Ours is up - including pics of the cow's eye we dissected! Link in sig line.

My mom and dad gave me a phone for Christmas and just added me to their plan , I was cell phone-free until a couple of months ago! Before then, I was thinking of the pay-as-you-go. My husband has T-Mobile (his job pays for it), and likes it cuz he can talk to his top 5 numbers, no matter what the carrier, for free. The thing I don't like about having a cell is that people seem to believe I have to ANSWER the darn thing and be available day or night. :eek:

We want a Christ-centered education, our local PS cannot provide that We prefer a 'real life' learning full of good literature and hands-on experiences, rather than textbooks, and our local Christian schools do not provide that Freedom!!! We set our schedule, decide when projects are due, and what, if any, "homework" gets assigned ADHD and other issues make a classroom environment less-than-deal We're not into 'Follow The Herd' mentality -- and are perfectly happy doing our own thing our own way Ability to balance our academics with real life experiences and a life of service to others. We school to provide balance to our lives, rather than having school, school transportation, and school-related homework take up the lion's share of our time. And, yes, we all must like a little pain!:p

also looks interesting. I'm actually thinking about using their science/history guides at some point. I like that they have activity choices in a variety of learning modalities.

{}

I am all for celebrating my femininity, but Nope. I find loose jeans or trousers cover a lot more than skirts. It is windy here - you really have to watch it if you wear a skirt! My take on the intent of the Biblical admonition on clothing is two-fold. First, it must be modest and second, it must honor the gift of sexuality (male or female) God has given us. In other words, I don't want to ever dress or groom myself in such a way that I could be mistaken for a man. Also, I think God is more concerned with my actions and communication toward others than whether I am wearing a skirt or trousers. I think that focusing too much on "religious" clothing can alienate us from others and become a matter of pride. Wear what you and your husband like and what makes feel feminine. If your husband does not like the idea of all skirts, I would drop it. Most men don't enjoy seeing their wives look super frumpy. (Just being honest here!)

not a workbook, but an indpendent, interactive online curriculum with quizzes. Time4Learning.com. It's free to try and only $20 a month. It might be worth a shot. We use it then again when I need my dd to work totally independently. I can access her quiz scores to keep up with her comprehension. Just a thought.

Have you taken a look at TruthQuest? This is a living books approach with Christian analysis and commentary. The commentary could be skipped if you need secular. Otherwise, Tapestry of Grace, Ambleside Online's House of Education, and Sonlight all come to mind. These are all Christian, as I'm sure you're aware. I also like TWTM's high school ideas.

I have not heard anyone mention ReadingYourWayThroughHistory.com It looks like a good, literature based program with a Catholic perspective.

I think that's the great thing about HSing. I just buy the readers and books that we are interested in. We have always used Sonlight's catalog for ideas, and this year we are using a heavily modified Sonlight 5. It would be a complete waste of money for me to buy a whole core. The IG and a few of the books unavailable at our library are all I need. We don't care for historical fiction, and SL is too heavy on that.

her version is enjoyable to read and accurate. The story Bible will serve you well for years.

is Christian Light's Sonrise edition. It is written to the student, and the instruction is MUCH superior to Lifepacks. We are using CLE Math and Language Arts and love it! If you call CLE, they will send you free sample. CLE is the way to go! I think almost anything is better than Lifepaks. THey are a poor quality product, imo.

as I think TOG is overkill for you and MFW is just too much everyday to complete in your situation. I would agree with SOTW - (get the audio!) and Activity Guide. Do activities once a week, or as a Family Fun Saturday. Let your 9 yo read related books from the library as suggested in SOTW. Trust much to good books and enjoy your littles.

That's what I'm been sayin' for years! Charlotte Mason emphasizes learning with real plants, real animals, real LIFE. You go, girl!

Oh -- I read your "independent/workbook choices" as independent OR workbook. My dd does the book basket idea independently. I don't know of any quality workbooks for history, so can't help there.

Here are a few ideas for you. Free: Hike at Three Rivers parks - especially Hyland Lake Park with the HUGE play structure. Rent paddle boats or canoes for a small fee Como Zoo Minneapolis Institute of Arts Walk at Lake Calhoun or other area lakes (try Three Rivers Park district) Browse the shops at Nicollet Mall in Mpls or browse at Mall of America Historical things: Minnesota History Museum Fort Snelling - there are homeschool happenings there Oliver Kelley Farm and happenings at Minnesota Historical Society's other sites (run a Google) Science: Science Museum of Minnesota Children's Museum Minnesota Zoo Fun for Kids: Camp Snoopy at Mall of America Legoland at Mall of America pretty much anything at Mall of America!!! Waterpark of America (foul weather) or Valley Fair! (if it's warm) Swim at Cascade Bay in Eagan (if it's warm!) Drive up to the Duluth/North Shore area and explore Canal Park, the Lighthouse, and Gooseberry Falls VIsit the Red Balloon Book Store and all the Victorian shops on Grand Avenue in St. Paul. Stop at Bread and Chocolate for lunch! Take a tour of the State Capital Ice Skate at The Depot I would recommend staying at the Staybridge Mall of America. I believe it has an Edina or Bloomington address. It is a few minutes drive from the Mall, but the suites are large, there is a kitchenette, and the breakfast is fantastic! Hope you enjoy your visit. Minnesota's weather is unpredictable in June, and it is usually rainy. Pack for both warm and cool weather.

if you have the SOTW Activity guide, you can just use that literature list. Check out those titles, and any others available at your library, and throw them in a Reading Basket. Kids can learn so much through good books, without any other outside involvement.

at their reading levels. Just throw a bunch of books in a Reading Basket and have them read whatever they want. If you are adventurous, add an activity book and let them plan and implement their own crafts. I use TruthQuest to find my books. Another option that can be used indeplendently is Ambleside Online. Just beware of over placement.

I never use creamed soups. I just make a cream sauce and use fresh mushrooms, celery, or onions.

and I don't give a whit about anyone's one-size-fits-all advice. If my hair every gets thin or goes gray, I will likely cut it into a funky, short style.

because of the interest and texture it can create. It looks like there is blue in your countertop? THen the classic choice would be yellow. There are beautiful yellow textured patterns in the Tuscan Sun collection. I just papered my kitchen with it, and the butter color and subtle texture is perfect! I love the Italian country (Tuscan) look.

there is not a Presidential candidate that I would vote for. The voting history of Clinton, Obama and McCain are all unacceptable to me, and I will not vote for either of them. I'm not wild about Ron Paul either, as he is for cutting off all aid and military alliances with Israel. Methinks I will abstain. :(

then how about Learning Language Arts Through Literature, Sonlight, or Total Language Plus? Are you thinking something literature-based?

has some ideas at their website. If you have a store near you, they have space to work, supplies, and are very helpful. Congrats!

No, I am very comfortable with men. I enjoy their company in groups, but it would be unacceptable to me to be alone with one. It has nothing to do with feeling uncomfortable, but more of a boundary issue. This is one way that I make my marriage an absolute priority, and close the door to the remotest possibility of adultery or rape. As a married woman, I would never be in the company of another man for any reason. That is my choice, and so no, I wouldn't go to the store with a family friend. I have known friends over the years who, sadly, have had affairs. It always starts with the belief that one could never succumb to that particular temptation, and that the other person is "just a friend." I think there is wisdom is setting boundaries and standards high.