Loveland by Martina McBride I Will Carry You by Selah

The list of people I would not mind showing up unannounced is very short. That has nothing to do with the state of my house and everything to do with the fact I don't much like surprises.

We did CC for a year. I hated it and I don't understand what the appeal is to stay in it. My kids learned next to nothing from the program. As for TOG, we are starting that next year after years of doing SL. It feels like a breath of fresh air to plan this. I have come to realize I hate being told exactly what to do and I hate having the readings so chopped up. What was I thinking sticking with it for so long?

We use CLE. We started out with Horizons but there were way too many tears over the number of problems for each lesson. CLE has a variety of things to do in each lesson and the kids actually enjoy doing math most days.

My daughter's Kindle doesn't have TTS but she has been helped greatly just by being able to adjust the font size and how many lines and words show up on the screen. She is dyslexic.

We had all of the same reasons as you listed to not have another baby. Our next youngest was five and a half when we had our baby. We don't regret it for one second. It is very different starting over, though. There are a lot of things we forgot about. I think he has a calmer, less easily ruffled mommy than the others had. If you have felt this way for years I would guess that probably will not fade and you'll regret not having another baby. I say go for it!

Short answer? Yes, it is too much for a first grader. We've done SL for several years now. The cores are really better suited for children in a grade one year higher than what they suggest. We're planning on doing TOG next year. Your two oldest would be together and there are hands on projects to go with the reading.

I voted 62-65. That's how old he'll have to be before retirement will be comfortable for us.