Hello

It's been a while. I have been busy with school of course--boring. I am presently learning the clarinet, I aced my flute exam, and am still beating away on the snare drum. I am doing some teaching in the elementary school here in Firth, for my elementary music methods class. I taught for an hour each day last week, and I will do the same this week. Last week I taught them songs to sing, and this week I am supposed to teach them movement--some sort of dancing. My lessons plans are obviously not written yet. I can't tell you however, how much fun I had teaching last week. It was so fun. I can't believe how many kids can't sing!!! So many. I am so grateful I can sing. And when I say they can't sing, I mean sing on pitch, or anywhere close. However, they got better as the lesson progressed. Singing is like anything else, a skill, and nothing more. Yes, some people have more aptitude, but 90% of people are the same. It just depends on what you are subjected to. Sing to your kids. Sing all of the time. It's fun, it's easy, and it's important. And put on music to dance to, and turn it up loud enough to hear! I love that mom listened to music loud. That's the only way as far as I'm concerned, otherwise it's just white noise in the back ground. Speaking of listening to music loud and dancing to it, Gracie is obsessed lately. She dresses up in her princess dresses, and dances and dances. She always requests that the music is louder. "Louda Mama, Louda." She is such a pleasure to have around. Listening to Nora Jones at the moment. Love her. The most recent CD I listen to all the time, minimum of two times a day--Lionel Richie. I hope I haven't already blogged about that. Got it for Christmas and I just love it. At the moment Nora is doing a duet with Dolly Parton. I think I need one of hers too. Darin's kicking me off. Love you all.