by Rachel | Uncategorized
Have you ever bought a book, instrument, or other classroom resource and then forgotten about it, leaving it unused on a shelf? Well that is exactly what happened to me with the book Rumble in the Jungle by Giles Andreae, which I purchased at Barnes & Noble over two years ago. I just dug it out this summer, and I sure am glad I did! Turns out, it is one of my students’ new favorites.
What I love best about this book are the vibrant illustrations and the cheeky humor found in the rhyming verses. This is a great opportunity to work on signs, colors, and animal identification. I was amazed when I used the book with one of my little guys, who is not yet even three years old. He knew the sign for almost every single animal, which he did as I sang the book. So much fun!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
On Friday I wrote all about my plans to enjoy some downtime, and that I did! This weekend was perhaps the most non-productive I’ve had all summer, and that was just fine with me. I saw “The Time Traveler’s Wife” (a great film but not as amazing as the book), spent some time by the pool, slept in, caught up on my DVR’d shows, and most importantly, hit up the state fair where I saw Kelly Clarkson in concert!
I fit right in with my tween and teen voice students (many of whom were also in attendance) at the show, considering I am a HUGE Kelly fan. She put on an amazing show, even better than I expected. It was like one big singalong; my voice was a little hoarse afterward but it was definitely worth it. She did all of her big songs in addition to my favorites from her newest album, “All I Ever Wanted”. A fantastic night.
Oh, and I wasn’t completely unproductive this weekend: I completed my blog overhaul, transferring my songs to a server that allows for them to be downloaded and shared directly from the site. I’ve been working on this all week between projects, but it’s finally done! I’d love to hear what you think about the new format.
Monday morning is only a few short hours away, which means a brand new week (jumpstarted by a 5 am workout and coffee). School begins on Thursday, so I’ll be working non-stop to get ready. That includes writing some back-to-school songs, so stay tuned!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Yep, those are my feet, and this is my favorite summer vacation spot…my mom’s pool. Although it’s only two blocks away, I haven’t spent nearly enough time there this summer. I can’t complain, though: I have been lucky to work on several music-related projects that have been both challenging and extremely fulfilling, and I couldn’t think of a better way to spend the summer months.
Yesterday was a great day; I wrapped up one of the big projects that has required almost all of my time in the last couple of weeks. Now that it is “in the vault”, I am finally allowing myself to chill and enjoy my downtime. I am determined to fit in all of the activities that really embody this season for me, including laying by the aforementioned pool, reading magazines and various chick lit, shopping, and going for lazy bike rides around the neighborhood. I only have six days in which to do all of these things, but I have faith in myself :)
by Rachel | Uncategorized
If you’ve been here before, then you are sure to have read about the project I am hoping to bring to life. I’m using Kickstarter, an online fundraising platform, to raise $2,000 in order to professionally record and distribute a CD of songs for children with autism and other disabilities, free of cost. My life’s work is all about helping children through music, so making this happen would be a dream come true.
So far, in just over a month, I have raised $1,275. I am over 60% of the way to my goal, and I have until October 8 to meet it (otherwise I don’t get any of the funds already pledged). I still have 55 days left, and I’m really hoping to surpass the goal so that I can include more songs and distribute even more CDs.
After doing some research, I have chosen a recording studio and I couldn’t be more thrilled! Jim Callahan, the owner of Jupiter Studios in St. Louis, MO, has agreed to take on the project. And not only that, but because he believes in what I’m doing, he is willing to make it work within my budget.
The generosity of my readers, friends and family has amazed me to no end, and there’s just a little way to go. Only $725!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Whew! What a whirlwind this last week has been. I can’t believe that I haven’t posted in so long – I’ve missed my little blog. Let me tell you what I’ve been up to since the month began…
Zach and I attended the out-of-town wedding of our good friends, Doug and Jill. We got to see lots of old friends, and the entire weekend was a blast.
Our nephew, Mason, turned 1! We attended his birthday party, and I don’t think I’ve seen more toddler toys in one room than I did at this celebration. Mason is one spoiled little boy :)
We celebrated our one-year anniversary with an amazing weekend in St. Louis! Zach planned the entire trip, and each element was a surprise. We stayed at the Ritz-Carlton, where he proposed to me two years ago, and we visited the Botanical Gardens, the City Museum, and Forest Park along with several delicious meals. Oh, and our wedding cake still tasted great.
More Mason! We attended the little guy’s christening this past Sunday, and boy was he a good sport. Thank goodness he has a real affinity for water…he wasn’t bothered one bit by the ritual.
I’m pretty sure that my life is going to slow down a bit after the recent flurry of events; at least I hope so. Once I go back to school (next Thursday!) I will settle into a routine, and that includes regular blogging. Though I definitely have mixed emotions about the end of summer, I am looking forward to having a schedule on which I can depend. But for now, it’s time to get back to work! I need to take care of business so that I can enjoy the last carefree days of summer come Friday :)
