I'm so fortunate my husband came along with me to this convention. He knew this decision was weighing heavily on me and we had some great discussion on the way here.

I've already mentioned that we're up for a crazy year and when I was looking through my CtG manual, something in me just said no. I figured I was burned out, but then my husband said the same thing. He said something just didn't sit well. Note, there is NOTHING wrong with this curriculum. We LOVE MFW and have had the best few years with it.

We may even get back into the cycle next year, but for some reason, we both feel (and my DH is not emotional) as though we need to do something different this year.

One of us attended all of the MFW and the MOH workshops and by the end of the day, we both knew we need to shelve CtG for this year.

So, here's next year's line-up:

5th grade:

Language Arts (Grammar, Spelling, Reading Comprehension, and Composition): EIW and Total Language Plus
History: Mystery of History Vol 1
Math: Teaching Textbooks
Science: Abeka 5th via Christian Liberty Press
Bible: Working through Character Trails via The Learning Parent
Electives: Piano and Artistic Pursuits

3rd Grade:

Language Arts: EIW and TLP
History: Mystery of History Vol 1
Math: Teaching Textbooks
Science: CLP
Bible: Character Trails
Electives: Artistic Pursuits

1st Grade:
Either stick with MFW 1st or:

History: MOH Vol 1
Math: CLE 1st
LtR: CLE 1st
Science: CLP
L.A.: EIW
Electives: Artistic Pursuits

Just looking at all of the above and going through the curriculum around me makes me sigh a breath of relief.

I guess my fear is that someone will look at my list and say, "Oh girl, what have you done! You were already in the shallow end and now you've jumped into the deep end!"

It looks like a good plan to me. Husbands have such good perspective!

I think you were wise to consult and discuss this all with your husband. My husband is a great help to me too.
Enjoy your new year!

Michelle32

I have to agree.:-) My hubby is great help and sometimes sees things or has insight that I don't. Best wishes on your curriculum choices!

fun@home

You're plan looks great! I've had to leave (or put on hold) a perfectly good curriculum for awhile. It's tough to do, but sometimes it's in the best interest of yourself and/or your dc.
Sarah

Looks like a lot of fun, actually. I'll be awaiting your reviews of all of those EIW levels. :)

There's a ton of Bible learning in MOH vol. 1 as well, and I think your addition of character curriculum will be a great balance!

Oh, and I LOVE the Boyer family! (The Learning Parent family ;0) I've been "following" their story for years. They've been a great inspiration to my life, in and out of hs-ing.

I am so happy to read y'alls feedback because while looking at my plan made me have such peace last night, I'm not familiar with with MOH as many of you.

Nancy, that was my thought about the character curriculum as well. I knew there would be Bible in MOH and I didn't want her to do another "Bible History" or "Bible class," if you will, but rather something more topical or life application to balance out the other Bible stuff. We LOVE the Boyers too.

I'm so glad I'm not reading, "MOH is going to be so much more intensive than CtG! What are you doing!"

What we both liked most about it was being able to just pick it up and read and I think the activities will be better suited for my 2nd child. There will still be learning, chronological history, I can add in living books, etc.

And then when this particular child is in 4th grade, he'll be more mature, will hopefully have more skills under his belt, and we can go back into the 5 year cycle.

And we fully intend to continue reading Window on the World--wow, we LOVED that book.

Oh and yes! I'm looking forward to the variety as well, especially with EIW and TT! That will give them a bit of a break.

I think I've pulled together a very rich program that will provide them with some different things. :) We'll see how it goes. :)

I'm really happy for you! You and your hubby got to go to the convention together and discuss your children's education and choose things for all y'all. ;) That is super wonderful!!!