Good for you!!!!!!!!!! No, you will NOT be the last one on the course. :) Your practice run was less than a 12 min mile and that is a very respectable pace. Be proud and run strong! And I agree w/ PP, you'll likely go faster than you think because of the excitement- just don't start out too fast. :)

Use the code CROSLITE10 for additional 10% off plus free shipping. :) Just got a pair of Maryjanes for me, for $13.49 :)

I'm torn between a simple change like Growing w/ Grammar for FLL, and making a more radical change to CLE Reading & LA (getting rid of AAS, ETC & FLL). Thoughts? :) I was curious and linked thru to your blog, and noticed you previously used AAS. We just started Level 2... How far into AAS were you? Is CLE as thorough in scope/sequence? Thank you for your reply. :) So you'd recommend starting at CLE LA 100 and going quickly? She's almost completed ETC Book 4.... Thanks for your reply- good to know I"m not the only one. :tongue_smilie: I really like the looks of Growing with Grammar- its so simple & straightforward.

Were you already doing CLE materials? I see, in your siggie, that you're doing Reading & LA.... ;)

Yes, we've tried retro-fitting FLL (i.e. skipping lessons, modifying & scanning ahead) and I'm tired of doing that- LOL. At this time in life, I need a few things that are 100% efficient and open & go instead of needing to constantly 'tweak'. I like the looks of GWG- its just grammar and there won't be as much overlap.

FLL is wonderful in its simplicity, but contains far to much repetition for my DD. Any recommendations for another program? Something that is simple, less narrated/scripted etc? DD is 6 and will be starting 2nd grade next fall. She learns very quickly- generally not needing to hear something explained more than 1-2x and I want to respect that but also maintain a thorough explanation of subjects. Thanks! Laura ETA- By recommendations, I mean other curricula options- not how to modify FLL, as we've already done this. :) Thnx

I use the NeilMed Sinus Rinse bottle, and it helps. :) Certainly doesn't completely resolve issues, but is much more effective than medication. http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000RJGB5C/ref=pd_lpo_k2_dp_sr_1?pf_rd_p=486539851&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B0009XH8I0&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0ZRHGFRBT1P4MG9JQF99

Can anyone compare the 2 programs? :) I am still deciding on core (history, literature, Bible) and DD is very interested in geography & cultural studies as she has aunts/uncles/cousins who live in various parts of the world. My DD is 6 and will be a young 2nd grader next fall. I know this pushes the recommended age ranges for MFW, but I was hoping to tweak it to fit as needed. I haven't read that much about Galloping the Globe other than it is a more a reference guide. I'm going to the Cinci Homeschool convention this weekend and will have a chance to get my hands on these things, but want user opinions just as much. :) Thanks! Laura

This is our first year for a CSA as well, and we are soooo excited! :D I am excited to try some new recipes & ingredients, although they gave a list of what they harvested last year, and we eat about 80% of it already, but I've at least heard of the other 20%- LOL. They have recipes for ideas on what to do w/ the unusual ingredients.

GOING ALONE!!!!! :party:

Thanks for that- very well said. My DH & I are former pastors, only 18 months 'out' of church ministry, and while I deeply miss our church family & ministry I share Daisy's perspective on celebrity, boundaries & neglected family and am struggling (now) to make sense of it all. It wasn't something we talked a lot about in seminary, that's for sure. ;) We should be thankful for ALL those around us who touch our lives by their service. I do not minimize the vocation of a minister as it is unique in demand and scope. But I submit that we are all served by others and rarely understand the cost. :grouphug: to OP. I've been where you are and pray that you will find unexpected family time during these next weeks. Much grace to you & yours. Laura

I PM'd you back, but thought I'd repost it here in case someone else wants the same info... The simplest thing to do is work with what your TV has for input options - VGA input/output is the simplest connection. It might be easiest to google the model number of your TV to get specifics on it if you can't tell what the input/output is. Our connection is w/ a DVI to HDMI converter because even though our TV is less than 2 yrs old, it didn't have a VGA input. I'd imagine that any tech person in the av/tv department at Best Buy etc. should be able to help you get the cables, cards, converters needed if you have the model number for your TV (and its compatible) and info on your laptop. I hope that helps.

Yes, we did exactly what you're considering... We got rid of cable 3 months ago and bought a desktop computer which is dedicated to our TV. We already had a wireless router, and so just got a USB wireless card for internet capability for the computer. For a more integrated feel, we got a wireless keyboard & mouse, as well as a trackball remote which really helped (but you don't need to do that- it was more user interface). So all in all we spent $400 to get a pretty sweet setup- we watch enough TV/online movies that it was worth it to us to make it easy. For internet access to the computer, you don't have to do wireless-you could simply run a cable to the TV computer. If you chose to do wireless, you would need to buy a wireless router and receiver/card for the desktop- or get a laptop w/ integrated wireless card. Probably can do router & card for a total of $100 or less. As per my DH (who is a tech geek) they are coming out w/ options to do what you're saying (gizmo to transmit to TV from computer from different rooms, but practically speaking, consider how inconvenient that will be- for every command you will have to go to another room- pausing, rewind etc). But that depends on how often you will use it. I hope that helps a little...Good luck!! Laura

Congrats!!!! That's a great time and wahooo on beating your goal. :)

that would be appropriate for a young 2nd grader. She just turned 6 in December, and we're both very interested in doing a 'passport to the world' study for next year (covering social studies, geography etc). I know that Winter Promise & MFW offer programs, but WP is very pricey for what you actually get and MFW seems too advanced for a 6-7 year old. Thoughts? Laura

How devastating. :grouphug: My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family.

Oh, I didn't read it as a WTM bash, rather a 'how to keep perspective when you might feel overwhelmed' and in fact, her first sentence says as much. Yes, she references WTM but perhaps that should be taken as a compliment. :)

We are planning ahead to avoid the winter blahs next year, and I'm pondering a cruise as an option for consideration. Our area is literally very grey in the winter. We're looking for sun, warmth, out of element & fun- for ALL of us. The kids will be 3.5 & 7 next January. DH & I have taken 2 cruises together so we have a bit of experience in that regard. But I'd like to hear from voices of experience. :) What is a cruise like with kids? What about a stateroom? Meals? On-board activities? We've never traveled on Carnival, but their prices are inexpensive (and we'd be driving to the port) and given all the activities and the novelty of it all, I think a 4 night/3 day would be a good length but need to know if I'm fooling myself- LOL Thoughts? Laura

We try to use our napkins for 3 meals a day, but DS2 rarely makes it that far- LOL. I have 16 for everyday (purchased for $1.74/set of 4 at Target).

I am LOVING this thread! ;) Unless you have hired help, its pick and choose. :) I've learned that I cannot have a homerun school morning, 3 well balanced meals, a clean house, live below my means, completed laundry, a 4-mile run & delicious quiet time all in the same day. Especially when trying to maintain an admirable demeanor. I don't feel like I'm trying to do too much- I have whittled down to the bare minimum priorities and have learned that even within these top priorities on the very best day, they still won't all happen together. :) I think that has to be ok.

With my first, I *knew* it was soon...I was having stronger BH and took myself to a movie, knowing it was my last excursion without a child- LOL. She was born 24 hours later, but still I knew. :) With DS, I had no idea. I had a gut feeling from early on that I wouldn't make it full term, but wasn't having any signs. That day, I ate 1/2 a pineapple (heard it had enzymes to stimulate labor- LOL) and immediately went into labor (w/in 45 minutes) and he was born 4 hours later-2.5 weeks early. Hang in there. :grouphug:

:iagree: I use home-made vanilla syrup to flavor my caramel macchiato. ;)

Brilliant idea. :tongue_smilie:

I think we're all a mixed bag of strengths & weaknesses. Contrary to things I've read (and hear in between the lines) there is no perfect/ideal home educator profile, just as there is no ideal/perfect mom profile. You work with what you have towards your goals. Certainly there are extreme instances where homeschooling would not work- abuse, neglect, simply NOT doing the work- but IMHO that is a much smaller percentage of the population than we might think. Desire & commitment can go a long way! On paper, I'm not sure that I'm an ideal candidate for homeschooling...I struggle w/ seasonal depression (apparently), allergies/frequent illness and am an introvert who needs a certain amount of quiet. But I've realized I'm also very creative & resourceful, organized & a free thinker. This year I've been humbled (read: flattened like a pancake by my glaring inadequacies) and have realized that largely its because I've been relying on my knowledge & abilities. As a person of faith, I think there is another dimension that must be addressed. :)

Agreed. :D However, for me homeschooling 'takes it up a notch'. We took a week off from school last week and lo & behold, I was actually a kinder, nicer, less-stressed mommy. I enjoyed playing with my kids, doing simply household chores and not feeling overwhelmed. I wish that the 2-3 hours per day of homeschooling didn't change our dynamics so much. :confused: So as for our marriage being affected? Yes. Its affected because I"m affected.