She also reads the books that are listed as supplemental/optional in the back of the guide. She loved Reddy the Fox. We're only in Unit 9. We've been going slowly since she's not technically supposed to be in K until this fall. Since it's summer, we've just been doing school when we don't have other activities planned. I say all this only to preface my questions in terms of trying to figure out what I should do with future guides and DITHOR. 1. DD has read most of the emergent readers that have been available to her and has the ability to read all of them (but she still prefers picture books). Her ability to Narrate a story she's read blows my mind. Do I start DITHOR in the fall while doing LHFHG or wait until we start Beyond?? She does struggle with handwriting due to her age. Will starting DITHOR before beyond affect writing skills that are supposed to be developed using DITHOR?
2. DD wants to read the Bible and the Burgess books to me, but I think that it is so important for her to hear stories read to her as well. So far what I've been doing is telling her she can read whichever one she wants and I read the other. Sometimes when she reads them I don't feel like she pays as much attention (answers questions in as much detail as when I read them-although she still understands what is read). Is this what others would do or are there any other suggestions?
3. I've seen several posts by HOD users regarding slowing down the pace of the earlier guides so the kiddo is not too young for later guides. I was thinking about slowing down the guides to 4 days/wk in the fall for the above reason. However, I do wonder if that wise in our case. Since she fits so well with LHFHG should I do full pace since she is perfectly capable or should I slow it down so she's not so young for later guides. I think she could later handle the reading, but I do worry about writing that will be required later...or maybe that will be more developed by the time we get there. I've thought about: 1. going full speed and starting beyond when we're finished, 2. 4 days/ wk and start beyond when we're finished, or 3. stretch LHFHG over the whole next year and start beyond the following fall. I'd love to hear from anyone who has had experience with these issues or has suggestions.
You could break it up by Story Time... each ST book lasts 20 days (4 units) so you could either do 1 book or 2 books worth of Beyond and then a DITHOR genre.
I'd probably do both Beyond and Bigger 4 days a week. We have, and loved that. 
) The links regarding the specifics in the amount of writing each day for bigger were very helpful and something to keep in mind as we move forward. I also love how you linked the books for CTC along with the first week of CTC. I felt like it gave me a "lightbulb" moment. 
In looking ahead, it's easy for me to just see what is written in the guides for each level. That is, I see what is in the boxes without examining the CONTENT in the books being read for the day and how the questions relate to the content. It is hard for me (with oldest DD being 4) to know what is typical for a 7 or 9 year old to know or do. I only know what my DC's are capable of at the moment and at previous ages. However, in looking back at when I was in school, it is clear to me that HOD covers WAY more than what I learned at those ages and I went to a very "academic" private school. I just wanted to say that I appreciate you taking the time to help think through these things.