Tag Archives: piano

back to school

School started this past Monday and we met with our advisor on Wednesday. We started out with a new method that I read about at the end of the last school year. The parent/teacher writes out everything expected of the student for the day in the morning and the child/student can choose the order to do the tasks and can check them off when completed. Since Emma begins her day with assistance from maiki for math that subject begins after breakfast. Then she has choice as how to proceed.

Sometimes we go to the gardens, sometimes we have an errand or activity and I will try to include those on the list. If she finishes before six p.m. she has free time and afterwards we are settling down with more unplugged activities for the evening.

Started off slow this week with three subjects each day. I was glad that the bulk of my decision making about the days events happened in ten minutes in the morning and I was able to pass on more responsiblity to Emma. I felt more organized and she was happier to know what was going to happen. I had read that this method was wildly successful when homeschooling more than one child but it was just as effective for one too. Decision fatigue can be the hardest part of my days.

This year we are incorporating piano instruction with Hoffman Academy and studying U.S. History. I am looking forward to reading a lot of great historical fiction together. I decided we would study cursive more frequently for a bit since she her finger skills are more developed. We will also continue with knitting club. We are all looking forward to the new school year!

Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle Hotel

This is definitely the one must see place for me if I’m ever visiting NYC. I love that it features murals of frolicking animals painted by bar namesake and former Carlyle Hotel resident Ludwig Bemelmans. My jaw dropped when I saw Anna Bond’s photo. I would order the gin gin mule: a long drink made with Gordon’s gin, Regatta ginger beer, simple syrup, muddled mint and fresh lime juice. ^_^

bemelmans bar