It also depends on what type of unit s/he is in. My dh just joined the USAR and was told that his deployment would likely be in August. But, the situation is very fluid--esp. w/Afghanistan b/c the CinC is still examining the region.

I'm at least comforted by the fact that you are the exception and not the rule. Laura

I'd like to know too. Laura

I'd love to know why you don't recommend Koine as I just ordered Elem. Greek an hour ago. Laura

Drew just posted on another forum after someone else asked that today that he had planned to be involved, but got too busy w/his full-time job. I've heard good things by people who've tried it, but I don't them or the program personally. Laura

I've lived in DC and N. VA and much preferred N.VA once I had kids. My sister lives in Alexandria in a very nice townhome that they rent--they wanted about $600l-700k to buy. Her husband works at Andrews and commutes, but he works 12 hour shifts and misses the traffic to work. Personally, I think NVA is much nicer than MD. Where she lives in Alex. is family friendly and lots of gvt types. Laura

It took our pups about 2 weeks, but they still need to be crated at night for chewing and probably house training. If they happen to go upstairs or in the basement they automatically go to the bathroom. Not sure how to work on that one. Laura

I agree with pretty much everything that's been said. There are drawbacks, esp. for your dc's age. It does seem like a lot of time and money for something that's not age appropriate. However (and I always have a however), you see the huge advantages as your child gets older. My dd5.5 did it last year and was fairly bored w/it b/c most of it was over her head. She's picking up a lot more this year. My older 2 get a ton out of it. Since you've already paid, already have the materials, I'd stick it out and re-evaluate at the end of the year. As pp mentioned there is a lot of good to take away, music, science, art, skip counting, presentations, lunch and gym. We only went about 4x last year and this is our first full year and I"m beginning to feel the love. I would not tolerate the chaos though. Laura

Our only experience has been w/LC. We started last year when my kids were the same grades as yours. DS did LCI, while dd PL. She went through that pretty fast and is now almost done w/LCI, while ds is almost finished w/LCII. I just bought FFL to look at b4 we move on to Henle w/ds. DD had a hard time w/the grammar aspect of LCI at the beginning of 3d grade, but by the end it had clicked. DD5 is doing song school latin and will probably move on to PL either this year or next. We spent part of the summer w/Minimus, but didn't get too far. Not sure if I'm much help, but that's been our experience. Laura

What about getting together with a few other kids that you know are as vigilant as you are. We're still doing coop, church and sports, but have limited other extras. Laura

We did a little bit concerning parts of speech (a few worksheets, funbrain, grammar videos), but this is my first year (6th for DS) in hitting it hard. We're doing R&S 5 and will do AG at the end of the year. He's doing fine w/R&S and actually likes it b/c we do it orally. FWIW, dh was an English major, and I'm a writer and I don't think we neglected it at all--for a while I was worried, but he'll be fine at the end of this year. DD5, however, is doing FLL and dd9 is doing R&S 5 this year. Laura

Can you tell me more about Scott Hahn's book. Is there a text and a work book? We're trying BC, and it's not working. From what I've seen about the Faith and Life series, it doesn't look like my cup of tea either. I thought about the Great Bible Adventure, but it's kind of pricey and I've been taking too many risks lately. Thanks, Laura

My kids did in the beginning, but eventually came to enjoy them. They used to groan when it first came on, but I think b/c I let them work on coloring/mapping projects while they listened, they looked forward to this part of the day. Laura

There are so many ways this guy was different than McVeigh. For starters he was still in uniform after having received a free education that allowed him to earn $80k/year. Second, he was in contact w/foreign nationals who were intent on harming Americans. Americans in uniform in particular. Third, he probably won't get the death penalty. Fourth, this is post 9/11 and his crime and prosecution are likely to inspire others outside the country (and inside as well). Fifth, this was about religion for him. A personal jihad. Finally, it looks like political correctness enabled this guy to go this far. McVeigh was able to fly under the radar. Laura

My K/1 really likes WWE. Plus, it couldn't be any easier for me to use. We're also using Song School Latin, which is fun as well. She also does a little w/history, like drawing or a one word sentence. I keep telling myself to relax and enjoy it too, but it's so hard. Laura

I have the Shark and it dries fairly quickly. Better than any alternative except for getting on your hands and knees and towel drying. And that's not going to happen here. I find that it seems a lot harder to pull out for quick clean ups. The Swiffer didn't scrub, and the mop left the residue. Of the 3 it's the best for us. Laura

I do a lot of thrifty things, but I can't shop at consignment shops for clothes. We did it when I was a kid and there always seems to be a smell. Plus, the hit and miss nature of it all seems way too time consuming. It's easier for me to p/u things on sale/clearance at other stores and just not buy as much. I love the recycling aspect of it and am glad others do it. However, I do love buying books used. Half-Price books is my next best friend after these boards. Laura

I sort of did LCC our first two years b/c I let the kids spent way too much time in outside activities. However, every day they did math and Latin and usually something else easy like SOTW or spelling. Their extracurriculars were things like a Shakespeare class, movie making or choir. A total hodgepodge. This year we're much more eclectic and we all like staying home more. We do go outside the home for CC but that's it. The first part of our day is reading, catechism, Latin and math. Even the kindergartner does SSL. I'd love to quit after that, but can't seem to trust myself and follow the less is more approach. Like you, it really speaks to me, but I'm not there yet either. My kids tested really well after their first two years of doing hs'ing (2d and 4th) w/the LCC focus. Laura

I've struggled with this as well. I just have her do SWO B and go over the spelling/phonics rules w/her. I also found a fun phonics word search and go over the rule again before I let her do the word search--often while waiting in the doc's office or something--each just takes a minute or two. I'm afraid that I've neglected something, but her reading just gets better. In LCC, Drew says to just keep reading, so that gives me some assurance. Laura

We started Latin in 4th grade w/my oldest, 3d grade w/my next, and my youngest, who is technically kindergarten is doing Song School and will probably start Minimus after Christmas. She's reading really well and is doing well w/a bit of grammar, so we'll see. For us: 6th grade CC on Mondays LCII w/Elem. Greek in the wings Saxon alternating w/MUS w/Singapore in the wings and Math Challenge and Hands on Equation, which I hope to start soon Wiggle Woods, which we just started. Bible Study and Baltimore Catechism Mind Benders and Fallacy Detective (we start next week) SWO G, will be switching to WW very soon R&S Grammar w/AG in the wings CW Aesop alternating w/WWE History a mixture of things using Atlas of the Ancient World (nice mix of geography and history) as our spine, w/SOTW thrown in for the youngers. Using KHE also. HFA for history, art and music Science--what we do at CC, and on nature studies and field trips. I have RS4K for after Christmas Reading--follows history. He just finished Golden Goblet and is starting Cat of Bubastes. Tons of sports. Would love to get piano lessons in. 4th grade CC LCI--possibly Elem Greek w/her brother Saxon 6/5, with MUS occasionally and LOF over the summer Bible and BC Italian lessons And the rest is w/ds in 6th. K/1 Song School Latin Italian Lessons MUS Beta, Singapore 1B WWE 1 FLL1-2 SWO B Bible reading Tagging along w/others when she feels like it. We were all about fun our first 2 years of homeschooling. This is the first year I've really stepped it up and so far it is going well. Of course, we could hit a wall in December, but that would be ok b/c I feel like we're really in a groove and all is going beyond my wildest expectations so far.

From what I've read it really doesn't make too much of a difference. My kids are doing LC and dd5 is doing Song School, which is a classical pronounciation.

I've only planned as far as Greece--well maybe a bit for Rome. We're using MP D'Aulaire's Myths and Famous Men. We're using a classical atlas book as our spine, along w/bits of SOTW (second time) and Guerbers. For fiction we're doing Black Ships and Odds Bodkin's Odyssey (on CD), and then Eagle of the Ninth (I think, I haven't read it yet) for Rome and possibly the Boys and Girls Aeneid. I also have the Boys and Girls Herodotus (I think those are the titles), which I hope to get to. I think there's also one on Plutarch. Laura

For us, staying in PJs all day is a major perk of homeschooling. DD9's friends get jealous when they come over after school and she is still in her jammies. I do require teeth and hair brushed however. I also let them start school when they want w/in reason. Laura

My ds will be in 7th next year and I'm going to see if they'll allow him to stay next year (it will be our 2d year) even tho they'll have Challenge b/c Challenge will have 1st year Latin and he's in his 3d year, and a bit advanced in math and geography as well (their other subjects). One woman at our campus now has her ds sit and do work nearby while his youngers are in Foundations. Laura

When we tell insurance reps that we have USAA they stop what they're saying and tell us they can't compete. Laura