Taylored Curriculum Winter Break

Taylored Curriculum steps in to cover winter break with some culture.

Kicking off Taylored Curriculum WINTER BREAK at the Southlake Christmas Tree Lighting Event.  Spanish storytime at the library. Thanksgiving and a visit from Uncle Marquis and Auntie Loron - plus a phenomenal Thanksgiving dinner and weekend of shopping.

We had a FANTASTIC Holiday GALA at the Piazza. Santa was there.  It was a fancy dinner with cocktails and ice-cream bar, lemonade stand and gift exchange.  "This was the BEST Jack and Jill EVER!!"  - Ian, age 8y.   "I LOVE dancing with my friends!!" - Hana, age 5y.  "I am so happy we did that Mommy!!  It was really fun!!" - Haley, age 11y.

Many opportunities to volunteer and offer charity donations this time of year.

Magician Party at Aidan's house.

Haley piano recital 2013 - pianist AND vocalist.  La Fête des Fleurs (Traditional).
Busy, busy time but she ROCKED her recital piece nonetheless!!  Woot woot!!!

Wisdom Clinic Christmas Dinner with the work crew at III Forks.

Christmas Eve Eve:  2 day Winter Holiday afternoons of art at Sunshine Glaze.

Christmas day is always magical!!

Taylored Curriculum for winter break kicks in with *culture* with a Live Stage Play (Disney Live)

Harlem Dance Theatre Ballet comes to town, and we decide to attend.  At the ballet, Haley saw a local prominent politician and introduced herself to him...and he subsequently commented on her poise and grace on Facebook!!

Modern Art Museum

Fine dining with family.

Modern Art Museum

Afternoon appreciating fine art at the Modern Art Museum.  

Afternoons of Holiday ART

Canvas painting and making mosaics at Sunshine Glaze - afternoons during Winter Break.  

Haley's Winter Recital

After the Texas Music Teacher Association's Fall Festival, Haley had a Winter Recital with vocals.  She was very enthusiastic to sing and perform her duet - that was a novel experience for her.  Unfortunately, the harp recital had to be canceled due to Ice Storm Cleon.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeh53uXn25o

Etiquette - Fancy Holiday Dance and Dinner

This Christmas party is an great opportunity to practice manners, etiquette, and socialize at a fancy dinner with peer and families.  The children had a great time dancing, gift exchanging, eating, doing crafts, and hanging out with people of all ages.  

Music Performances

Holidays give us plenty of performance opportunities.  Haley took full advantage by performing in 2 recitals and 1 competition - all for piano.  The harp recital had to be canceled due to the ice storm.  

Spanish Story time

Learning Spanish will enhance the children's education!  The local library has Spanish Storytime - so we decided to check it out.

And this is a testament to the value of practice!!

Philanthropy: Kids in the City

Holiday giving to local charity that serves to benefit local children via toy drives with Jack and Jill of America, Incorporated.

JFK lecture - 50 years later

At the local library attending Uncle's talk on JFK - 50 years later.  Haley controls the powerpoint.  Lots of learning - AND discovery of the library!!

Fall Festival

Painting, games, snacks at the Fall Festival at school.

Piggy and Compassion.

Haley and my mom had this agreement. During her visit with us in June, with Haley's insistence, my mom agreed to take the "most calmest stuffed animal Haley had" from her collection...and in exchange she bought Haley a brand new "rambunctious" blue-nosed stuffed animal. "See," my mom told Haley, "I'm an old lady...and I cannot have all that activity around me anymore."

Haley said "okay Grandma, take Piggy then. Piggy likes to sit around because she has sand in her bottom."

My mom agreed. And took Piggy from Texas this summer, back to California.

My mom died in August.

When we arrived to her home in Los Angeles for her funeral, there Piggy sat...on her shelf...calmly.

Haley immediately spotted Piggy, and at the Viewing of my mom's body, Haley slipped Piggy into her casket.

"Here Grandma, Piggy is calm, and she will keep you company for as long as you need her to..." 

http://www.confessionsofadrmom.com/2013/09/what-children-can-teach-us-about-death/

What is MY motivation??

Me: Haley, having an education is vital if you are to have the life you envision for yourself. Your motivation for completing your schoolwork has to come from your deep understanding of this fact. Not a trophy, or a letter grade..but rather because you understand that being uneducated will not yield the human experience you desire.

Haley: I intellectually realize this fact, Mommy. And I will say, 80% of my motivation is based on this fact alone. However, 10% of my motivation stems from the fact that do enjoy getting As. And another 10% is my desire to avoid the negative consequences you impose upon me if I fail to follow your rules. 

I'll take that. 

I wonder...

...if I want my Goldendoodle puppy to learn to interact with humans (have manners, behave appropriately) would I "socialize her" with a bunch of other puppies all day? 

If I want my children to learn to interact with humans (have manners, behave appropriately) would I "socialize them" with a bunch of same-age kids all day?

Typical homeschool reading assignment.

Ian starts harmonica

Physical activity has to be placed on hold because Ian has a pain in his hip.  So, we drop horse-back riding, martial arts, and start harmonica.  Thinking about restarting swimming as well.