No, the two aren't really that closely related.

The update on artificial colors is that we've really hit the jackpot!!! We're still minimizing other preservatives and additives, but the big big big one does appear to be the colors. We have children who behave like children now. Further, I'm finding that I like being AROUND my children more. It was sad feeling like I needed a break from, well, the one screamer, on a regular basis. It did a disservice to both her and the rest of us. She deserved to be enjoyed as much as her siblings did... and now she is.

Homeschooling has begun. Phoebe didn't realize she'd started school, but she started low-key "schooling" yesterday. This wasn't the sit-down and work school, this was the "let's chat about what nutrients are in your lunch" school, the "how high do you think your bike seat would be if we raised it by one foot", the "so you have 20 dollars, and the material you want costs $2.50, what bills would you give the cashier and how much change would you get?", and the "what kinds of shapes would you like to make your quilt out of, shall we draw them into the big square", and the "Piper cut her finger, let's talk about how blood clots and wounds heal" kind of schooling. We're getting into the habit of making everything count.. and she's sliding right into it.

Further, I got an e-mail from the school Phoebe will be attending next year, and they are going to help us get our hands on the curriculum they are using for 3rd grade so that we can be sure to hit the same standards and major topics in order to have her on track for 4th grade next year.

So far, so good on the schooling front... and the school year technically starts tomorrow, so that's when we get to start working on what will be the daily routine and some more workbook style learning.