In the Netherlands

Our first stop is Amsterdam as stated in the last post.  Amsterdam was a very family friendly city, and we actually ended up doing "playground tours," going from park to park making local "friends" and trying to learn Dutch.  The very nice thing about Amsterdam was...everyone spoke SOME English (and most spoke English quite well).  This made navigating the city fun and interesting.  Later, in Paris, we had quite a bit of trouble even ordering food from a menu (*especially* for the children) as the food was over-priced and it HAD to be something they'd eat (or lots of money would be wasted).

Back to Amsterdam...

BIKES were EVERYWHERE.  The sheer volume of bikes is amazing.  AND the way they are ridden is very interesting (sans helmets, with babies in baskets on the handle bars).  Tons of smokers.  I think a full 50% of their population smokes tobacco.  Marijuana is legal.

The population is VERY diverse, and the (readily available) food reflects this diversity.  We basically had chicken and rice...sprinkled with pastries and treats.  We also prepared food in our apartment - but the trip to the grocery store was an adventure trying to "figure out" what everything was used for.  "Is this soap or lotion?  Do they have conditioner?  Do we have to cook this...is it pepperoni or salami?"

OF COURSE we made it a priority to visit Anne Frank's House.  Prior to the trip, the children read about Anne Frank and Haley started (and continues to read) her diary.  It was surreal to actually be IN the same SPACE they were in...hiding...for TWO years.  There were no photos allowed, so we had to "sneak" these on on phone.

Finally, the children (and the parents) got to experience Dutch pancakes.

International Travel - Europe

As summer approaches, Taylored Summer Curriculum reves-up.  This year, we begin with (off-peak) international travel to Europe.  Travel priorities were two-fold:  1) not American Airline; and 2) non-stop.  When traveling with young children, being able to get on the plane, settle-in, and then getting off the plane in the destination city is HUGE!!

Pre-travel prep included acquiring the proper luggage such that each child could manage their own things.  While I packed tight, and smart, I did NOT realize that the carry-on bags and purses would be weighed collectively and that weight could not exceed 20 pounds.  So we had to re-shuffle (thereby totally disrupting my immaculate packing job) at the ticket check-in counter...but we managed to avoid "extra baggage fees" AND we got a free upgrade to "economy comfort" because we were so cooperative and our children were so well behaved (or maybe, in the confusion and drama the very nice clerk "forgot" to charge us).  But I will say, on the way home, if we manage to save some money....I would like to upgrade again.

Ultimately we decided to fly KLM to Amsterdam (our other reasonable, non-American Airlines, non-stop option was Luthansia to Frankfurt.  However, Hubby would like to make that Germany trip it's own "Northern Europe" trip in the future so we have time to actually see, and spend time in, Germany).

After leaving the house at noon, and arriving to our apartment about 10am the next morning (with time change, equals a total travel time of 9hrs in flight plus transit to/from airport, getting through customs, etc. at 5.5 hours for a grand total of travel time at 14.5 hours essentially arriving at the very BEGINNING of the day in Amsterdam!!)  It took about 4 days to adjust...and 1 week to *fully* feel all adjusted (no naps, no going to be early, and no 'melt-downs' from children or the parents).  

Hana Graduates

The Graduate. Portrait.

End of year Hybrid homeschooling (brief) update

As this academic year closes, I am very proud of our success!!  Haley pulled off all As (from external evaluators).  I am most proud that I didn't even check her grades but TWICE this year.  We/I am really trying to avoid getting "caught up" in worrying about doing work (and educating) for grades rather than for LEARNING.  But, it's appropriate to log-in at the end of the semesters to check and see how we are faring.


Ian and Hana also did well.  They don't have grades...not really.  But through-out the year I've exchanged plenty of emails inquiring about their progress.  This upcoming year, we plan to switch Hana to another Hybrid school that is better suited for her gymnastics.  I really do love how flexible the homeschooling (hybrid) has proven to be - allowing us to really tailor and create the curriculum (with SUPPORT) that we need to be successful as a homeschooling family.  And, honestly, the days they are with instructors are very useful times for us (parents) to get some things done.

What an enlightening experience this has all been.  And we are ALL so happy that we found success.

End of year...

End of year party with her Spanish class - a fiesta!! 

 On a homeschool day, Hana decides to conduct medical school in her bedroom.

Haley's final anatomy project for science.

Fun and Games at the Park

 "Olympics" and BBQ

Old friends and new friends of all ages

 Awards and recognition:  Daddy voted "Most Distinguished Dad of the Year"

American Harp Society Recital