Thanks for the info. I'm looking it up now!

I am looking for a high school level World History curriculum that is primarily focused on science or scientists. I'm not sure such a thing exists but my dd is interested in the study of the development of science through the years & needs a World History course. I would love to find something made so I don't have to start from scratch.

There is a campground at Disney... That being said, I grew up with a pop up camper and a family of Disney World lovers (we were there on its 6th day of being opened). I have horrible memories of all of that camping! I hated it. My brother liked it, though. I would ask the kids.

I've never really liked that pink on anyone before... the really pink pink, although all the reds are great on you. That pink is awesome with your skin!

I think I have convinced dh that I should homeschool ds next year... I used the "bad socialization is worse than no socialization" argument. That seems to have worked. With ds being a skinny little kid that has already skipped a year, he is WAY to young and "chess clubby" to make it through middle school without getting shoved into a locker. I love him, but the kid is not cut out to handle 7th grade middle school at 10:-). I have read TWTM & am working on a schedule. My biggest concern, though, is still the socialization issue. If you have any online homeschool "friends" that live in Brevard County, FL that have groups they belong to, I would really appreciate a link. Also, since he is VERY DiSgrAphiC, do any of you have a recommendation for a writing/spelling curriculum? Thanks!!!

Yes, I have seen that too many friends can intrude on our learning. Luckily my son is not the many friends sort. He really likes having just one or two good buds. Hopefully, I can find him a place to make a few without cluttering up his day too much. Thanks for the words of encouragement.

Well, after the nice librarian cut my fine in half it was $135. My excuse is that I had all the books in the car to take back to the library after my OB appointment when I was put on immediate bed rest. I ended up in the hospital for three months with my car parked. When I got out, I took my books back with my sob story & they said I only had to pay half and they even took the hold off of my card so I could use it as I paid the fine over time. Usually my fine is about $5 every month. I consider it a membership fee. :001_smile:

My dd- 6- still needs help with her long, long, long hair, but is great at sudsing and rinsing... My ds- 10- has to be reminded to wash, reminded to do hair, reminded to rinse ALL THE WAY, reminded to get out (he loves to hang out in the shower until all the hot water is gone). They both love baths but I still feel the need to supervise those a little closer (it is very deep and slippery) so I usually insist on showers so I can clean the bathroom and finish the laundry folding nearby. ds can use nail clippers and does, but my dd is not there yet. I think my ds was around 9 when he started using the clippers on his own consistently.

I do have a pool, but not a dog. I can tell you that our pool pump is almost silent, but I know where every dog in the neighborhood lives- not by his pee, but by his bark. When one neighbor gets a new dog, the whole neighborhood gets a new dog...but, Dog noise & pool pumps are not nearly as annoying as self-righteous neighbors, so the next time he comes over ask him to please not knock on the door between 10:00 and 10:15 (assuming he arrives at 10:10, let's say) because that is your "quiet time" and you find it EXTREMELY annoying that people would be so rude as to not respect a person's quiet time. "Isn't it unreasonable" to have someone knocking on other people's doors during quiet time?!?;)

Thanks. I kind of got that feeling, but have heard so many people rave about them. My kids are more the go-in-depth kind & my ds HATES the regurgitate part of school as it is.

I also hate cooking breakfast (more than I hate cooking the rest of the day), so here is a plan for you... The night before, have kids take 2 muffin pans with 8 cups in each... in half, put paper muffin cups in and fill with muffin batter (I use a no-sugar added, organic, whole wheat mix, but feel free to experiment). this is a great job for a big kid. In the other pan put a little sliced ham in the bottom of the cups (great job for a small one) then break an egg over the ham in each cup (great job for a medium sized kid) & put pans in fridge til morning. The next morning, put them in 325 degree oven for 20 minutes as soon as you are up. By the time the kids are dressed and/or downstairs, breakfast is ready. No fuss on your part and it includes an adequate amount of protien- better for kids in the morning than all those carbs in cereal... Have fun being healthy... if that isn't enough for you, try growing your own cucumbers... they are easy & good for you & I have found you can grow them in a pot- or save that for later- no need to go hog wild;)

Thanks for the good start. I am leaning toward homeschooling for both, so i guess if i can get a plan together to "sell" the idea to my dh, i might go for it again. We have my dd in scouts (Daisy Scout how cute), but when my ds crossed over from cub to boy scout he didn't care for it- he wasn't really ready at 10... I will certainly look into some more socialization opportunities- it is harder here in our sleeply little town than it was in suburban Atlanta where I constantly had to say NO MORE ACTIVITIES! just to get school done. I do see a Classical Conversation meeting not too far away, so I will look into that as well. Thanks for a starting place... any more ideas are always appreciated. What seems obvious for someone else is just not seen in your own situation :tongue_smilie:.

Try this site www.flylady.net the de-clutter queen

I love the unsweetened almond milk on cereal. I can't stand the taste of unsweetened soy milk & I can't do the sugar in the sweetened versions. My dd LOVES her cereal dry (yuck) & my mom eats hers with yogurt (yuck to me too), but my dh has developed a taste for his with water (OMG-Gross!), but to each his own. If you like your cereal wet, just try something different every day... maybe coffe Wednesday, Cranberry juice Thursday, ;)

It sounds a little like she has so much invested in proving you wrong & her right (in everything in general) that she now cannot back down. If she suddenly decided to go, it would be like saying you are right, she will have to follow your rules. Can you go to her and ask a favor? That way she is allowed to stay, not because you are right but because she is being a better person. Say, please do me a favor and stay until you are 18. Then, if you still want to go, you can go with my blessing, blah blah blah. Of course the rules would still apply, but she would be following them because you asked her to in a "pretty please" sort of way, not because the rules are "right". It is almost impossible for some teens to admit that a parent might actually be right... That might at least buy you a little time to get the relationship back on track. oh yeah, if she does leave, be sure to tell her that it doesn't matter what the time or the circumstances, all she has to do is call and you will get her home- no lectures, no "I told you so"s. I am praying for you both...