the best things being what will brings us closer to each other and to the Lord. If you'd like to read it, here is the link: http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=12d72bce258f5110VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Interesting. A few weeks ago I had a day where I couldn't even sit up, the world was spinning so crazily. I also had a huge headache, so I kind of assumed it was a migraine of some type.

Hmm, now I'm curious as to what I'm missing!

Hmm. Not quite sure what to think. I sure hope she is okay. I think now I'm feeling really sad for the husband. I hope they figure it all out soon. We had a young mother disappear in our area last December--two young sons, hasn't been found yet. It's crazy how many different scenarios that come to mind...and without all the information, it's easy to jump to conclusions. I just can't imagine not ever knowing what happened though if it is someone you know and love.

That was fun!