For the first few years I used a large white board, but now I use five small cookie sheets that I bought at Dollar Tree. They work great!

Welcome to Texas! I suggest you sign up for the Horizons Homeschoolers Yahoo group. It's a large group of homeschoolers Dallas/Fort Worth so you should be able to find someone near you.

Hmmmm, we have a two hour layover in Denver tomorrow night, and it looks like Denver has been hit hard with this. I guess we'll hope for the best.

Oh my! I have a couple of girls who will go wild for these! I just might have to order them for Christmas.

Well done! We don't have a good place to hang our white board either so it just sits awkwardly against the window. I think I'll use your idea.

We started school today. We always have a "Meet the Teacher" night before our first day. We start off by acting silly and introducing ourselves to each other. Then I show them any changes in our routine or curriculum and give them a gift (usually special school supplies). This year I gave them sparkly notebooks and Skwooshi. We end the evening with cookies. On the first day, the girls pick out a special outfit. I take pictures of them holding a chalkboard stating their grade. Then we get down to business and have a regular school day. When the public schools start back up we like to go to museums or have lunch with Daddy. It's fun to celebrate the freedom of homeschooling.

I read it to my 7 year old and 9 year old and they both loved it.

I will be using The Human Odyssey with my 5th grader and SOTW1 with my second grader. I think the treatment of Christ and early Christianity in The Human Odyssey is accurate and respectful. Christianity is introduced in Part 3, Chapter 8 of Human Odyssey. The subheadings in this section are: The Early Life of Jesus, The Good News, Teaching Through Parables, Jesus in Jerusalem, and The Apostles Set to work. In the summary of the life and teachings of Jesus, they use the phrases "according to the Gospels" or "the Gospels say" several times. This chapter also has sidebars about the parable of the Good Samaritan and the Sermon on the Mount. Part 3, Chapter 9 is called The Spread of Christianity with subheadings: From Saul to Paul, Paul Reaches Out to All, The Romans Take Notice, Diocletian's Great Persecution, Faith Underground: The Catacombs, and The Legend of Saint Valentine. So, The Human Odyssey is a secular text but it is very respectful in its treatment of Christianity and other religions.

Yes! Seamless socks restored peace to our home when DD was 5 and had to wear socks on PE day.

We have enjoyed the Spanish books on Raz-kids.com.

It sounds like a few of us have tried (and gave up on) the park group in Keller.

Welcome to Texas! I recommend that you join the Horizon's Homeschoolers Yahoo group and ask your question. The ladies in that group will have several recommendations for you. I wish I could give you specific information about the many groups in the Fort Worth area but we aren't part of any of them.

I have never heard of anyone removing tiles without breaking them. They are glued down and need to be broken apart with a sledgehammer. It's noisy, messy work! Of course it's worth asking your contractor.

My dds still play with theirs at ages 9 and 7.

I'm glad you are getting him to a GI. I have a slightly older child with similar issues and we have been working with the GI for over two years trying to figure this out. Currently, we are working with a motility specialist. She has undergone several tests and we are waiting for the results of her latest test to see if surgery, biofeedback, or a different medicinal regime will help her. The pediatrician's knowledge of this is limited. A GI will provide much more thorough exams and treatments. I agree with the previous posts. This is a medical issue, not a potty training issue. When my daughter attends classes, I always stay on campus. When she takes a class that is only for one day (at the museum, etc.) I hand the teacher a card that says, "(Child's name) has a medical condition and may need my help in the restroom. Please call me at (cell number)." I know this can be a difficult issue and I wish the best to your family!

For the past year and a half, I have used both AAR and AAS with my seven year old. We do about 30 minutes of AAR and 10-15 minutes of AAS each day. I think it has been beneficial for my daughter to use both because they reinforce each other.

I let my kids read Junie B. Jones books and listen to the audio books. For many homeschoolers she is the definition of twaddle but I think she is hilarious. We quote her frequently in our family. Now you know our dirty little secret.

I'm wiping away the tears here. Thanks for sharing.

I just thought of something fun. I'm going to take some fancy teacups and dishes for a tea party on the clear liquid day. Apple juice and lemon Jello will be much more appetizing when served in fancy dishes.

Actually, I seem to have a memory problem. When I read the question, I pictured in my head a green tennis ball. When I look at the pictures posted above, it is clear the balls are yellow.

Oooh, I didn't think about earplugs. Excellent idea! Apparently, at night the nurse will come in every hour to check on her. Earplugs could be helpful. I always forget to pack chargers! Thanks for the reminder!

Thanks! I'll add these to my list. I'm focused on making this as comfortable as possible for DD but I need to remember that I need my sleep and nourishment if I'm going to take care of her. I think I'll take some tennis shoes and try to get out for a walk when DH and other DD are there.

My DD7 is going into the hospital for three days for a test. Most of that time she will be lying flat on her back and cannot eat. I want to make her as comfortable as possible. Any suggestions on what I should pack for the two of us? Here is what I'm planning to take: For DD: jammies, blanket, pillow, toothbrush and paste, favorite doll and stuffy, CD player, audio books, portable dvd player, DVDs, sticker books, Mind Benders, and read aloud books. For me: jammies, couple changes of clothes, soap, shampoo, deodorant, books, tablet. Is there anything I've forgotten? Any suggestions to help make the stay less unpleasant for her? Any advice is appreciated!

My 4th grader is about half way through LfC A and she really enjoys it. Each week the students learn 10 vocabulary words, one new grammar concept, and derivatives. It has been just right for dd and I.