Give The Gift Of Music!
Does your child have a toy box packed with toys that they haven't played with in weeks? Or a play room that is overflowing into the hallway? Grandparents or distant aunts and uncles need Christmas present ideas for your little one? Kapital Musik classes make a great gift... no strings attached (and none of those pesky twist ties and plastic to have to work through. Not to mention that you won't need batteries for this gift!).
Kapital Musik's winter/spring schedule:

Sign & Sing: 6 months-3 years Mondays, 5 – 6 PM
This class is for hearing and hearing impaired children alike and helps facilitate communication skills. It is VERY helpful for pre-speakers as well as young yappers who can't quite come out with the words but still have it in their hearts to express! Parents also learn to interpret their child's version of ASL signs and to become aware of the teachable moments. Session A will run from Feb 5th through March 5th. Session B will run from April 16 through May 14th. You must take Session A classes to participate in Session B. Both are 5 week classes and are $80 each, including materials. Take a $20 discount if you sign up for both and pay in full by Jan 15th.

Family Time: newborn-7 with adult (or responsible teenager)
Mondays, 6:30- 7:30 PM
You do not have to have more than one child to participate nor do both parents have to attend. This is a multi-age class that I am anxious to teach and that I would be willing to allow a responsible, older sibling (at least 15) to work with the child in the place of their parent. (This allowance is made at my discretion and is subject to maturity of the older sibling.) This class runs from Feb 12 through April 16. It is a 10 week class and is $180 for one child, $40 more for each additional child.

Our Time (1 1/2-3 year olds, with parent)
Tuesdays, 6-7 PM.
This class is a great way to share some quality fun time with your little one. We sing a lot, dance/move a lot, work on our listening skills and play with different musical instruments as well as hoops, balls and colorful scarves. We will start this class on Tuesday, Jan 30 and finish up on May 8th. Price remains the same at $170 for the 15 week class (includes materials).
Please e-mail me at tammy@kapitalmusik.com to secure your spot (minimum of 4, max of 8). All classes can be secured with a deposit of half of the fees (pays for materials). Family Time and Our Time participants receive a $20 discount if paid in full by Jan 15th. All classes must have a minimum of 4 and no more than 8 children. Classes are held at First United Methodist Church, downtown Frankfort.
I can work with you on payment options. E-mail me or call 357-0980 for information on a deep discount for homeschooling families.
Can't wait to sing and play with you and your children!

Sounds like fall to me! 

Blogging Around
Monty's Children's Music Blog
What a fun site for music educators and folks who just like children's music. Lots of posts about his creative process, stuff from his "touring" visits and music excerpts of his. He is award winning, so check it out!

And here's another fun one for a homeschooling mom's view of life:
http://mamasmidlifemire.spaces.live.com/blog/cns!79311507CCFC123C!477.entry

I'll post others when I come across them... but probably not too many as I don't get much time to just surf myself! :)
Have a great day!

Oh, I Love a Rainy Night...
Just For Fun
and mornings, and afternoons... shucks, just the whole daggone day! Do you all remember that song? That's the one I sing in my head every time I wake up in the morning to rain, like I did this morning. It only drags me down after the third day or so (check back with me on Sunday... our third day of probable rain). I'm in either of two moods... 1: I want to stay in my jammies all day and do whatever pops up, call a friend, catch up on reading - OR - 2: Ready to conquer everything on my to-do list in doors because I don't have the possibility of being sidetracked with an outdoors activity or those errands that keep you running in and out of your car all day long.
Rain and music are very similar for me and for a lot of children. (Yes, I am very much a child at heart.) They can both change your mood, in a positive or negative way. And for me, it's the sound, the smell and the feeling of wet on your face... all of it I usually get a little-kid kind of happiness about. The sound and sight of heavey raindrops has always reminded me of soldiers marching... something from MY childhood, I guess.
So don't just cuddle up with a book this morning while your one child, or your several children, entertain themselves and each other. Cuddle up with those children and sing some splooshy, spleeshy, squishy, slish, slosh kind of songs... make some rain inspired art...go play outside in the rain for a few minutes with them and come inside for a comfy warm towel... or let them splash in a tub of water just because. Life's too short not to find enjoyment in even the stormy days!

"I love a rainy night. I love a rainy night. I love to hear the thunder Watch the lightning When it lights up the sky. You know it makes me feel good. Well, I love a rainy night It's such a beautiful sight. I love to feel the rain On my face To taste the rain on my lips ... Puts a song In this heart of mine, Puts a smile on my face every time." Eddie Rabbit... gotta love him for that one song alone!

Kindermusik Foundations of Learning
Language skills may be increased through playing with the sounds of familiar word patterns with a tune (see the following post). During vocal play, the child experiences rhythm, accents, synchronization and tempo, all integral parts of communication.

Grocery Store Antics
Just For Fun
It doesn't matter whether you have one child or ten, a trip to the grocery store can be a challenge. Lucky for me, my 11 year old twins help keep their little sister entertained while we go through the aisles, tickling her belly or making weird sounds or faces at her. You should hear her cackle! Or maybe you have if we've been in Kroger at the same time... she's very exuberant in her glee, to say the least.
If you need a new game to add to your grocery time, here's one for you, set to the tune of the Mother Goose Rhyme To Market . Make up your own poem and insert items from your shopping list.
"To market to market to buy some bananas,
Home again, home again, jiggety janas.
To market, to market to buy a quart of milk,
Home again, home again, jiggety jilk!"

Class Schedule:
Upcoming class possibilities:
For all those who missed the beginning of the fall session and would still like to get a music class in, Kapital Musik is offering the following classes.

Family Time: newborn-7 with adult (or responsible teenager, see post below).
Saturdays, 1-2 PM - Sept 30- Dec 9
-AND-
Thursdays, 6-7 PM - Oct 12 - Dec 21
This class is a multi-age class. You do not have to have more than one child to participate nor do both parents have to attend. It is a 10 week class and is $180 for one child, $40 more for each additional child. Check out the post below for a description of the materials that are included in the price and a video clip.

Sign & Sing: 6 months-3 years
Sundays, 3-4 PM - Oct 1 - 29
-AND-
Tuesdays, 6-7 PM - Oct 3 - 31
This class is for hearing and hearing impaired children alike and helps facilitate communication skills. Parents also learn to interpret their child's version of ASL signs and to become aware of the teachable moments. It is a 5 week class and is $80, including materials.

All classes can be secured with a deposit of a portion of the fees (pays for materials). Family Time participants receive a $20 discount if paid in full in advance. All classes must have a minimum of 4 and no more than 8 children. Classes are held at First United Methodist Church, downtown Frankfort.

Fun at CCU's fun day for families!
Community Events
Commonwealth credit Union had their family fun day this morning and Kapital Musik was there to provide some music. If you stopped by the table, thanks! I got to make shakers with many, many pint sized musicians and stamped a lot of tiny hands with a music note to remind them of the fun. Kapital Musik was there to promote the Family Time and Sign and Sing classes (described in additional posts below) scheduled to begin in October. If you would like more information about when, where and how much, send me an e-mail at tammy@kapitalmusik.com, leave a comment or call me at 357-0980. Thanks again for the fun!