by Rachel | Uncategorized
This is my dad. We spent Father’s Day watching the Cardinals game (not a whole lot has changed over the years, besides my hairstyle!) and then eating one of my dad’s specialties for dinner. Don’t worry, we offered to take him out, but he wanted my brother to have one last home-cooked meal before he and his fiancee move to South Carolina tomorrow. My dad likes to complain, but the truth is he enjoys cooking for us…even on a day devoted to him :)
I’m lucky to have amazing parents an all-around wonderful family. I got to spend lots of time with them this weekend with all the birthday, engagement, and Father’s Day festivities. It was quite the whirlwind, though, and I’m exhausted! I realized today that I forgot to post my “Summer” song on the first official day of the season, so make sure to come back for that tomorrow. Goodnight!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
It’s been a great two weeks, but all good things must come to an end! Actually, I’m really REALLY excited for this week, as lessons and music therapy resume tomorrow. I have a full day ahead of me: Mondays are my longest, with 9 lessons, 2 individual MT sessions, and 1 group. Just thinking about it makes me exhausted, but happy :)
I thoroughly enjoyed my last day of vacation, which began at 5 am with the dog crying to be let out (the everyday norm). Luckily I got a couple more hours of sleep after that, and then Zach and I set out with Sadie the wonder pup for some playtime in the park.
Turns out Sadie is a fan of the guitar…she is my puppy, after all :) Sadie also displayed her fearlessness, playing with a couple of dogs who outweighed her by 200 pounds. I was more scared than she was! After a jaunt through the fountains, Sadie was exhausted and so were we. I came home to do a bit of recording before hitting my parents’ pool (my personal vacation spot). Follow that up with a delicious meal courtesy of mom, and my day was practically perfect!
I’ll be back tomorrow with a report on my music-filled Monday, which will begin with lots and lots of coffee. I think I’m going to need the extra caffeine…wish me luck!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
This is our new little bundle of joy! Sadie was born on March 28, and we finally got to bring her home yesterday. She had a fun first night in her new home: she got to meet all of her grandparents, take a walk around the neighborhood, and play with all of her toys. She definitely wore us out…and she wore herself out too! We were expecting a lot more crying throughout the night, but she only woke us up once to take her outside. Not bad at all!
I have a couple new songs I’m looking forward to posting, but they’ll have to wait until the weekend. You can probably guess that I have been a little preoccupied for the last couple days, but I can’t wait to share the songs I have in store for you. In the meantime, maybe Sadie will inspire me to write a song about puppies :) Have a great Friday, and a wonderful holiday weekend!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
I’m feeling generous today, which is why I’m sharing all the details of my students’ favorite book, Eight Silly Monkeys. I picked this book up at Barnes & Noble three years ago, and it has held up through all this time in the hands of my students, who can be less than delicate :) Thankfully, the book has a hard front and back cover and the pages are made of sturdy cardboard, making it the perfect classroom resource.
The bright colors, 3-D monkeys, familiar words and tune make this a very popular book not only with my students, but with me, too. Why? Because there are so many objectives that can be addressed, including counting, tactile input, basic reading skills, and even movement. My kids love imitating the different motor skills the monkeys display in this book, like jumping, dancing, spinning, and sliding.I hope you and your students have the chance to enjoy this book as much as we do here at the Hope Institute. And speaking of Hope, today is our 2nd Annual All-School Singalong! I’m used to being a solo act, but today several of my coworkers – a drummer, guitar player, and bassist – will join me to present some of the “greatest hits” of the year. I’m off to practice with the band right now…have a great day!
by Rachel | Uncategorized
Last week as I was preparing for a music therapy session, a thought came to mind: Jingle Joe needed a female counterpart. So right then and there, I created Jingle Jane, and she’s been a part of the tambourine gang ever since. Here’s the new verse:
Jingle Jane was strolling down the lane,
I saw her just the other day.
Her hair was pink, she said, “See whatcha think,
About the way I play my tambourine.”
She showed me how to jingle, jingle!
Tap the tambourine in the air.
Jingle, jingle!
Jinglin’ with Jane, play without a care.
Literally hours after I’d composed that verse, I received an email from a reader named Mollie. This is what she had to say:
Hi Rachel,
My 5 year old and I were listening to some of your stuff while I was prepping for the new month and she helped me write a verse about a girl and a maraca since it’s “Mexico Month” (according to her!) Thought we would share it with you! Feel free to tweak it and share your thoughts…but just wanted to share. Thanks again…keep up the good work!
Mollie
Mollie must have been reading my mind, because here is the verse she and her daughter came up with:
Silly Sally is a gal I know,
I saw her just the other day.
She likes Chewbacca, and she plays the maracas,
And she taught me how to play.
She showed me how to shake, shake!
Shake the maraca way with all your might.
Shake, shake,
Shake with Sally she’s dy-no-mite!
She showed me how to shake it high, shake it low.
Shake it fast, Shake it slow.
Shake with all your might,
Shake with Silly Sally she’s dy-no-mite!
What a fun way to incorporate other instruments into the song. And I love that she collaborated with her daughter, who is obviously a budding songwriter herself :) If you ever have an idea for new verses or lyrics to a song you find at Listen & Learn, please don’t hesitate to send it my way!
This is my dad. We spent Father’s Day watching the Cardinals game (not a whole lot has changed over the years, besides my hairstyle!) and then eating one of my dad’s specialties for dinner. Don’t worry, we offered to take him out, but he wanted my brother to have one last home-cooked meal before he and his fiancee move to South Carolina tomorrow. My dad likes to complain, but the truth is he enjoys cooking for us…even on a day devoted to him :)
