As someone else mentioned also, you can buy EAS 1g carb protein shakes at Sam's Club for about a dollar each (24 or so in a case). They're 110 calories, and lots of protein and vitamins. I haven't done a vitamin to vitamin match up, but I'm assuming their close. Lots of other stores sell them for about the same price (Target, Walmart). So, instead of buying a box of MF shakes, I use one of these. It stretches out my MF purchases. I prefer the taste of the EAS shakes and they're more convenient b/c they're already made. They taste really good when they're extra cold. I've tried to substitute w/protein bars, but the closest I've come is w/Detour bars. They might have a gram or two more carbs and a bit more calories. It's probably a wash w/the carb/calorie savings w/the EAS. However, they might have extra ingredients as well, so it might not be a great switch. As I mentioned in my post, I tweak MF a bit to make it work better for me so I can stay on it longer. For example I put a few blueberries and a little cream in my oatmeal. It makes it taste so much better that I don't miss my morning cereal w/fruit. I also put a little whipped cream on my brownie mix. Again, low in carb, a bit higher in calories, but I really enjoy this meal. I also exercise and hope that this makes a difference in my tweaking. Laura

I'm doing it right now. The first 3 days are very difficult, but after that it is surprisingly easy (I've never been able to successfully diet before--the only way I've lost weight in the past is w/some serious running). I'd suggest you schedule very few activities during those 1st three days. I just laid down when the hunger got too bad. I tweak it a whole lot more than I should, so my loss is not even close to what others do (thus my whole issue w/diets). However, I think my tweaking will enable me to do this in the long run. I'm down 9 lbs after 3 1/2 weeks. Some people lose that in the first week. I have a 'coach.' I believe they're trying to follow the success of the whole P90x folks. My coach lost 42 lbs in 6 weeks, and she was my age (almost 50). I buy EAS protein shakes which are more convenient and less $$. There are a couple of protein bars that are close in the nutritional count, but I think they're one reason I don't lose as much as I should. I like not having to think about what I'm eating. I still cook for the rest of the family and sometimes eat what they're eating (roast and green beans), but find I do best w/salads and chix breast. I now enjoy trying salads at different restaurants. I also had one of the best meals of my life at a hotel restaurant that I would have never ordered otherwise (baked haddock and sauteed spinach). I can't believe I'm not hungry most of the time and that I don't think about food that much. I did have a problem not picking at my kids' food. It made me realize how much mindless eating I had been doing. Someone on this board lost 60 lbs a year or two ago. Sort of inspired me. I didn't exercise the first 2 weeks, but have started back. It's probably better not to exercise for a while. I'm hoping I can maintain this--therein lies the rub. Good luck. Laura

Forgot to mention of your four, I'd chose Pittsburgh over my hometown of Columbus. So much to do there. Laura

I'd second Charleston. The Outer Banks. Jamestown. We were pleasantly surprised by Louisville and Pittsburgh last year. If you do go to Mackinac, I've heard the Ford museum is fabulous and just outside of Detroit. Indianapolis is supposed to have a great kids (all ages) museum. Cincinnati is having the only Pompeii artifacts exhibit tour in North America. They have some good museums and the aquarium in KY (just minutes away). The aquarium is expensive. The Reds baseball team. The Bengals might be warming up by then too. Columbus has the best library, the best children's museum (COSI--although we love it, I'd dispute Parents magazine's calling it the best), and the #1 zoo (home of Jack Hanna). There's tons of little things to do like a small, but free, geological museum at Ohio State. Ohio State is either #1 or #2 in the country as for size. Like other cities there are some great parks--a new Audobon park, a nice downtown with play zone fountains and a merry go round. I could go on.... Laura

I'm trying to be more relaxed. We do a lot of outside activities. Then I stress that we're not doing rigorous work when we do have the time. When we do do school, we use a lot of classical materials. However, I'm trying to come to terms that I'd prefer my kids to be at the museum and learning in a more hands on fashion at least half the time. I'm not a sit at home type and that's hard to balance with a classical education. I am in awe and often envious of what many people on this board are able accomplish. But not enough to clip our wings. Laura

Just saw this on another board. She looks like a math teacher. Makes me kind of sad, and we never used her books. http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/21/4354265/obituary-margaret-lial-was-an.html#storylink=misearch Laura

Yes, you can easily go into R*S 5 from FLL 3, and we did Fallacy Detectives when my 2 where in 4th and 6th grade. They really enjoyed it. Red Herrings, not as much. Laura

Can you amend the statement? I did that with a group, and they were fine with it. Laura

I am so glad I returned to this thread. This is a hoot. My kids' former Latin tutor is going to love it, as will they. Thanks, Laura

I'm a fan of co-ops (I guess I'm in the minority). My kids thrive in social, competitive settings. I also find the accountability helpful. Plus, I'm social too and enjoying the camaraderie with the other moms (plus the sharing of ideas). I've also used online classes for accountability and expertise. My 8th grader is taking Latin, logic, and writing online. I couldn't keep up w/his Latin, and I like the idea of someone else grading his papers. It's hard for me to judge what an 8th grader's essay should look like. I would expect too much I believe. Plus, it frees me up to do other things w/my other kids. Laura

Here's what we're doing this year: Math: Started w/Chalkdust Alg. 1, finishing w/Saxon Alg. 1. Will spend some time w/Fred (Alg. 1) over the summer. Writing: Brave Writer essay course, WWS 1 Grammar: AG all three years Vocab: Caesar's English 1 & 2 Literature: Great Books w/co-op Latin 1b w/Lukeion Traditional Logic 1: MP class History: AAH (both years) and TC dvds Science: Started w/Kolbe's syllabus for PH Physical Science, switched to Rainbow. Speech in the fall Runkle's Geography in the fall (probably will try to finish over summer). Faith & Life 8 Extras: fencing, jui jitsu, piano, art classes at museum and Y, and swim lessons at Y. Laura

I'm not sure if I'm the best person to answer this, but I'll give it a try. My kids used the 6th edition with the workbook along with a tutor. The 38 Stories book was helpful for some additional translation, but not necessary. The workbook gives more in-depth practice. There are several extras that I bought, but never used. They are currently in the Lukeion online class for Latin 1b, and the teacher required the 7th ed. Not sure why. For that class they don't use the workbooks. Hopefully someone else w/more hands on experience will chime in. Laura

Thanks Stripe. Garrow's Law is exactly what I was looking for. I wish Netflix streamed it, but at least my library has it. Laura

Thank you. I couldn't find anything on their website. I guess I'll have to find some other British drama/movies to fill that hole. Laura

I just started watching tv again when Downton Abbey came on and became hooked. My dvr started recording Upstairs Downstairs (the new one, not classic) b/c it was in the time slot of DA. I watched 3 episodes and became hooked, but just discovered they have only produced 3 episodes. Does anyone know if this series will continue? Thanks, Laura

Linda, Thanks for your perspective. We are not YE either, and I gave up on Apologia's GS about a quarter of the way through it b/c it seemed like every other point was about YE theories. I do agree w/the needing of all perspectives, but it seemed like overkill. I will give it a second look as dd could use it next year and I still have everything, including the lab kit. We, too, are enjoying Rainbow Science this year. Laura

Cleo, My son is also in the 9 am class (my dd is in the 11:30). We joined in at 1b too, although ds did take Henle 1 last year through MP. But the vocab and grammar rules are in a different sequence. DD has been trying to keep up after doing some Wheelock's on her own just after she finished FFL. She really did not want to go on the Second Form, so she decided to jump into Wheelock's. Laura

My 2 did Intro last year. DS received honors. They're in Lukeion this year for Latin 1. We didn't have any time to prep except for this morning. DD thinks she did well. I'm worried about bringing down Lukeion's averages. Some of the kids took Lukeion's Meet the Romans class. I'm curious to see how much that helps. DS is a Roman history guru, so only the Latin should trip him up. Glad it's done and on it's way. Laura

Well, I think it's fabulous that your son was a) uncomfortable w/this talk, and b) told you about it. I would definitely speak with him about how he wants to proceed. But, I'd also speak with the leader. Laura

We tried Apologia Gen'l Science and didn't like. For 8th grade, ds is doing PH Physical Science and a bit of Rainbow Science. I agree w/pp that physical science can be as good of an intro to science as general. Laura

It's been 30 years since I was in an Algebra class, and sometimes I wonder where my brain was at that time. I remember absolutely nothing. And my degrees are absolutely irrelevant to my ability to teach Algebra. I'm using Chalkdust w/my ds, but we're both tiring of the long video sessions. My dd is finishing Saxon 1/2 and will move on to Saxon Algebra 1 in a couple of weeks. We use both the Art Reed dvds and the Saxon Teacher cds. With these two, I am more than capable of teaching how to do Algebra. What I do struggle with and Saxon doesn't solve (but neither did CD) is the why we do certain things. My son and I just watched most of the MUS Algebra dvds and found them helpful, although the series stopped short of other Algebra programs. If you rocked Algebra once, you should be able to rock it again. Laura

I just watched this after trying to fill my Downton Abbey fix and found absolutely engaging. Now, one of my favorite 'movies.' Laura

For my 7th grader: Saxon Alg 1 w/Saxon Teacher and Art Reed dvds (she's starting this in a couple of weeks. Then LOF Algebra 1 Latin 2 w/Lukeion Greek 1 w/Lukeion WWS2 MCT CE II LL7 possibly. Not sure here AAH Also do ancients, but I'm not sure what we'll be using. Science Probably Rainbow Not sure what we'll do for Logic. She's already done Fig. Spkg, Case of Red Herrings, and Thinking Toolbox. I think TL1 will be too difficult. I might have her participate in Classically Catholic or Catholic Schoolhouse w/her younger sister. Extras: Swimming, volleyball and fencing. Laura

Ester, Glad you updated us! Laura

I love the Twitter assignment. Laura