Not sure. We're doing Geometry next, and we'll be using Lifepac Geometry (I've already bought a few Geometries and I feel like Lifepac will work the best. It's the same publisher as Horizons, Alpha Omega). I may do Lifepac Algebra 2 or possibly just Abeka Algebra 2.

We are using Horizons Algebra now. If you are not strong in math, you might not want to use it. The teacher's guides are not super helpful. (My degree is in math, so I am okay with the Algebra, but it is easy to tell that it would be hard for someone whose math was not strong.) It is a very solid course, though. Similar situation for PreAlgebra. It just depends on where you are and your comfort level. Solid content, not great teacher help.

You might google Visual Spatial Learner and see if that fits her at all. If so, there are a lot of strategies you can use. Your experience is not unusual. My dd never learned any math in school. I had to start at square one. Singapore Math ("Primary Math" 1A and 1B are great places to start, by the way. Especially if she needs visuals and big picture concepts.) Best wishes. Trust your gut. If you need to go back further, go back further. If you need to get her evaluated, do that.

This. Also, hummus usually contains tahini and I have never found tahini that was not contaminated with nuts.

Chex Mix, original, name brand. Fritos corn chips and bean dip. Sunchips, original.

I, too, think he's being a jerk. However, if he has Asperger's, it might help to frame it as a manners issue. Manners say that if you cannot share your food, you do not eat it in front of others. While it is not a typical "not sharing" reason, it is in fact still an inability to share. So try the manners thing. What he's doing is very rude. That might work. My aspie relative read a book on manners once, and it helped him.

Is he more of a hands on guy? Maybe he doesn't need a plan to start his fort. Maybe he will build an amazing fort if all he has is the rough drawing and the wood. Some people's brains work this way. I am wondering what his learning style is. Your current list of curriculum looks very rigorous, but, for instance, would be a terrible fit for my dd and would make her loathe school. If he is hands on, is there a way you can incorporate that? Winston Grammar? Konos? Something more hands on? If he loves to read, can he read real books and do some project on each of them instead of writing something? My dd's private (classical Christian) school for 8th grade let the kids build lego models sometimes for their book projects. My dd loved that. Just food for thought.

How about this: It's got the higher waist. http://www.landsend.com/products/girls-gathered-jersey-dress/id_263428?sku_0=::UPK A-line will probably be flattering as well: http://www.landsend.com/pp/StylePage-457729_A7.html?CM_MERCH=REC-_-FPPP-_-GGT-_-1-_-457729-_-445504

If that sizing works, the dropped waist is probably not the best look. Try a higher waisted dress like this: http://www.landsend.com/pp/StylePage-459071_A7.html?CM_MERCH=REC-_-FPPP-_-GGT-_-2-_-459071-_-462716

It sounds (and based on the woman in red) like she is distinctly apple-shaped. I am apple-shaped. High-wasted pants work best. Ones with pleats are also good (still high-wasted). I would take her measurements and look again at LL Bean size chart (misses sizes, not kids plus). Maybe just go petite so the length will be closer to what you need. Maybe these for jeans? (They're my fave) http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/31109?feat=622-GN1&page=double-l-jeans-relaxed-fit-comfort-waist I like these for pants: http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/68260?feat=622-GN1&page=wrinkle-free-bayside-pants-original-fit-comfort-waist-pleated Empire style dresses look good on apple-shapes. The modern trend is low-wasted stuff, but that does not work for apples. High wasted "granny panties" are also best for apples. I believe they are called "briefs." The 80s was a good time for apples. A lot of that stuff is back in.

We don't actually get "family" photos done, but I do get my dd's photo done every year at JCPenney. I like to preserve all the "schooly" traditions that I like, including annual photos. (We also do report cards and award ribbons at the end of the year :ph34r: ) (ooh, ooh, plus my dd has a locker and we did a mum this year)

I would fire your allergist and find a new one. Jerk.

Grammar Tales and Parts of Speech Tales and Punctuation Tales would all fit the bill for having pictures. Second grades is really young for LA, anyway, so exposure is probably all you need, and it's not really even necessary at that age. Schoolhouse Rock is also really fun. The Sentence Family is great and visual and involves drawing, but it is geared for 4th grade. You really have many years to get the noun-verb stuff down. No need to rush it.

Bare minimum? Some kind of project or paper on each book. In 8th grade (private, classical school), my dd's history teacher let them make lego scenes as their projects. Or take pictures of the lego scenes and make it a power point with a plot. Would she like something like that? Also, for American history, I'd make sure she knew the bare minimum I wanted her to know. For example, right now, my dd is practicing the Star Spangled Banner every day because she was getting some of the words wrong. Things like that.

Yeah, I'm thinking you could call it a .5 credit of Geology and a .5 credit of Astronomy and call it good.

The lace from my mom's wedding dress became my veil, and the skirt donated fabric to become the ring bearer's pillow. I love my wedding dress, and I'm saving it (although it's not preserved and has a spot on the skirt) in case my dd wants it some day, even if she doesn't now. (And I think wedding dresses should have sleeves. They are prettier and more princess-like that way, imho. :) ) Another vote for Keep the dress.

My vsl would not be able to answer those questions, particularly at those ages. She is a big picture thinker, and if I don't like it, too bad. Also, her reaction to "What would happen next?" would be "How should I know? I'm not the author." No disrespect. Completely serious. We have given up on these types of questions. We do things like tell me the beginning, middle, and end of the story. What was the turning point? Who were the major characters? You know, big picture ideas. What types of conflict were in the story. Not speculative questions. She's 15 and they still make her cry.

We love A Christmas Carol, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Rip Van Winkle. She might like The Wind in the Willows. Sherlock Holmes is also wonderful.

Also, Williamsburg has a beautiful event in December. Something about Lights. It's lovely. I went to school there and remember walking back to the dorms singing Christmas carols as a light snow was falling. So I vote December.

Just getting started, I would probably buy a grade-level curriculum kit to start. Then as I got more comfortable, adjust as needed. Depending on how your child learns, you might look at Timberdoodle http://www.timberdoodle.com/Complete_Homeschool_Curriculum_Seventh_Grade_p/999-0700.htm or Christian Liberty Press http://www.shopchristianliberty.com/grade-7-clp-curriculum-kit/ or Abeka http://www.abeka.com/ABekaOnline/ProductSearch.aspx?grade=G7&subject=&title=&sbn=&ods= or Rainbow Resource http://www.rainbowresource.com/proddtl.php?id=RBW7TH

Korean beef is awesome. http://www.sixsistersstuff.com/2013/02/korean-beef-and-rice.html (I didn't have sesame oil so I used canola) (And I did not add the red pepper flakes because we can't do spicy)

Your daughter, your mom, and you all acted appropriately. That mom is crazy-ville. I also, unfortunately for your dd, think that her friendship with bf is done. With friends like her, etc. etc. Hugs to you all.

High School Diploma. In the state of Texas, homeschools are considered private schools and as such, we issue our own diploma.

The most fun middle school grammar I did with my VSL was The Adventures of Genius Boy and Grammar Girl. I see that it is not available. The grammar book that was mastery and thorough and not too painful was Seton Grammar. But you have to be willing to do a super quick lesson (I do a quick example on the white board) and then possibly assist on the assignment. But it works really well with my VSL. It is very Catholic, too, so if that really bothers you, you may want to pass. You can find samples at Setonbooks.com We also have watched Schoolhouse Rock Grammar a million times.

Writing with Skill --> Seton Composition Abeka French ---> Galore Park French Classical Mythology Workbook Reader ---> Memoria Press D'Aulaire's Greek Myths