Here is my ALMOST certified therapy dog Pongo Non-shedding Not a barker Not a jumper super cuddly Great with kiddos Breed: 1/2 Poodle (smart) 1/2 Golden Retriever (very sweet family dog)

:grouphug: sorry about that I know you were really excited about going. Similar story here, so 5 years ago I started a co-op that now has 26 classes and 35 families, and quiet honestly I would love for the phone to stop ringing on some days. Jessica I treat homeschooling as I did my job as an RN. Organized, scheduled, on time and some would call it "type A" I always thought of it as responsible:D I have wonderful friends that waffle over curricula, change mid-year, start planning the day before they start and I love them dearly. They don't judge me and I don't judge them. Homeschooling is only a fraction of WHO I am, there is so much more, and there is in you too. I think you should find out who in your group has children the ages of your own. Start a weekly or bi-monthly park day where each mom brings something like a craft, snack, drinks etc. Sometimes I think we LOOK like we are ALL SET, got all our ducks in a row, and well, we don't need what anyone else has. The fact is all I wanted was friendship, and it sounds the same for you. Try to take the homeschooling aspect out of it, and set up play dates instead. First impressions are a funny thing, I think we all like a level of need. You always give so freely your ideas schedules and more. You want to give and make the road easier for those that haven't traveled it yet. No shame in that. There is much to be learned from veterans, even though I read everything, and scheduled evertyhing, the calmness they have knowing it will be all right, is exactly what I need. They bring me back to earth, life will happen and I WILL have to roll with it, the schedule will be on hold but, as my dear friend will say "it will be alright" , and it always is;)

During our Friday afternoon meetings we will go over the following week schedule and THEY (yes, my plan is the kiddos) will fill out their assignment pages. The book log is basically every single book they have read for the year. It's been great because, I use my 5th grade dd's book log, for ideas for the next ones coming up because she is such a voracious reader I end up with an expansive book list. It also let's me SEE how much they are reading. HTH's

calender Weekly Assignments Book Log Reading Log for my 1st grader

Yes, the folders were cut down the spine before they were bound so they lay flat :)

What a cute planner, I might have to get this for my little one next year. Thanks!

Pongo is a 85 lb."Goldendoodle" he is 1/2 Standard Poodle and 1/2 Golden Retriver. They can get to about 110 lbs depending on the size of the dad(if her was the Retriever)He has a low /non shed coat and he has his summer cut in that pic. , I have to trim, around his eyes or he will walk into walls :confused:. In the winter he has a 5 inch thick wavy coat. Does your guy shed? Here is a close up of a pic. I just sent his breeder. He has a wonderful temperament and we just love him so much :)

It was $2 a binder :)

My dd went through Singapore 6A ,and 6B then went into Lials. Its been smooth sailing and my dd (5th) has been doing it pretty much on her own. I go over the instructions but if any thing it hasn't been that much deeper. Looking at the S & S I probably could have covered the Math 6 stuff later in Lials. Like you said the explanations in Lials are well written. I think either choice would work well :)

They are really thick and sturdy so I think it should hold up pretty good.

Thanks,:) I am happy I finally figured this out. Yea, I have to agreee Pongo is a cutie.

Okay, you made me spend the last few hours finally figuring out how to work my Digital camera from Christmas, Thank You for the push..lol I think I set up an Online Album...at least I tried. Here is where it should be:confused:

I run a co-op with 3 wonderful friends. We offer 26 classes and we "CAP OFF" ALL classes at 15. Those really serious about the co-op sign-up early , pay their dues and gets first dibs on classes. Once the class is full it's CLOSED.

I finally finished the assignment book for my kiddos. I went and let them pick those really cute pocket folders with the colors/pictures on them.(2 girls picked animals and the ds a race car, of course) ( Page 1) I created a Year-at-a-glance school calender schedule with ALL our days off/holidays/vacations. (Page 2) I have their daily subject schedule timed (7:00 chores, 8:00 Piano, 8:30 English etc.) (Page 3) Veritas Press song lyrics (for our time line) (Page 4-24) Reading Book Log For my 1st grader I added her assignment sheets right before the Reading Book Log (basic assignment sheets). Then, I took it and had comb bound at Staples, with the pocket folders as the covers. They look so cute! Lastly, for my older 2 I really love the Assignment Planner by RR so they each have one in the front pocket of the folder, it fit perfectly. When we have our Fri. afternoon meetings they will fill in their assignment sheets/books. I think it's important to pass on ownership to them, hopefully the plan works :)

She doesn't need a vocal professional to just sing and learn "parts". If she loves singing just the opportunity to sing would be great :). Maybe you could discuss it with the choir director and see if they can make an acception.

Wow, I am surprised a vocal coach would take on a child so young. Normally at that age if you do anything vocally it should be only, introducing basic breathing techniques, basic music reading, understanding harmony versus melody. I agree with the poster who mentioned a children's choir. That will help her learn to take direction, sing with other people and she will be able to work on the other basic skills. This would be pretty easy to do at home if that was what she was getting. I would be hesitant to do ANY serious vocal training. Usually vocal coaches will not take on children for serious vocal training until after 12 ish even older, even if they have a gifted tone/musicality/a good ear. Vocal training can take quite a toll on under developed vocal chords. I know even after years and years of vocal training I still have to be careful not to overwork my vocals. I have a gifted pianist, my wonderful 10 yod. I have always felt that when a child is gifted in an area of music it isn't something they "lose". Sometimes change is a blessing in disguise, this will allow her to seek out other opportunities to sing. Kids theater shows, solos in church, children's choir, and talent shows. This will give her some time to find her "voice", being allowed to develop her voice naturally and then fine tune her tone and style is, IMHO the best way to go. Good Luck :)

I love ours, we got the Xyron Model 850 Laminator , I make time line stickers and laminiating is so easy. It's a cold laminator no need for plug:)

We did several for my 6 yod: Children partner up, one inside the pool and one outside the pool. ~The child inside the pool has to saturate a big sponge hand it to the child outside the pool, that child has to squeeze it into a bucket (I drew a line on the inside of the bucket) first team to the line wins :) This way kids that don't feel to comfortable in the water could participate without HAVING to go into the pool. ~Again 1 in the pool, 1 child out of the pool, if both kiddos like the water make them switch. Give each team 10-15 water balloons (its easier if each team has their own color) The child in the water has to toss it into the bucket that the child is holding outside the pool. The team with the most intact water balloons wins. ~Simon says with kids in or out of the pool HTH's

For my hubby I send him out with stuff like, Homemade granola bars with a yogurt glaze Cranberry Nut Bran Muffins (or any flavor he prefers) Bagels w/cream cheese Yogurt with almonds(nuts for protein)& fruit Crepes rolled with fresh fruit or jelly Date-nut or Banana Nut type squares Whole wheat tortilla with sliced hard-boiled egg, slice of ham & slice of cheese

:iagree:

:iagree:

I just use the Memory Song CD's that goes with the Time line cards, I hang the cards on a cloth line type string against, and then I use those little plastic clothespins (Staples has them), and we sing the song several times a week. I use TOG so as you mentioned the order is different, I introduce the time line cards as we learn them. Then I pop them up on the string, after I have the first 5-6 (in order from the beginning) I start the song, and we only sing those until the next 5-6 are up in order to learn more of the song :)

Ditto, and I'll add we memorize them by singing the CD with them.

I bought a laminator, it's wonderful, it also makes stickers (for timeline),with the amount of laminating I do I think this thing has saved me money, so easy to use no plug needed cold laminator.

Yes, even Jenny from Singapore explains this in the 1A mini-guide they use to offer for free. I have an extra copy, if you'd like it PM me and I can mail it to you.