Hhmm, not sure you want to encourage it, lol, but hve you seem the Backyard Ballistics books and the others in the same bent? Another is called Defend Your Castle. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1613740646/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1407472234&sr=1-2&pi=SY200_QL40 http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1613746822/ref=pd_aw_sims_8?pi=SL500_SY115&simLd=1 I actually found a free PDF of the first but have no idea how legal it is... But you could have a look to see if it is something of interest. https://d1x4j6omi7lpzs.cloudfront.net/live/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/Backyard-Ballistics-by-Gurstelle.pdf

Woo hoo!!! Couldn't have gone to a more appreciative home:)

I think you are thinking of the one like mine, in the link I posted. You do have to wait for the water to drain IF you use it as a bath and not a shower. You don't have to worry about opening the door with water in it. The door opens inward, which means that the water inside the tub pushes against the door. There is also a seal, and a lever/latch to close the door. My dd4, who loves the Octonauts cartoon (with submarine like vehicles) calls it the Octopod as she thinks the door seals like a submarine:)

Even easier, Homeschool Buyer's Coop has an inexpensive ($8) photo-ID generating/designing, print at home school ID card you can do. Any office supply place has the lamination/card to make it more durable and look professional. This also gets kids all the 'school' and student discounts into things like museums, movies, games, etc. http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/homeschool-freebies-curriculum/

I am in a wheelchair and I LOVE my walk-in style bath tub. It has a small door that opens/closes for entry, a seat, and jets. It also has a retractable shower head with a bar on the wall so that others could stand and use it as a normal shower. I cannot actually walk into it, but it is also great to transfer into. It fits into any existing reg tub area, and can be adapted to fit larger spaces. I highly recommend it:) http://www.premiercarebathing.com/ns/

Oh wow. Thanks for the tip. I had to look it up, and a few things really stuck out. She has been complaining about her eyes, as well as saying 'her breath was too hot.' I took this to be just from having a fever, and it may well be...but something to ask about. Also it is definitely her calves and feet that are cramping. She is quite verbal, but is still only four. Language and description is still ambiguous:(

No, they didn't check urine, and she doesn't have a history of kidney infections. This kid is ridiculously healthy. She does get ear infections, which we probably miss most of as she never complains. We rarely do antibiotics as she is allergic to several. I wonder how much that has to do with the substitute peds unwillingness to treat preventatively? Maybe the 'wait-it-out' is more of a 'wait until her doctor is back'?

Her regular ped will be back on Monday. I most definitely plan to talk to him. He has 8 kids of his own and has experienced personally just about everything you can imagine, which is one of the reasons we chose him:) We live in Texas.

I am probably totally overreacting? probably. I know this. Blame it on dd4 being an only child and the fact that I have too much time to read about Lymes on the Internet:( Here is the situation: dd woke up in the night last Friday with a fever and a headache. Her temperature measured at 103.6 (ear) and she alternates between very hot and shivering. I gave her ibuprofen and by Saturday she seemed better. She still had a fever (between 100-102 F) all weekend, but had no major symptoms. She was lethargic, but was still interested in normal activities. Definitely decreased appetite but still drinking and voiding properly. We don't tend to panic here, even though this fever is higher than she typically gets with her chronic ear infections. However, her fever has persisted. Her temperature tends to lower during the day, never lower than 100F nor higher than 101F during the day (still primarily asymptomatic) but goes up at night. Last night it got up to 103.6F. But she has been complaining of her back aching. I honestly wasn't sure of this because I get chronic backaches and so she has heard it from me. But she is not a complainer about physical issues. She also had a couple of intense leg pains, stomach aches, and GI issues. Other than that she is her active, bouncy, loud enthusiastic self...until she isn't and curls up on the sofa or on the floor. That alone is very unusual:) Normally I would consider it kiddie crud, but as the fever has persisted for now 6 days I took her to the pediatrician. Her normal ped was gone. The ped we saw was concerned enough to order bloodwork. Mono test was neg, rapid strep neg, but CBC showed elevated WBC count. I mentioned at the time that we had been traveling extensively this summer, including camping in places like Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain State Park and asked about Lymes. Both hubby and myself removed ticks from ourselves, but never found one on dd. The dr. blew it off since Alex did not have a rash. It wasn't until I was driving home that I realized I had taken Alex in to the ped six weeks ago (right after we returned home) for an unexplained rash. No cause was determined, although it covered her torso. It eventually went away on its own, and was definitely not a bullseye pattern. So. I am feeling a bit paranoid. She is currently asleep but has woken up twice with night sweats tonight. I phoned ped on call (the same one I saw today) with my concerns and she insisted it was probably just a virus and to monitor it. I just can't see the harm in testing. I could almost hear her roll her eyes over the phone:( She still refused to order testing as she wants to wait it out. Am I paranoid? WWYD? Should I just wait it out? I can't help feeling like a test and possible antibiotics are so much more reasonable than risking permanent damage and the horror that this disease causes. Feel free to reassure me I am an overprotective mom of an only who is completely overreacting here!

Just out of curiousity (or a fantastic resource for what you are considering!) have you seen Möbius Noodles? Maria Droujkova is gauging interest in packets and support for starting your own, and they just ended an online course in the same style: http://ask.moebiusnoodles.com/questions/301/undefined.html#sidr I am closely following as an exploratory math group for young kids would be absolutely perfect for my kiddo...even if I have to start one of my own!

We use colored transparent bingo markers, 3/4 in http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00CQOSR9O?pc_redir=1405572340&robot_redir=1 We actually got 100 of these with our magnet kit: http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00004S7OC?pc_redir=1405405607&robot_redir=1

A couple of thoughts on emancipation. When it is the only real way, as it was for me at 15, it is a very reasonable option. But it is HARD. Just because you are legally an adult does not mean that the world treats you as one. I graduated HS at the same time and went on to college. And yes, as Shawthorne44 mentioned, emancipation there was a fantastic thing. If I had needed to have my parents involved I probably would have been unable to go, and the situation would have been perfect for fraud:( And it was incredibly difficult. After a year I ended up joining the Army as I needed structure, support, and money to live. Ironically enough, the Army made no distinction! I was legally an adult in boot camp and was thus treated the same, lol. But that is another story. All that to say: emancipation, followed by coming to live with you would be a very reasonable option. A judge will not even consider If she is not financially able to support herself. Showing that she has a strong support network waiting in the wings will help. Emancipation and living on their own? This CAN be the best solution...but would be a very extreme case. I don't see that here and doubt a judge would either. Still, have her keep a journal. What happened, when, who else was present. Take pictures. You do the same. That way, if emancipation ends up being the only viable solution you have a record to pull from.

As someone who grew up in a very disfunctional home and was eventually emancipated at age 15, this situation really strikes a chord. I actually had a fantastic aunt in my life. The fact that I knew she was always there for me, the fact that she made sure I knew that the circumstances/details of my life were NOT healthy or normal was huge. Always knowing that I had an escape plan was a little light inside I kept hidden. I am so glad to know that you are that light for her. One thing she did for me: I will never forget the folded $100 bill she gave me to keep tucked away, along with a serious discussion of the necessity of keeping it as my safety net. She trusted that I would not abuse her trust in me...that alone was worth so much. Once I was safely emancipated and at college before my 16th bday I once offered to give it back. She refused and told me it was always good to have a net:) I STILL have that $100 bill, albeit in our home mini-safe, to remind me. My nephew is now in a rough situation and I have plans to pass it to him. Obviously, this won't work for all kids. But it sounds as though it might for your niece. Knowing she can call you is fantastic! But if something happens she will need cash in hand, or prepaid debit card. Honestly, I knew at the time that I was going to do my best to survive the situation. Helping her to formulate short-term and long-term goals is very helpful. Sometimes having that plan was all that got me through. It sounds like, since there is no immediate danger, no matter how unhealthy, she will have to endure for now. It sucks. Truly. Best to her and your family as you show her a different way of life IS possible:)

I just had a look at the website and think I will order a couple packets. She is a pretty workbook-y kind of kid, and worst case I can use them later if the interest continues. I actually am quite thrilled with the interest. It may seem on appearances, a strange choice for a 4 yr old with all the graphic stories. But this kid is so incredibly sensitive to so much (a memorable meltdown when reading the story of Cinderella- because Cinderella lost her slipper!) that this is almost a way to introduce her a bit. The stories are so absurd to her, as well as so chronologically distant that I think she is able to process them a bit better. Strange, but hey! Such a drastic difference I will take it. Funnily enough, she has zero issues with violence in nature or the natural world. More tragedy and injustice:)

Oh no! They do! As well as three others in myths from other cultures. And now Amazon has one fewer of each in stock😄

This is beautiful! I think she will like the references to thing she knows. Strangely enough, our library has it! But bonus, when I looked at Amazon there is a companion coloring book that I think she will really love. Thanks for the suggestion:)

Wow! It looks really great. I just ordered a copy. They are no longer in print an it may well be the most expensive game I have purchased to date...more than Settler's of Catan and Ticket to Ride!

Peter Weatherall songs and videos: http://www.kidsinglish.com/

Cute:) It reminds me of one of my more embarrassed moments with dd. When she was maybe 2 1/2 we went into a public bathroom. We had to wait for a bit for the larger stall, and went in right after a women uh evacuated. Dd very loudly shouted excitedly: "Mom, that lady forgot to flush...and she pooped South Carolina!" I stayed in the stall until I was positive everyone was gone😊

See, I clicked on this thread out of envy! We live in Texas but I grew up out that would way and would give almost anything to get out of Texas and head back. I hope it works out well for you:)

Unless she already awakens on her own, getting a 5 yr old up before Kindy to do extra material is nuts. And something to consider: have you seen the research on what a difference an addition 27 minutes of sleep makes with regard to behavior and cognition? Absolutely nothing you can cram in in that amount of time is worth the detrimental effects induced by less sleep. You might get a couple of pages of X done, sure. But at what cost? She will be more likely to struggle all day, have behavioral problems, be unable to focus, and generally not learn as much all DAY that she might otherwise. http://www.cbsnews.com/news/27-extra-minutes-of-sleep-may-make-kids-better-behaved/ My dd4 is probably considered radically advanced. I have investigated all sorts of options for school. Mine is actually going to attend Montessori 3 mornings a week- yes, it is possible that they will find works to challenge her...but if not there are stil plenty of things she will learn being in that setting. Connections, different approaches, working with a group and a plethora of other more intangible things. I dont know if it will work. The program we tried last year to 'let her play' a couple of days/week was an abysmal failure. But we give her the option because we see it as just as important to expose her the other things she can learn. Next year we will probably HS full-time...but if you treat this as something she needs, and give her a bit of time in the afternoon, it will work out. I get that the time you are losing with her you see as 'wasted time' because you feel you can teach more, and more efficiently. And you probably can of specific materials. But there are a million things that she will learn at school that may not seem evident at first. You can eventually work with her teacher to provide work for your daughter. Give it time. After you see what your dd''s teacher has in mind (and there may be several kids at her level) you can do things like send in books to read whilst other kids are working on learning to read or when she finishes early. Possibly even math pages that you have taught the day prior. Read a ton at home, get some materials for the car to listen to, and take her out every weekend for opportunities to play, explore museums, etc. Good luck. I know how hard it is to let go, and not have your plans work out the way you intended. Mine certainly haven't! My dd has distinct ideas of how/what school will be for her:)

My dd4 is currently enamored with Greek mythology. So far we have read D'Aulaires Greek mythology (and listened to them too many times in the car!), a handful of other audio CDs including DAXOS and Jim Weiss, read A Child's Introduction to Greek Mythology. We ended up buying the Schlessinger Media Greek Mythology DVD because I was tired of paying late fees at the library. She loves the card game Zeus on the Loose, even though we have been playing it forever and I grity teeth and call it mental math practice! I need new ideas. New books, new board games, new...anything at this point:) Help me out before I end up bald from pulling out my hair from the endless repetition!

Of course you are proud of her! I have no doubt of this, and imagine you work very hard to let her know this. I have read your posts and think you genuinely make an effort to celebrate the gifts and efforts of both your girls. But I think even when comments are made out of earshot kids have ways of picking up in them...eveb if not overhearing them directly, comments like this eventually tend to rear their heads. I grew up with a step-sister who was six months younger than I. She struggled with just about everything. I didn't. There were reasons, most of them beyond our control. Comments like these almost became a general expectation for both of us. She was expected to struggle with everything and I wa expected to struggle with nothing. Not good for either of us. To this day she harbors much resentment because of this. She did not much like being branded the kid who was a hard worker because she had to struggle so much. I just think things like that can take on a persona all their own, despite the original intent. Hard work is always something to be praised; perseverance in the face of adversity should always be celebrated. Just not as a deflection or defense for some random ignorant mother who is feeling defensive at something your child has done:)

Oh, see that makes me cringe:( Yes. It does make others feel better to see a kid struggling sometimes. These people are petty and do not deserve the effort. And definitely not at the expense of your child.

What about creating a scenario/problem for them to solve? A bit like a scavenger hunt where they have to use clues to recover an object stolen by the Riddler kind of thing.