I feel your pain!! I don't think I've ever spent so much money on curriculum before as I have since finding this site!! There are so many suggestions and when I research them they all look so good I think, "well maybe I should get both and then mix and match..." or something along those lines. hehe I have bought 4 different Math curricula for next year!! :eek: I MUST be insane!! :tongue_smilie:

It's a storybook with math thrown in. You have to solve the problems to find out what happens next in the story. :)

:lol::lol::lol:Oh my gosh!!! I freaking choked when I read that!! It's a good thing I wasn't drinking anything or it would have shot straight out my nose!!

It's pouring here too!

We've recently discovered the joys of Fred Gauss in our house as well (rhyme intended :D ) My daughter absolutely LOVES him!! :)

:( Oh that is so tragic!! I'm so sorry for you and your father. :grouphug:

Okay, tomorrow is the last day of school and here is what I've settled on. BTW, thank you all so much for the wonderful suggestions, it really helped me sort things through. I got the bus driver, the teacher and the bus driver's aide all a nice thank you card. I am writing a letter to the school board for both the bus driver and my son's teacher to tell them how wonderful they are. When I was thinking about the gift cards, I felt like $10.00 was just so low to put on a card that I didn't want to disappoint them so then I thought that maybe I could just find a nice lotion set or something for around $10.00 for the bus driver and the aide and then I was thinking about getting a $20.00 Barnes and Noble gift card for the teacher, but when I was going from store to store looking for bath sets (that actually smelled good) I found the cutest little ceramic potpourri set with heavenly smelling flower discs that melt in the top of the ceramic holder. I remembered that my son's teacher told me she had recently moved into a new house and I thought it would be a nice gift to give her something for the home. They were on clearance for $10.00! :) The store I was in only had one left, so I bought it and then went to the next closest of that store and found another one. So I got that for both the bus driver and the teacher. I had a nice spa set in a nice little tote that I got for Christmas and had been holding onto it because it was so nice I thought it would be better to re-gift it than to use it on myself (our budget for gifts is so small I alway give away the best gifts I get) and that is what I am going to give to the aide. I bought some Cuban guava and cheese pastries (yum) and I had planned to make brownies and do a little mix and match goodie bag to give to all three of them, but with my neighbor dying I was just too sad to bake and so I bought some chocolate chip cookies from the bakery instead. So with the gifts, the cards, the cookies and pastries and the one that I am re-gifting I came out just a couple of dollars over what I wanted to spend. :) I am wrapping them all up now to get them ready for tomorrow morning. :) Thank you all for the wonderful suggestions. :grouphug: I think they will all be pleased with their gifts. :) Blessings, Jennifer

Thank you so very much. :grouphug:

Thank you. :grouphug:

**Final Update** Bob passed at 1 this morning. The funeral will be held tomorrow at noon. My neighbor Gordon is a pastor and he will be performing the service. Thank you all for your prayers. They really helped the family get through this difficult time with a lot of peace especially Mikey. Please continue to pray for him as he works through his grief and starts this new chapter of his life. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your love and care for him and his family. :grouphug:

This is the sheer beauty and the mercy of God. Thank you Jesus! :grouphug:

:iagree::iagree::iagree: It's a lovely picture. I'm glad you said this because I wanted to comment on her new avatar as well. :)

I don't even know if I have a right to chime into this thread because my answer is so boring. :tongue_smilie:hehe I've always known that I wanted to homeschool. From the first time that I met someone who homeschooled and found out that we could actually legally educate our children at home I KNEW that it was the only way to go for my kids. When I got married I told my husband that I wanted to homeschool when we had kids. I've always educated her from the time that she was little and it was never an issue until first grade when "school" became mandatory and I had to send in my first letter of intent to the school board. That was kind of scary because all of the years before seemed like a practice run and this was the "real deal". It turns out I had nothing to worry about because she passed her first evaluation (and all the ones since) with flying colors. I love the closeness that my dd and I have as well. For me, there's just nothing better. :)

I just happened across this article while searching for tips on how to store water for hurricane season and I thought I should share it here since so many people are stocking up and storing supplies. I hope this helps someone. :) http://www.liquid-stabilized-oxygen.com/copyright_protected.html

:grouphug: That is so frustrating. I'm sorry to hear he's going through so much stress. I will pray for you guys as well. :grouphug:

I am dedicating this one to my neighbor, Bob. It was a pleasure knowing you in this life. I will look forward to seeing you in the next. God bless you my friend. Rest now in the loving arms of the precious Redeemer. Until we meet again. :grouphug: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y01rx_XzQ34

:lol::lol::lol:

:iagree::iagree::iagree: You have such a pretty little lady there. She's got such a beautiful sweet face. :)

They are having a special promotion right now as well. I just bought mine. I haven't gotten it yet though so I cannot weigh in here with an opinion yet, but at least I can give you the discount information in case anyone is considering one. :) Blessings. Jen "we're offering a 10% discount on all orders, plus free Standard shipping for orders over $150! Just use code PDISC69 when you check out. Offer expires June 20th. Visit the new www.homesciencetools.com today!"

in case it will be of use to somebody. Home Science Tools is having a special promotion see details below. :) Blessings, Jennifer Save now at the new HST website! Kick off the summer with a visit to the brand-new Home Science Tools website, where it's easier than ever to shop for hands-on science supplies! On the new site you'll find larger product images, convenient shopping, and faster checkout. Browse now to find summer science kits that will get your kids exploring, or shop for the curriculum and supplies you need for the coming school year. To celebrate the site launch, we're offering a 10% discount on all orders, plus free Standard shipping for orders over $150! Just use code PDISC69 when you check out. Offer expires June 20th. Visit the new www.homesciencetools.com today!

They have it on Youtube. I remember seeing that on PBS as well. My husband had it on and I was in the kitchen washing dishes and came out for something, I cannot remember, but I was just standing there with soap suds all over my hands watching it. hehe It really pulls you in. :)

Oh thanks. :) Just out of curiosity, where did you keep it when you weren't using it?? I"m trying to figure out where to actually put it when I get it. :eek:

Duh! I guess I should have read that first before posting, huh? I did read the kit description when I was deciding on my science for next year, but that was a few months ago now and I guess my "mommy brains" filtered that out. hehe Thanks for the reminder. :)

What a BEAUTIFUL boy!!! Happy Birthday young man! :)

LOL I've never been too much of a fan of the "pretty boys", but his eyes are truly gorgeous. :)