We're a sports family here, and it would take a lot to drop a child's favorite sport, esp. my dd11. In fact, she's involved in 3 sports right now (volleyball, fencing, and gymnastics) and that doesn't include her homeschool swim class. She thrives on activity and would be even busier if we let her. With my other two, we balance more b/c that's what they seem to need. I was very active in sports and believe that's what made me the person I am, esp. since it was when girls were not as involved as they are now. My dh received a division 1 football scholarship, so he sees the importance as well, but not for the scholarship reasons. It's just who we are. Other people we know are greatly involved in music or theater. I would be concerned about her possible health issues. We're out most nights of the week, but still find time to eat dinner together and do other stuff, like family game night, etc. We have lots of time on weekends to get caught up on chores, etc. But at least one of us runs a lot through the week. Laura

Kwickimom, Wow, you've done an amazing job on your weight loss. I can see how you are such an inspiration to others. I think about that w/my kids. I don't want them to see me as the heavy mom. Thanks for sharing, Laura

This could be me, but I put my family first and I'm finally moving up the list. I really need to focus on my health more. I mean for goodness sakes the dogs get more trips to the doc than I do. Laura

Pumpkin muffins. Very easy. 1 box spice or carrot cake mix. 1 can pumpkin. 1 can water. Mix. Bake according to cupcake recipe on box. Sometimes I throw in choc. chips or frost w/cream cheese icing. Laura

And if I had known when they were young that we would be homeschooling and not started in the middle. And if I had been smarter in curriculum choices. And if I had . . .

I checked other b/c if I only had one young child I think I could (but I could be deluding myself as well). But the older and more numerous they get, the harder I think it is to accomplish this. Laura

My dh missed our first two births (both came 2 wks early--he was in Japan for one, and Cleveland the other). He got on the plane as soon as I called him, but it took him so long to come home. The first was the hardest. I went early, had to take a cab, spent nearly 12 hours in labor all alone w/equipment malfunctioning. I had a rude delivery nurse who was chastising me for my dh's absence. This was in the second busiest delivery hospital in the country (at least that's what they told me--Fairfax Cy, VA). By the 3d, I would have been more than ok w/just a good doula. Laura

I have a 13 yo ds and an 11 yo dd too. They stopped playing last year. They used to be enormously creative. Along with the neighbor kids, they spent almost a year on this elaborate game they called Monopoly money. They essentially brought the game of Life to life. When dd hit 11 (and ds 12) this came to a screeching halt. I feel the same way you do. Although I don't want to go back to those diaper years. My kids are pretty busy w/sports. I've decided to let them get more involved b/c otherwise they'd gravitate towards electronics (which they still do to some extent). When the weather is nice, dd is out practicing her volleyball serves against the garage and ds is playing basketball. I want to get dd more involved w/scrapbooking and reading. I wish my kids were bookworms. DS will read at night and dd will if I tell her. This past weekend my youngest dd had a sleepover birthday party and my oldest dd and her friend had so much fun w/the younger girls. They really enjoyed playing with them. I reminded them they're not to old to play... Laura

We were taught to stop when I was in driver's ed training-back when I had my Model T. Laura So sorry to read about your grandmother's passing and the rudeness you experienced during this time.

I bought a higher level reading Am. history book for ds (8th grade) (sorry can't remember the title--I picked it up at Half-Price Books and it was probably college level, but looked like Kingfisher type), but he prefered AAH. I let him stick with it even though I thought it was drier than dirt. My dd11 is now watching the Story of Us and likes it. Right now for Am. history she's reading an Abigail Adams biography and really enjoying it. Laura

Math Mammoth (for dd7) and Saxon Algebra 1/2 for dd11. DS is doing Chalkdust, and I'm not sure yet on that one. WWS-writing is getting done every day. AG-grammar is getting done every day, and I see it sinking in. I Speak Latin and GSWL. Latin tutor for older two. Piano lessons (finally). I'm finally more organized (still a work in progress), so the year is going so much better. Laura

I'm impressed you stopped at 2 tablespoons. Now that's willpower. Laura

Thanks for sharing. I have a coin loving dd and a Roman loving son. Laura

We have an all boys school here, and we have to make a similar decision soon. It's the only school I'd want my son to go to, but as he gets older, I'm finding that like you, I'm not sure if I it's the best decision for him. I also struggle with ending this journey with him. Unfortunately we don't have that option for my daughters, who would probably be better suited for an academically rigorous single gender school. Best of luck on your decision. Laura

Well I just called Amazon, and they said that price is just for the book with that title in the set. Laura

Beware of Amazon. When I clicked to put the set in my shopping cart the image and description switched from set to just the first in the set. Not sure what they would actually mail out. Laura

And maybe the fact that you're dd did so well w/o any prep is indication that this school might not be "all that." And that she'll learn a lot more at home. Laura

I can't imagine doing Henle w/o either LCI or FFL, especially at a young age. FFL is very student friendly. I'm finally starting to learn it with my youngest and we're doing GSWL and I Speak Latin. Then we'll move on to LCI and then FFL. Laura

Thanks. I have a juicer too. Not sure if I want to add a Vitamix to my mix. Maybe I'll start out juicing and see how that goes. My kids did drink some green juice. Laura

Thanks. I remember several posters commenting on this over the summer, but I looked at the price and couldn't believe it. I can't understand why it's selling for $24 used as well. I understand Amazon does this occasionally...but still. Again, thanks. Laura

Can you make these in a Magic Bullet? I got rid of my blender a while ago, and now I mostly use the Magic Bullet for regular smoothies. Thanks, Laura

Parrothead, I had a very similar experience. I didn't get confirmed until right before I was married. Once I received my first communion my parents sort of lost interest. Eventually, I went to church on my own and to CCD classes, but I was never taught the Hail Mary, the Rosary, etc. I do remember a birth control class at our CCD class, which my mother was pleased with--one of the reasons she was unhappy with the Church was over the BC issue. Nono, I fall w/i your age range and most of what I remember was the Kumbaya aspect of catechesis. Maybe it was b/c of your parents. Mine were unhappy with Vatican II and were looking for an excuse to leave. And I know I'm not alone. At my parish, we joke that the only ones who know the faith are those who've recently gone through RCIA. Those who went through Catholic schools marvel at their lack of knowledge. I used to lead a mom's group at our Church and we'd bring in religious ed instructors and it's pretty amazing at how little anyone knew. I'm attending a Bible study right now (Jeff Cavins Great Bible Adventure) and most folks at my table last night did not know that there was a difference between a Protestant and a Catholic Bible. In fact one woman (in her 50s-60s) brought the Bible her son used in a Catholic high school (I'm guessing from the 80s) and it was Protestant! Laura

1. cooking: I never liked to cook, so we have as simple meals as possible. Soup and salad. Subs and salad. On paper plates w/paper cups. They're biodegradeable and save on water (I tend to justify things). 2. a clean upstairs. I hate when ppl stop by my house and it's messy. So, when it's crunch time, I just clean in the areas that people will see. Sometimes it's only our front hallway. 3. Science, esp. messy labs. I'm picking it up this year, but I justified this by sticking to the nature studies in LCC. They'll get a lot in high school. 4. books on cds during breakfast. good literature while I get other chores done. 5. science/history dvds when I'm feeling the time crunch. I can educate all 3 at once, they prefer it, and they're still learning. 6. schooling during the summer. We don't school year round, but I continue w/certain subjects during the summer so I'm not feeling so much pressure during the school year. 7. double duty events, e.g., going with friends on educational field trips. The kids get to see their friends, learn things, and I get to hang out w/my friends. 8. share schooling w/another parent. a lot of subjects do better w/more than one kid. If you can teach a friend's kids one subject for a couple of hours, you can get a two hour break the following week. I only have 3 kids, but we do a lot of outside activities so I'm always trying manage my time. And I'm not a scheduling kind of person, but I find when I do, I get so much more accomplished and my kids learn independence. Laura

My dd11 has a friend like this--a neighbor girl, so it's a bit harder to cut ties. They go through periods where they're very tight and then they're not. My dd has learned to cut the friend off on the spot when she's turning into competitive friend. She's also copycat friend. When dd starts an activity, eg volleyball, choir, etc, the friend has to do it too. She also tries to move in on dd's friends. I've tried to teach dd that she doesn't have to include this girl in everything, but when she's around she must be nice to her even if the other girl isn't nice back. Sometimes the girl is a darling to be around. Other times not so much. I've figure it's the ebb and flow of friendship and it will eventually die a natural death or they'll figure out a way to make things work. DD11 also has another neighbor friend who is seriously jealous of everything dd does and says things like 'I'd hate to be homeschooled.' I hate dogs and people who own dogs (we have 2), cat's are so much better (dd is allergic). She disses everything about dd. We finally ended that relationship b/c the girl was just plain mean. I think there is something about this age where girls are trying to find their place in the social strata of their worlds. Laura