:grouphug::grouphug: Kudos to you for keeping it together! May the Lord bless you with the desires of your heart, and keep up the good work!

My 6 yr. old ds loves "Ring of Fire", you can imagine the looks we get at the grocery store!:D We're listening to "The Silver Chair" in the car and have "The Last Battle" waiting in the wings. We're trying out The Great Courses Introduction to Beethoven as part of our music studies. I'm listening to Winston Churchill's "The Great Democracies" when I can squeeze in 30 minutes for myself.

We've had two Toshiba laptops, I just bought my new one a month ago. We loved them both. We have a Dell desktop, no problem with it either. Have you checked out reveiw sites, sometimes it's a good place to narrow your choices down to exactly what you want. Have fun shopping!:D

I am going to be teaching a co-op class in a couple of weeks about the human body for 6-8 yr. olds. I have most of my materials put together but I would like to use a couple of models for hands on activities. I definitely want a heart and I wouldn't mind locating a brain and other sensory models. Any suggestions? I've looked around but I just can't make up my mind!:D

Thanks for the comments ladies, I think we'll be going for Level 3. Heather, I really haven't decided where to go from here. I just finished reading TWTM for the 2nd time this summer (had to start taking notes:)). I love SL for its literature and the writing expectations are wonderful but I've never been happy with the lack of help and explanations concerning grammar. I used Winston regular and advanced with my older dds, and have now switched them to R & S (still waiting on that order:)). I'm still using the SL core as a history spine and branching out from there with TWTM suggestions. I would just like to see or find a program that gives her as much practice with forms of writing as Sonlight but also a stronger foundation in grammar, narration, and dictation.

I started my new 3rd grader, she just turned 9, on WWE level 2 having never used the program before. We are finding it, dare I say it... simplistic. My daughter has just come into her own with reading but we have spent the last three years using Sonlight language arts, there is a lot of writing practice in the program. I love how WWE is well scripted and explains things very well, however, we are not finding it challenging, and it is not helping us progress. Is it worth waiting for Level 3 to come out or does someone have another suggestion? Thanks!

It's really good when you sprinkle toasted pecans over the syrup and then layer the toast on top!:drool:

I use a very similar recipe but I put 1/2 milk, and half orange juice in my liquid and a little cinnamon too!

They carried them at Dick's Sporting Goods the last time I checked.

The only good experiences we have had is with our hometown bank, they have 4 branches, and the customer service is great. They don't charge us a bunch of crazy fees and they don't bounce our checks even when we've made a deposit. They don't charge a per check fee, a per transaction fee, a monthly usage fee, or a business account fee. They also manage to deposit our checks in our account! Yeah, we've had some good times.:D

I would count it. If your dc are taking classes such as art, science, gym, math, to supplement their home school program I see no reason you should not consider it in your time calculations. I'm assuming this is not a free for all playday with a 5 minute science experiment taking place at the park.:D

Well I haven't used this program yet, I just ordered it through HSLDA. It's an ACT and SAT prep course on cd available to members for a price of $13.84. It's normally $199, but there is a sponsorship with the NFL.

dd15 is doing both English Composition and U.S. History using texts and sample syllabus from the College Board AP site. Her first week included: English: Memoir essay, annotated reading of "The Crucible", 2 chapters of writing guide with practice skills- outline, essay History: reading, answer 4 short essay questions (1/2 pg. each) and precis from one history book, reading & notes for 3 chapters from the other history text, current events essay We only did 4 days this week, next week is 5 and she is really looking forward to it!:huh:

I guess if mom is sick maybe she couldn't see to check on the child? Definitely a huge pet peeve of mine. People bring their sick kids to church and homeschool gatherings all the time and it drives me crazy! It's so inconsiderate to all of the other people there, not to mention the kid is miserable!

Here's a great site for information and rockets, from already built to build them yourself. He really guides you through the process. We have bought from this site. Also, Hobby Lobby carries Estes products, they recently had a 30% off sale so keep your eye out for those. My dd9 is obsessed with rockets, we've even done a kit propelled by vinegar and water. I agree with searching the internet for curriculum plans, try the library for extra books depending on how far you want to go with it. Dh builds and flies model helicopters and airplanes so we've branched out and learned all kinds of cool stuff about aerodynamics, engines, etc. Have fun!

I think it depends on the boots and the dress. Now a pair of cowboy style boots with a strappy summer dress can look really cute!

Sending prayers of hope and peace to your friend and her children.:grouphug:

I have to admit I also think it sounds like a really odd assignment. I guess I don't understand why they can't just delve into the book. And really, 2 or 3 pages? I agree with the other poster about researching her other books.

:lol::lol::lol:Love it! What gets me the most is the 40 something or older women in sweatshorts with "Hottie" across the rear. Really????

Ours is 3600 sq. ft, if you add in the garage it's 4500. We have 9 people: 2 adults, 7 kids ranging from baby to almost 16. 6 of the kiddos are girls so they can share rooms if necessary. We lived in a house half the size before and it wasn't bad but I do like having the separate areas for family room, school room, and office. With that many girls our 4 bathrooms really come in handy. The cleaning can be a beast though! Don't forget you always fill up the space you gain. We have 4 large bedrooms, the older girls are in one, then the younger girls, and my ds has his own. When I was growing up I never had my own room, for three years we lived in a 16 x 20 cabin with a loft, my parents and eight kids. Now that is an extreme example but I think sometimes we worry too much about everyone getting their own space, that doesn't have to equate to their own room. I remember going off to college I had my own room and I hated it! It can be hard to find exactly what you are looking for in a house, a lot of newer homes are so broken up it's hard to enjoy the space. Ours has three stories: main floor, full walkout basement, and upstairs. It's a beautiful home but our next one will be simpler with more open spaces. I would like a main floor with an open floor plan and a full walkout basement. What is nice about trying on different homes is you can swiftly figure out what you do and don't like.

Kai, we must have been close to each other, I was in Kingston,WA. I was just getting up for the day, dh had left for work- he called me to turn on the news. I started calling my family to let them know. I just remember a day of raw emotion, and how surreal it all seemed.

I just couldn't resist posting this one I read on the local Taco Bell sign today: "Try Are New Volcano Nachos" :lol::lol: I know, really embarrassing!

We are doing US History this year and we are using AP approved texts from the College Board list: The American Pageant & Guidebook (Kennedy), and A People's History of the United States (Zinn), along with several primary documents. We will also be making use of online resources for these texts, mainly in the form of notes, review, and tests.

We had Sausage Florentine, steamed beans, garlic bread, and home canned peaches. Here's the recipe, it's a hit here: http://www.recipezaar.com/Sausage-Florentine-Bake-263412 This is one I like to make ahead and freeze.

Sometimes I think the greatest gift our parents may give us is in teaching us how not to parent. Enough said.:001_smile: