I don't agree with him. I think French is a beautiful language. I'd like to teach them both. He is very, um, strangely opinionated. Yes. That's the kindest way I can put it.

That would be my first choice. DH thinks French is a dying language and a waste of time and would rather they learned Spanish. :confused:

I don't want a computer program. I don't mind audio cd's, however. I could manage French but for any other language, I would prefer something that doesn't assume prior knowledge on my part. We need a living language so not Latin. What are your favorites for less than $50, O Hive?

Dragon is currently working in FLL 3 and seems to find the non-writing assignments easy. He breezes ahead of me and I swear he's laughing at me. Getting him to write from his own imagination is near impossible. I am thinking of ordering FLL 4 to challenge him more. I am debating on which level of WWE to get. What say the Hive?

I usually set him to his favorite subject while I feed the toddler cheerios (yes I have to "enjoy" another 9yo boy) and guide Fury in his lessons.

Thank you all for sharing! I am thinking of buying a planner from Rainbow Resource that is actually meant for a homeschooler instead of the ones in the stores meant for classroom teachers. Notebooks have proven to be, as my boys are fond of saying, an "epic fail" for me. I have tried a spreadsheet but that doesn't seem to fit as I get carried away. What I do know is that if I don't write it down, it may not get done. We are currently hobbling along with just math, grammar, and reading. That needs to change. I feel like a horrible mom for not doing more.

I taught Dragon to read at 3 3/4. He wouldn't leave us alone when we tried to read. It was time! I used OPGTTR and let him pick the color of the day for the letter card.

My boys can be spazzy and they aren't ADHD. I don't know if this would work for your son but I have heard something to the effect of Mountain Dew (or is it Diet Dew?) will help to mellow kids with ADHD as it works opposite in their systems from a non-ADHD child (who may go hyper-spaz). Can anyone clarify that? If it does work, it may buy you 30-60 to get some math done.

Another one for your 3rd and 5th is Switched-On Schoolhouse. You'll have to add penmanship but will be able to re-use for the younger ones. It's the same material as the Lifepacs.

We should all stock up on our favorite ice cream flavors and get chip-faced!! :lol::lol::lol:

I know you're swollen and I'm glad the chiro helped. :D I know warmth helps my feet to feel better. :grouphug:

Glad I could help! :lol: Dragon is very strong-willed and no love of waiting for or following directions. He's always been this way. But he's become hyper-sensitive and his stubborn nature has intensified since Christmas.

I'm in the same boat. Thinking of having mine tested.

All of those recipes look yummy!! The granola bars said it was private and I couldn't view it.

I'm liking the idea of not accidentally staining things. :p

Okay. There are just some mornings I don't want to fuss with anything. With a toddler, that's impossible. He can't help himself. I would love to have self-serve friendly items for mornings like that so I can grab and dole it out to him. I thought of fruit but that isn't self-stable for more than a few days. Cold cereal is okay but eats up milk. I'd like to try a breakfast bar or cookie. Something that has some sweet to it but is really good for you. Being able to cook it ahead and store it is an absolute must. What do you do on mornings like that?

I made an epic fail on dh's fave cast iron beast by trying to deglaze it with cold liquid. Lesson learned=use hot or warm liquid on screaming hot cast iron. Other than that, non-stick pans don't survive long because the heat is too high. My regular stainless pans are okay, though. My dh calls me "impatient" and has commented that I would be better off with heavy-duty pans.

Mr. Picky Pants (2yo) has been observing for the last month as putting him in his seat and hooking him up with cheerios or some other non-messy self-feeding snack gets us quiet time for school as his naps are unpredictable. He's very enamored of the dry erase lapboard I use with the older two. I've been thinking of getting dry-erase crayons for him to use during school on an older board we have. Do any of you have experience with the crayons? Is this a monumentally *bad* idea? If so, I need another idea to "include" him that is non-messy and non-destructive.

I feel silly for not checking your sig. He's 5. It's a weird morning for me. My oldest cousin adopted their oldest two after trying to conceive without luck then ended up having two more. Congrats!!

I would like to get a couple of new pieces but need to balance price and quality. This thread has me considering Emerilware for stainless but not sure what to do about enameled cast iron. I've got a track record of being hard on pans.

Congrats!! How old is he?

:grouphug: If there is mild breathing issues (quasi-sniffles), would a breathe-right strip help?

So how far ahead do you plan: A) lessons B) curriculum What is your favorite planning tool?

:grouphug::grouphug::grouphug: Remember to breathe and follow Dina's advice. And then head to your freezer or nearest store and get some ice cream.

Going today isn't an option but could you call tomorrow for a chiropractic appointment?