Sunday Singalong: A Lot Like Summer

I recorded this video on Friday, so my comment about the weather being gorgeous wasn’t a lie! But this weekend has been gross (we’re talking highs in the 50s and rain), so I guess this song isn’t so timely after all.

But the discordant weather does NOT change the fact that summer break is a mere 20 days away, and that there are only 13 actual school days remaining. Not that I’m counting. It’s just that summer is my very favorite season, and there are lots of exciting events happening to kick it off.

One fun pre-summer event is happening today, and that is the baptism of my niece, Maggie. I’m taking a whirlwind roadtrip to St. Louis for this occasion, and then booking it back here for the early childhood music class I teach this afternoon. I’ll be exhausted tonight, but it will be totally worth it.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. I hope it’s actually “beginning to look a lot like summer” where you are, or at least a little less cold and soggy than it is here!

Sunday Singalong: Easter Edition

Happy Easter!  After singing with my church choir in two services this morning, I’m looking forward to relaxing with my family and enjoying some yummy food.  Maybe we’ll even dye some Easter eggs — I’m feeling inspired by this song!

I’m keeping this short today, because I know that many of us have plans on this special day that don’t involve reading blog posts :)  Whatever those plans may be, have a wonderful holiday (or just a wonderful Sunday, if you don’t celebrate Easter).

Sunday Singalong: Eat Like A Rainbow

I’ve been singing this song all month, but have yet to get tired of it.  It’s so much fun to sing!  Props to Jay Mankita for writing such a catchy tune that also stresses the importance of healthy eating…something most kids don’t think about on a regular basis.

It’s a bit ironic that I’m posting this song today, because I’ve been doing the very opposite of eating healthy all weekend.  I’m writing to you from Las Vegas, where it’s just about impossible to do that!  But as soon as I get back to Illinois, I plan to stock my fridge with red apples, orange juice, yellow bananas, green spinach, blueberries, and purple plums :)

Are there any other great songs about eating healthy that I don’t know about yet?  Enlighten me!

Sunday Singalong: Raindrop Pop

I discovered this song during an iTunes search a few years ago, and now it’s a spring staple. Bobs & LoLo are awesome — if you’re not familiar with their music, I highly suggest checking them out.

This past summer, I connected with Bobs & LoLo via Facebook and Twitter.  When they heard that I had released a new album, they offered to do a CD swap with me.  So they sent me a copy of Action Packed, and I sent them a copy of Time to Sing Hello.

My students and I have been jamming out to my rendition of “Raindrop Pop” over the last few days, and will probably continue doing so throughout the rest of this rainy spring month! 

Warming Up and Chilling Out

Westin Kierland Hotel, Scottsdale, AZ

Every year, my husband and I look forward to our April vacation.  In years past, we’ve gone to Palm Springs, Hilton Head, San Diego, San Antonio, and this year…Scottsdale (that’s our hotel, the Westin Kierland, pictured above).  What do all five of those destinations have in common?  They’re all much warmer than where we’re coming from.

Even though it’s April, it’s still not very spring-like in central Illinois.  Seriously, temperatures in the 50s and low 60s…ugh.  But I can see the light at the end of the tunnel, which is why I’m optimistically posting this song today:

Well it’s not too cold and it’s not too hot,
It’s warm, it’s warm.
Don’t need a coat, won’t sweat a lot,
It’s warm, it’s warm, it’s warm.

It’s warm outside, right in between
Spring is here, the trees are green
And so today we’ll play outside
Hop on our bikes, and take a ride
It’s warm, it’s warm, it’s warm.

Well it’s not too cold and it’s not too hot,
It’s warm, it’s warm.
Don’t need a coat, won’t sweat a lot,
It’s warm, it’s warm, it’s
Warm, not hot, not cold, just right.
Enjoy the day, it’s shining bright.
It’s warm, it’s warm, it’s warm.

Whether or not it actually starts to warm up here in the Midwest, I’m not worried about the temperatures where we’re headed tomorrow.  Hello, 80 degrees and sunshine!  Perfect weather for chilling out in the lazy river at our hotel (how cool is that?!) and exploring Scottsdale.

I most definitely won’t be spending much time on the computer while I’m away, but not to worry…I have blog posts ready and waiting to be posted.  After all, vacation is no excuse to slack on my 365 in 2011 goal!

Is it warming up yet where you are?

Sunday Singalong: Safety Comes First

Just a few weeks ago, I featured a song called Red, Yellow and Green as a “Sunday Singalong” video.  That song was a part of my safety theme in music therapy throughout the month of March, as was the song in this week’s video.

“Safety Comes First” originated as a request from a music therapist in California who was looking for a song that incorporated the rules of being around cars and parking lots.  I’m so glad she asked me to write it, because I think it’s so important for my students to be educated on this topic, as well.