Thanks for sharing your thoughts here, amylynn_101!

I'm glad you and your dh were able to visit about this, and it sounds like you have come up with a good plan together here...
amylynn_101 wrote:...We really feel like our son places more with LHFHG... We do like the idea of going half speed, this will also allow us to focus on fine motor skills and handwriting practice daily...
amylynn_101 wrote:...If we decide to go ahead half-speed with LHFHG, do you think I will be making many adaptations to allow for his lack of writing skills?...
I don't think you will need to adapt very much, as LHFHG is assuming dc may be at the stage of learning how to write letters via "A Reason for Handwriting K" (which we loved BTW), or by "Italic A" (another good option!). The Storytime box has a simple writing activity one day a week as a follow-up to the Thorton Burgess' book's reading. It suggests modifications in the plans already, assuming dc ages 5-7 yo are all over the place when it comes to writing skills. For example, it will suggest having you dot the letters and having them trace them

. This leads me to your next question...
amylynn_101 wrote:...Also, another question is that is seems there are several activities that involve food. Our kids have many food allergies, so we were wondering if you could give us an idea of how many food related activities/experiments are in LHFHG that we would have to substitute for?...
This is another aspect of HOD that we love... hands-on activities already suggest many substitutions when it comes to hands-on materials, and even if you don't have any of the multiple things on hand, or even if dc have lots of allergies, you can see where the activity it going and make your own substitutions. This is the very reason HOD does not have supply lists - the intent is to make it so easy to do the activities that you will always have what you need right in your own home. For example, an activity may suggest marshmallows, cotton balls, or chocolate chips; or it may suggest using a rolled up pair of socks or a ball and a basket, bucket, or empty trash can. When it comes to the food type activities in LHFHG, you can easily sub in things of the same consistency. For example, when you make the grasshopper out of edible things (I believe it has peanut butter in it), you can just make it out of playdough. There are not many activities such as that though - more often, the activities give suggestions like pull-apart licorice or red yard, etc. I know many, many families that have dc with allergies have commented on how easy HOD is to use and to substitute things for if needed. HTH!
amylynn_101 wrote:...I was wanting to combine him with little brother, but after doing more reading I'm thinking it might be best for both of them if I just let them each have their own program. They are competitive, and older brother tends to not give his little brother a chance when learning together

Little brother is turning out to be advanced at this point. He is almost two and a half and knows the alphabet, capital letters, counting to 10, shapes and colors and also likes to memorize his brother's AWANA verses. This is with no formal teaching from us, just what he has picked up from listening to his brother, playing, books, etc. We're thinking of just letting him tag along with LHFHG this year while he is three and participate in what he chooses, then next year let him start LHTH on his own when he is four. Do you foresee any problems with this plan?
I think you are making a wise choice here, and I bet your older ds will just shine!

I would make sure to let him be the start of the show in LHFHG, only letting little brother in on the things that won't cause comparing. You really may just want to make it your older ds's special time with you and not have little brother participate much. This will help older brother to better focus, feel special, and know he is doing something little brother can't yet. It will also let little brother be able to enjoy LHFHG down the road with fresh eyes.

You will know best here though.
HTH, and I think you have a super plan here!

In case this may be helpful, here is a link to a thread about doing guide half-speed...
How does half-speed look in your home?
viewtopic.php?f=6&t=5600&p=41232#p41232
Keep asking questions until you are set!

We love to help here and want you to have a super year!
In Christ,
Julie