My State Fair

I love to visit the Minnesota State Fair! Today, I escaped the computer, the phone, the dishwasher and laundry. Spending a beautiful sunny summer day at the fair. I almost saw a baby cow being born - yew, retuned later to see the cute calf, skipped on the slimey uncomfortable part. I touched the ear of a pig only hours old - very soft. I saw great crop art - my favorite was of Lucille Ball - a blue ribbon. I saw quilts and afaghans, drawings and paintings by children k-8th grade.

The highlight of course, the Burnsville High

School Marching band bringing todays parade to a close. Especially the cymbal line!

It's fulfilling, entertaining
it's true culture you'll be gaining
accept no imitations,
it's the FAIR!

Your Brain on Music

Today I heard a radio talk show with the author of this book, Daniel J Levitin. Your Brain On Music
For centuries, artists have connected music with matters of the mind and the heart. Minnesota Public Radio talks with cognitive neurologist Daniel Levitin to dig deeper into our connection with music. Levitin's research explores what music is, how it has developed over time and the impact it has on our brains.
From Dr. Levitin's website you can down load a Penguin Podcast of this book. It is a nice snap shot. I am going to get this and read it. I will post some words of wisdom that I think will be of interest to all.

I Like Elephants

Thank you my friends Molly and Debbie for this great video. Gather the kids around, they will love it!

Music is from everywhere

Let's go around the world, and back in time through centuries past to find all the music you'll hear in Kindermusik this semester. Take a look.

In Village
Zoom Buggy - May There Always Be Sunshine (Russia) Zum Gali Gali (Israel), The Keel Row (Northumberland), Suliram (Indonesia), Les raftsmen (Canada), Canoe Song (Native Americanish) and Polovtsian Dance (Poland).

In Our Time
Milk & Cookies - Barn Sull (Scandanavia), Duermete, mi nino (Latin America), Fais do-do (France), The Muffin Man (England), Shakin’ Shakin’ (Apalacia), Savez vous plantez les choux (France), and Shake Hands (African-American).

Imagine That!
Hello Weather, Let's Play Together - Sally Go ‘Round the Sun (North America), Morning Sun Has Risen (Israel), The Mulberry Bush (England), Japanese Rain Song (Japan), Uskudar (Turkey), Weggis Song (Switzerland), Funiculi Funicula (Italy), Lirum Larum (Germany), Siyahamba (Zulu), and Rain or Shine (Texas).

Young Child
Rig a jig jig (England) Tideo, Old Lady No Nose, (Appalacia) The Magic Flue (Germany) The Nut Cracker Suite (Russia) Ho Ho Wantany, (Native American) Good News (African American

Family Time
Here, There, Everywhere--My Kite (England), Sulla Lulla (Norway), Alle Meine Entlein (Germany), Sma Grodorna (Sweden), Shoo Fly (America), Water Come a Me Eye (Jamaica), Whisky Frisky (African-American), San Sereni (Puerto Rico), Zum Gali Gali (Israel) and Cantonese Lullaby (China).

via The Little Brown Music Studio

The Little Engine That Could

Just incase you didn't get to take part in a Jumpstart's READ FOR THE RECORD
event don't worry, Just click the play button below and
listen along now to this year's book The Little Engine That Could by Watty Piper

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A Hot Time in Texas

I am so happy to have spent a wonderful weekend with my brother Don and his family in Dallas Texas. His oldest son Jared is now married to a wonderful woman named Edit. A beautiful wedding in the garden of her parents - memorable for many reasons, the sweet vows, beautiful music, and love, love love - all made us forget the +100 degree Texas evening.

Here is a picture of me with my beautiful neices from Wisconsin Jolynn, Jordan, Jenna and Dedra.

Bubbles

Click on the picture of this sweet girl and enjoy a remembering
playing with bubbles for the first time with your baby.
(don't forget the sound - this is a great song)

Jumpstart!

Consider this fact: More than 1 in 3 children enter our schools without the skills needed for success.

For years, Jumpstart has been bringing at-risk preschool children and caring adults together to build the literacy, social, and emotional skills children need to thrive. These children need us, but they are not alone… we know that there are intellectual and emotional benefits for all children who engage in intimate, trusting, consistent relationships with an adult. That’s why we’re asking everyone in America to read for the record.

On August 24, 2006, we are invited to demonstrate our commitment to the potential of every child. Jumpstart’s Read for the Record campaign encourages adults across America to read with young children and set the world record for the number of children reading the same book in a single day with an adult.

Check the website to find an event location near you. Starbucks is selling a cool "limited edition" copy of The Little Engine That Could for the reading. But you probably have one on the shelf - or get a copy at the library. Find the "Read for the Record" event that is closest to you and join in. It means a lot.

Laugh

Laughing is good for you - lower your blood pressure, increase immunity, lower your stress. Watch this.

Cleaning Day

Every few weeks and especially now as we prepare for fall classes
it is a cleaning weekend at Helen's house.

Sponges are washed and tumbled hot
until they are hard and scratchy

The scarves are washed and hung out
to dry on this warm sunny Saturday morning

Jingle Balls are wiped clean of all sticky-ness

Smithsonian Museum Day

On September 30, 2006, for one day only, museums across the country will join the Smithsonian Institution in its long-standing tradition of offering free admission to visitors.

For the first time, Museum Day is open to the general public as well as Smithsonian magazine’s subscribers. Just download a MUSEUM DAY CARD

And visit the Smithsonian's MUSEUM DAY WEBSITE to find the participating museums by you. Here is a few details you might want to know right now.

Are There Any Restrictions?
• General admission only
• Not valid for special exhibits, IMAX screenings or for use with any other offer.
• One time use on September 30, 2006.
• Some participating museums may already have a free admission policy year round and are participating in the "spirit" of the day.


All of the Minnesoat participating venues are extremely family friendly and will have special events specifically for your visit on Museum Day - so don't miss out!

Mill City Museum
Minneapolis

Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Minneapolis

Minnesota History Center
St. Paul

Happy Birthday Zerna

Happy birthday to Zerna Sharp! She was the woman who created the characters Sally, Dick, Jane, their dog Spot, cat Puss and the little teddy named Tim. I can remember the smell of that book now, library paste, blue hard cover, frayed on the edge. Bright, yet pastel colors, happy blue eyed children with pink cheeks chasing anything through the day.

Zerna's revolutionary idea was to use pictures and repetition to teach children new words. Each story introduced 5 new words, one on each page. The "Dick and Jane" books were used to teach reading to millions of children between 1930 and 1970.

Thanks Zerna, that new idea worked for me.

Willy Was a Whale

Check out this and other video's by Justin Roberts. He is fun!

Memories

Spring Kindermusik classes were a long time ago. Here are some great pictures to help you remember just how special Kindermusik is. To see the slide show just click HERE.

Milk and Cookies, Yummy in my tummy!

Here are the beautiful materials for Kindermusik Our Time. Books and Cds all filled with songs about hearth and home. Introduce your 18 month to 3 year old to dusting, cooking, washing clothes, planting the garden - you can do it all together and this collection of songs and dances will add to the fun.

Visit our new website to see our schedule, meet our teachers and register on line.

Zero to Three Resource

Surfing around tonight I took a good long look at the ZERO TO THREE FOUNDATION.
This is a great site for everything from why music is good, how children's brains develop, literacy, and a wonderful new program called The Magic of Everyday Moments
Here is what the site has to say about music.

"Music plays a powerful role in the lives of young children and their parents. Through music, children connect with their feelings and come to understand and delight in the world around them. They do so from their earliest communications with their parents, to their musical play with friends. Singing, and music in general, is a way for friends and family, regardless of age, to be playful and fun, gentle and sweet, happy and loving together."

Enjoy.

Testing, Testing

Can you hear me?

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Musical Story time at the Library

Look at how much fun we had at the library last week. We are so lucky in Burnsville and Eagan to have two fabulous children's librarians. Ann and Jennifer invite me into the library each month to sing, dance, play and read together. Keep your eye on the local paper or check the website: Dakota County Libraries .

Joining us at the library is a great way to get a taste of Kindermusik family style. You will get a chance to learn some new songs, sample newly created Kindermusik activities, dance, play and sing sing sing! I love singing at the library!