Louder than Words was very good. I read it one day in the library a few yrs back and really, surprisingly, couldn't put it down. She reminded me of myself during my son's period of epilepsy. I was shocked at how well I could relate to her!!! Very good read! :-)

Yes, I am thinking that Option 1 gives me the feedback that would be Ohhh sooo helpful! :)

Next year I have these options for 8th grade. I just can NOT make up my mind. Option #1 My 8th grader has the option of taking Writeshop 1 with an enrichment class that is being taught by a professional teacher. He will have the options of completing this class with a peer group and have a professional give feedback. **side note** I already have the writeshop curricula :) Option #2 I had planned on using WWS and Killgallon at home with him. This was my plan but I just keep wondering if writeshop would be better! So, what are your thoughts? I had thought I would keep him home and just do option 2 next year. But, I have this nagging in my head that I just can't let go about this other class. He has taken Lit/grammar with this teacher this year. It's been a very interesting experience to see him work for someone else. It's been good. She is tough, and I really admire and respect her. But, it's not been perfect. (no surprise) Its been a lot of work for me and the other kids. But, at the end of the day, I want to do the best thing for him. Another thing, if he did take the class, I would still do Killgallon at home with him. I just love that program! :) Ok....so please let me know what your thoughts are. Which option and why? I'm just at this place where I need more feedback. I can't seem to decide on this. Thanks so much!

Ok, thank you. He is not a strong math student. He struggles with new concepts and the spiral approach. I've never used TT. I might need to just compare the Table of Contents and see how they teach each concept. Thanks for your input.

:lurk5:

Potato soup! I just bought two bags- buy one get one free! :) It requires 3 1/2 c potatoes, celery, onion, flour, milk, butter and you can add ham if you want. It was really good and pretty cheap! serve it with either bread or crackers. Viola!

If he's crafty, you might try: Clay/accessories wood burning kit metal crafting Origami For outside: Swing fishing pole target practice- bow and arrow or rifle (depending on your family philosophy) scooter green machine remote control airplane, car, helicopter techie stuff: ipod notebook laptop dvd player for room- maybe portable? just because: cologne, deodorant, hair stuff- this is the age that they start caring! ;) watch shoes new clothes bedroom: new decor? bedspread, paint, etc... clock/radio tv And, if he really doesn't want anything special, you might consider a fun trip with a friend(s)- Amusement park movie/dinner trip to a favorite place- beach, lake, mountain hike, city area, park area, Can you tell with four boys I've had *some* experience?

OK, good to know. Anyone else have any input???

Which one of these programs would you recommend? I have been using MUS for my 13 yr old, but I was looking over TT the other day and admit it looks tempting. Anyone familiar with both these programs that could give me a good comparison?? I appreciate it!

I have four boys and I know all about food! lol! I think a LOT of it has to do with what they are eating. Certain food will just make them hungry again. I try to keep our snacks full of protein. Honestly, when I buy boxes of snacks like: cheez its, chips, cookies, granola bars, etc.... they will eat them up in two days! It's crazy! I have watched my son eat a bag of chips for lunch! ugh! My thoughts are= less snacks. period. I think they encourage eating for the sake of eating. I keep fruit in our basket, we have good meals 3x a day. I do allow chips, cracker, etc. But, I find the other stuff just a waste. It is eaten and forgotten in a day! My second son is really into cooking right now and we've been making all kinds of things in the kitchen. We just made Churros, French fries, and chicken nuggets from scratch. He had a blast and today want's to make donuts!:confused: I have so much to do and I totally feel your pain with the food issue. It's hard! I really think that if you honestly hate cooking....you might consider buying easy options that are full of protein. I think the bagged chicken fingers, nuggets, and such are a good option. You can microwave them for lunch. You could serve them for dinner and dress them up with a few veggies too. HTH:grouphug:

We had both of our homes appraised last year. One was less than we paid for it and the other was exactly what we paid for it. I believe they are looking for major renovations, issues with the home, and of course= market analysis. There really isn't much you can do at this point. If you had renovated your bathroom that would have been in your favor, but for some, that is just not realistic. I would not clean carpets, but I would have everything nice and tidy...light a few candles and make your home welcoming. Also- a fresh cup of coffee to offer the appraiser might be a nice touch! ;) Good luck!

I agree with much of this. I think this is one of a million misconceptions about homeschooling. I guess I've home schooled long enough that these comments just don't bother me. I don't have time to 'educate' every.single.person. that walks into my life about home schooling. I just can't do it. Sometimes, I will day dream about the future and I fully realize that whatever 'issues' my kids have as adults and the decisions that they make will be all because we home school. I can already hear the comments!!!!:lol::lol: Yep, home schoolers just have to have thick skin- for sure! :D:D

You've gotten a ton of advice on ending *or* maintaining this friendship, so I really don't think I have much to add. The only comment I really wanted to make was that I was most disturbed by the fact that she talked with your daughter after you left the table?!! What is that about?! I just think that is pure manipulation. I am thinking distance. A nice 'hi' and 'bye' and small talk. Whatever. But, definitely not someone I would 'trust'. And, bottom line, if you can't trust her, what is there? I think it comes down to just that very thing. I hate to see you lose a friend, but she just doesn't seem like a person you would want to be around your child. I'm sorry about your daughter. I can't imagine an adult not understanding certain things just shouldn't be discussed. :grouphug:

Not your responsibility at all. She is an adult (though, not acting like one) and she should have planned for this situation if it was THAT important for her to get her dishes back. I'd send a nice, direct email and let her know that you will do your best to retrieve her dishes, but you will not be replacing anything! And, you will certainly take her off any emails in the future for similar meal requests. People never cease to amaze me!

I didn't read the article, but I do believe that as time passes such phrases would just be instinctual terms to use. As the homeshooling movement continues to move forward, I think it's a natural term for those involved to use to distinguish generational changes. I think we will see more and more as the homeschool movement changes and becomes more wide spread and less stereotyped as unusual.

Books?- If she has a kindle, you might consider an amazon gift card so she can purchase the books while there. Food/snacks/drinks?- Do you know her fav's? Magazines? I think that the only things you can do in a hospital are eat, sleep and read! I would try to find things she would enjoy while being still in bed. Hope that helped a little

I was just thinking about you today and wondering if you got the job. Good luck! Sounds like you are enjoying your new journey in life! :)

Also, you might consider: Raleigh/Cary NC location. ;)

I would get the Mac. I have the ipad and LOVE it. But, if I had the choice??? The Mac- which one day I hope to own...very soon. :D I do have the case/keyboard for the Ipad. It is wonderful. Otherwise, I think typing would be really difficult.

My oldest is almost 14 so I'm far from done, but I have noticed that when they hit the teenage years they really need more freedom to think about things for themselves. I feel like I have spent every single day with him teaching him right from wrong, morals, our Faith and value system...so, he should be allowed to talk with me about all of the above. We do have limits on lots of things- one is no network tv, but we do allow streaming of netflix. My kids have seen plenty..trust me. But, they have not seen nearly as much as most kids. Most of the kids my son's age have phones, girlfriends, and lots of freedom. He has none of those things. We will inch our way into that world as each situation arises. I will not put him in any situation just to see him sink or swim. I see no point in needless drama...like dating...at his age. I think good, practical parenting choices will result in healthy, well-adjusted young people. I know that there are things we have no control over- their personality. I have one son that has to learn every. single. thing. the hard way. I have no idea what life will be like when he is a teenager. *gulp* He might test all of our boundaries and get into all kinds of trouble just to see for himself what it's all about. I dont know. I know that's just another step in the journey that you CANT CONTROL. They are who they are. They will make their own mistakes, but I do think that if you set a very loving, open, relationship with them from the beginning, they will be fine. Not perfect...but fine.

Charlie's Soap is the best laundry detergent I've used! You can purchase it at local health food stores, amazon, or from their website. Their all purpose cleaner is amazing and their laundry stain remover is great! You won't go wrong! Love it!!!!!

As the mother of four precious boys, I can say that they slow down around age 7. Stop? No....just slow down. I noticed around that age they stopped getting into things like my make up, under counter things, they stopped hanging from towel racks, etc. In every house we have owned there is always one bathroom missing a towel rod and toilet paper rod. :) I can say it does get much easier. So, even though my boys still like to make messes and play rough and dirty outside. It's easier than when I would walk in a room to a broken window, towel holder or light fixture! Hang in there momma! You will make it!

Nope! But, my ipad has made me an Apple convert and i will be getting an iphone as soon as my contract renews. And, as soon as I can, we will be converting the boys to Mac's for school. :D Love them!!!!

Just wondering if you thought this combo would be too easy for an eigth grader? It looks great, but I want to challenge him. I was looking into LL8 for next year. But, I'm open to all ideas. This looks pretty good!

This is a neat idea. I appreciate you sharing this. I look forward to investigating this further!