I'm not sure if it's what you are looking for, but we really like Sing Spell Read Write. It is a comprehensive program, and has worked very well for 3 of my children (all very different learners). I'm getting ready to start my 4th child in the program. My third child has some dsylexic tendencies (I hesitate to call it that, but there doesn't seem to be an "appropriate label" for her issues.), and it has been very good with her. Although she isn't a fast or completely fluent reader, she can figure out almost anything she comes across.

Thanks for explaining that. I am not familiar with those curriculums. I will have to look them up.

HAHA! I wish I had that problem. I had to sell my 4-legged friends because I can't afford to board them at the moment. Back to TOG, what is WWE/WWS, SWR, WA, SWB, and FLL?

Do you mamas use a separate grammar/language arts curriculum? If so, what do you use? We have been using Shurley Grammar for several years. I feel like it is a comprehensive program that has given my children a good foundation in writing and grammar.

I'm loving all these positive reviews of TOG! They are so encouraging. Thanks, mamas.

That was exactly my thought WRT to the shelf space! Plus, I figured DE was more portable. Still, if I can't get the license to work on my computer, then it isn't really an option for me. What a great idea for a timeline! I think that is wonderful! I can't wait to get started! My older DS (he is currently in private school) asked if he could do the sample with us as he thought studying ancient Egypt would be fun.

Thank you for your responses! My children are ages 5, 8, and 10 (with a 2 yr. old in the mix for excitement). I'm thinking after speaking with customer service that my 5 and 8 yr. olds will be LG, and my 10 yr. old UG. I really wanted to use the DE, but I can't get the sample to download because of a problem with the LockLizard license that even the tech support guy can't figure out. However, after looking at the print sample online, I am really even more convinced that TOG would be a good fit for us. I am going to do the 3 week sample, and if I still feel that way at the end, I am going to purchase the print edition. I'm thinking that I may like having the print edition as we get started, because I think it may be easier for me to see the whole layout, if that makes sense. Do any of you participate in a TOG co-op? That seems like it would be a great way to do some of the activities.

I curious if anyone here uses Tapestry of Grace. Do you use the DE or print? I would love to hear how you use it. Thanks!

Definitely possible! This is how I eat all the time. I start my day with high protein/fat and low carb every morning (usually eggs in some form, full-fat yogurt, or something similar). Lunch is usually a smoothie (kefir, raw protein powder, berries, coconut oil) or a big salad. Supper is usually a combination of veggies and meat. I will usually have something like naan bread or rice as well for the children, but they will only eat it in small amounts. Snacks include leftover meats and veggies, raw veggies dipped in hummus (not technically low-carb, but it works ok for me), berries with raw heavy cream, very dark chocolate (minimum 70%) with a glass of raw milk, turkey and cheese, apples dipped in almond butter, celery sticks with peanut butter (again, not necessarily low-carb, but it keeps me from eating something really bad, hehe!), or hard-boiled eggs. Check out marksdailyapple.com and Jordin Rubin's The Maker's Diet. They are opposite ends of the spectrum in their worldviews, but both have a lot of solid advice to offer.

OOOO!!! Where? I'm in Zeeland.

Maybe! We've only been in Holland for about 3 years.

We are on the north side, sort of near Tunnel Park. We are moving for sure within two months, maybe sooner. I'm not sure where we'll end up in the GR area.

Is there anyone in the Grand Rapids/Grand Haven/Holland/ area who uses Tapestry of Grace? I'm really curious about this curriculum, and I would love to chat with someone who uses it. I would love *even more* to see it in person. Thanks!

I'm in Holland. We are moving soon, and may end up in Byron Center or Hudsonville.

He's still pretty young. He understands what you want, he just doesn't want to do it. He probably has a reason, even if you never figure out what it is. As frustrating as it is, I would encourage signing (just so he has a way to communicate with everyone, not as a means to speech), and not pressure him *at all* to use speech. Give him a few months to just be a baby. There is so much going on developmentally at this age, and so much pressure to speak, to potty train, wean from nursing/bottle/paci, sleep through the night, etc. I would let him be a baby in this area for a little longer. In a few months, I would start talking to him about using words, and how that helps you to understand him better, and how you are excited to hear what he has to say to you, etc. Let him know you can wait patiently until he is ready to speak, and that it's ok if what he says doesn't sound "right"; he will figure it out soon. Sometimes, if you just back off and make it a non-issue, they have the room to decide to do exactly what you wanted them to do in the first place, but it becomes *their* choice. They don't feel like you are forcing them into it. (haha, this has been the case with all of our children, who aren't at all strong-willed, nope not at all, not one bit, except when you want them to do something, hehe!)

Thank you for your review. It was very helpful.

I'm brand new to this board, and live in Holland, MI. We're actually fairly new to the Holland area (only moved here in 2009), so we are still learning about our options in this area. Side question: is there anyone here that uses TOG? I'm trying to figure out if it will work for us.