The yahoo group "HomeschoolingHODMoms" is where I buy my HOD guides.

Our family loves Florida. We like to vacation there in late October through November. The weather is great and the crowds are manageable. Disney has Halloween & Christmas parties as well as the Osborne lights show during this time, which we enjoy. This site is very helpful: http://www.disboards.com/ We stay off-site. We travel with other family members/friends so we like to rent a large house and stay together, but still have our own private space and private pool. Feel free to pm me if you have any specific questions. Enjoy your trip planning!

Squanto by Clyde Robert Bulla Helen Keller by Margaret Davidson

I have no experience with MFW, but I do use HOD. Here is a post from the HOD forum that compares HOD & MFW ... :) http://www.heartofdakota.com/board3/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=1446&p=11109&hilit=+MFW#p11109

1. What's your name? Jess 2. How many kids do you have (include ages if you wish) DS7, DS5, and DD21mts. 3. What curriculum/curricula do you use? HOD, Apologia 4. Something interesting about yourself. Many people have told me I have the most beautiful hair they have ever seen ... However, I can't stand it! 5. What's your favorite season? Summer beach days 6. Favorite subject to teach: Do read-alouds count? 7. What's your HS approach in a nutshell? Charlotte Mason 8. Why did you decide to homeschool? I felt burdened to ... 9. What country would you want to visit, or have you? I would love to visit Rome.

This is our first year homeschooling and we are using LHFHG with BLHFHG Spelling for newly turned 7 yr. old ds. We are also using LHTH with some K material for newly turned 5 yr. old ds. I have added some extra Science to our days. The LHFHG Science is very simplistic and my boys love Science so I wanted to add a bit more "meat". We've added Apologia Astronomy which we love and many library books, such as the "Let's Read & Find Out Science" books and DK Encylopedias. I don't feel it's necessary to add to the LHFHG Science though. My thoughts on the rhymes: There are a few rhymes sung to the tune of very childlike songs such as "I'm a Little Teapot". My ds did not enjoy that one! We normally don't do the rhyme every day; 2-3 times per week is enough for my ds. The LHFHG devotional is perfect for my oldest ds as he is doesn't require much visualization. However, I'm going to wait and use the devotional with my youngest ds when he's a bit older. I don't think he would understand much of it yet. If your using LHFHG with a 5 year old, I would recommend using the Family Time Bible rather than 101 Favorite Bible Stories. We've used the latter this year, and enjoyed it immensely, but not for a young K. I chose to use LHTH with my younger ds as I knew he wasn't ready for LHFHG. While he already knows his letters and their sounds, he has still really enjoyed this program. The Bible story and related activity is wonderful. He balks at the Dramatic Play and that's fine with me. As to combining children, I believe the author suggests choosing the guide that suits your youngest rather than the oldest. You can than beef up the guide for the older, if needed. As already suggested, I would definitely recommend getting your hands on as many guides as possible before buying. Blessings, Jess

The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey, A Grain of Rice, Flotsam, The Wind in the Willows, Homer Price, Petunia, What do People Do All Day?, and The Alfie & Annie Rose books were among our favorite reads this school year.