My mistake! I had to do a double take on this one! I have a health savings account (HSA), not a FSA. It's for people with high deductibles before their insurance kicks in. we have to pay the first 6000 of our medical expenses before our insurance kicks in (and then only 80%). Health savings accounts can and do roll over. And we only get what we invest as we invest it (tax free).

I think all plans are slightly different. Ours does roll over into the next year, but we are taxed for any amount that we didn't use. It can be used for glasses, contacts, etc also. Also, on our plan we have the amount available that we have paid for TO DATE (i.e. we do NOT have 2000 available in January before we've contributed a dime--we have 200 or whatever amount we have contributed to date). Thus, I try to schedule any appointments I can for the end of the year when I know I'll have the money in health savings. BTW we have FSA from Aetna if that helps.

If you are really wanting to do core 1, I would just buy a used teacher guide and used history core books and check out the read-alouds from the library. MUCH cheaper!

Audio memory has songs to teach the states & capitals by location (southern border of the united states, etc).

God's world news in the age appropriate category is awesome (and not too expensive)!!! see link http://www.gwnews.com/edelivery.cfm

Yes, and it baffled me for a while. I've always been allergic to tons of stuff since childhood (and through two complete sets of allergy shots--each consisting of weekly shots). However... my new allergies are food and far different. I found myself with a throbbing throat, hot all over, racing heart and gut wrenching stomach pain (on the level of crowning) followed by two or three hours of vomiting. The first time this happened, I thought "flu". Then it kept happening and I thought ulcer (tried heartburn meds). Finally, I had a hazelnut pizza and I almost couldn't make it to the bathroom. Then I knew (and I couldn't believe I hadn't considered allergies)!!! I followed up with my allergist. He said my symptoms weren't typical, but he tested me anyway. Sure enough, HAZELNUTS!!! I also am allergic to soy and tomatoes. The symptoms are actually very similar (hot, rapid heartbeat, swollen throat and very painful tummyache), but I don't vomit with those. Believe it or not, soy and hazelnuts (as fillers) are in TONS! of foods. My advice would be to look at what it is that you are consuming. Is there something you eat now in abundance (like soy milk) that you didn't before? Try eliminating that before putting yourself on the super strict elimination diet.

Anyone have one to teach the basic parts of speech?

I find the liquid claritin works much faster than the pill if you need it. You might also need the -D part if he is congested. I wouldn't give it or any other "non-drowsy" allergy meds at night as they can make getting to sleep difficult. If it's super bad you can use Afrin for up to three days (DON'T use it longer than that without a doctors o.k. -- it can have a rebound affect). I have super bad allergies and sinuses (I've had one surgery and need another--yuck!). I use claritin-d and Nasacort (and the advice of my allergist and ENT).

I vote for wait as well. I found sotw 1 very graphic (killings and explicit directions for making mummies). But then, my daughter is very sensitive and has nightmares easily. You could do more geography work with your older if you decide to do sonlight k (I suggest audio memory's geography songs or states & capitals).

Of course their are lots of loud kids, but ... My four year old ds was always LOUD. I mean even his whispers were loud. Ever since he was a baby. I assumed it was his nature. However... Since I was going to an ENT regularly for sinus problems and surgery this Fall, I asked if we could have an official hearing screening of my son just to be sure he didn't have hearing problems (since he was loud and my brother has hearing problems). HE DID!!! Severe hearing loss in BOTH ears (near profound--i.e. stone cold deaf) and he wasn't sick when we tested at all. Our least invasive option for treatment was to try ear tubes first. We didn't have high hopes. He didn't have lots of ear infections (two in his life???). Turns out they improved his hearing SIGNIFICANTLY!!! He's back into the normal range of hearing. And he's no longer LOUD! Just saying, some kids are loud, but you might want to get his hearing screened just to be certain! Amy

Geotrax (so, so cool and everyone in the family loves them) and wooden blocks.

Little Pilgrim's Progress is AWESOME and appropriate for 2nd -6th grade or so.

Audio cd's of the SOTW and audio sonlight books!

I just saw that rainbow resource is now selling CLE reading products. I'm hoping they start selling cle language arts and math as well. I sent them an e-mail with my request. I imagine they would more seriously consider it if others also made the request. Anyone?

My daughter was exactly the same way. Reading chapter books before K! Still, I found phonics necessary because it helps with spelling. I'm doing CLE language arts which includes handwriting, grammar, phonics review and spelling. I would not do a formal reading program, but I do include oral reading and summary work at progressively more difficult levels (I use Rod & Staff Bible readers for this now --covering two birds with one stone, but I also love Pathway readers).

You might consider TMJ. It makes your ear EXTREMELY sensitive to noise, to cold weather, etc. It even made my ear feel clogged a lot! It gave me horrible debilitating migraines and numbness on one side of my face. After two mri's I finally had a dentist tell me I have TMJ. I had no idea. I didn't think my jaw hurt or they clicked (although I knew my ears popped all the time--which was really my jaws). I didn't grind my teeth (but now that I'm aware I realize I clench my teeth a lot).

Do you drink Soy milk? Soy slows down your thyroid. It's a big no-no for people with hypothyroidism so you could eliminate that.

Advertise on craigslist that you will have homeschool books at your garage sale. Someone will come. Charge used homeschool prices. If they don't sell, sell them here or on craigslist.

Too much! My question is, why do you want to do phonics with three different programs? Choose one and stick to it! I love CLE, but am familiar with ETC. Another program by the same company (as ETC) is Primary Phonics (it has readers). Another thought. Your child is frustrated by the slow pace. Here's the thing--I feel sometimes workbook reading programs can hinder learning to read!!! At certain points I feel it is enough for a child to advance orally reading a leveled reader (which slowly builds in difficulty--i.e. pathway readers, etc). I would have him/her read each story two days in a row to build reading fluency and oral presentation skills (which is just as important or more important than continued phonics skills after the initial phonics are taught). It also builds reading confidence. I would not hesitate to put aside the phonics, spelling, or everything else to allow my child to develop reading fluency. That is, in fact, what I did with my daughter and she was able to progress from pre-k level to 4th grade reading level with very good frequency in six months. Now I can easily review phonics with her and she does great with reading (and reads plenty on her own as well).

Oh yeah, and you could add the Audio Memory States & Capitals songs for the oldest. Another idea is to do adventures and the last two sets of Veritas Press cards along with it (primarily american history).

You could do Adventures along with A Child's Story of America (a fourth grade book from Christian liberty). There's a schedule somewhere on the web for combining the two.

You could always search your craigslist for ikea. Otherwise, I think you are out of luck.

If it were me, I'd stick with rice milk or something similar. Two of my kids had milk allergies and we switched them to soy for years. Now they are allergic to soy. It's very, very common for milk allergic people to develop allergies to soy. Rice is far less allergenic. Also, soy milk can mess with your thyroid hormone levels (it naturally suppresses them). It's pretty well known. You mentioned your mom was thin, so it is already possible she has thyroid problems.

They're all a little different. Mine I have to spray like crazy. My moms works great as is. You might want to let it cool before you attempt to remove it, though.

Add ground flax into things like cereal, etc (sort of like finely ground grape nuts). It has a lot of fiber and can reduce cholesterol. He won't even know it's there. Just add it over time slowly (sudden increase in fiber can cause gas). Also, don't buy instant or fast cook oatmeal. You can try add in shredded or steamed vegetables (fiber) to a lot of dishes like meatloaf.