Thanks, i'm hoping to find it used but i'm in the UK so not sure how many sellers will be willing to ship across the pond! x

Thank you! I will order LOF but am sorely tempted to get TT too. I think ds would enjoy it more... x

Hi I really like the look of Core d/e in the Sonlight catalogue but we are from the UK and I don't want to spend so much time on US history. The cost is also too much. However, I do want something beyond just picking books from the library or Amazon. I'd like a range of books with a guide for mapworking, adding info to timelines, etc etc. Where can I find this? I'd like good, interesting living books, some can be history based. I don't mind Christian if it's an emphasis on good behaviours and morals, otherwise would prefer secular. Thanks in advance!

Hi all We have been using Math Mammoth with my 9 yr old ds but I think the mastery approach isn't suiting him because he forgets what he has learnt and he doesn't look forward to the lessons. I think he'd like something more fun and I like the look of LOF as a supplement. I also think he'll like TT because of the CDs. I'm going to have him do some sample lessons tomorrow. I like The look of Mep because it's free and it's a spiral programmed but I'm unsure as to whether it's a good fit as I haven't had him try it. Thanks in advance x

Thanks so much to all of you lovely ladies.....:grouphug: I'm lucky in the sense that dh is happy for me to try whatever works so he's not freaking out that we aren't using the loft so much. I think we are going to have to 'try' using both to see if it works for us and if it does then great but if it doesn't then we will have to see if we can think of a better use for the room. I enjoy craft a lot but don't have anywhere downstairs where I could just leave something out so I guess that could be one purpose for the loft. Yes I too would be more likely to it do it more frequently if it was downstairs but I actually just need to get more exercise and run up the stairs more frequently ;). I think my dilemma also reflects my position and thinking as a homeschooler. I have dabbled in traditional schooling and unschooling and have found neither works for me unless I blend the two together. But that in between thing doesn't always work either :001_huh:. I guess that's just homeschooling - it's learning through life and life isn't always the same... I'd love to see photos of your workspace so please do add some if possible :) x

Thanks, I like the exercise bit too. I do think we have all become a bit lazy to go up there...

I'm sorry to start a new thread as I know there are others on this subject but this is very specific to my situation and I'm hoping those who are similar to me will be able to help me out :) We have an amazing room in the loft with floor to ceiling shelves on one side, Ikea tables and chairs, a small fridge, sky lights (windows) so light pouring from everywhere, 2 further Ikea bookshelves (Billy), a sofa/couch and further tables where I hoped to create a sewing area. We made this room before we moved into our school room and it is big. However.... My kitchen is also big but unfinished. We currently have a 10 seater table with lots of room still that we use for schooling. We use to use the school room but climbing two flights of stairs and being trapped up there just didn't appeal. Further there are two central pillars in the middle and a sloping roof on one side so although it is big you feel a little stifled as you have to be careful not to hit your head or bump into the pillars. I now have another old bookshelf in the kitchen plus an old smaller dining table that I put the printer and laptop on. We have a small tall trofast system (Ikea unit) and room for a bit more. We hope to change this room into an open plan family sitting room/dining room. I love schooling here as I am not totally schoolish and I like to do other things whilst i'm helping the kids or teaching them. If one wants to go out for a quick swing outside he can or have a drink and snack. I can't do that in the loft and there's also no access to a sink if the kids need water for crafts etc. I'm being so choosy. I feel like God has given me all these wonderful things and I am so bad at using them. We have such wonderful resources that we don't use as they are stored upstairs... I need to get all our stuff sorted and need to do some serious decluttering but am not sure how to do it. One of the disadvantages of schooling in the kitchen is the mess. We can still push stuff aside at meal times as the table is big but I like to have everything put away at the end of the night. When we were schooling in the loft it was also bad - kids would come down at lunch and failed to go back to put things away but at least we could 'shut the door' and forget about it if you see what I mean. I can't leave a messy kitchen at night as there's no closure for me - I need to wake up to a new day and not the day before! :) After writing all the above I'm thinking maybe we should carry on schooling in the kitchen and use the loft as our resource area / playroom / craft room? Except we haven't been doing that! How do I work out what stuff to keep upstairs and what to bring down? Anyone else in a similar position? Thanks so much in advance :) ps. We are eclectic home schoolers and use curriculum for Maths and English but do our own thing for everything else. I am arty by nature and a bit of a free spirit and am not very organised. I panic and get ovewhelmed which is so bad!

I live in London, thankfully not in the badly affected parts but still I heard local shops did get looted and there were days/nights when the streets were so quiet. It was scary as I got messages from friends advising not to go out and to stay vigilant. My brother in law witnessed the local supermarket being looted and saw a guy all covered in blood. You know you see youth rioting in places like the Middle East in the name of freedom. So it was surreal to see youth here fighting for trainers (sneakers), alcohol and electrical goods. One of the main questions being asked? Where were the parents? So sad x

Thank you - it's just that the kids really want monkey bars, I just don't know if it makes sense adding new ones... can't get old ones here unless they come with the whole set!!

oh my goodness lol. I totally missed what you said in the title : 'we have the expanded version of that set.... there is wood rot...' I thought you meant that you can tell there is wood rot in the frame I won!! So there's hope? lol

wow 6 acres! We are lucky that this small one will just about fit in our whole garden!! I feel stuck again - I can get extra parts from Rainbow but that will mean spending more. Will this thing last another 10 years? Shall I stick to the new one?

Hi! Are you talking about the one I just won, the link is in the post above yours? I do want it to last a long time and I don't want to have to continuously do repairs. Plus i'm now wondering where to source monkey bars - brand new would cost twice the price of the sale price! I may have to replace the swings too.... oh dear. I keep reading that the newer Rainbows are not as good as they use to be but i'm not sure whether this is just heresay! Would really like your feedback pls!

I won this after putting down a deposit for a new one (which I now have to cancel!). http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Rainbow-Sunshine-Climbing-Frame-Swings-and-Slide-/110693336892?pt=UK_Toys_Games_Outdoor_Toys_ET&hash=item19c5d6473c#ht_500wt_949 Yeah it's 10 years old but it looks like it's in good condition and is a great deal cheaper. Now I have to work out the best way of adding monkey bars cheaply!! The way I see it if this lasts even a couple of years then it'll be fine! x

Thank you!

who knows! But she has refunded me £570 and not the full £646 :glare: so I've now gone to dispute. I'm watching another used one - again 7 years old but am only keen to buy if I can go see it. I'm just tempted to order it new!