Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Spring Violin Recital
Avery playing Bach's Concerto for Two Violins in d minor with her fabulous violin teacher, Elizabeth Warren.
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Spring Break in Dallas
We spent most of this week in Dallas, taking a belated Spring Break. Our first stop in north Texas was Great Wolf Lodge, a fantastic indoor waterpark just outside of Dallas.
Since Spring Break for Texas public school kids was last month, we pretty much had the park to ourselves. We spent all day Monday and half of Tuesday at the waterpark until the kids pretty much begged for mercy out of sheer exhaustion.
From Great Wolf Lodge, we headed into Dallas, where we stayed with Mamar in her new apartment. She lives in an area in the middle of town, and it was fun to be able to walk out of her apartment to shops and restaurants. After dinner and perusing the shops, Bill and I got to sneak out to the movie theater next door for a quick date!
The next morning the kids were up bright and early and itching to find a Corner Bakery. They fell in love with the Corner Bakery that we ate at every morning when we visited Chicago a few years ago, so anytime we go somewhere urban, the kids insist on finding one. We managed to locate one a few miles away in the art district. We didn't stop at any of the museums this visit, but we are looking forward to exploring the Dallas Museum of Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center in future visits.
After breakfast, our next stop was the Dallas Central Public Library. Wow. This was the mother of all libraries. Located in an enormous building downtown, the library is home to eight incredible floors of books, including a to-die-for children's section.
And, if the books aren't a big enough draw, the library also has an original printed copy of the Declaration of Independence from 1776 AND the first complete printing of Shakespeare's plays from 1623!
After lunch, we met back up with Mamar for an afternoon outing. Since she conveniently lives on the DART line, we decided to it would be fun to try out the train.
We spent the afternoon exploring the Dallas Zoo, which we'd never been to before. We had a great time, and were thrilled with how close we could get to the animals!
All in all, a great week. And we're already planning our next adventures in Dallas!
Since Spring Break for Texas public school kids was last month, we pretty much had the park to ourselves. We spent all day Monday and half of Tuesday at the waterpark until the kids pretty much begged for mercy out of sheer exhaustion.
From Great Wolf Lodge, we headed into Dallas, where we stayed with Mamar in her new apartment. She lives in an area in the middle of town, and it was fun to be able to walk out of her apartment to shops and restaurants. After dinner and perusing the shops, Bill and I got to sneak out to the movie theater next door for a quick date!
The next morning the kids were up bright and early and itching to find a Corner Bakery. They fell in love with the Corner Bakery that we ate at every morning when we visited Chicago a few years ago, so anytime we go somewhere urban, the kids insist on finding one. We managed to locate one a few miles away in the art district. We didn't stop at any of the museums this visit, but we are looking forward to exploring the Dallas Museum of Art and the Nasher Sculpture Center in future visits.
After breakfast, our next stop was the Dallas Central Public Library. Wow. This was the mother of all libraries. Located in an enormous building downtown, the library is home to eight incredible floors of books, including a to-die-for children's section.
And, if the books aren't a big enough draw, the library also has an original printed copy of the Declaration of Independence from 1776 AND the first complete printing of Shakespeare's plays from 1623!
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| Rhys wrote, "Harry Potter rules and so does baseball!" |
We spent the afternoon exploring the Dallas Zoo, which we'd never been to before. We had a great time, and were thrilled with how close we could get to the animals!
All in all, a great week. And we're already planning our next adventures in Dallas!
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Homeschooling update
Just an update on what's been going on here at the Mayhem and Madness Academy:
Last week was standardized test week. Boooooo! Avery took the Iowa Basics test for the third year, and I gave Rhys the TAKS test here at home. Like most people, I hate standardized tests. I don't think they measure any real knowledge worth having. But, unfortunately, it's a necessary evil for college entry, so I subject my children to them annually in order to get some practice under their belts. This year I was reminded again that test-taking is very much a skill to be learned. Rhys was pretty baffled at the wording of some of the questions -- and for good reason. After reading the TAKS test closely, I can see that it would take a good chunk of the year to teach a whole classroom full of kids how to answer such strangely worded questions!
There has also been some actual learning going on around here. The kids have discovered the videos and practice on Khan Academy. Actually I discovered it first, by watching Salman Khan's TED Talks video. I forwarded it along to Avery, who was already itching to ditch her pre-algebra text book. The kids have been using Khan for about two weeks now, and they love it!
We're also wrapping up our study of the Revolutionary War and the establishment of the United States. Avery and Rhys are working with the other kids in our history co-op group to put on a play about the Revolution. I haven't seen any of the preparation, and I can't wait to see what they come up with! After being entrenched in this time period for several months, the kids are now desperate to go to Washington DC and Virginia, and I'm desperate to go to Boston! Stay tuned to see who gets their way on this summer's road trip....
And, speaking of plays, we just had our first read through of Hamlet, this summer's Shakespeare production! (Last summer, the kids put on As You Like It.) Avery is especially excited because, in addition to a small part, she'll be responsible for all the music in the play. She is chomping at the bit to get started!
In field trip news, here's a picture of the boys enjoying the Austin Nature and Science Center:
And I can share some pictures from a very interesting field trip to see a presentation from the Williamson County Beekeepers Association.
Last week was standardized test week. Boooooo! Avery took the Iowa Basics test for the third year, and I gave Rhys the TAKS test here at home. Like most people, I hate standardized tests. I don't think they measure any real knowledge worth having. But, unfortunately, it's a necessary evil for college entry, so I subject my children to them annually in order to get some practice under their belts. This year I was reminded again that test-taking is very much a skill to be learned. Rhys was pretty baffled at the wording of some of the questions -- and for good reason. After reading the TAKS test closely, I can see that it would take a good chunk of the year to teach a whole classroom full of kids how to answer such strangely worded questions!
There has also been some actual learning going on around here. The kids have discovered the videos and practice on Khan Academy. Actually I discovered it first, by watching Salman Khan's TED Talks video. I forwarded it along to Avery, who was already itching to ditch her pre-algebra text book. The kids have been using Khan for about two weeks now, and they love it!
We're also wrapping up our study of the Revolutionary War and the establishment of the United States. Avery and Rhys are working with the other kids in our history co-op group to put on a play about the Revolution. I haven't seen any of the preparation, and I can't wait to see what they come up with! After being entrenched in this time period for several months, the kids are now desperate to go to Washington DC and Virginia, and I'm desperate to go to Boston! Stay tuned to see who gets their way on this summer's road trip....
And, speaking of plays, we just had our first read through of Hamlet, this summer's Shakespeare production! (Last summer, the kids put on As You Like It.) Avery is especially excited because, in addition to a small part, she'll be responsible for all the music in the play. She is chomping at the bit to get started!
In field trip news, here's a picture of the boys enjoying the Austin Nature and Science Center:
And I can share some pictures from a very interesting field trip to see a presentation from the Williamson County Beekeepers Association.
Horseback riding
I found a great deal on a month of horseback riding lessons, and all three kids were excited to give it a try. In my dream world (one in which horseback riding lessons for three kids didn't cost the equivalent of a monthly car payment), they would all continue with with lessons. But, alas, we live in a world with a budget, so the kids are enjoying their time with the horses while it lasts.
Six!
Last week, we celebrated Griffin's 6th birthday with cupcakes at the park with our co-op friends.
I thought it was very fitting that Griffin chose monster themed plates and napkins, and I made monster cupcakes to go with them.
Griffin's friend Micah entertained everyone by making amazing balloon animals.
And what's a day at the park without football?!
After the party, we went home to eat a quick dinner (Griffin's choice: pizza, macaroni and cheese, and fruit) before baseball.
Happy birthday to my sweet baby!
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