Most Perfect Day Ever!

On our agenda today: a much anticipated swimming play date with some friends

The beach bag was packed, swimming suits washed and ready, and pool toys stuffed in the SUV. What’s that pitter-pattering on the roof? Could it actually be rain drops down here in South Texas? The kids were devastated that our swimming plans were snatched away just like that by Mother Nature. BUT… Kid #2 suggested we head outside to play in the rain. And, what a fabulous idea that was! After playing in the rain, the kids headed inside for warm bubble baths, put on their coziest jammies, and curled up together on the couch bed to watch Bambi. How innocent is that? Add pizza on trays in front of the TV and the fact that none of us have even brushed our teeth yet, and you have a truly perfect day!

And, yes, we did add a little Kindermusik magic to our day with the following rhyme that Kid #3 made us sing again and again and again….(Did you know that kids really do learn by repetition, so please grin and bear it, Moms!)

I hear thunder. I hear thunder.
Hear it roar. Hear it roar.
(Sing with a loud, low voice while pounding loudly on your lap.)
Pitter, pitter raindrops. Pitter, patter raindrops.
(Sing with a quiet, high voice while tapping lightly on your lap.)
I’m all wet. I’m all wet.
(Pretend you’re drying off.)

You can sing the song again while marching in a circle. March loudly for the thunder, tip-toe for the rain, and fall down when you get all wet.


So what if our breakfast dishes are still stacked in the sink and the laundry remains unfolded, this has been a perfect day, with no arguing and lots of snuggling. And that, my friends…..is something to sing about!

Kindermusik-inspired theme music: Mud Puddle Jump
(It’ll make ya want to dig the galoshes out of the shoe closet!)



Posted by Miss Kathy, who got a little wet herself today and loved every minute of it!

Bubblicious

There’s something magical and irresistible about bubbles. Here are some ideas to make bubble play even more fascinating!


DID YOU KNOW...
--Infants who can blow bubbles and lick their lips are more likely to pick up language quickly.
--Blowing helps develop kids’ diaphragms and builds muscle control necessary for singing.
--Bubble games boost hand/eye coordination and gross motor skills.



HAVE A BUBBLE CHALLENGE--

Can you catch a bubble on your tongue? elbow? nose? knee?
--Can you clap a bubble? stomp on a bubble? put your finger on a bubble? catch a bubble with 2 fingers? jump on a bubble?
-- Pretend to be bubbles. Play soft music and "float" like bubbles around the room.



SING ABOUT IT

Blow Away the Morning Dew
Blow away the morning dew,
The dew and the dew.
Blow away the morning dew,
How sweet the wind doth blow.

The Bubble Song
1 little, 2 little, 3 little bubbles
4 little, 5 little, 6 little bubbles
7 little, 8 little, 9 little bubbles
10 little bubbles go pop ,pop, pop
Pop those, pop those, pop those bubbles
Pop those, pop those, pop those bubbles
Pop those, pop those, pop those bubbles
10 little bubbles go pop, pop, pop.



BUBBLE PICASSO

Pour a small amount of bubble solution into several cups. Add 4-5 drops of food coloring to each cup (you need a good amount of coloring in the solution). Dip bubble wands into the colorful solutions and blow bubbles onto plain white paper. Allow the bubbles to settle and burst on their own. When dry, you will have beautiful note paper! (Or, frame the materpiece and hang it on the wall!)


Download a FREE bubble song by registering at http://play.kindermusik.com/
Register and then search for “bubbles”! "Bubbles On Me" is a favorite around these parts!


Ahhh, how I love the childlike innocence bubble play invokes. Come on, you know you want to pop that bubble! Go ahead..be a kid again...your secret is safe with me.

And that, my friends, is something to sing about!


posted by Miss Kathy who just can't get enough of that Pied Piper feeling every time I bring out the bubbles!

Fort Building 101
What do you get when you add two ottomans from opposite ends of the house, countless blankets and pillows, 3 flash lights, some books and my son’s portable safes (so the pirates wouldn’t find his loot)?
A very creative, somewhat lop-sided, not structurally-sound Siblings Club. And, yes, little sis sometimes forgot to duck when walking under the blankets (which caused the walls to cave in and big sis to grrr) and little bro spent way too much time protecting his loot instead of participating in the planned events (which caused big sis to grrr as she tried to conduct story time), but all in all, they had a great time without any input by me!

As luck would have it, I forgot to take a picture or incorporate a favorite Kindermusik song to add to the theme. Check out play.kindermusik.com and download a cool pirate tune. One of my favorites is http://play.kindermusik.com/tracks/3592-arrrgh/.

Three kiddos of various ages working together without mom's help to create a masterpiece without too much arguing, pouting, or crying….And, that, my friends is something to sing about!

--posted by Miss Kathy, a very proud mom who was even more thrilled that the little darlings put each and every blanket, pillow, flash light, piece of furniture and treasure back in its place when the fun was over!

Kindermusik With Kathy + Friends Summer 2010