Ok since I am pretty sure that I am going to go with MFW help me figure out a schedule.

Ok for 2008 I was thinking planning on doing my own combo of MFW ECC with some of the books from WP CATW. Now I am seconding guessing that. G is my oldest and will be doing 3rd grade next year. So I am thinking that next year I should do Adventures with G and MFW 1st grade with E. Then the following year I would start the 5 year rotation. That way G would move directly through the curriculum. But then I have to figure out what to do with the other boys. Eli would go through the 5year cycle as well and would finish it in his 6th grade year. If we restart it then with ECC, then it throws off the schedule with G being in high school.

If we go back to ECC then E J W and will be studying that the first year G is doing ancients in HS. If we skip ECC and start back with CTG then they would all be studying the same time period in history. Or I could plan on using ECC and doing some type of advanced Geography study with G for 9th grade. I just don't know. And the sad thing is by that time there will be something totally new and different to draw my attention.:)

My only advice would be to look at the shorter term now, the next 2-5 years.

You're right, by the time your oldest hits 9th grade there will be something else out there, but you may still be loving MFW. MFW may have something new too, that will accommodate you better. You may find G needs something different at that point. There are so many variables, that I've found it best to plan by taking a look at the next year while keeping the year after that in your peripheral vision and beyond that a rough outline of what you'd like to accomplish in the entire scheme of things.
I'm a planner and plan incessantly. I have a detailed outline for each of my kids up to college, but I allow myself to plan and then toss the paper. It lets me get the planning out of my system but makes provision for change.

Didn't you just study Amer History? Using WP books on your own schedule? If so, I'd not do Adventures. I'd do what you originally planned to do, ECC. Then next year do CTG. I think MFW expects you to go through their rotation beginning with where your oldest child is and just fold the little ones in as they come along.

Ask on the MFW board, but that's what I think the curriculum intends.

I feel grossly inadequate. I REALLY need to plan more!!!

I feel grossly inadequate. I REALLY need to plan more!!!

Now stop. From the looks of your sig. pic. your kid's look very happy. Some of our best homeschooling days have been "unplanned". So do what works for you, not someone else. :rub:

I feel grossly inadequate. I REALLY need to plan more!!!

Stop that! I need to school more and plan less!

Didn't you just study Amer History? Using WP books on your own schedule? If so, I'd not do Adventures. I'd do what you originally planned to do, ECC. Then next year do CTG. I think MFW expects you to go through their rotation beginning with where your oldest child is and just fold the little ones in as they come along.

Ask on the MFW board, but that's what I think the curriculum intends.

We did some AH this year but I didn't do a ton, we got bogged down and I have really scaled back to doing only the basics. I am leaning toward doing adventures next year since I think it will compliment what we have done this year and actually give it some more depth. Plus this will give me another year with E and I think it would be pretty easy to do ADV with G and MFW 1st with E.

OIC. That makes perfect sense. Have fun with MFW!