My First Weekly Wrap Up In Forever

It feels like years since I posted my last Weekly Wrap Up and linked up at Weird Unsocialized Homeschoolers - looking back, I haven't done one since March. Wow. I wish I could say it's because we've been so busy with amazing things, but in some ways we've been struggling to find our groove here. So we're making some changes!

The Schedule
I have three teens and a toddler here, and a baby on the way. Mornings seemed like the teens took forever to get ready. So this week I instituted a new minute-by-miute morning schedule and it's been a success. Everyone is ready (at the same time) to eat breakfast together then move into school work. It's also given me a little time in the morning to hop online and get some play time in with Bram (the toddler). Heaven!

Grading
I've mentioned many times I don't like grading papers. I usually put it off which creates an even bigger chore later and makes it too easy for the boys to fall behind if I don't catch issues early. All year Fox and Tony have been using Teaching Textbooks. If you use the CDs rather than the books, the program GRADES FOR YOU! I knew this but just now set it up for Tony. Fox is next (once I locate his CDs, ahem). And I can already feel a huge weight off my shoulders! It's fabulous!

History (the part where I need your advice)
For years I used Sonlight and loved it. When Tony and Billy moved in we switched to Tapestry of Grace because all students learn the same topic on their own grade level, and I loved it. I still love it. But I'm to the point where I feel I can't follow one more curriculum schedule. Between co-op, literature class at a friend's, doctor's appointments, math and science I feel "boxed in" with our school. So here's what I'm thinking, tell me if I'm crazy.

Should high schoolers have a structured history program, or is it okay to go a little unschool?

I have two great books - Reading Lists for College Bound Students and Notebooking Success. My thought is to hand pick reading selections from Reading Lists and notebook through them. We could do a unit study of sorts for each book. We could go in historical order or just mix it up and refer to a timeline. I want to be sure the boys get a solid foundation in the classics, I just don't know if it's the right thing to do. I've always, always, always followed a boxed curriculum. But now, after 11 years of homeschooling, I think I'm finally ready to "break out of the box".

What do you think, is it doable or am I crazy?

PS - Sorry I don't have any fun photos to share, I seem to have misplaced my camera. I blame pregnancy hormones!