Hoping it was a mistake! Shes still such a great student, I'm sure it will be fine. So many kids and professors are not doing well this year. I think my DDs professors are doing a bad job this semester- she just got a graded paper back from October. Her assignments from November are all still not graded in some classes. I'm hoping she can still pull an A, but this semester has been rough. Shes only doing 1 course next semester, do I'm hoping that doesn't look too bad! Only 5 credits Senior year.

Yes, but I recheck everything each month. For some reason I always need Castrol and it's the cheapest place to get it! I also keep all oil filters for our cars (and MiLs) saved for every 6 months, then bump them back if we don't need them yet.

I still haven't filled out the FAFSA yet, but I'm assuming we won't qualify for anything which is why I have only had her apply to schools that we could pay for after automatic merit aid. We are hoping for more from institutional scholarships!

Depending on what you are looking for, I find the deals to be very hit and miss this year. I've bought a bunch of clothes at Kohls, and I've bought from Target several times over the past few weeks since they are changing their deals daily. I normally have a store by store list with dates and times they go live. This year I think its a mess! I do not like the different deals every day or week from every store! Its more than I can keep track of! Hoping to get lucky with a PS5!!!! Don't think it will happen but im going to try!

I need this!!! I had forgotten that it existed but the cold plus mask means I can barely see!

It varies by year, depending in ages and what I find deals on. Useful items-, gloves, belt, socks, lip balm, tooth brushes, jewelry, wallet, soaps, razors, earbuds, sippy cups or water bottles- personalized, watch, pocket knife, hair clips or fun accessories - I think my girls are getting Wet Brushes this year, alarm clock, pretty night light, succulent planters, one year i got DD decorative knows for her dresser, flashlights, hats, Something fun- puzzles, pens, water colors (Hobby Lobby has some metallic ones my kids love!), movies or video games, books, calligraphy set, cute cookie cutters, cupcake cups and decorations, nail polish, make up- eye pallet, Nerf bullets, string lights, Toys, often taken out of the package to fit- small Lego kits, card games, My Little Pony, Imaginext, Playmobil, Schleich or similar figures, play food, play doh, Barbie, Magic 8 Ball,

DD applied and was accepted to 3 schools earlier this fall. She just added 2 more this week. Several big scholarship application essays are due Dec. 1 and she hasn't finished one! She also has a 10 page paper due that day for her English class. Did I mention that she hates writing? I hope I survive!

I hear you! I had to drive an hour for PSAT and ACT. I think she took it at the school 30 minutes away once, too. Our local school doesn't ever have enough kids to offer it.

Last week I asked the kids their favorite TG foods and tried to pare down the list. They decided on mashed potatoes and gravy instead of sweet potatoes, hashbrown casserole or stuffing (my favorite). No need to have that many carb-filled sides. If you don't want to do a full turkey, get a Turkey breast! Here is my menu- I'll start on Wednesday Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn, green beans (not the casserole), homemade rolls, jello salad (still deciding between orange, cherry or cranberry), dip and veggies. One chocolate and one pumpkin dessert- still deciding.

Congratulations! And Good Job, Mom!

Of he got a 26 without any prep, he might be able to get that score up a bit. There are good scholarships for kids with good scores and grades. He is probably going to come out with some debt, but if you keep a frugal mindset and really weigh out your options, I think it can be manageable. Living at home or living off campus and having a PT job can save money. Not sure what his path is, but ROTC might be something to look into. Also going into the military with a bit of school gets you better rank 😉

I agree to do the college board account under your child's own email. I don't think you need to really do anything until 10th grade or even 11th. I sometimes think that all the stress and hype around college is designed to make you stop thinking logically! My oldest is a good test taker and we did the following tests: 10th- PreACT (call your local high school in August of 10th grade to get on the list). 1 ACT test in April or later just to set a goal and get familiar with the test. 11th- PSAT for NM if your kid is in the top bracket of test takers (mine made it! Shes a NMSF!!!). You will need to find a school and sign up in August, test is in October. Take a few more ACT or SAT tests, depending on scores and Scholarships at schools your kid is interested in. Tour colleges interested in (we didn't get to- Covid). 12th- college aps starting summer before to December. Make a list of application deadlines and scholarship deadlines at all schools. We are going to wait until March to see the financial packages at the schools shes interested in before we put down housing deposits. Some open as soon as October, but we need to see financials first, and that won't come until March or April. Most colleges have a list of dates for everything Sr year.

I'm buying sheets and a bigger covered pot- like the kind you make roast in. I also bought frames for my fall family photo session- it might be fun to wrap those up so the kids feel like they got me stuff- seriously its what I wanted.

I'm so sorry! I'm glad mine took it Sophomore year. My DD keeps getting emails that they will take later testing dates, pushing back deadlines, ect. I say have her apply a few more places and keep trying!

I've got twin boys in 7th grade. They do science with my 10th grader- and they often beat her test scores on the tests that come from the providers. Last year in 6th grade they did Miller Levine Macaw Biology using the textbook, workbook, and assessments. I do not plan on counting any of it for a high school Biology credit. This year they are doing Holt Earth Science with the teacher resources and tests. Again, I am not planning to put it on their transcript. There will still be lots of science courses I can use- probably DE or an Honors level course instead. I do plan to put Zumdahl Chemistry in 8th grade on the transcript if I need to put a Chemistry on their transcript (depends on the colleges snd courses they are planning). They will be doing it next year- I plan to keep a log of the labs, their tests, and a handful of the assigned problems. I have a Senior this year who did a few HS level courses in 8th grade and I thought I would put them on her transcript at that time. Now that we are here she doesn't need the credits bc she's done so much DE.

I say this gently- let it go. I would just have a regular play date. You are exposing yourself to just one family- thats not bad! I feel like the strain of trying to social distance and the worry of trying to cover every angle will overshadow the needed play time. Let it go.

What about Middle School level? There is a website made for MS Chemistry that is free! Possibly Guest Hollow Kitchen Chemistry (I would count thus as an elective- but she isn't me). I agree that she should redo Algebra 1 if it wasn't mastered, and its fine to wait on Chemistry until the math is there.

Did she check her voter registration card? Our polling place moved since the primary just a few months ago. I've never had to wait, and today was no different. New location, but very efficient! In and out in 10 minutes for me, DH and Mil! We are rural- we just vote at a church in the middle on no where- not even a town.

That was the first election I voted in! I was 19- i think this one is going to be just as,bad. I think it was December before we knew who won!

You might call the neighbors and see if there is someone in their area offering home made meals. In my area there are a handful of SAHMs who make meals and deliver them a few times per week, like a cottage bakery, just from their houses to a few elderly people. Its all from scratch, good food- nothing fast, frozen. The idea is that someone who can't cook or doesn't want a ton of left overs can still get that good homemade food! For example they might bake a pie, and it is divided up for 2 or 3 clients. A roast would be divided up- enough for 2-3 meals each, and delivered to each client- complete with carrots, potatoes and gravy, possibly a half dozen homemade rolls. Just like Meals on Wheels, but homemade food, not cafeteria style- and just 1 or 2x per week. As for grocery delivery, the elderly couple in our life does not like to do the ordering, so we get their written list and put the order in, then tell them when to pick up (they can still drive, but immune compromised so can't go in stores).

I also have a KA hand mixer! And I bought one for my SIL, too. Pretty colors, easy to use.

Prayers for healing and for you!

Hugs to you and your kids! Our school is the same, you have to decide by 9th grade if you are all in, or all out. Maybe take comfort in the fact that they are not alone- all kids are struggling through this year, no matter where you are or what type of school they do! My homeschooling kiddos are not in co-op, my Dual Enrolled Senior is going to 1 class, masked, no talking or socializing (she says it's no fun at all) and the rest of her classes are online.

I spent my 20th anniversary at home- in a national lock down due to a global pandemic- counting squares of toilet paper! I think we will wait snd do something big for 25! Dh does say we can go shop for a pretty jewelry piece to remember this one by!