We, too used MFW first before switching to HOD and I have always desired most to keep my 2 oldest together. We used K, 1st, Adventures and ECC before beginning Preparing when my 2 oldest were in 3rd & 5th. And this year we are using Creation to Christ with them together. The oldest does do the extensions. I liked using MFW but for us it was not as good a fit to keep my 2 together. As the boys got older my oldest seem to just barely fit into the material and it seemed I was dragging my youngest. I felt this would only get worse. I begin to find that the parts I like best about MFW were the parts I was adding and I felt I would need to add more and more the further we went on. HOD has been a great fit for both and so much less planning and fretting !

I just wanted to say I have loved using HOD and using the message board. I have found it a good mix of hands on, good books, writing, narration, projects, etc. I am not sure what # not to use reason this post is on but mine would be if you want to spent lots of additional money, time and energy after buying your curr then you won't like HOD! and if you don't want a message board where you can get quick answers and ideas when you need them then you won't like HOD :)