Back to the Basics for Fourth Grade

After much thought and prayer, we are making some adjustments in our homeschool. First, we will either homeschool year round or spend time daily in the summers doing math and reading. I don't like the way Laura's skills dropped. I think there is a better way, and I plan to use it to help her skills stay strong.
Second, we are having to simplify our curriculum this year. This saddens me. I wanted to use everything Heart of Dakota offered, but it just isn't working completely for Laura. I still plan to use the History and Science, but I don't think we'll do every activity and read every book from all the packages. I think we'll use the material from the economy package with the science, but pick and choose from the basic package and the deluxe package. Laura loves the Draw and Write projects, so I'm considering that her art. I think our pacing of the program will change, and we'll just take it as slow or fast as we need to for awhile. I may even switch off the science and history so she doesn't feel so bogged down. I plan on using the History from Heart of Dakota as read alouds. The projects are wonderful, and we'll pick and choose from them for reinforcement. If we do decide to homeschool year round, then I figure she'll have more time with the program. Heart of Dakota is an amazing program, and I recommend it completely if you love Charlotte Mason. I guess I'm more eclectic.
I am switching her more to a basic, mastery program for her main subjects. I'm going to try a couple different things. We worked very hard last year, and I don't like feeling that we have to start over cause she forgot stuff. Ironically, the stuff she remembers is the simple things like the workbook science work we did that I supplemented here and there or the books I read to her.
I've learned one thing for certain...each child learns differently. No matter how awesome the program, it won't be right for everyone. And despite all the criticism of workbook-based programs, some children love them and thrive on them. They may have to be supplemented, but at least a parent can supplement at the level that works for their child and not at what some curriculum specialist says is best.
I've studied the research. Curriculum choices and amount spent don't matter a whole lot in the end results. Home schooled children still usually test very well and have a deeper love of learning. I believe the main reason is because they get to have programs fit them, not them fit a program.