Saturday, October 5, 2013

Sing, Sing a Song Saturday

I started doing what I call Sing, Sing a Song Saturday.  I'm going to post one song on Saturdays that the boys or I like. 

The song may be part of a movie, a kid's video or just a song we like. I'll try and include why we like it and/or the history of the song/singer.

I know I usually try to cover newer bands/musicians. Someone asked me if I have cover country before. I haven't. I don't like a whole lot of new country. I do like the older stuff.

I looked up on Google: new country that sounds like old country.

There's a website for everything. Sure enough there's a website for my search.

I'm covering Ashley Monroe today. Maybe you know of her, but since I just don't even listen to the modern country station I had never heard of her. She was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. When she was 11 she won a talent contest singing, I Want to Be a Cowboy's Sweetheart. Ashley has been featured on ABC's Nashville.

Source
Ashley shares the story behind "You Ain't Dolly" with Vince Gill.


You Ain't Dolly (And You Ain't Porter)


Weeds Instead of Roses



View of Ashley Monroe's website.
Like Ashley Monroe on Facebook.
Follow Ashley Monroe on Twitter.
Follow Ashley Monroe on YouTube.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Birdhouse

This happened a few weeks ago, but I just now took a photo to put with the post.

Mica made and painted a birdhouse a year ago. Grandma and Grandpa Apel gave it to him for Christmas I believe. A wonderful gift! I like anything that's put it together yourself!

Isaak came running inside all panic like saying, "Mica's birdhouse is broken!"

I said, "Did you knock it down?"

Isaak said, "No I didn't do anything to it! I went out there, and it was all in pieces on the ground!"

I said, "Are you sure?"

He said, "Ya! Mom I think a big gigantic bird went in the house. It must of been too big for it, and busted it right open."

I had to laugh.

After later examination it's not really in pieces. Just the bottom needs to be hammered back on.


Random Tid Bits

  1. Thank you for many of your thoughts on the What the Teacher Said post. I've decided not to discourage Isaak from being friends with the girl he likes so much, but to encourage him to play with others as well. Sometimes we'll invite a boy over for him to play with; other times it will the girl he likes so much. A happy medium. Mica liked a girl a lot in Kindergarten, and first grade; now he plays with other kids. I don't think it's anything to get bent out of shape over.
  2. The best thing that happened all week was that I had a student that fell asleep towards the end of one of my lectures. He's my oldest student. He happens to have Daddy's name, which is Travis. That in its self makes me giggle just a little. I told Daddy that this student is a Travisty. Most lectures I talk, I engage the students somehow (like reading out loud interviews about artists we're talking about, or playing review games), and the rest of the lecture we listen to a video that shares painting techniques. The video was playing, I tried really hard to ignore the giggles and the loudly snoring Travisty. I just kept staring at the video. I don't think my students knew I could hear the snoring. I was just trying to figure out what to do about it. I turned the volume way down, motioned for them to be quiet, switched the mode on the stereo from video to radio, and jacked up the volume full blast. Everyone was laughing. He looked at me and said, "Wow that sounded like the Bee gees." I seriously don't think he knew he was snoring so loudly.
  3. All of my handouts are getting moved from a program called QuarkXPress to InDesign. It will be nice when it's done. In the mean time it sure is a lot of work!
  4. I use Google as a dictionary all the time. Does anyone else do that? I have a built in dictionary on this computer, but Google does a better job. Words like "Eczema" I can never remember how to spell it!
  5. Mica asked me what sex is. I just turned the tables and said, "What do you think it means?" He thought it was sexy kissing. I told him, "If that's what you think it is, you can think that for a few more years." He didn't push the conversation, neither did I.
  6. I can't get my boys to wear pjs to bed. They will wear underwear. PJs are a lost cause. On their list of things to do before bed, I put, "PJs optional." They may change their minds when it gets cold outside.

Thursday, October 3, 2013

What the Teacher Said

Remember this post?


Email 1: Well I emailed Isaak's teacher with my concerns. I told her that I just really wanted her to be aware of the situation of kids laughing at Isaak's drawing. Then I told her about one kid in particular who Isaak's had problems with. He teases Isaak about "having a girlfriend", and a few things have happened with him. I just asked her to please watch out for their behavior together.

Email Reply: She wrote me back a little confused as to what drawing I was talking about. Then mentioned that with the one kid things would get taken care of.

She said that Isaak follows one girl around everywhere. He will only play with her at recess. When she's busy playing with someone else, he plays by himself.

Email 2: I emailed her again with the picture above attached, so there would be less confusion.

I also mentioned that I was aware of Isaak playing with one girl all the time. I had him go to a boy's birthday party, so he'd hopefully bond with some of the boys there. Nope! Then I mentioned that I that I'd try and have some boys over to play.

Email Reply 2: It turns out that all the kids were laughing about the self portraits. Even the teacher held up hers, and they laughed.

As for the boy that's been teasing Isaak? His parents were talked to after class.

My conversation with Isaak: I told him that we're inviting a boy friend over this weekend. He said, "Will Maddi come to?" I said, "No. Not this time." We walked to the Y together, and Isaak said, "Hey look Mom I'm going to pick you flowers like I do for Maddi."


In my opinion it's ok for boys and girls to be friends with the same sex, or opposite sex. 

Questions for you readers: 

Do I discourage Isaak on being friends with this sweet girl? 

She is nice. Daddy met her Dad. He's nice to. Then she has a brother in Mica's grade, which is great. Their family stays after school often just like our family does to play on the playground. It's just that I want Isaak to be open to the idea of playing with others. I've told him for awhile now that it's good to just jump in, and start playing with other kids. It sounds like he has puppy love for this girl.

Tuesday, October 1, 2013

WW: Zombie Pirate {Linky}

This last weekend we went to a Halloween store. They had colored hair spray. Mica had his sprayed black, and Isaak had his sprayed gold.

They had another booth where they could get fake blemishes put on their skin. Mica opted not to do this, but Isaak was all over it. He acted like a zombie all day, and told people that he needed to go to the hospital. He's a pretty good actor!








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Monday, September 30, 2013

Frisbee

Fact of the Day: Did you know that Frisbee is a brand name? It's now a name that encompasses all flying discs. Much like Kleenex is used for tissues, and Xerox is used for making a copy.

Daddy wanted to play with a flying disc. We went to the boy's school to play. Mica wanted to ride his bike. He hasn't been able to for awhile because he had a flat tire.


I think this upcoming spring the Easter Bunny will have to leave Mica a bigger bike. Mica looks too tall for it.

Daddy, Isaak and I played with the flying disc. Isaak's better at it than I am. Daddy was getting annoyed with me spinning it off to some other land. HA HA

Isaak had makeup on his face from earlier that day. He got it done at a Halloween shop. He was supposed to wash it off. He 1/2 wiped it off. His face looked so bruised. People gave us stares. His hair was still gold from the Halloween store as well.


Isaak likes to bounce a lot these days.


Here you can see his makeup a little.


Do you like flying discs? What outdoor things do you like to play with?

Sing For Hope

Art can be used to promote positive aspirations for individuals in different neighborhoods and communities. All forms of creative expression can be used to paint encouraging images in the minds of others. SingforHope.org brings a powerful mission to bridge the gap between artists and the communities in New York City. Through cultural interactions, musical artists contribute powerful messages to society as a whole, which help to transform the hearts of many people. Community arts programs can also bring many groups of people with diverse personality and cultural differences together in unity.

The development of social justice is greatly inspired by the work of performing artists. Many performing artists are referred to as role models and representations of positive lifestyles. Through volunteer efforts and community contributions, artistic outreach programs enable individuals, who would not otherwise engage in artistic expression, to participate in the beauty of musical demonstrations. Most of the volunteer artists strive for alternative methods to promote community development. Their demonstrations attract a wide variety of individuals, who are appreciative of the artists’ work.

Many art outreach projects are created with the aim of awakening the awareness and perceptions of others. By having optimistic dreams, many people have the opportunity to create positive futures. Hence, artistic expression is the best method to help individuals acquire confidence and self-assurance. When many different artists come together to take part in a coalition of cultural development, it can potentially influence a global movement.

SingforHope.org desires to bring art to all people, rather than those who have the resources to connect with artistic performances. Many individuals in under-privileged areas may not easily have access to various forms of art. Whether the artists are performing at outdoor parks, schools, healthcare facilities, street corners or indoor recreational venues, the artists have the power to reach millions of people.

Discover a variety of public art projects where people join in the company of pianists who perform beautiful musicals. Street pianos New York at SingforHope.org incorporate the foundations needed to produce music as well as include a display of authentic visuals. Anyone can also attend some of scheduled performances that are open to the public.

Disclaimer: I did not write this review. I do stand by the the organization SingforHope.org. I was under no obligation to review it if I so chose. Nor was I under any obligation to write a positive review. I did get compensated for posting this.

Let's Go Fly a Kite

Isaak is so creative. He's always making something. He does it with, or without our help. He makes things more than he plays with toys.

This weekend he made a kite out of paper, sticks, yarn and a pencil.


Isaak begged Mica to go outside to fly his kite.



It never flew.



But...they had a blast.


Disclaimer

The opinions on this blog are my personal take on products and topics relating to motherhood. This blog is a personal blog written and edited by me.

I am not compensated to provide opinions on a variety of topics. The views and opinions expressed on this blog are my own. If I claim to show knowledge of certain topic or product I will only endorse products or services that I feel, based on my expertise, are worthy of such endorsement.

If you have any questions about this blog, or want to get in contact with me please email me at: anapeladay@gmail.com