The Read Aloud Handbook by Jim Trelease has an excellent overview of benefits. Read aloud time in our house is sometimes one on one and sometimes the whole family. We do everything from picture books (I have younger kids) to novels and the bible. We also listen to audiobooks in the car. All three of my kids love to read, be read to, and have excellent vocabulary for their ages. I find it a great way to just sit with my kids my kids now that they are past the bottle stage.

Used curriculum sale Convention Rainbow Resource Amazon Peace Hill Press Varage FB page (someone here started it but I can't remember who)

That's terrible!

I've been using a Graco umbrella style stroller for over 7 years now, I'm not sure the exact model name but it runs about $100. It's similar to a Maclaren but I liked it better at the time. It doesn't take up much room in the back of my vehicle, it's lightweight, and I've flown with it a few different times. I started using it for daily walks when my first child was a couple weeks old, I'm still using it with my 2.5 year old now and it has held up great. The fabric still looks new. The seat does recline which worked well for an infant but doesn't work so great trying to get my two year old to nap. The only thing I don't like is that the basket is difficult to get into if the seat is reclined. I usually end up hooking my diaper bag on the handles just in case.

^ what book helped you learn the bar method? I'm not there yet but I would like to learn ahead of time.

I have trouble losing my keys, I have to keep them in the exact same place always. This clearly won't help your child though. My husband got me a fob to attach to my keys, you whistled to activate it. It didn't work very well though so I returned it. Recently I saw an ad for something called Tile. It's a flat disk with a small hole in it, you can put it on your key ring or use tape to attach it to your remote, etc. Using an app on your phone and Bluetooth technology it helps you locate the lost item. Apparently it also keeps track of recent locations. The tile is $25 so I haven't tried it, but if they were a bit cheaper I'd be attaching them on items like crazy. It would be great on my daughter's shoes.

I've been checking this thread today too. Hoping all tests went ok and that you are just busy caring for your new baby.

I don't have any specific resources, but someone at my church did this before I started homeschooling and it was incredibly helpful. One thing I really struggled with was how to structure and organize my days. She showed us her planner and a couple other homeschoolers shared what they did as well. This really helped me even though I do things differently than any of them.

Instead of pins you could use clothes pins. A walking foot will make it much less frustrating, you may also want to use a longer stitch. I suggest topstitching all the way around the edges of the blanket once you are finished. Minky is really forgiving, if you don't sew a perfectly straight line it won't be obvious.

Ours is only 2 weeks old. Apparently we go through it faster than the average family because our previous bottle was bought around Thanksgiving.

Signed.

Rent the Runway may work. You don't get to keep the dress, but you do get a designer dress much less expensively. I've never used them but its popular among the college students I know. I believe they send you a dress in two sizes just in case.

What about using a loop schedule for those subjects that frequently don't get finished? I'm not really sure how to explain it but instead of science on Wednesdays, have time in your schedule each week for the loop subjects. Just do the next one on your loop so that you rotate through them.

Do they always do a Black Friday sale? I may need to remember that for next year.

I would let my husband drive our kids if he hadn't slept the night before. He functions pretty well on little sleep. I however would not drive my kids if I had little sleep the night before.

Glad to hear that. I am considering using a science curriculum they publish next year.

Ouch!

I just finished "Teaching from Rest". It's a quick read but I enjoyed it.

Congratulations! What a handsome boy.

I bet she can handle it. If she gets stuck at some point, you can set it aside and do review for a week or two.

I agree with Jackie above that you should probably do the placement test for whatever program you plan to use long term and start her at the appropriate level.

I used Singapore Essentials with my now 7 year old. It was really easy for him. During his k year he finished both Essentials books and 1a. He also finished Miquon Orange. He does not particularly love math. My 5 year old did both Essentials books as a 4 year old. She is currently working through Miquon Orange (only when she requests doing math). When she officially starts K this fall I will have her do SM 1a. She loves math and already knows some basic addition and subtraction. Her writing skills are pretty far behind where her brother was at the same age. If we end up doing math orally I'll be ok with that.

Thanks. I looked at the sample of Partnership Writing, it looks more his speed but I'm not sure if it would get too challenging too quickly. The Jot It Down samples look like a lot of fun, it may be a bit easy for him though. I wasn't sure if it would still challenge him or not.

I've been looking at the Brave Writer site and HSBC and have no clue what I need to purchase for my soon to be 2nd grader. My search function even using Google is failing me. He is an advanced reader and natural speller who enjoys writing. I think this program would be a good fit for him.

My 2 year old recently became scared of the dark. He won't even go in his bedroom during the day if the light is off even though it's not very dark. Dark has never bothered him in the past. Part of the sudden fear may be developmental.