Done :D

I finally decided to use this for DD this upcoming year, and love that DS can do some of it too. What all do I need? I am thinking I needed it printed, as I do not like to print massive amounts of stuff on the printer. If you get the CD format, is it easier or is the purchase price worth it? I am also thinking the lap books would be nice to have since DD loves to do them. Would we benefit from the "Pop Quiz" What about the evaluations? DO you use these? Finally, writing aids, should we invest in it?

My oldest used RS in Public School this year and he definitely learned a lot from it. So much so, that we are purchasing it for our entire family. Beyond that, that is all the review I can give you. :D

Ah man! Maybe I can go Saturday (or even late tomorrow?). I did not know.

You know, many hospitals will allow you to follow your own plan as long as there is nothing going wrong. You as a patient ALWAYS have the right to refuse something. ALWAYS. That includes monitoring. I, personally, would NEVER take the risk of delivering at home, especially that far from the hospital. That is me being a medical professional that has seen too m any home births gone wrong. This is also me as a loss Mom knowing too many other loss Mom's from my support group that had mid-wives that waited too long. I am all for natural delivery in a medical setting without intervention unless it is needed. I know Baylor in Dallas even allows midwives to deliver babies in all natural setting, but everyone is there in a moments time. Sometimes that is all you have. In the end, like others said, it is ultimately your choice and no one has to feel comfortable with it but you.

What is it? I am near there.

First thing I thought (as a respiratory therapist) is WHY in the world would any doctor recommend acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) to everyone without cautioning them that it may cause airway constriction and copious unmanageable secretions? We were taught to NEVER give acetylcysteine without a bronchodialtor. You know, myself and my medical field friends are all kind rolling our eyes about all this swine flu stuff. Wanna research something really scary, research MRSA or acinobactor. Yes, Swine flu is here. Yes, people are being infected. However, compare it to what our "regular" flu does every year and it doesn't even compare. http://www.drugs.com/pro/mucomyst.html

Wow, my 11 YO thinks they are yummy. I do too. That is wild. KIDS! LOL

Absolutely, unequivocally, Alavert readi-tabs (the ones that melt in the mouth, I think that is what they are called). They work better for me than any allergy med I have ever had, including non-OTC.

I too have major issues with organization and spending too much time on the computer. What works for others does not work for me. Like fro example FlyLady. I cannot do her program it is too little and too much for me. For me this is what FINALLY worked: I have a notebook with dividers in it. In front of the dividers is a statement I wrote about why I need to follow a plan and how it will bless my husband, my children, and my home. Under that is a list of my daily goals, a very loose schedule if you will. Behind that page are calender pages I printed off my computer. I write in anything that gets scheduled as soon as it is scheduled. I have a to-do list tab, and when I think of things that need to be done, I write them on notebook paper in that tab. As they get done, I check them off. I have a homeschool section where I write stuff like conferences I want to attend, curriculum wish list, and other notes about goals and such. Then, I have a "lists" section where I write random things such as right now I have a list in there of things I want in a home when my DH finally gets a new job and we move. I also have a list of things to ask my doctor at my next visit. I have to write these things down as I think of them or they are gone forever. I also write lists of things I want (like a standing mixer) in that sections. After that I have a journaling section and I do my best to journal every day and reflect on how well I kept my schedule and achieved my goals. I have seen a world of difference since starting this system. I hope I helped you some if no more than knowing you are not alone.

She won the STATE crown, and that is what crown they are trying to remove, correct? I agree it is all silly. All of it.

Okay, I posted mine (once I figured out what you were talking about). http://crazyheifer.blogspot.com/

Well, my DD is 11 and started the emotional stuff a couple of years ago, and she has not even hit puberty yet. My boys were okay at 11. No big deal at all. Then, at 12-13 :scared: My 13 yo knows EVERYTHING and is smart mouthed. My 12yo is just moody and gets his feelings hurt very easily. So, a lot like his sister. There are many similarities and some difference. I am afraid it is a glimpse of things yet to come, but it's good to know it will pass.

Thank you for explaining it. I still think it is insane. She is way more intelligent than they give her credit for. They don't even see what she knows, they just see a number.

That is awesome!

It didn't make sense to me either. I thought when I read it she had BOMBED it. I was like "what?" when I realized how well she had done and they were concerned?

They want scores of "commended" or better. Commended means they get a score of 2400. DD got 2330. She has always been commended in her scores, and got perfect scores on all but one of her tests previously. I just think it is crazy.

It won't print for me because I have an all in one

(DD is still in PS 5th grade for two more weeks) I got a letter in the mail Saturday detailing my DD state test scores, and the public school recommended remediation. She got 86% of her questions on that test correct. She has horrible test anxiety, and usually that accounts for her missing things. Anyhow, she is WELL above remediation. I was appalled that the school would even suggest remediation for a score that high. So, I decided to give her evaluations I printed offline and one I bought. She is testing on a "ready" for 7th grade level. This just confirms my decision to bring her home and homeschool her. Along with the value based reasons, I am more than convinced now.

Thank you everyone. Your input is valued and appreciated.

Is anywhere near me?

I love that! My DD wants to do charity work for the children of the Appalachian mountains. How does volunteering at the HS work?

They used Abeka in DD co-op year. I know she does not like it. Thank you for the other suggestions and for the info about R&S. I did not know it was Mennonite. We have a Mennonite community right near us, and they intrigue me so much.

What all does Winter's Promise really cover? We have a LA program picked out, but we need history and geography. Are these History Pockets part of WP or something else? WP site confuses me and I can't figure out what is included with what.

Please share with me what curric. you are using and why you chose it. I thought I had decided and now I am just lost again. I'd love to see what works for others and why. Those of you who choose subjects to study instead of grade level, how do you insure your child gets all they need prior to college?