All the toll roads I have used in IL have been with ipass system or stopping at an actual booth if you don’t have the system. I haven’t gone on 88 recently so I can’t speak with certainty that’s the system along there but for 90, 94, etc that’s the way it’s always been. So if that’s the case for 88 as well, you’d pay tolls as you got on or off and possibly along the way as well. And some places do not have manned toll booths so you may need exact change. I’d check if you can find if this is the case.

You can actually use the reservation finder for free 🙂. You just need to register for touring plans but don’t need the $10 membership to see the crowds

Oh and if you really want the Disney experience it’s all Magic Kingdom imo. Although the rides are fairly the main attraction it shouts Disney to me and the fireworks show are wonderful!

We just got back from Disney World. Youll need to check the parks hours- some parks offer after hours parties and close early. The Halloween party will most likely be over when you are there but there are other things that could cause a park to close early. There are tickets good for after 12pm which are less expensive and would be great for you it seems. If you’re not big on rides I’d suggest Epcot. It’s wonderful to walk around and see everything around you. With the Food and Wine festival it was a little more busy but not bad. We were easily able to walk around and grab some bites at the booths. If you want an actual restaurant I’d suggest making reservations now for your choice of time and place (you’ll need tickets first). For two it wouldn’t be too difficult to find a place but the popular places will most likely be filled. I made reservations on the first day I was able (180 days before going) and I wasn’t able to get all I wanted. But I was able to move things around once we were there for less popular places. Disney has gotten more difficult to do a drop in visit because of the advance planning available. But I think it’s doable with your situation. I would have loved to go kid free to Epcot for the food and wine and wander. My kids still enjoyed it (and they did learn because we chose to do the educational options 😉) and love going there. It was the one place we wish we spent more time again. I know other suggested Animal Kingdom but that has always been my least favorite park. Maybe it was the day we chose to go but it wasn’t Disney clean, parts were just plain dirty, it was so crowded we couldn’t move easily (and we easily walked on rides at the Magic Kingdom and all other parks this week- even Galaxys Edge). The restaurant there was the least liked since we felt rushed and were treated rudely. It didn’t feel like Disney to us and we already decided next time we wouldn’t return. We had the same experience the last time we went. But we also traveled with ( kids from 1-12 so maybe that made a difference? there is also Disney Springs for food and some atmosphere, but mainly shopping and eating. Regardless enjoy your trip! It sounds fun!

I had my cholestrol skyrocket after being on keto. My doctor suggested going vegan to help with the cholesterol. It wasn't great for my fat loss, but it did drastically drop my cholesterol.

I haven't heard of these before! Thank you for sharing. If these don't work for DS they will work for another who is doing an Around the World Study. Plus the library has a ton! I haven't dived into these yet, but I do have one child who loves science and textbooks who will start using it. Unfortunately, ODS already looked at them and gave a flat out no. He is the exact opposite! Thanks for sharing! These are great! I'm definitely saving this as a great resource while I dive into planning his science specifically.

Thank you! Yes, I should have mentioned that we have actually already done these before. Unfortunately it doesn't seem that they've continued writing them. It's been a few years without any additions. That's why we picked up Sassafras for other topics.

I'm struggling finding a science for my sixth grader. He is not one that enjoys science at all. But he loves reading! I wanted to find a literature based science for him that would require little experiments or worksheets. He has done Sassfrass in the past and enjoyed it, but I read it aloud and fixed errors in grammar and such. Any suggestions as to where to look? I'd also like for it to be fairly independent.

I love Ivy kids for 4-5 maybe even 6 yer olds. It has been the one kit I’ve felt is worth the money. The books and activities are fun and easy to pull out for a child who wants to do hand son things. The activities can get repetitive though after awhile. We subbed for two years for a few kids and have several painted banks and other items around the house 😂. The games are all pretty much the same just a different theme. Still my 5 yo has enjoyed them a second year. We stopped and just reuse the activities when we want something easy to do.

Following since I was wondering the same thing

Don’t tell that to my five year old! He’s always hugging and snuggling our chickens. That kids loves his ladies. 😂

I’m guessing because the 2020 prices aren’t out yet. You can call 499 days in advance to get a reservation but will pay the difference in cost when the prices come out. I also don’t believe you can get 2020 tickets yet but may be wrong about that The 2020 prices will be out soon though. Maybe mid June I heard? If staying on property is work with a travel agent. They are free for you and can help so much!

I looked at American Story and while I loved the idea of it, I didn't like that there were 3 books to get through AH. I wanted to do it in one condensed year at that age group. IF you like using literature, have you looked at Beautiful Feet's American History?

I’m right there with you that FIAR is so much fun! But time is at a minimal with having many older ones. So lik PP mentioned we have used IVY KIDS! They have been a lifesaver for the fun and I add in library books as I want to gain more on the subject. Also, look into Beautiful Feet. The around the world appears to be similar to FIAR and we will be using that next year! Lots of books with lessons based on them.

This will be my fourth little guy to do K. I'm still thinking it through Math- Either MUS Alpha or Math for a Living Education Reading/Writing/Spelling- IEW PAL continuing from where he currently is History/Geography- Around the World with Picture Books, lots on hands on things Literature- Sonlight P4/5 and A as we want since we have all the book Handwriting- HWOT K and 1 I'll probably grab some Ivy Kids boxes once our current ones are done and possibly another kit club for fun

I am looking for a class online for teaching my 5th grader writing. When I googled it, not much came up, so I thought I'd see the advice of other homeschoolers here.

After many years of wanting to I finally started up a homeschooling blog. I have already posting some topics I’m interested writing about, but I’m curious what readers like to read. Or what other than freebies brings them to a blog in general.

I don’t think there is anything specific. It will all depend upon the child. Mine with adhd can’t handle mm and we use mus with him since the pages are clean and not cluttered. The amount of problems have been good for him. BUT it may also be a frustrating for an adhd kid being that it’s mastery. It also depends if the child is interested in math and has that as an strength. If the child enjoys reading a nice gentle approach would be masterbooks math for a living education- this does have Christian content. Ive been tempted to switch mine to TT because of the video lessons which he enjoys but another but for mine math is a weakness and he would struggle without the one on one help

Bummer. I was never crazy about Gymboree since it was too themed for me and more than I wanted to spend on messy little boys. But crazy 8 has been a favorite.

We have had the same struggle with Science. I'm guessing it doesn't help in my case that I don't enjoy teaching it. But since we all love literature we do a lot of reading to make up for the lack of science instruction in these years.

We loved doing the Hidden Mickeys. It was a fun way to keep busy. The book was inexpensive and a highlight of the trip for my kids.

We are thinking of getting an au pair for a year. Has anyone had experience with having one? Agencies to go through (or not)?

Can I hug you?!? I forgot that homeschool in the woods was on my list of maybes! I think that is just what I need! Thank you!

I was going to put together my own, but I'm just too tired! I'm looking at a 1 year American History that covers the beginning into modern times. Preferably living book based. I've looked in Sonlight, but it isn't the best fit for us. Any other suggestions?

Thanks for the information! It sounds like it won't be the best fit for us either. I will be looking more into TLP! And ELTL! I'm trying to get my boy who loves reading, but hate all other language arts to gain better LA skills.