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Write with the Best. I have used many writing programs during 13 years of hs. This is user friendly, successful, gentle, systematic, and fun. My struggling writer is enjoying it. He learned how to look up words in a thesaurus to polish his writing and finds this fun. He is learning new words to use rather than like or then. I was dreading having ds do more writing in CTC due to ds struggles but it has been pleasant. I like how each day is a manageable chunk and has very specific assignment. He loves days when he has 4 pencils and circles or underlines words, there are so many words it looks like a mess. It has helped to type his paper and make multiple copies. I have him print the original and correct the final draft. He has not done typing program yet so that is why I type it. Tammy

I'm surprised to find that I'm enjoying running two guides at once! I'm so glad I get to do LHFHG again with my little girl. It' so much fun!

When looking at the read-alouds in REV2REV, I would not have picked Reb and the Rebcoats to be one of my favorites, but it is. We love this book! The kids keep saying, "I don't think that's a good idea!" (A British family in England is guarding an American officer and allowing him too many freedoms.)

The classical poetry in MTMM! I looked at them in the Appendix at the start of the year and thought - WHEW! Those are some lengthy, difficult poems to read and discuss. Well, it turns out we love them! I formerly did not enjoy poetry, nor did my ds, at the start of BLHFHG years' back. Through the years, my ds and I have little by little begun to really enjoy poetry - together! It is such a surprise to both of us! Also, one thing that I didn't give a whole lot of thought to that I love is reading my ds's prayer journal comment each day at the bottom of his Faith at Work lesson in his workbook. His Bible Quiet Time box asks him to list the ACTS prayer model part he is on and jot a short phrase/sentence with what he prayed about for it. It is a window into his heart and mind, and I have started to really look forward to reading it. There are lots of prayers for my Dad who is going through chemo, as well as other struggles or temptations he is facing as a near teen. It's also wonderful to read him praising God for aspects of His beautiful creation! What he finds beautiful is sometimes things he sees every day on our acreage, but I love that he is finding God in daily life! I like to write a short comment back to him in his workbook. He enjoys reading that as well.

WWTB in CTC! Having done it another time before with my oldest ds, I wasn't sure I'd doing it again with a second child. Well, turns out I do! His ideas are totally different than big brother's, and it is neat to see his own writing style begin to emerge. Riley has such a joy for writing, and he is quite creative with it. It has also been a surprise to really enjoy seeing his move to DITHOR 4/5. I was thinking it might be a tough step up, but he took to it like a fish to water.

The act things out type activities in the Dramatic Play box, the Rhymes box, and sometimes in the Bible Study box of LHFHG! I know that sounds bad. I just have done LHFHG two other times with our two older dc, and well, I am older myself now. I wasn't sure I could get up and get moving and get into acting things out with the Bible Activity box one more time. Well, it is a blast! My little Emmett adores it, and he is a natural at it! Watching him can bring out a variety of emotions in me - I can be moved to tears or laughing hysterically, depending on what he is acting out, but it always is entertaining.

In Christ,
Julie