Most people might look at this picture and see an old piano and bench. That’s what my students saw…until I opened up the bench at the end of their lessons or music therapy sessions to reveal the hidden treasure they now look forward to each week:
That’s right…stickers. The $1.99 variety you find at Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, or even the grocery store. Who knew that kids could be so easy to please?
“Sticker time” has been a part of my lessons and music therapy sessions for several years now, but only this summer did I think to put them in the piano bench (before, they were in a boring old expandable binder).
After the last piece has been played or the goodbye song has been sung, my students have the opportunity to choose a sticker from the bench and place it on that day’s date in their monthly calendar. And let me tell you, they don’t take their selections lightly; sticker time is serious business (well, as serious as anything involving stickers can be) to many of them.
It’s amazing how my students find such joy in something so simple, but I’m definitely not complaining. It’s the little things, you know?
When I look at this picture of my best friends and I at our high school graduation, I find it extremely hard to believe that ten years have passed. We’ve taken many pictures like it since — at each other’s bridal showers, weddings, baby showers, and other milestone events. And I’m sure we’ll take lots more this weekend at our high school reunion.
My husband has been hard at work planning this event (after all, he was voted “Life of the Party” in our senior yearbook) along with the rest of the committee. It’s going to be so much fun to see all of the people I’ve only kept in touch with via Facebook for the last few years. I keep reminding myself of that, rather than dwelling on the fact that this reunion has me feeling a little old. Ridiculous, I know :)
But despite feeling old, I also feel accomplished — and that is a good feeling :) I love that I’ll be the only music therapist at my reunion, though I’m not so much looking forward to explaining my profession dozens of times. I guess I’ll have to rehearse my elevator speech between now and tomorrow!
I’d like to tell you I’ve spent this beautiful holiday doing all kinds of productive things, but that is just not the case! Luckily I got enough done on Friday that I can allow myself a day of pure enjoyment.
I started the day by picking up my new keyboard (yes, I finally found it and will give you the full scoop later this week), followed by a stop at Starbucks. I have to admit, it felt good to roll down the windows, open the sunroof, and sip my coffee. No air conditioning needed today.
I had lunch with one of my best and oldest friends, and now I’m getting ready to spend the rest of the afternoon by the pool. And what would this holiday be without a cookout (courtesy of my parents)?
Labor Day, for me, is a signal that summer as we know it is ending. That’s never an easy pill to swallow, which is why I’m filling it with things that make me very happy. Hope you’re doing the same!
Phew, I got this post in with three hours to spare! My husband and I have been busy celebrating our 3rd wedding anniversary in Chicago, including lots of yummy meals, shopping on Michigan Avenue, staying in an amazing suite, and seeing a comedy show at Second City. A wonderful weekend, to be sure. But also exhausting…which is why I’m keeping this short and sweet.
I hope you all had a great weekend too, and that your week is off to a fabulous start! See you back here tomorrow for a post completely unrelated to my personal life — I promise ;)
I have no idea how I did it, but three years ago I convinced my husband to record a duet for the souvenir CD we made for our wedding gifts.
We had seen the movie Juno the year before and both loved it, especially the sweet duet Michael Cera and Ellen Page sang at the end. Anyone Else But You is a song by the Moldy Peaches, and with just a little lyrical tweaking, it became the closer to our CD.
I think Zach regretted his decision to go through with it after receiving some flack from his buddies, but too late! It’s out there for the world to hear now.
Tomorrow we celebrate our 3rd anniversary, so I put together this video of some of my favorite wedding pictures using our duet as the soundtrack. It’s hard to believe that so much time has passed already…looking at these pictures, it seems like just yesterday (cliche, I know, but true).
Zach has a fun couple of days planned in Chicago, so we’re off! Enjoy your Sunday.
Welcome! I’m Rachel Rambach, board-certified music therapist and creator of Listen & Learn Music — educational songs and musical materials for children. I love sharing my work with you, along with my behind-the-scenes creative process, adventures in business ownership, and life as a mom of two.
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