tcat5

This thread reminds me a lot of reasons why we decided to home school. Our kidlet besides having a hearing problem has her own strange way of thinking. She would have been very frustrated in public school. And schooling her at home lets her figure out stuff in her own way, and at her own rate. Home schooling is not for every body. And I think teachers in public school have a terribly hard job. They are under paid and have to teach way too many kids at one time. Besides being people with regular people problems. Here in Texas they have to "teach to the test" Because they are pressured to have X amount of kids pass it. It seems to put more pressure on both teacher and kids. sheesh. Also from the research I did when deciding to home school. Boy are not ready to settle down and learn until about 8 years old. They are just naturally more active than girls. Makes me wonder how many kids are on medication, when they are just doing what comes naturally to them.

Yes Tilda! Have a very happy birthday! How about posting a funny birthday story? I'll bet you have one. love tcat

All those twi persons in Dallas AGAIN for Turkey Day?!?! Huuuuummmm guess that explains the cold wind from the north we Austin folks woke up to this morning!!

Happy happy birthday Paw!! There have been many great and wonderful people born in November....like you .......and me ;)--> :D--> ;)--> love, tcat

Well I guess I gotta put in my 2 cents worth. Being the survivor of 14 stepfathers, and never having even seen a picture of my bio-father. Of the 14 stepfathers I had each one was pretty messed up for the most part. And all of them were abusive in one way or another, both to my mother and all of us children. If my mother ever tells me she killed one of them, I'd just think "good he was just using up good air anyway." Sorry just tcat showing her claws.

Happy birthday Cindy! It's my birthday too. Let's go celebrate!

I would not eat them with a goat I would not eat them in a boat I would not eat them with a fox I would not eat them in a box I would not eat them in the rain I would not eat them on a train......etc

Happy birthday to you! Will you be trick and treating at my house? :D-->

Oh (((((((((((((((((((((Cathy))))))))))))))))) I am so sorry for the loss of your great furry friend! love tcat

Hi there Chas! I'll try to answer your questions on home schooling. The why for us was 1.grade school kids were being arrested for selling drugs, yikes. 2.There is a huge percentage of high school grads in this city that can't read or write. 3.Our kidlet's way of learning would have not worked with the puplic school's way of teaching. 4.At this time when we got her hearing tested she could only hear 50% in one ear and 25% in the other. She has since had her hearing restored due to answer to prayer. As far as picking curriculum, that's the hard part, because there are soooo many out there. We pick and choose, some years I just make one up. Sometimes like last year we bought Switched on Schoolhouse. It was on the puter, and even schedualled and graded the work. you have to figure out what your kid and you will like. The kid loves home schooling, but she's never been to public school. But she has many friends that go to public school, and of course home school friends. I ask her every summer if she wants to go to public school in the fall. And she always says NO WAY! Regrets, only when I have to grade her papers. Basically it's become just another part of our lives. The first thing I would do is try to find out if there are any home schooling groups where you live. We have several here in Austin. Hook up with them and pick their brains. (eewww ;)-->) Also every state has different laws aboout home schooling. Here in Texas the law sees each home schooling family as a private school and must teach 5 basic subjects. The nice part is you can teach it how ever you like. (we watch the History Channel a lot). Also check out you library. More and more of them are keeping books about home schooling. Hope this is somewhat helpful. I would give you some web sites, but I'd have to find that note first. Love to Learn is one of my favorites. And Elijah Company. Both have websites and will send you a catalogue if you ask.

I'm so glad you've enjoyed your vacation Shell. If anyone deserves a wonderful time it's you. Love ya, T. PS leaking for that poor family.

Just ignore the weather stuff Shell, every place has weather. Even here we have weather, hot and really hot. :D--> Like I said before I am so happy that you are having a great, fun, relaxing, happy, terrific, wonderful etc vacation! keep on enjoying, love T PS edited for spelling again...sigh

Hi there Shell and K! So good to hear you are having a wonderful time. I always thought it's very beautiful out there and along with the ocean.....sigh. Am also happy for you getting a recharge! :)--> :)--> :)--> :D--> Can't wait to hear all about your adventures. love you T. PS praying for the poor family and their lost kid.

:D--> lololololol

Happy Birthday Grizzy from the snowless Texan who is now melting in the summer heat. I wish you a very happy day! love tcat

:D--> :D--> :D-->

I'm not too good at clever verses. And I have no clue how to stick a picture in here. So I guess you are just stuck with very happy birthday wishes! love tcat

Yeehaw! now doing the dance of joy with you! love tcat

happy happy birthday to you! be glad you cannot hear me sing this. the cat just ran downstairs. I am not a very good singer. But I wish you a happy birthday just the same ((((((CATHY))))) love tcat

Snow again?!?! Yep shell come on down! in the 80's here and the sun is shining, and the birds are singing, and the flowers are blooming, etc, etc, etc.... :D-->

Howdy all you Texans. We are here in Austin. Been here for 13 years now. Lived in Wichita Falls before that. And before Wichita falls I was a damn Yankee. (So that doesn't count) BackForty, we may have crossed paths before as we went to many functions in Dallas/Fort Worth. My brother, Mike was WOW in Irving about the same time you were there, so you may know him too.

Happy Birthday ahat. seems I'm late as usual :o--> love tcat

Have a happy happy birthday dear (((Hope)))!!! love tcat

Sorry but PB and jelly and cheese is as far out as I can go. My brother used to eat moyo or mustard on his PB sandwiches, but I think it was more about trying to gross me out. PS Hi there Digi! been misssing ya.

Zixar, yes I find your directions very helpful. I usually print them off (hope you don't mind) and am using them to teach the kidlet. Your directions are much clearer than mine. :)--> This time of year is very frustrating because it clouds up every evening and stays that way until noonish. So we may not get to see the five planets. sigh. And in May don't forget, there is supposed to be two comets visible at the same time. And May is usually a clearer month here. :)-->