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iamrachelle

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Posts posted by iamrachelle

  1. Have you looked at the Veritas Press Self-Paced history courses? We are using that next year with the added literature selections that are suggested, just to help round out our history for next year. They have samples of the courses on line.

     

    Another thought, you can search through the old threads about Veritas/TOG/MFW... chances are someone has already asked a similar question and you can go back and peruse all of the answers. I glean a lot of helpful information from old threads all the time.:001_smile:

     

    HTH

  2. I finished ordering everything we need for school next year a couple of weeks ago. Everything is starting to arrive this week and I have to say that I am so glad that I ordered early and will have time to pre-read and make lesson plans for the year before summer.

     

    FWIW, I ordered the VP self-paced history for my two DC as well. We read a lot for pleasure but I did go ahead an order the literature selections from Veritas just to round out our history lessons a bit. I'm thinking that it will really enrich our studies next year.

  3. It's great to go to a curriculum fair and compare the diffferent options, especially if you're on the fence between two different curricula. However, I think that it's also easy to second guess your decisions. The best curriculum is the one you will implement in your own home.

     

    The first year we homeschooled I used a math program (Horizons) that my dear friend loved, and had used successfully for several years. I intuitively knew when I bought it that it was too "busy" for my DD. She is a tad ADD and is easily distracted by color and too many problems on one page. After many hours of tears and frustrations the first six months of HSing we set Horizons aside and started with CLE. It was just as rigorous, and had just as many problems, but they were spread out over three pages instead of one.

     

    All this to say, that sometimes too many options confuse you rather than help you clarify what you want to use. And since I've totally gone off on my own tangent and not answered your orginal question. :D

     

    Yes, I think you should order early. I placed my order(s) for next year a week and a half ago and just received the first (of many) shipments in the mail today. I like to have time to preview the material and complete my lesson plans a year in advance (yes, yes, I'm OCD... no judgement, please) and if I ordered everything in August I wouldn't have the time to do that.

     

    HTH... happy planning!!

  4. FWIW, the Clear Blue Easy (tad more expensive than most) are fairly senstive and will pick up a lower level of HCG. They are usually fairly accurate up to 7 days before your cycle is supposed to begin. (I was the clinical director of a pregnancy center for several years...) I agree with the PP that some of the tests the doctor's offices have are less "senstive" than the ones that can be found over the counter. Generally speaking, for pregnancy tests, the higher the price of the test, the more "sensitive" it is.

     

    Let us know when you retest!! (Congrats!! It's rare to have a false postive...)

  5. We had a 20+ hour plane ride when we moved to Korea. I went to the dollar store and bought 20 "presents" for both of my DC (seriously, it was $40 WELL spent) and lovingly wrapped each and every one. Every hour, on the hour, they got to open one. A new book to read, coloring book, lip balm, hand sanitizer (handed that one to them to open just before our first meal was served), stickers, piece of candy or different snacks (wrapped, of course), silly putty, canned slime, match box cars... you name it and I probably had it wrapped in my bag.

     

    It made the trip soooo much easier. There was something to look forward to, and an incentive to be polite, quiet and still so as not to disturb the other passengers on our flight.

     

    Plus, I kind of liked playing with the silly putty after it was opened too. :D

  6. I am using CLE 7 with my DD next year and then plan on moving over to Saxon for Algebra 1 for 8th grade. There are a couple of old threads on the board regarding the scope & sequence of CLE 7 and 8. My understanding is that CLE 7 is equivalent to a pre-algebra program and that CLE 8 is more consumer math. I did buy the CLE 810 light unit because it covers budgeting and how to balance a checkbook, etc and I thought that that would be useful information for my DD.

  7. There are actually several nice percks that most of the privatized housing offers now. Ask if they do the same...

     

    Landscaping will be provided in any unfenced areas.

     

    You shouldl receive a rebate back on your electricity bill if it falls a certain percentage below average consumption. If you go above "the average" you pay the difference.

     

    Most privatized housing increased the number of pets (2-military run housing) to 4- privatized housing.

     

    They usually have a unity empty that you can view... ask for the keys to have a look around.

     

    We always drive through housing and note the numbers of houses that are empty (no name plates) and ask about them. We scored an awesome house at our last base doing this, and it wasn't even listed as "available" in their system.

     

    We like to walk everywhere when possible... so I usually try to find housing that's an easy walk to the commissary, youth center, pool etc... it's not always possible, but it's worth it to ask.

     

    Good luck with your move!!

  8. Here is a perfect example of why parents need to make informed choices and educate themselves about the care of their children. We have two medical professionals (both nurses) with two different ideas on how children pre- and post- vaccine should be taken care of.

     

    Which advice does a parent follow? Tried and true or new thinking?

     

     

    This is a really good question. The research was prompted because of the high failure rate of several vaccines, when in the past the effects (immunity) lasted longer.

  9. I've seen some guys with painted toe nails. Usually they lean toward the emo-goth style but hey, I live in Vegas. Metrosexual men are very common here. I saw a guy today getting a pedi at the superwalmart (they have a nail salon there inside-eww).

     

    My son, on occasion, likes to paint his toes... mostly I think it's because he sees his sister and I painting ours. I just go with the flow as long as he chooses a "manly" color. They were forrest green all summer.

     

    We live in Vegas too.:D

  10. It really won't make a difference when you give a pain reliever....before or after is fine. The height of the fever depends on the kid, and some never get a fever. That's mostly seen in babies. Younger kids run higher fevers as a general rule. I've never seen any bad reactions to DTaP in school-age kiddos. The injection site may feel warm and you can usually feel a hard lump there for a week. Some can be quite spectacular! LOL The tetanus component will make your arm sore for two or three days after the injection. Annoying, but not harmful. Just an immune system reaction...which you want. Sometime rubbing the injection site after the shot helps lessen that.

     

    I respectfully disagree with this. The latest thinking is not to medicate with tylenol or motrin until after, or if, they start to run a fever post injection. The purpose of the vaccination is to kick-start their immune system into producing antibodies to whatever illness you're trying to prevent. There is research that suggests that if you prevent a fever from ever happening it decreases the efficacy of the vaccine. It is, however, fine to medicate if your childs temp goes over 101. Anything less, you should just ride out with plenty of fluids.

     

    FWIW, I'm a registered nurse.

  11. Forgot to add... the Gospel Brunch at The House of Blues (somewhere in the 200 block of Decatur) on Sunday mornings is also awesome. Make reservations for this.

     

    Tipitina's ("Tips") 500 block of Naploeon Ave has wonderful live music, but it's not a quiet place to sit and listen.

     

    Bayon's (on Dauphine) has nice outdoor seating if you're looking for something quiet. Le Foret (on Camp St) you have to cross St Charles to get there, but it's only a block up... easy to find, very quiet and romantic.

     

    If you're looking for jazz I would take a short cab ride to Sweet Lorraine's in the Marigny (pronounced Mare-i-ney) district. I think it's on St Claude's,

  12. I grew up near NOLA (my DH and I were married in the Garden District) and I would love to share a couple of our favorite places to visit there.

     

    I second the recommendation for beignets and cafe au lait at Cafe Du Monde. It's fantastic and a must have for breakfast (or any other time of the day.) They are open 24 hours. The line can be long in the mornings but don't let that discourage you, it usually moves pretty fast.

     

    If you walk across the street from Cafe Du Monde and turn right you'll see a sandwich/small grocery shop called Central Grocery (923 Decatur). That is the only place in town that I will order a muffaletta. They're the best and go down really nice with an ice cold beer, if you're so inclined.

     

    Keep trucking past Central Grocery and you'll walk smack into the French Market. It's fun to meander around and look at all of the trinkets that are being sold. The counter service there for drinks and food are all wonderful if you need a snack.

     

    To the left of the French Market is the most amazing mexican restaurant called El Gato Negro (81 French Market Place).

     

    Royal Street has tons of fun antique shops to poke around in. Brennans (417 Royal) is a must for breakfast.... ask to sit in the "wine" room. It's a little more quiet and secluded (and where DH and I had our rehearsal dinner). I like being away from the noise so the huz and I can make goo goo eyes at each other. :D

     

    Anyway, I digress.

     

    I always order a hodge podge of stuff there. The turtle soup is famous and delicious. Their bloody marys are awesome for breakfast. My daughter LOVES the crepes fitzgerald (they make it at your table, along with bananas foster...) Really, you can't go wrong with anything there. It's a bit on the expensive side so we usually just order soup and dessert there.

     

    If you like oysters (I love 'em) then you must eat at Acme Oyster House (724 Iberville). Heck, even if you don't like oysters you need to go and try the Chargrilled Oysters... they are to die for. You'll be a convert, I promise.

     

    You can ride the trolley to the Garden District and grab lunch at Martin Wine Cellars (3500 Magazine St... on the corner of Magazine and Aline). They have a lovely breakfast and lunch there... we sometimes grab a picnic there and then lunch on the lawn of the Opera Guild Home (2504 Prytania... one block off St Charles... it's where the huz and I were married 15 years ago. ;) )

     

    Audubon Park is gorgeous...

     

    NOLA's restaurant (534 St Louis).. is owned by Emeril Lagasse... and is actually quite good.

     

    Antoines (also on St Louis) is the oldest restaurant in the Quarter and is excellent, as is Tujagues (pronounced "Too-Jacks"... 823 Decatur, across from Cafe Du Monde).

     

    I encourage you to just get out and walk the Quarter. Enjoy the architecture and the feel of the city. Walk the banks of the Mississippi (you can't miss it, it's right past Cafe Du Monde), take the free ferry over to Algiers Point and eat at Vine and Dine (they have awesome take out sandwiches) or Aunt Linnie's...

     

    The horse drawn carriages through the Quarter are a tad expensive but totally worth it, IMHO, as the carriage driver will stop and talk to you about the historical houses, etc on the drive.

     

    The WWII Museum is a hidden gem. St Louis Cathedral (in the Quarter, Jackson Square) is the oldest active Catholic cathedral in the US and is absolutely gorgeous on the inside. It is a must see...

     

    You can also ride the Trolley to City Park (end of the line) and visit the art museum. Great place to let the kids run off some steam, ride scooters, or skate. My two midget types love it... Lafayette Cemetery is wonderful to visit too... you can also take a tour there as a PP mentioned.

     

    Not sure if you indulge in, ahem, adult beverages but Lafitte's Blacksmith bar is at the more quieter end of Bourbon (941 Bourbon). It's reputed to be the oldest bar in America and is really neat to at least walk through if you choose not to imbibe.

     

    Those are a few of our favorite places to visit... you really can't go wrong. I've been visiting NOLA's since I was a child and I've never had a bad meal, or bad experience.

     

    HTH a bit... enjoy your "honeymoon"!!

  13. The lessons are still 30 minutes at this grade level, so I voted don't skip the DVDs. I really liked what dd learned from Mrs. Vick last year for Life Science. Ds will be using her for 6th-8th grade if we in any way have the money. Time would not be an issue for me because I really want him to have her teaching that much.

     

    You could use this time to teach your dd to take notes from listening to a teacher which is a great skill to have. Dvd's can be taken with you wherever you go. You could do 2 lessons a day on weeks you want more fun days. I like her so much, I would choose to do less in other subjects in order to have time for it.

     

    Don't you have the dvd's for 18 months? With online streaming we had access to them for that long, so you could spread it out.

     

    Thanks, Amy! This sort of information is exactly what I'm looking for. I appreciate you taking the time to give me your thoughts.

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