Curriculum We Are Using

This year is our first year homeschooling. I never knew how many products and different types of books there really was to choose from. For my 4 year old son (who is doing pre-k material) I just went to wal-mart and picked up a few of the preschool activity workbooks. My 6 year old daughter however has been a little harder to buy for considering the many great products available to homeschoolers now days. I started researching in April 2011 for the curriculum I thought would be best and came across Alpha Omega Lifepacs, which is awesome considering it was exactly what I was looking for. I was looking for something simple which included all 5 subjects that we wanted to study. I must say that it is a great program and has worked well for us other than the fact that there is a vast amount of work (10 student workbooks per subject and extra worksheets in teachers books). I made the mistake I assume most first time homeschoolers would make and I was not aware there is actually homeschooling conventions and book fairs where you can view the books before buying. I am not in any way saying the Lifepacs are not a good curriculum, it just hasn't worked well for us. Next year, since I am a bit more knowledgeable now on products available we plan on trying Abeka curriculum. I have looked at it and talked to other people who has used it and it looks like it will be perfect for us. Having the lessons planned out is a big plus for me because we stay active and between Church activities, volunteer work, dinner, bath time, and other activities with the kids. So by the end of the day I am ready for some down time and ready to pass out from exhaustion.