I would just like to point out that for some kids the jumping around is really very helpful. My oldest (3rd grade) loves Horizons b/c it suits her learning style and attention span. My math-inclined son, however (K/1st grade) is doing really well w/Singapore math, whereas my DD did not. Did you already work through both sets of Singapore's Earlybird math? If so, you may just want to jump into 1A next; it does a good job of introducing and illustrating number bonds, especially if they've already completed the Earlybird books.

First off, there are special primers made for paneling. I used one and did not bother with sanding or caulking. I did wipe down the walls with a wet rag though to clean the dust. I think I ended up using one coat of primer and two of pale yellow paint. It looks SO much better now; I wish I'd painted the paneling in our basement eons ago.

This isn't true, actually. Christians believe the Holy Trinity has been present since the beginning. In other words, God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit were all present in the Old Testament even if they hadn't come to earth yet in a physical sense. Muslims and Jews do not believe this.

Of course I teach my children that our faith is true and correct. I believe it to be so and teaching them otherwise would be a lie on my part. I also believe it's my God-given duty to teach them about our faith (Psalm 78 is one good example). But I also don't believe it's just a matter of telling them, "we're Christians and we're right and everyone else is wrong." Like someone else said, we're sort of in the grammar stages of learning about our faith. Even though I will always address discussions of our faith in manner that says, "I believe this..." I do want my children to think critically about why we believe what we believe. Ultimately I know their faith will be in God's hands, but I want them to be able to have the knowledge to defend their faith not only to others who might challenge them, but also to themselves. In my view, we're dealing w/eternal salvation, not what social club they'll join as adults, KWIM? It's too important an issue not to teach them what we believe and why we believe it's correct. And, of course, it goes w/out saying that we learn about other religions. At this point, given my kids' ages, we have not addressed the merits of other religions, we've more just discussed the who, where, when, etc. and at some point in the future we'll examine them more closely and get into more critical discussions about them.

Me too. I'd be nervous, sure, but really, really proud of them. What a brave and honorable profession to choose! :hurray: I don't think there's anything I don't want my kids to do. Obviously I think there are some professions that will make their lives easier than others, but as long as their career choices don't run contrary to our faith (i.e. an abortion doctor, for instance) I'm sure I'll be happy with what they choose.

Only when I'm pregnant! :lol:

I personally think too much emphasis is placed on a college education. I can't say mine was really all that beneficial, and I know DH would say the same (though it was necessary for him to receive his postgraduate degree). Regardless of its benefit or not, I have a fundamental problem with someone telling me what's needed to raise and educate my children, and I would never presume to tell someone else what's needed for their children. I'm sorry, this is a hot-button issue for me! :lol:

I belonged to an Assemblies of God child as a teenager and throughout college. I ended up leaving over some doctrinal issues I couldn't agree with them on. However, I'm pretty sure I could answer any specific questions you might have. :)

Wisconsin wasn't listed as a "green' state, but it's very non-restrictive to home-school there.

Why just one pair when you can have many? ;) Seriously, I love the flats Target carries, especially the designer brands they carry. I would stock up on a few of those; they look great w/dress pants, and I even wear flats with dresses and skirts sometimes. Otherwise, I've found my Nine West three-inch heels are extremely comfortable, even when I end up having to walk distances in them. I also have other (taller) Nine West heels that just aren't as comfy, but I, like you, love a heel and think 3-inch heels are very doable and comfortable.

Employers have to activate it my sometime in April, I believe, though I'm not sure of the exact date. That's why some people are seeing it sooner than others.

I don't believe so, but from what I can recall I don't think there was a ton of written work to be done, just an occasional narration or dictation exercise from time to time. A binder and paper should be all you need. :)

Have you had your DS take the placement test on Singapore's website? I'd start there. :)

I think R&S starts out looking easy, but get progressively harder. Its singular focus on a phonetic sound each lesson is coherent, important and, compared other phonics based spelling programs I've seen, better at keeping that sound in the child's mind w/the exercises provided. You're right though, that it's missing a midline, which I would like too. Could you have your daughter write her answers on lined paper instead of the workbook?

If he's currently learning to read w/a phonics based reading program I probably would do something in spelling as well. I've found for my DS it only helps to reenforce the phonics rules he's learning and helps him learn to translate those rules into spelling well. My DS is not, however, still very good at writing. It's hard and cumbersome for him, so I often do a lot of the spelling assignments orally with him, and that seems to work well. As far as time, I don't think we ever spend more than ten minutes, max, a day on spelling, and we certainly don't do it every day. HTH! :)