We have done it with a barbecue/dinner party as well as just a gathering for snacks, cake and ice cream. Either is fine. I'd set a budget and let your girls get decorations or anything else for the party. We also did a few gifts so I'd let them each pick one out for him too. Definitely get two cakes. Most first birthday parties ended up with cake all over the little one. :)

So cute!!

I would do World Geography and some sort of math - Consumer, Statistics, Accounting or maybe even a college algebra text to keep it fresh in her head. I would let her follow some of her own interests through various sources, though I'd probably turn it into a credit. How many credits does she have so far?

If I had to pick only one reason I homeschool it would be academic but really it's the whole package deal. Academic, Social and just because we want to. The only homeschool group in my area has a statement of faith (that I won't sign), so their reason could be religion but I don't know them all personally. I only know a few who do for academic reasons.

Dropped out of highschool, got my GED right afterwards and started community college. Got a certificate in medical reception and got a job but continued going to school for an AA in Child Development. Thought about continuing that was enough qualification for the jobs I was looking for. Dh has a BS in Business, MS in Math and minor in Education.

Voted!

I definitely agree it's only the first day that has magic! Do something special today. Come up with something special for the whole year too. The above poster had a cool idea. :)

I think the pants would look fine on their own or with the tutu. I'd probably make the tutu in the navy blue and see how it looks over the pants.

Thank you! I will keep them for when we study zoology next.

After reading your follow up post I don't think it was too harsh at all. You have a system and you have guided him through it for a year, I'd be frustrated. My suggestion would be to actually see him put the assignment in his binder or go over all his work at the end of the day and make sure all of it is there, if not he loses points on the assignment. The latter probably wouldn't work since you don't keep grades though.

Figured this would be a great first post. :) I've read WTM many times, I follow some of it but definitely not all. A lot of curricula offered now wasn't around when I started so I got used to doing things my own way without it. I also have read many other educational method books and there are many ideas I try to incorporate depending on the child. I only recently found the forums and I love the atmosphere here. I've been on a few mom forums but love that everyone here is homeschooling but yet there is so much diversity. It also seems like these are a lot more active.