We have spent a lot (around $1,400-1,600) but I expect it will get cheaper as the years go by. I buy curric. that has a long life, so we will use it repeatedly. (TOG, Spelling Power, etc) This is our 3rd yr hsing, so I do imagine that next year we'll have most of what we need, and the only material we'll need to replace annually would be math and reading books... and the odd supplement/subject... I'm projecting around $500 per child then... but that's without piano lessons. hehehe

:iagree::iagree::iagree: Her owning the business has NOTHING to do with the tip. If anything, she deserves MORE of a tip, because some patrons will mistakingly NOT tip her... enough of that happens, and her belief in herself will plumet; her identity gone... she'll burn the business down, and run off with a guy named Pablo in search of greener pastures, in search of who she really is... left floundering her whole life long, searching. Searching for who she really was meant to be, all because you didn't tip her... :tongue_smilie: OK OK, back to the point here.... ditto what Sebastian said.

The Critical Thinking Company offers the following: Latin roots: http://www.criticalthinking.com/getProductDetails.do?code=p&id=03701 Latin and Greek roots: http://www.criticalthinking.com/getProductDetails.do?code=p&id=03705 There are subsequent books for each.

Cozy grammar seems like a nice fit also. Very entertaining and a fun way to learn. There are video samples on the website that are worth checking out. http://www.splashesfromtheriver.com/

How about planning early for next year? For curric. junkies, they're already shopping around to find something that suits their kids more, and conventions are just around the corner... How about a Valentine's special, with different projects, the history of Valentine's Day, etc.? How about tying Valentine's together with some sort of New Year's/New Beginning type theme? Perhaps modeling to your kids what being a servant is, and doing family things that serve the community (soup kitchen, clothes sorting for homeless shelters, visiting the elderly, etc.) I always enjoy hearing other homeschoolers' ideas re: their schedules, what a typical day looks like in their home, how they have changed their philosophy or style through the years, etc. Personal glimpses into other family's lives are always interesting! :o) HA! Chris above posted at the same time as me LOL... GREAT ideas Chris!!

Romans 15:4a ~ For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning... taken from KJV because it just sounds nice :o)

For my dc, what works is this: a plan to take them apart on a certain date. They need to "build up" to that, so having a date works. On the big D-Day, we take a few pictures of the creation at different angles. You could then enlarge the photos and put them in a special album. We do this with lots of "big" projects that we just don't have the room for. Pictures last much longer around here, and take waaaay less room to store. :001_smile:

I've done this a few times through the years and have loved the results! Especially from the nice, new hardware! :tongue_smilie: After sanding, put on 2-3 coats primer, then the paint. I used semi-gloss paint, and then applied a clear protective coat, which is essential. In one kitchen I did, I did not think it needed the protective coat, but in about 4-6 months, paint began to peel, especially where there was friction (where the cupboard closes or where 2 doors meet) so yes, definately go for a clear coat, one that repels water. Sounds like fun, enjoy!

Thinking like a 16 yr old, I'd like a challenging 3D jigsaw puzzle, a great book, a crafty thing that is more grown up than Klutz (wood etching tool, stuff to make your own soap, etc.)

:iagree: Very wise, Rosie.

I'm a 3rd generational pantry/cupboard storer. We like it room temp and have never had it spoil.

Ummm... not sure what happened when you went on, but they ARE indeed available to buy. Perhaps you experienced a server glitch or logged on at a time they were switching around the pages of the main website? Yr 2 and 3 are pre-order right now, and they've just released the Digital Edition.

playing shadow games when you study light, tracing shadows, tracing line art onto walls to make a mural, letting the kids (in older grades) create a presentation... oh and for really cool sleepovers, using it to make a movie theatre. Just some thoughts off the top of my head.

You could get an MP3 player for under $30 and they're just as good as more expensive ones. I like the wallet idea too. Or how about a briefcase, or grown-up lunch cooler with thermos in it? There are lots of books available for young men who are transitioning into adulthood... Focus on the Family has some that may interest you.

We have one, but I'd honestly say to stick with a whiteboard. The gelboard always stays "dirty" looking, unclear... it is difficult to get it completely clean. It's also hard to get a fine tuned look to what you are writing. It is, essentially, a magnadoodle. We have both and magnadoodles are superior. IMO, if you think your dc would like a gelboard, then I'd opt for a magnadoodle. Just my two cents.

WOW. Some people need help! Sounds like they are dealing with their own messed up whatever and had to stomp on you in order to feel better about themselves. Totally rude, uncalled for and just plain vicious. I'm sorry that it happened. Hopefully they'll feel remorse over their words!

Mandarin chinese... what defines a rigorous education? But what's really funny is what I THOUGHT it said! I thought it said: Mandarin cheese... what defines a rigorous education? Ah, I love hearing and seeing things. It's so much more interesting! :tongue_smilie:

Aw, please don't stop shipping to Canada! We're nice people here! Cold, but nice! :tongue_smilie: Simply take it to the post office and get a few shipping options. When you get payment, all you have to do is fill out a little form at the post office, which they'll be able to help you out with. Here's the thing, if folks bid from Canada, they know that it will cost a few extra dollars, and they're more than willing to pay that. You're out no money, and you've opened your ebay market to more people. From a Canadian perspective, we appreciate doing business with you and appreciate your willingness to continue selling to us! :001_smile:

NEVER sleep with socks on, and NEVER eat ice cream before going to bed: it'll give you nightmares. Whatever :001_huh: I have done both. No nightmares. Also... NEVER say never. Never? :tongue_smilie:

If he's working on losing weight, why not get him a watch that measures your heartrate? When he's jogging or walking fast or doing any activity, it will help him to monitor where his fat burning levels are, and where his cardio levels are. You could find a handy chart online and print it off for him. Alternatively, you could make a slide show presentation (or scrapbook) about his life, and collect little notes from all his friends and family, even people he hasn't spoke to in eons. Always a neat little keepsake. Cheap to do, but does take a lot of time to compile. Failing that, how about gift certificates to a fine dining establishment? Read: no fast food LOL! :tongue_smilie:

Vegiforms would be cool, as he could mould veggies into cool face shapes. http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=51543&cat=2,2200 You could find a top quality gardening store, similar to Lee Valley above, and find some neat books on gardening, reprinted from the 1800's. What about a mini greenhouse, or Wardian Case? http://www.leevalley.com/garden/page.aspx?c=2&p=48554&cat=2,50560&ap=3 A real bonzai tree would likely be a hit, as he could prune it and sculpt it through the years. Paired with a great book about bonzai art, I'm sure he'd find it inspiring.

I've purchased 6 or 7 movies from them. I did stop for several reasons. One of the films is quite scary for children (bearing in mind my dd is sensitive and won't watch Snow White or The Little Mermaid because of the scary witches) and we found that they pushed WAY too much, even after purchasing the movies. My dh did some research and found that they are a mormon organization. Not to open up a debate here at all, but due to our own personal convictions (and their shove-it-down-their-throats sales tactics) we ceased supporting them. This is why you don't find these movies in Christian book stores. That said, the majority of the shows we saw were okay, I mean, "just" okay. The Seventh Brother and Scamper the Penguin were my faves, but we haven't seen them in a few years. Hope that helps.

The "Basic Cozy Essay Course" is great, from Splashes from the River. It comes as a DVD and workbook (or CD to print the pages) and Marie Rackhan, the teacher, is quite endearing. She creates a comfortable and memorable learning experience. :001_smile: