Making A Home

Baby K Update

Finally I got ahold of the social worker, so we know a bit more about why baby K is in our home.  The initial info we got was a bit off, it seems.  Nothing I can share, of course, but it gives us more insight into K's needs and whether she'll be with us longer... and I'm not thinking she's leaving any too soon.  Birthparents no-showed for a visit this week (then claimed they didn't know there was one, even though we had discussed it at length not 24 hours before.) 

But, even if that sounds "good" for the possibility of keeping her... it sounds like there's a line ahead of us: a few relatives, plus the adoptive family of an older sibling who would also want her.  Does the foster family who has put in the work and bonded with her get any priority?  The others are all out of the area, so she's with us to facilitate birthparent visits... but I'm not sure how that jives with "relatives get first priority" and all that... does that just mean for permanency?  So the foster family does the myriad of appointments, gets up every night with her and handles the demands of a newborn, only to hand her over when she starts smiling, laughing and sleeping through the night?  I have no idea.  After the last year or so, I won't try to predict anything.

But... she's growing wonderfully (a full pound up from her birth weight now, at 1 month old), healthy (other than a short cold earlier this week), and is becoming more and more alert.  Sleep is still unpredictable.  She gave us 2 bursts of 5 hours the night before last, but then just when I was getting my hopes up, she was up every 2-3 hours again last night.  She does have a sad little diaper rash that we are trying to fight off, and no doubt that contributes to the sleep disturbances. 

I'm trying to project toward Christmas... I've bought the main gifts (and several stocking stuffers) for the other members of my household, but I'm not sure what to do about K.  Will she still be here at Christmas?  Yes, I know she'll only be 3 months old and will absolutely not notice if she has gifts, but it would bother me if she didn't, so I'm collecting a few small items for her stocking, with the thought that they can be saved for baby gifts for others if she leaves us before then.  (Remember C left us last year on December 23rd!  I do have a couple small things I had purchased for her that I can tuck in K's stocking, as well.  There's just no definites when it comes to foster care.)

Maybe when she leaves we need to tell our agency we'll wait for what we asked for 9 years ago (when God brought us Sam)... under 18 months and likely adoptable.  Or maybe we need to figure out how to make a homemade one.  Of course now I'd be "Advanced Maternal Age."  Blah.

TOS Review: PGKey

Not long ago, after the children were using our mini computer for educational games online (truly, we always set up the computers for the children, go to the websites for them, they use them only in common areas, and are instructed to never click on outside links)... I opened the computer to find it was being attacked by a nasty virus.  It was opening page after page after page of identical VERY INAPPROPRIATE sites, and littering the screen with multiple popups (virus warnings that were actually the virus itself.)  I will never know what they clicked on, but it was a mess.  Hallie (the last one on that computer) claims she didn't see anything inappropriate, but I'll always wonder about that, too. 

The virus was clever... it blocked my every attempt at removing it our getting into setup files to sidestep it.  Finally I was able to enter setup in safe mode, restore the computer to a previous date, and things seemed to be working fine (until recently, when the virus, this time without the icky sites, came back and crashed the computer, likely for good this time.)  But that incident was enough to get me researching child-safe internet blockers and dedicating one (heavily armored) computer only for the children's use.  Ultimately I ended up using the child safety software available in Windows.  I created a profile for just the children (and beefed up the password on my own profile) and blocked EVERYTHING.  Then I went into the settings and allowed just a few programs (the boys' math programs) and websites (Webkinz, Time4Learning - while we were doing the review, and Read, Write and Type.)  It worked well, honestly, and kept the children from accessing ANYTHING I didn't approve.  But there was another element I still didn't have...

 

Recently a package came with another review product... PGKey.  This is child computer safety at it's finest, and I'm so thrilled to be able to try out and recommend this product!  PGKey is sold for $49.99 plus shipping... and that's it!  No ongoing subscription charges or annual fee like so many protection programs.  Rather than a "program" to be loaded onto the computer, PGKey is a self-contained thumb drive (with a convenient key-ring attachment).  Basically, if PGKey is plugged in, they can use the computer.  If it's not... it's blocked.  Now our children aren't an age where they are ever left home alone, and our house isn't large enough that they would ever be on the computer without our knowing it, but I can clearly see the benefits of this for older children, and especially teens who may to push the limits of their computer time.  Without the key, you can't get in!  Simple as that!

Of course, my first concern about this was the obvious... What if I lose the key?  Thankfully, there are 2 solutions for this problem.  First, when you plug in PGKey the first time, it asks you to set up a password, so the adults can still use the computer without it.  And second, PGKey offers a replacement key for just $10... for when we DO lose ours (it's bound to happen around here, I'm afraid.)

But here are the details.  (From their website:)

Access Control Control computer use by inserting or unplugging PG Key. Time Allowance Decide the amount of time the computer can be used daily. Content Filtering Eliminate unwanted results from innocent searches. Site Blocking Block sites you decide are inappropriate. Activity Tracking Review all activity on the PC with a DVD-like interface. Activity Notifications Be informed via text message or e-mail of any flagged activity. Chat and E-mail Logging See both sides of chat and e-mail conversations. Computer Configuration Properly configure all users of the protected PC. User Name and Password Logging Keep track of user names and passwords. Inappropriate Activity Evidence Use video recording to show obvious or suspected inappropriate activity.

That last one is my very favorite part.  Yes, the blocking is great and the time allowances will come in handy as the children get older, but the thing that would have answered all the remaining questions for me about the virus and where it came from and what they saw... is the video recording!  PGKey records up to 60 hours of ALL computer activity.  Want to know exactly what your child was doing with their computer time?  PGKey records ALL of it!  A few days ago, Hallie wanted to try out a new site from the Disney Fairies.  Although it seemed harmless, this is a site I wasn't all that familar with, so it was nice to be able to to through her activity after she was done and make sure it was something I'd be OK with her doing again.  By reviewing the video (you can drag or fast forward, rather than watch in "realtime") I was able to see there was a "chat" option in the game that I didn't know about.  I don't need my 7 year old doing any kind of social networking just yet, so I was able to talk to her about always clicking "no" when others request to chat.  And I have peace of mind knowing I can check up on that at any time with the video function of PGKey.

This product was created in conjunction with FBI and law enforcement, teachers, doctors and parents, all striving to find the best way to protect kids online.  Their research concluded that parental involvement is still essential... but PGKey makes that easier with all of its features. 

I haven't tried out all the features yet... and I imagine there will be a bit of a learning curve to figure out how they all work, but I like knowing if we run into a problem, they offer support, and there is likely already a protection built in that we can activate for each new hurdle.  (For instance... there's a "keyword alert" that e-mails you every time your children type in or search for any key words or phrases!)  (You do need one PGKey for each computer in the home.)

Seriously, there are more features here than I could possibly describe (I keep just wanting to cut and paste sections from their site, but instead, I guess I'll direct you over there to see for yourself!)

Disclaimer: I was provided a free copy of this product in exchange for my honest review.  I have not been compensated in any other way.

Boys Camping Trip

I realized I blogged about what we girls were doing inside while the boys were camping, but didn't post photos of THEIR weekend!  (Not that I have many... taking photos is more my thing than Brian's, and I only walked through the campsite a few times!)

 

We started this tradition when Sam turned 7, and the plan was that once the children were 7 years old, they'd get to go on a yearly outing with mom or dad.  The boys (7 and older) would go camping each Summer, and the girls (7 and older) would spend a night hanging out at a hotel (girly camping, I guess.  I do enjoy camping, but the thought of going without manly protection doesn't thrill me, so a hotel it is!)

 

The boys were going to camp at Birch Bay State Park for a night, but the days Brian was able to get off work just happened to coincide with the Cub Scout popcorn sale dates, so they opted to trade one night in a park for 2 nights in our backyard.  They camped here (and we did our best to stay away, so it would FEEL more like they were out somewhere wild), sold popcorn each afternoon, and spent one day out at the state park exploring and having fun. 

 

The first year Sam and Brian went camping, I was a bit too controlling... I planned meals, shopped, did advance preparation for some of the meals, packed for them... and then a friend reminded me none-to-bluntly "Isn't this THEIR trip?"  Hmm... So this year I provided minimal input on the menu (basically reminding Brian he'd need to get some food, and offering a few suggestions for easy things to cook.)  Then he did the planning, shopping, cooking, etc. by himself.  And he did great!  They had fun, and had enough to eat and I got to blissfully keep my big nose out of it!  (A little more each year.)

Great Wolf Lodge

The new Girl Scout year has finally started.  Hallie is a Brownie this year and Malaika is a Daisy.  There was some question about whether our troop would have to disband due to shortage of available leaders, and that would have been a tragedy.  Our troop is more loosely based than most.  Less "Girl Power" and more having fun together with friends and their families, which I very much appreciate.  Thankfully, someone stepped up to fill the open position, and someone else offered their home for meetings... so we are off and running!

Last week's meeting was a brainstorming session to see what the girls would like to do this year.  Among the ideas were horseback riding, rock climbing, screen printing and crafts.  Our BIG outing for the year was last month... we used the rest of our Cookie money to take the girls to Great Wolf Lodge!  (And those who wanted other family members to come along also got to do that for a nominal fee... so we were able to make it both a girl scout outing AND a family vacation!)

Renee and I volunteered to plan the meals to save everyone money, and I think it worked out really nicely.  We divided the food by room so everyone could have their meals when it suited them, and since each room had a fridge and microwave, that worked out just great.  For the first night's dinner, we brought all the fixings for Taco Salads.  For breakfast the next morning, muffins (both Pumpkin and Carrot/Cream Cheese) and homemade granola and milk.  And for lunch, wraps (turkey/cheese, and ham/cheese), chips, apples and cookies.  We left for the Lodge after church on Sunday, so we planned to do all the cooking on the day before.  I did the shopping and headed out to Renee's house.  We started getting things divided up, and she started to preheat her oven... until it started to spark and flash and make nuclear warfare sounds!  The element was going out and I have to admit, it was downright frightening... I thought the thing was going to explode!! She turned off the breaker, we did what we could without the oven and stove, and I packed everything up and spent the rest of the day baking at my house!  The meals got rave reviews though, and saved us all a ton of money over buying food at the resort.

 

I'll close with photos, but first... the grave injustice!!!  On the way into the water park the first time, they measured all the children and gave them a corresponding wrist band.  Green meant they were tall enough for all the rides, yellow meant they could go on all except the Howling Tornado and Red was even more restricted.  Understandably, both girls were too short for the green band.  But for some unknown reason, they decided Molly was close enough... and gave her a green.  Hallie is 3 months OLDER than Molly, but shorter, so she was given yellow, and for her second trip to GWL, couldn't ride the Howling Tornado (and couldn't go on the Canyon River Run without a grownup)... but her little sister could.  I felt put-out FOR her!  She handled it like a champ - I was so proud of her good attitude.

 
Eating Taco Salad and watching "Cars" - we called it a night fairly early the first night and decided to take it easy in our room watching a movie so we could store up energy for the next day.

 
The kids' room only accommodated 3, so the boys took the bunks...

 

Hallie took the daybed...

And Molly took the hide-a-bed in the main room.

 
 Sam and Hallie got stuffed wolves on our previous trip (right after Gideon and Malaika left us last fall), so we bought some for just the other two this time.

 

 
Hallie crosses the lily pads in the "play pool".

Molly and Sam, at the end of the Howling Tornado.

 
Hallie and Gideon trying to decide where to go next!  (At the beginning of our trip, the children had to stay with one of us at all times.  Sometime during the second day, we divided them into teams (each with a "buddy"), for a little more freedom.  We switched up the teams now and then, so nobody had to suffer from the limitations of Hallie's yellow wristband.) 

 
Keziah and Hallie disembarking the Canyon River Run.  As I said, Hallie's yellow band meant she couldn't go on the CRR without an adult, either... so when her siblings were paired with her, they couldn't do the big slides without a grownup, either.  Thankfully we have sweet friends who are old enough to pass for adults who were willing to fill in the gap now and then!

 
When we went last year, my favorite part was to float on an innertube in the wave pool.  It was both relaxing and invigorating, all at the same time. Between then and now, they nixed the tubes, saying it was too dangerous, since they could flip in the shallow end.  I was seriously bummed. 

 
Gid picks a tube for Alberta Falls. 

 
Totem Towers, with 2 smaller slides, various sprinklers and gadgets, and a huge dumping bucket of water.

 
The dreaded stairs to the big slides.  I'm in such better shape than I was 4 years ago, but these stairs were a killer after a few times up!

 
Thrill-seeking threesome after the Howling Tornado.  (Gideon, Sam and Molly.)

 

 

October Birthdays

One of the many funny "coincidences" when we first heard about our new children was that they were 2 years apart, both with birthdays in October.  The reason that's funny is because Sam and Hallie are also 2 years apart, both with birthdays in July!  As of the end of the week, we'll have two 7-year old girls and two 9-year old boys.  (2 sets of virtual twins!  At least until next Summer.)

We celebrated Molly's birthday earlier this month with friends at Jump Around Fun Zone!  Molly and one of our friends (Tucker) have the same birthday, so we did their parties together. Her special request birthday dinner was a quesadilla kids' meal from Taco Time.

(Sorry... camera cord is MIA again.  This year's blog book is going to be a lot of work, plugging in all the pictures I didn't get around to posting!)

We're looking forward to celebrating Gideon's birthday later this week.  For his birthday meal, he's had his eye on the sign at KFC for the "Double Down", which is basically bacon and cheese between 2 fried chicken patties.  Oh my!  Personally, I think it sounds like a heart attack waiting to happen, but he's been practically counting the days since this summer, and it's only one day.  I doubt his arteries will snap shut THAT quickly.  (And the way they talk about it, I'm pretty sure Brian's looking forward to trying it nearly as much a Gideon!)

(And in case I didn't post them back in July... Sam's birthday meal out was Chik-fil-A and Hallie's was Sonic.  Brian chose cheese steaks from DaVinci's... I would have picked Teriyaki Madness, of course... but we started the tradition AFTER my birthday this year!)

 

Thankful for

- a 5-hour stretch of sleep, thanks to baby K last night!

- Sam finally finding books he WANTS to read (too bad he's read the whole series now!)  He finished the entire Series of Unfortunate Events in less than a week, and this is the boy who doesn't like fiction!  Anybody have any suggestions for similarly clever and fun books, preferably in a series, that he may also enjoy?

- a massage later this morning. 

- my husband home for a 3-day weekend.  Hoping to spend a bit of time with him (we've been on opposite sleep-shifts to deal with baby K) and also get a lot accomplished in regards to paperwork and school planning, since he's always so willing to step in and take the lion's share of parenting when I need him to.  I know some husbands use their days off to read or rest or do projects.  Brian's a dad.

- our time with this cute little muffin.  My prediction is that she won't be staying.  Birthmom said they've signed up for all of their classes and meetings and hope to have her back by Christmas.  As much as I would love to keep this sweet little girl, it would do my heart good to see her parents do what they need to, get her back and parent her well.

- friends who can offer perspective.  In sheer frustration over one of my children hiding his meals in odd places (gross!) to avoid eating them, and snitching sweets... a friend admitted that she was a very picky child and at the same age was also hiding food to dispose of it.  That was a huge revelation for me... maybe that didn't mean he was headed for a life of crime for his sneakiness and deceit. After coming home that night, Brian and I got in a discussion about us snitching at similar ages - (for him it was cookie dough from the bowl without his mom knowing, for me, usually brownies off the stove.)  Whaddaya know... we didn't grow up to be theives.  While these behaviors still aren't OK, and we'll continue training them out... it is relieving to view the situation from a different angle.

- Coffee on a cold fall morning.  In fact... I think I'll go make some. 

Happy Saturday, friends! :)

Why is it

Why is it that some people can't seem to be happy unless they can knock others down?  Just wonderin'.

I have 2 children that have had to fight for their placement in different families, in new schools, etc... and I get that.  But my youngest (not counting temp-baby) has a wicked case of what I call "Wicked Queen Syndrome."  By that, of course, I'm referring to the story of Snow White. 

"Who's the fairest of them all?  Not me??!  Well, then I'll just have to destroy the one who is.  I'm nothing if I'm not the best."

Obviously, there has been no poisoned apples distributed in my home, but it's the same concept, just more subtle.  Tattle on them, lie about them, or at least make them FEEL belittled by whispering things only they can hear... "I'm better than you."  "Everyone likes me more than they like you."  "You don't look so pretty."  "That dress looks funny on you."  (All direct quotes.)

Again, they come from crummy circumstances, and they are still learning how to exist in a loving family.  So while there's a lot of training yet to be completed...  sadly, they aren't the only ones.  I know adults that still play this game.

Since I started this blog, there are certain people in my life (yeah, go ahead and tattle... you know you want to) that want to use it as a weapon against me.  I can't figure out what exactly I've done to elicit the defaming and gossip and sabatoge, but there it is.  They read my blog, it seems, for the sole purpose of gleaning something to use against me, then call those who don't read the blog and let them know what awful things I've said (or... their version of it... whatever will make me look bad.)  And since I haven't been blogging much lately (and that's one of the reasons)... they've had to resort to just making things up out of thin air.  I'm told I recently posted about not wanting to be a part of any of our usual Christmas celebrations, and it's caused a bit of an uproar.  Funny... I don't remember BLOGGING much recently, much less posting anything at all about Christmas.

Dear informant: Congratulations!  You're succeeding in driving a wedge between myself and parts of my family bit by bit over the last few years, using my blog as ammo.  Mission accomplished.  Can you move on now?  I've got enough to deal with without all of this added drama. 

TOS Review: Soli Deo Gloria - Map Skills

I hadn't heard of Soli Deo Gloria prior to this review.  The company produces unit studies about the Bible, History, Geography, Science and more, all taught with a Biblical basis.

The product we were given to review was their Map Skills Unit Study.  This program is a 2-3 week study for K-3 students about geography, map reading, compass use, (and even orienting yourself when there IS no map or compass available!)  As the study mentions in the intro pages, it's also adaptable to older students by increasing the difficulty of the hands-on projects and supplementing with a higher level accompanying workbook.

 

Because we use such a variety of materials in our homeschooling, we had already covered a lot of what this study had to offer (at least with 2 of my students).  The basics of map reading, the compass rose, compass use, etc had been covered several times over the last few years.  If you haven't explored these skills with your student yet, for just $14.00, this study will give you a really nice overview and plenty of practice using their new skills.

That's definitely what I liked best about this study - the hands-on activities.  And the book was chock-full of them.  We watched a sunrise and a sunset together, in preparation for talking about orienting yourself based on where the sun always rises (the East) and sets (the West), they had plenty of practice (almost to the point of being repetative, so you might pick and choose on these) at drawing their own maps, directional simon-says, and my personal favorite... Map Scavenger Hunts and Compass Treasure hunts! 

The study did list several items (as either required or recommended resources) we didn't have on hand (sad to say, a globe is one of those items... bad homeschooler!), including various city and regional maps, additional workbooks and a good compass.  (Sam had a decent one from scouts a few years back, but heaven only knows what he's done with it!)  But even without all of these things, just using resources we found online, the study was completely usable and thorough.

Disclaimer: I was provided a free copy of this product in exchange for my honest review.  I have not been compensated in any other way.

Update

I know, I know... it seems like I only blog reviews these days.  I was talking to a friend the other day who made reference to my blog and I joked that she was thinking "Oh yay!  Hilary blogged!  Oh... no she didn't."  And she agreed, yes, that was exactly what she's thought.

So, while I'm too tired, to lazy, or... insert some other excuse here... to blog all the individual events (I still intend to... when things slow down, ha ha) and include pictures, I definitely owe you all an update in the meantime.

Baby K is still with us.  She is as darling as ever and we are enjoying her so much!  I've felt really blessed this time around to have some contact with her birthmom, who has attended every scheduled visit (save one she rescheduled, but did call ahead of time and attended the make-up).  No... make that birthPARENTS... dad has come to every visit, too!  Honestly... I have no idea why this child is in our home.  There's just no way to predict how long she'll be with us.  Would we adopt her, given the chance?  You bet.  Will we have that opportunity?  Hard to believe with her birthparents coming to all the visits and being so attentive.  But that's in God's hands, not ours.  I don't feel like I have enough rapport with this social worker (not one I've worked with before) to probe yet.  I really want an ISSP (Individual Service and Safety Plan) - a document that lays out why they are in care, what the birthparents are supposed to be doing to comply with the plan for reunification, and where the case stands.  The visit supervisor said she'd bring me the SW's e-mail address tomorrow (he hasn't gotten ANY of the voicemails I've left him, so I need another form of communication) and hopefully I can ask him about the ISSP early next week... if they even have one yet.

In the day-to-day, K eats about every 3 hours, round the clock.  (Pretty normal, I think.)  She had 3 visits and a doctor's appointment last week.  This week, 3 visits, a developmental screening, a hearing test, and another doctor's appointment.  Next week, 3 visits and a WIC appointment!  As if the loss of sleep weren't enough to make me tired, I'm running myself ragged with all her appointments (in addition to 3 of my own this week, still recovering from that car accident in August!) 

And while I'm laying it all out there... oh, the temptations that have come along the last few weeks.  Two different sibling groups in the age range I would LOVE (both consisting of a 1 year old and a baby)... both foster-adopt.  Landing in my e-mail box.  Oh, the agony!!  I want these precious children!  But our house doesn't seem to be growing any, and really... with baby K, our van is full, too. Even if she left, we don't have room for 2 more without buying a bigger van.  And that means a VAN van... a 10 or 12 passenger monster.  Are we ready for that?  Eek.

Molly's birthday was yesterday.  Now both of my "big girls" are 7!  We celebrated with a friend the day before (they share a birthday... how fun is that?) with gifts and cupcakes and Jump Around Fun Zone.  I'll try to blog that SOON.  (No nasty comments about not having blogged Disneyland yet... or I may have to go off about the HUNDRED DOLLARS I spent to print a photobook of the trip.  But that's for another post, too... maybe.)  I didn't tell her we were going to her party until we were in the van, on the way to the venue, with another van full of friends following us.  We've had sabotage issues this year, with the new kids' attachment issues making them psychotic (exaggerating slightly) on holidays... so we thought it best to not hype it up this year.  We had the party, stopped by Grandma's house (my mom's house) for a few minutes, picked up Taco Time (her choice of birthday dinner), opened the rest of the gifts from us, then called it a day.  It was nice... celebratory, but understated.  She tried so hard to keep track of when her birthday was, but as I expected, she lost count and thought it was still 4 days off.

Gideon's birthay is in 2 weeks, and we've told him we won't be telling him ahead of time when his birthday will be celebrated either.  They know why.  Unfortunately, it was Sam (who ran out of his Vyvanse just in time for party day... ugh!) and Hallie (who has raging jealousy issues) who made the evening difficult.  But all in all, it was a good day.

And now, my brain has shut down for the evening and I can't remember what else I was going to say!  

Signing off... Hilary :) 

TOS Review: Read, Write & Type

I'm scrambling to get this review in under the deadline, and oddly... it's because my children loved it so much!  From the day we activated our profiles with Talking Fingers' Read, Write and Type Learning System, they've been off and running independently, (in a time when I really needed some quality independent work for my children!)  So now I'm exploring the parent areas of the program to review their work!

Read, Write and Type is a program intended for Kindergarten through 2nd grade students.  The licensing for the online program is priced per student, for a period of 5 years.  One student at a time is $35 for that 5 years, 2 students at a time is $55, 3 for $70, 4 for $85 and 5 for $100.  I like the idea of the online version, since we can use it from any computer, anywhere, and we don't have to worry about software becoming outdated.  But if a CD is more your style, the program is available on disc for $79.

The program ties together letter sounds, recognition and keyboard placement, teaching reading, writing and typing concurrently.  It's said to be great for ESL children and those with learning disabilities, as well.  While I can't attest to the program's ability to teach reading (all of mine are reading fairly independently already), all of my children need to become familiar with the computer keyboard and gain typing skills, and this program is giving them a great introduction.

 

Unlike a typing tutor program we'd tried in the past, RWT has my children begging me to let them use it.  Since we have just one computer for the children to share, we've had to restrict their usage to "not until your other schoolwork is done" and "one letter and one writing session."

The basic plot of the program is this:  Vexor the virus has stolen the letters from the keyboard (which all correspond with a character whose name starts with that sound).  With help from Rightway and Lefty (the animated hands that show you proper keyboard hand placement), you battle Vexor, free the letters, and move forward in the game.  Every 4 letters you can print a certificate of acheivement, which thrills my children. 

From 1st grade Molly to 4th grade Sam, all 4 children are loving this program.  While I can't say for sure that they are using proper keyboarding technique (since I'm not sitting right over their shoulder), I can say with certainty they are becoming familiar with the location of letters on the keyboard.  I have them help with their weekly contact for our Parent Partnership Program, and what used to take more than an hour (to type their responses) is now often as little as 20 minutes.  And becoming familiar with the keyboard was one of my main goals for this program.  We fully intend to keep using RWT for the remainder of the year, or until they master it, whichever comes first.  And when we finish this... their next program, Wordy Qwerty, will continue where RWT leaves off, helping them master spelling and continue improving their typing skills.

 

There are mini-games throughout the program and... Hallie's favorite: Writing!  There's a section she's fallen in love with where you write stories in e-mails to other children around the world and then read a short story written by another child.

 

There's a free demo available here. 

Disclaimer: I was provided a free copy of this product in exchange for my honest review.  I have not been compensated in any other way.