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Ouiser on culture:
"I do not see plays, because I can nap at home for free.
And I don't see movies 'cause they're trash,
and they got nothin' but naked people in 'em!
And I don't read books, 'cause if they're any good,
're gonna make 'em into a miniseries. "
And I don't see movies 'cause they're trash,
and they got nothin' but naked people in 'em!
And I don't read books, 'cause if they're any good,
're gonna make 'em into a miniseries. "
Well I love Ouiser's take on many things, but here is where we part company.
This morning for our little Christmas Tradition of holiday theater, we ventured uptown to see Junie B. Jones, Jingle Bells Batman Smells...... Each year in December we fight the morning traffic to enjoy the theater company and its latest holiday offering....
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I love the time we have for field trips....which leads me to consider extra curricular activities. Our girls are now an age where each of them could be involved in something every season of the year.
But when it comes to our own extra-curricular choices, how do we make our decisions?
Clearly there are the usual variables....
Finances- our first stop- does it make sense financially to commit to something for the girls? I'm surprised at how quickly this all adds up!
Time- How does it affect our day? Dinner time? Weekends?
Family- How does it pull us each into different directions? Would we be divided a lot of our days to make these possible....
Because homeschooling leaves lots of time (theoretically) for extra-curricular activities and I do hope to regularly schedule "friend-time" I have noticed my idol of "the extra". My husband and I grew up quite differently in this regard- he was a very talented Art Education major but did not take his first art class until 9th grade. I on the other hand was on the swim team at age 4, pottery class at 7, soccer and basketball at in first grade, cheerleading by 4th grade, drama in middle school, choir.....the list goes on. His parents made the best choices for his family; mine the best for ours. Both sacrificed a great deal for their decisions- Again, just as there is no right way to school a child, there is on right way to approach the extras....
However, this has caused disagreement in our hearts on how best to handle the extras. I'm thankful for his leadership in this area- He is guiding us toward moderation and responsibility given our portion- So where have we landed?
We've subdivided the areas of enrichment....For our family it happens to look like this, for now at least.....
Tier 1: Art/Music
Tier 2: Dance, Gymnastics, Sports, Camps, Etc
That helps us to determine how we will spread our resources. This year we have decided to let each girl participate in one paid "extra" per school year and one camp in the summer. Additionally, we have allotted a piano component for our oldest. (Choir was free so that was an easy option! We were thrilled!)
This fall, Middle and Mini were balancing on beams and jumping into the cheese pit at our local Y's gymnastics center while Mild was with me in the stands or running laps with me on the track. This January, the tide turns and our oldest will have her chance. She's starting Musical Theater. She cannot wait for her first play (debut is in June....). I loved listening to her dream aloud as we waited for Junie B to take the stage...
It was bittersweet to have to tell my littles that they weren't able to participate in ballet this Spring as they had hoped- as much as I wanted to make it work, it just didn't- Sweet little Middle Mary was tearful but respectful. I wish so much I could always give them everything but the lesson learned today was better.
To wait, to take turns. To rejoice with her sister when its her turn to shine. For that I'm thankful-
So, Ouiser and I, we agree on some things (like the minimum definition of a gentleman...something about dishes and sinks...wink!), but I for one cannot wait to see my girl on the stage!
You're such a wonderful writer! I love these posts! And you, my dear friend!
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