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...had a great first week with HOD!!! My boys just jumped right back in (it helps that they are finishing up their two programs from last year and know what to expect b/c I have been stretching the programs out) and they have done a fantastic job adjusting to our new school schedule. I do have the older one doing multiple independent boxes in a row for the first time while I work with the younger one and then it switches to me helping the older while the younger does some of his independent stuff -- wish I had done it this way last year!!! I am worn out today, but I know that is just me adjusting to being back at my teaching job! Anyway, just wanted to share!

I'm so glad you had a good start, Jessica! What a true testimony this is to using multiple HOD guides - thank you for sharing this! I think it helps to have one or more returning to a guide too. I'll have that this year as well, but I will say that once dc hit PHFHG on up, it seems like from there on out, they do pick up the next year without skipping a beat, even if it's a new guide. I think I'll be a bit tired at the start too, as we get up 1 hour earlier during the school year than we do in the summer. BUT, I am getting very excited to begin - thank you for being an encouragement here and may you have many happy days ahead of you this year!

In Christ,
Julie

Glad to hear I'm not the only one that gets a little tired out by the end of our school day! It's a good tired, though. We started our school year last week and it went better than any school start so far. . . . . and this is my seventh year homeschooling!!!

We're in a unique place with the guides this year. We have our oldest doing CTC, the next one in Bigger (full speed), the next in Bigger (half-speed), and the next in Little Hearts! And we also have a toddler/preschooler that we mix into the fun! That's just where everyone fits best and is thriving! At first, I was nervous about how I'd get it all done, but I just patterned my day after one of Julie's schedules (thanks, Julie!), and did a little tweaking to make it fit our family, and it works! We still get done at 1:30 each day! I just love what HOD has brought to our school days and our lives!

God is surely blessing this curriculum and the families that use it! We look forward to finishing out ALL the guides to come!

Blessings on your year!

YEAH for a good first week!!!! Rejoicing with you!!!

Yay! (Even if you are a little worn out )

And I second what Julie said about once they hit Preparing. My oldest just jumps in the next guide without skipping a beat, but it takes us a couple weeks to really get in to a good flow with the younger guides. I'm going to be interested to see how my ones that are finishing in Bigger transition into Preparing in a couple of months.

Glad you had a good start!
Angie