I like Maps Charts Graphs for map skills, and Comprehension Plus for comprehension skills. I don't believe in "busy work" workbooks, and these definitely are not. Maybe Mathematical Reasoning for math? I also like Language Smarts. Both are by Critical Thinking Company.

Relax and move forward with SOTW with no guilt. How much more history do they already know at their age than you ever did? It's fine. And I'll bet they even like history, which is more than I can say for my own childhood history studies. Everything doesn't have to be "rigorous." They are your kids, and you can do what you think best.

Yes! I lived in Missouri for a big chunk of my childhood, and we literally had a forest for our backyard. It was wonderful. As an adult, I live in South Texas, and I only really go outside between the house and car. I like to be outside in a more temperate climate, but not here. And I loathe the beach. I live for our vacations to places with trees and green.

When I was interviewing for teaching positions recently, I really wanted to implant a "teacher appearance" in the mind of the person interviewing me. I went with a cardigan, modest tank, nice pants, and flats. Here are links to what I wore: http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/68095?feat=503111-GN2&page=fine-gauge-sweater-button-front-cardigan http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/72507?feat=503109-CL2&page=unshrinkable-layering-tank http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/68260?feat=503110-GN2&page=bayside-twill-pants-original-fit-pleated-comfort-waist http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/74876?feat=506705-GN2&page=indispensable-skimmers-plain I know it's not a dress, but it's very teacherly and does look like I can get on the floor and play.

That looks AWESOME! We tried Sonlight eons ago, and the schedule didn't work for me. I was still a newbie and didn't know I could alter things to fit me, so it was a no-go. But the books look so wonderful. Happy reading!

Grammar was tricky with my vsl. We had a fair amount of success with Grammar Tales and Parts of Speech Tales. I also got some of the Fun Decks from Super Duper Publications for some of the parts of speech, like Adverbs, and for Subjects and Predicates. Diagramming is helpful. Posters are helpful. Read through them together. Schoolhouse Rock is helpful. We did The Sentence Family and The Humpties, and while they were fun, I'm not sure they contributed much to understanding. (Although perhaps so. My mind is not vsl.) I liked Singapore's First Grammar book as it has lots of pictures. In 7th grade, we bought Oral Language Exercises from Abeka and just talked through the various grammar points. We also used Adventures of Genius Boy and Grammar Girl, and that was really fun and also helpful I think. Copywork from Writing with Ease workbooks worked fabulously for my vsl as far as learning punctuation and getting a feel for how sentences should flow and stuff. Editor in Chief software from Critical Thinking Company also really helped in that area. If I had to do it over again, I might use MCT Grammar Island and such. I think it would really speak to her "big picture" thinking.

I agree that the Norse Myths one is good. I didn't like any of the others. I may have to investigate the Greek Myths one, though. Haven't seen that. Off to search...

Small scale furniture. I don't agree that you should have full size furniture in a small room. Look at Target's website. They have some cute stuff for reasonable prices. Here's their couch section: http://www.target.com/c/sofas-loveseats-living-room-furniture/-/N-5xtm1#?lnk=gnav_furniture_7_45&intc=736565|null We use TV trays to eat on, and they can be put away (or not) when done. Think about what you want to do in that room, and get small furniture that accomplishes it. I got a small desk from Target that I love. This one: http://www.target.com/p/threshold-windham-desk/-/A-14500157#prodSlot=medium_1_8 although you could go even smaller.

My nearest Aldi's is three hours away. We have HEB, Walmart, Sprouts, and Sam's Club. So for us, Sam's is definitely worth it.

Pop tarts, granola bars, chex mix. Pre-cooked bacon. Juice boxes.

Forgot to mention... boneless skinless chicken breasts are usually 1.88 a pound. I get a 5 pound block of cheese for $15, which I slice up and freeze for use during the month. Good prices on ground beef. Pork chops were 2.68 a pound this month. Lots of deals to be had.

I have a membership to Sam's Club. I do feel like it is worth it. It used to be that their gas was so much cheaper than everybody else that it alone made it worth it. Now I have a really cheap gas place near me. Still, lots of stuff at Sam's is cheaper than the grocery store, and I figure the more I spend the more I save. I like them for soy milk, most meat, cat litter (50 lb for 8.67 tidy cat multiple cats), clorox wipes, toilet paper, all sorts of stuff. You do have to know your prices because some things are not a savings, but overall, we do a huge Sam's trip every month to the tune of two or three hundred dollars.

I freeze everything. We buy ziploc freezer bags (quart and gallon size) from Sam's for the best price. Noodles should be frozen separate from sauce, as it will tend to make the noodles too squishy. Yes, cooked meat can be frozen. Really, most things can be frozen. I make meals all the time from the contents of my freezer. Chili is easy to make from leftover beans, tomato or spaghetti sauce, and any beef. Pot pies are also easy to make from frozen leftovers. Tonight we are having leftover (frozen) waffles and leftover (frozen cooked) turkey bacon with frozen orange marmalade.

Just a plug for Texas... yes, our summers are hot, but our winters are fantastic. If you assume really hot weather from May through September, you should also assume pretty awesome weather from October through April. Just sayin'...

It's not a show, but you can go to Pinterest and look up Fall Foliage or Autumn. I've started doing that. There are a lot of lovely fall pics on there.

Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown

For science, could she do a lapbook or something similarly creative instead of the review worksheets?

Is there a different private school he could go to? Or one of those University Model schools? And always keep in mind that you can pull him out if things go bad. (Remember to get the tuition insurance so you're not on the hook if you do pull him out.) Bullies can be anywhere, but aren't necessarily everywhere. Best wishes for you all. ((hugs))

I agree with the vet suggestion. The other thing you could do is put a litter box over that spot. Vinegar worked for us on a vinyl tile floor. I'm not sure if it would work on carpet, but I wouldn't think it could hurt it.

I got a book called Biblical Case for Old Earth from cbd. It was interesting.

I already voted but I didn't realize you meant more than just cleaning. I try very hard not to clean. Hate it so much. The main rooms are kept picked up and I spot clean any spills. Cooking and planning and organizing and shopping, however, that takes more time and is much more fun. Couldn't even estimate time, though. It's sort of sporadic all day long. Oh, and of course, laundry is in there, although I generally only do my own plus towels and washcloths and specialty items belonging to others that require special washing.

Ooh, I forgot about steno pads. I used to use them at work all the time.

Who ranks posts? No one. It's a myth. Or a sociological experiment.

Every time I see the title of this post, I think it says "Oldest" thing you have ever eaten.

Poll! Spirals hurt my hand, so in recent years, I have discovered and now LOVE composition notebooks for everything homeschool related. What about you?