I created completely fake ones for my kids (like, fake@fake.com) because I realized that Duolingo doesn't send anything to it and I don't want my 6&7 yo to need or have email accts yet.... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Razzles: I know the feeling. I'm also not in N. America, and I wanted to teach my kids at the same level as their local peers, yet use a lot of US products. After 3 years, I only just realized that I've been doing it wrong. Thankfully, I'm teaching them a grade higher than their peers and not the other way around, and they've been coping just fine. It gives us a bit of leeway if anything ever does become a struggle, I guess. Anyway, I'm not sure if it's the same in the UK, but here in NZ year 1 work is similar to K work in the U.S, and year 2 is the same as grade 1 etc. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Razzles: I know the feeling. I'm also not in N. America, and I wanted to teach my kids at the same level as their local peers, yet use a lot of US products. After 3 years, I only just realized that I've been doing it wrong. Thankfully, I'm teaching them a grade higher than their peers and not the other way around, and they've been coping just fine. It gives us a bit of leeway if anything ever does become a struggle, I guess. Anyway, I'm not sure if it's the same in the UK, but here in NZ year 1 work is similar to K work in the U.S, and year 2 is the same as grade 1 etc. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I'm an immigrant to NZ from Canada. I never know how to answer the "where are you from" question. I usually start by giving my current local city. Then they get flustered and ask, "no, your accent. Where are you originally from?" At which point I say, Canada. If they inquire further, I'll give the province followed by the closest big city. My MIL, who emigrated from holland, got asked a few months ago how long she was visiting for. She responded, "35 years and counting!" :) Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I'm an immigrant to NZ from Canada. I never know how to answer the "where are you from" question. I usually start by giving my current local city. Then they get flustered and ask, "no, your accent. Where are you originally from?" At which point I say, Canada. If they inquire further, I'll give the province followed by the closest big city. My MIL, who emigrated from holland, got asked a few months ago how long she was visiting for. She responded, "35 years and counting!" :) Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks! I'll look at some of those options. I am going to finish FLL3 since we're halfway through our year and the book. But I'm not going to require any more diagramming. But I'll find something else for next year for both her and her younger sister... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

We're halfway through FLL3 and I've realized that I don't want to teach diagramming. Especially not at this age. So, I need a new program. What's out there that's awesome? I don't mind the scripted aspect, but she could also work independently. I don't mind if it's Christian or secular I don't want diagramming We love the poetry memorization in FLL, but could do that separately as well. I'd love a UK English program (we're in NZ) but it's not a big deal either way. Any ideas?? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

We're halfway through FLL3 and I've realized that I don't want to teach diagramming. Especially not at this age. So, I need a new program. What's out there that's awesome? I don't mind the scripted aspect, but she could also work independently. I don't mind if it's Christian or secular I don't want diagramming We love the poetry memorization in FLL, but could do that separately as well. I'd love a UK English program (we're in NZ) but it's not a big deal either way. Any ideas?? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

If you whip whipped cream properly it doesn't need gelatine or stabilizers and won't go liquid. We can't get cool whip here (or pkged pudding) and I've made dirt dessert three times in the last year. I use this recipe: http://www.thefrugalgirl.com/2013/05/dirt-cake-er-pudding/ Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

When I was pregnant with my second, I flew from nz to Canada at 30-34 weeks with no problems, just a note from my midwife (that no one looked at) and compression socks. I flew with my 15 mo dd. I also have a friend who flew from the UK to NZ at 36 weeks pregnant, with no problems. But I wouldn't recommend that. What's the point of the trip? As in, what are you looking to do? Just having people suggest international travel available while pregnant is a big scope.... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Thanks for this. As a recent nz immigrant, I'm always looking for more nz books to add to our repertoire! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Where I live the most common misused word is brought instead of bought. "I just brought a new car." Really? No, you didn't bring it anywhere, you bought it! Drives me batty. I even corrected a guest in our home by accident once. I think I offended them. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I bought a cubed bookshelf and put a bin in each shelf with like toys. When my kids were really little (2-3), I had a picture on the front with what toys would go in it. We literally didn't have any toys that wouldn't fit in a bin (I don't like big toys). And over the years, if we get more toys than fit in bins, we get rid of some. We also only allowed one box out at a time (per child if they were playing separately), and we cleaned up several times throughout the day (not just at night when everyone is tired and grumpy). Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

This is an ongoing problem here too. Our biggest problem is that Dd7 insists on following the instructions to build anything & everything. No creativity allowed in her world. Meanwhile, Dd6 will never follow an instruction to save herself and just wants to build something new and awesome. So, at the moment, all sets are in their own ziploc bag with the instructions for my eldest's sake. But I don't think it'll be long before its all just dumped in one bin . So, no help, but following for more ideas. :) Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I don't have to sit with my 6&7 yos, so maybe I'm just really lucky. We have 30 min of "with mommy" work and 30 min of independent work. When I'm working with one girl, the other is doing their independent work, and then we switch. My 6yo did try one day to sit on the floor sulking for her 30 min independent time (after she scribbled "I don't know" and "blah blah blah" all over her work). But when it simply got erased and she was doing her work long after everyone else was playing, she hasn't tried that since. I would do the timer thing, not answer any questions, and work in the kitchen the whole time. But I'm hard like that. Or, if you're soft, you can put an m&m after each question and see how long it takes her to do her work then. [emoji6] Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Books by Arnold Lobel have been favourites around here. (Mouse soup, owl at home etc) Also, national Geographic has a series of level 1-3 readers that kids love. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Generally, I don't think it's appropriate. However, if you have a personal relationship with someone, then it's ok. My bigger pet peeve, however, is when people send out personal emails through their work email account. (Especially when they're a mere employee) Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

You've got 2-3 months to prepare them for the parts of American history that you want to see! We've been doing medieval history and have an opportunity to spend time travelling through France! I'm totally planning on making it a live history lesson! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I did the same thing over New Years. Rookie mistake, I guess. We just tied a string around the ball in sort of an x pattern (completely destroying the look, but the kids didn't care) until it stayed and then looped a rope into the top so we could do it like a pulley. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I've started trying to do monthly shops. I plan 25 meals and assume 5ish will be leftovers. I just lost the meals so each day I can choose which one I feel like making. Meals with fresh food get made first. Hubby buys milk and bread throughout the month as I can't store a months worth of those. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Anything by Sandra Boynton. Very hungry caterpillar And a lot of the ones previously mentioned. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I have a 3,6&7 yo, so fairly similar to you, and for the past 2 years we simply sing songs. One full action song to work up a sweat and then everyone picks another song. I've tried doing bible, but it didn't last long. I've tried doing memory work and that worked okay for a while, but we've moved that to dinner time as well. When the older 2 were younger we'd talk about the days of the week and do calendar time. I like that I can add or take stuff out whenever I want. :) After songs, we move into science or history but up until this year, I've moved the youngest out before starting that. This year, so far, he wants to listen. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I order almost everything from book depository and have never lost anything. Sometimes it takes a bit longer than expected. Personally, I'd give it another week before panicking. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I'm a canadian living in nz. There are airline deals to be had, you just have to find them. I, fortunately, married a pilot, so I get staff travel deals. But, you should be able to get from the west cost of the U.S. To nz for $1000 pp, maybe a bit more. It's travelling here that's expensive. The biggest mistake most people make is trying to see too much. They come wanting to see all of nz in 3 weeks. Not doable. What exactly do you want to see or do? If you come wanting to explore our national parks, it can be fairly cost effective. If you want to do Hobbiton, Rotorua and Queenstown, save a million first. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

We run a feb - Dec school year so I've just started 3rd grade with my oldest. FLL3, WWE3, & spelling lists from essential spelling. Read silently 20 min per day & read aloud to me from a reader ETC & HWT cursive MUS Gamma Prima Latina Keyboarding without tears We're 2/3 thru SOTW Middle Ages 1/2 way through Astronomy Bible & memory work is done after dinner. I think that's it... Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk