That is awesome! I have found TONS of curriculum at the local Goodwill. I paid $1.00 for grade 6 Rod & Staff teacher and student english books. I found IEW American History for .50. I have seen LLATL, lots of pre-k (entire HOP reading 1-4 set included), and tons of learning DVDs (all our leapfrog, Nat Geo documentaries). Thrift stores are treasure troves for books. :)

I think that is more than reasonable! My almost 13 year old is to go to bed at 9:00 and all he can do is read or listen to music. He does usually read for a while (an hour or so). We don't get up until 8:00 in the morning, so this gives him plenty of sleep. If mine had to get up at 6:00, they would be in bed at 8:00 no matter how old they were. Since none of mine go to school, they don't know that 9 is early...teehee:tongue_smilie: Carly

I think I am going to start homeschool tracker online later this month and noticed they offer a $5 referrel fee paid via paypal to current users. Here is the link. I will use a referrel code if someone has one:) http://www.homeschooltracker.com/ReferralProgram.aspx Thanks! Carly

We have our children in service with us. The best advice is just give it time. If they are in church regularly every week they will learn to sit quietly. Give her crayons to color with. Let her look through a quiet book that she only gets at church. I take a bag with a sippy cup, coloring books, and another activity that changes every week. I take lacing animals, counting/sorting bears, small puzzles, baby dolls, legos, etc. My kids usually get bored of those and just cuddle on my lap, but when they were smaller I had to keep them busy. She will get used to it. Does it bother your father in law? I bet he doesn't even notice the kids when he starts preaching. My father-in-law and husband are preachers and they totally block out the "kid noise." I bet it bothers you more than anyone:) Hang in there. It will get better.

This is exactly what I was looking for today! Thanks so much for sharing. It looks yummy.

I went to the website and found the flyers for my store. They had a classes flyer that had it listed with no dates or times. I just called and they hooked me up (and even told me about the 1/2 price sign up Saturday next month). Good luck! Carly

I am looking to learn to crochet, too! I am going to take an intro to crochet class at Joann's next month. My store is having a 1/2 price class sign up day I am waiting for. That would make it rather inexpensive! I hope you get some responses so I can check them out, too! Carly

I use a workbook to do worksheets and add in extras like this game: http://www.amazon.com/Talicor-Where-In-The-World/dp/B0006ZJPF0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325386279&sr=8-1 It is fun and the kids learn:) I didn't like Trail Guide or 180 Days because they added in so much other stuff. 180 Days is really designed to be an entire history/geography unit. It looked good to me, but I needed JUST geography. I do still have the Trail Guide books that I may use, but I just needed easy. Here is the workbook we use: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0769685595/ref=oh_o01_s00_i00_details

:bigear:I am no help, but was looking at the same Notgrass for my 7th grader for later this year (into next year). I just don't know where to go after MOH 3 and need to do a good American History course. I will be following this thread to help with my decisions, too.

I would love to get a few new podcasts on my ipod! I subscribe to a couple, download books from booksshouldbefree.com, and have music, of course. What are your favorite podcasts? I subscribe to Dr. Laura and Clark Howard and do prefer free:)

Thanks everyone for the free app of the day:)

Well, I will share ours.

My son has had it cleaned by doctor, ent, and me. Sometimes there is a bit of blood if the wax ball is stuck to the side of the ear canal. I don't think it would ever be enough to come out of the ear though. I that is probably an ear drum issue. It is very painful for my son, but not me. I think it depends on how sensitive you are.

Amazon Prime and Hulu are our main TV. We don't watch a ton, but it is a nice added benefit. They do have some educational stuff (Really Wild Animals is popular here). They have also started giving us credit if we don't need an ordered item quickly. That will add up to FREE rentals;) I LOVE amazon prime. Carly

Well, I am a massage addict here:) Well, if I were rich I would actually be an addict. I do get a monthly massage and have for years and years. I usually tip $10 to $15 and pay cash or on my card. At one point I had a lady coming to the house and I just included it in the check I wrote her. It usually doesn't matter HOW you give a tip as long as you give them one;) I always leave my undies on and they can still "work" the muscles under there. I always go to a female, also.

Thanks for all the ideas! I did order the Tollins book, and will google high/low books. I will let others know what works (for the other older barely-just reading kids). Thanks! Carly

Hello! I am having a hard time finding books my 8 1/2 year old is interested in that he can read. He is reading at a mid to late 2nd grade level. Most books at this reading level don't interest him. He listens to books on CD a LOT, but the is not helping him progress in his reading ability! Can you give me some ideas on book ideas for him? He listens to the older kid books like Eragon, Harry Potter, etc. He also like Magic Tree House (but they are interesting him less and less recently). He is a high adventure loving boy, also. Thanks for any help! :) Carly

I am no expert, but I have a Nikon D5000 and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it! I am sure it does a ton of stuff that I don't even understand, but it takes amazing pictures.

I think you may need to be realistic with the schedule. I LOVE MOTH. It makes it so we get most things done most days. I don't think there is a week we get EVERYTHING done, but most. I would make sure I worked in the older kids first. That may seem counter intuitive, but they are the closest to college and will have to finish their work. The younger kids have more time and could "catch up" if they needed.

Geez, I didn't *really* worry about my DS until he was 7. Then I kind of did:) He is 8 and reading at a 2nd grade level (probably 2.5 or so). He is slow, but is finally getting it. I would not worry AT ALL just yet. My oldest learned to read easily and at a "normal" time, but my 2nd just wasn't ready. When he finally started getting it was when we went to Rod and Staff reading. This isn't normally a curriculum others love for reading, but it is working for us quite well. Give her a break and start again later. Reinforce lots of phonics with worksheets, reading, blocks, crafts, whatever and have fun! Carly

I would do MSB first, then you can move into T&K. Unless you are talking about the "little labs," then it would be a toss up:) Carly

I am in the market for some photo editing software which can get pricey. The one I want is on amazon for around $220. I thought I would check out ebay for a deal. Well, I can get a new in package item for around $180 or so. That seems like maybe I am getting a deal. However, there are some that have sold for WAY less...like around $100. They say new in package and have a picture that is actually new in package. I know that I couldn't/wouldn't purchase software that was obviously not "the real thing." i.e. copied. But these that are selling for 1/2 the retail price are the real deal. All I can think is the person stole it and is re-selling it. What other possibility is there? If it is a new in package product why would they be selling it for way under market value?? It doesn't make sense to me. I don't think, on principle, I could buy the product that I suspect could be stolen (or credit card number stolen to purchase it). What do you think? Does anyone else get suspicious like I do? What are your thoughts on purchasing software on ebay at very discounted prices (or any item really)?

We all get them here. We have had the flu and were all sick at the same time. I NEVER want that to happen again. If a little shot (or mist in the kids' case) can lower the risk of that horrible week I am game. Not un-biased, but true.

Personally, I would not feel any guilt about my aunt being alone. It sounds like that may be some of her doing anyway. Why wouldn't some of her own kids invite her?? I would encourage you to enjoy the time you do spend with your mom and leave it at that. I would be miffed about my Aunt not inviting my family to Thanksgiving, but it sounds like it is not a suprise to you. That is who she is. Sorry you are having to deal with this. Let it go and get on with the holidays with YOUR family and those you love. No drama would be my motto for the next couple of months;).

Money would mean nothing to my 3 and 4 year olds. I know my littles know what the word "no" means because they lie if asked if they did it! That tells me they understand "no." I would probably give them a short time out and put the dog somewhere they could not reach her. At this young age they just need more supervision. I don't think long talks about the dog going to heaven or something similar would have any effect whatsoever. They are not little adults. My littles are constantly doing things I tell them not to (pouring water on the floor, throwing balls in the house, etc.). That is why I am going to totally steal this line: I keep saying with her it's like a game of Survivor. Outwit. Outlast. Outplay. :lol: