Thanks for the insurance reminder. We did upgrade our homeowners insurance - to an umbrella policy JUST IN CASE anyone had an accident in our pool. We have heard of people having strangers sneak into their pools at night or when they weren't home, etc. We just feel better with an extra layer of insurance, just in case.

PS - As far as BTDT advice, we rented a sod cutter, leveled the grass with lots of sand, and out a tarp on the sand before assembling the pool. Spend time making sure the ground is LEVEL. Ours wasn't 100% level last year & the pool leaned a lot as the summer wore on. We need to do a better job of that this summer.

We have a 4-ft deep, 15 foot wide Walmart pool. We upgraded to a (nice, but expensive) better filter - SO glad we did. That little one it came with was more work than it was worth. And we use a salt system instead of chlorine (my son has allergy problems with chlorinated pool water). LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the salt water system. Again, more expensive, but WORTH every penny. The water stayed clear all summer, never had to do anything to it. My hubby researched the saline system online & was convinced it was the way to go. No regrets.

I'm guessing we just post our 7th grade plan so we can kind-of compare plans? Here are my plans for 7th grade next fall: History & Geography - Tapestry of Grace, Year 3 Church History - Tapestry of Grace, Year 3 Literature - Tapestry of Grace, Year 3 Saxon 8/7 or Algebra 1/2 Life of Fred (supplemental - my kids love it & think LoF is so fun) Xtra Math (online drills - my kids hate this, but I think every little bit helps) Rod & Staff 7 (English grammar) Write from the Heart (online writing class) Writing with Skill (finish the last half, started this past Jan) Vocabulary from Classical Roots A & B BJU Life Science Second Form Latin (DVD course) Logic -The Art of Argument haven't decided - maybe Traditional Logic (DVD course) Art - local co-op outside art class from a local woman who teaches out of her home Does this sound OK? I'm always up for some good reassurance. :)

Has anyone here used the Write from the Heart online writing course? It looks great. http://writefromtheheartclasses.com/ Thanks.

For anyone that has used/is using Vocabulary from Classical Roots books - do I need the Teacher's Guide AND the answer key, or is the answer key sufficient? Thanks!

Does anyone get the Planner Pads for their kids to use to organize their weekly school work? I'm thinking about getting them for my 5th & 7th graders. (They're expensive, though.) TOG recommends them, but I'd like to hear from someone that is using it and says that it's worth the $. Thanks!

Thank you so much for the encouragement! This means the world to me :) And congratulations by the way...good job, Momma.

I'm with ya, sister. I'll pray for you. :)

THANK YOU to those who responded! This helps us SOOOO MUCH! :)

Take a week off, go out to eat & see some movies! Have fun!!!! :)

Just sugary candy! And a Lego mini-figure or two. :)

Anyone here live near Tallahassee or know of some fun things to do there? We're driving there next week for spring break. I've looked up stuff online, but if someone has any suggestions, I surely welcome them! I see that there are 2 cool looking wildlife refuges near Tallahassee,

Thanks, everyone. The midwest is getting an extended winter this week & next week....I'm getting desperate for some warmth & sunshine. We decided to drive down to Tallahassee, FL to explore the wildlife refuges down there. Can't wait!

My 6th grader is about 3/4 through First Form. I think it's an excellent program. We use the DVDs - highly recommend those to introduce each new lesson.

We (my 6th grader) are on Lesson 24 (of 34?) in First Form. We use the DVD - LOVE the DVD for the lesson explanation. I really like the curriculum, and I really like Memoria Press. I'm considering putting her in an online class for Second Form next year.

I welcome any "been there, done that" advice on this. Next fall I will start Rod & Staff 7 (grammar & writing) with my 7th grader. Do you think it would be too ambitious or overkill to do R&S 7 along with Writing With Skill level 1 (and maybe even The Creative Writer)? Too much writing for a 7th grader? I don't want to set us both up for failure or frustration, but all look like very good programs

Anyone have any good spring break ideas? We live in the Chicago area and are willing to drive a max of 10 hours away from home. We are fresh out of ideas. Anything fun to do in Missouri, Arkansas, Ohio or Indiana? Or somewhere within a 10 hour drive of Chicago (but WARMER weather, not cold or colder)? We like to be outside & hike.

For some reason, every time I hear the word "housewife" I feel like it reminds me of the word "house cat" and it makes me laugh. I hate the term. I think it's ridiculous.

Big house, big problems. Little house, little problems. More to clean, furnish, decorate, maintain = yuck!

Costco

Is there already a thread highlighting the differences between the 2004 and 2009 editions?

Thank everyone. I feel completely burned out and I'm sure my stress is what brought all of this on. I have been researching/planning/worrying about a "the perfect" high school homeschooling curriculum/plan for my daughter ALL SCHOOL YEAR LONG - literally. (Subject for a different post - I am completely afraid & intimidated to continue to homeschool through high school.) I am sick and tired of worrying about it. I am a tutor at Classical Conversations, we host and lead a small group once a week (from our church) in our home, and I have one or both of the kids in 2 art classes, swimming lessons 2x/week, youth group and speech therapy every week. I know others have more kids & more on their plates & much tougher circumstances, but for me, this = maxed out. I do nothing to refresh myself. Well, I get a pedicure about once a month. I am tired. And it is February. In Chicago. Which means no freakin' sunshine. (That alone is all it takes to send me over the edge.) I truly need some rest. This Saturday I am planning to get a nearly hotel room, by myself, and have a personal retreat to pray through these things all alone. Everyone's kind words have meant the world to me. Thank you.

Everyone's kind words have been bringing me to tears multiple times this afternoon. Thank you, everyone.

Unfortunately I don't think that is an option. My kids have never been in school, only homeschooled. Which makes me feel even more trapped. I do hate my life right now.