As a Kindermusik community, I would like us to be able to do a couple of service projects each year to help out the Kansas City community.
The Community of Christ Church, which houses our studio, is beginning a service project to collect items for the Center of Hope. The Center of Hope, run by the Community of Christ Church, is located in Kansas City, KS and houses a Food Pantry, Food Kitchen, Thrift Store, Commodity Distribution, and Homeless Outreach.
They are in need of supplies right now, and I know we can help. Through the entire month of May, you are invited to bring any of the items listed below when you come to class. There is a large barrel in the foyer at the bottom of the stairs for you to donate to. You can bring a few things, or you can bring something every week. I believe service projects such as this are a wonderful way to teach our children how to give back.
Here is a list of items needed if you would like to help.
Soups
Spaghetti sauce
Spam
Chili
Shampoo
Toilet tissue
Snack foods (for the homeless)
Individual foods (cup of soup, vienna sausage, stew, pudding)
Razors
Socks
I know at one time, they told me that the travel sizes of hygeine products were good because they could send those with the homeless.
I know the Center will appreciate any donations you make through the month of May!
Priority enrollment for Summer Camps has begun for current Kindermusik families. To reserve your spot, simply bring a $25 deposit to class this week and save $5 off your total!
You do not need to bring a new registration form for summer camp unless information has changed and I haven’t been notified.
Our family spent Saturday celebrating Earth Day at Shawnee Mission Park. Steve and I went to check out anything new that we might not already be doing to help our planet and our family live healthier.
Reece, however, went to see Stinky Feet a.k.a Jim Cosgrove. Okay, so that’s partially why we went too! If you haven’t been introduced to the world of Stinky Feet, I highly suggest it. Jim Cosgrove is a Kansas City based singer who puts on a fabulous show. The lyrics are great for kids and the music is great for adult ears!
We got to see a great 40 minute concert, and he sang all of Reece’s favorites including:
“Peanut Butter”
“Ooey Gooey”
“Slugbug”
and of course, “Stinky Feet”
Here is some proof of the fun that was had by our little man.
And guess who got to dance on stage with Stinky Feet? You guessed it, Miss Laura! He wanted parents to come up for the last song and play instruments. Well, you know I wasn’t going to pass that up! Reece just grinned and waved the whole time I was up there. Luckily he’s still young enough that he’s not embarassed by me; I know the day is coming.
That’s me in the green shirt and jeans and pigtails (since you probably don’t recognize me out of yoga pants!)
Why do we pretend to walk through the green grass, or the city? Why do we pretend to clean the house with scarves?
“Learning to imagine is the first step in stretching the human potential.” (Karen Miller, Ages and Stages, p. 65).
The development progression of pretend play generally moves from using one object to represent something else, to dressing up and/or pretending to be something else, to role-playing and interacting while in that role. Foster experiences that provide the opportunity for imagination to blossom.
Unfortunately, in today’s day and age, we have to help create our children’s imaginations. Provide ample opportunity for creative play throughout the day.
Play dress up with old clothes or Halloween costumes and help them become that character.
Pretend to do “adult chores” with silly objects. i.e. dust with a scarf, wash measuring cups and silverware in the sink
On Monday, Reece and I decided to take full advantage of the finally warm weather, and headed to Deanna Rose Farmstead. As I was pulling out of the driveway, I was mentally checklisting everything I had/didn’t have. I realized I didn’t have the camera, but figured “there won’t be anything new to take a picture of, so we’ll be fine without it.”
Oh wait, he’s old enough to ride the pony now! So, here I am watching my son get ready to take his very first EVER pony ride, and I don’t have a camera. At this point, I should have had at least two cameras, one of which should have been a video camera, because I am that mom usually. But instead, I’m standing there deflated with my “used to be cool” razor phone snapping the shot. I can only imagine what the other moms around me were thinking.
So, there was my child grinning from ear to ear for Mommy’s camera phone.
How to alleviate the situation? Take said child back to Deanna Rose with camera in hand. Let said child ride again and snap shots like crazy. Scrapbook said ride as the “first” ride and no one will be the wiser.
Many of you have received discounts for this, that, and the other on Kindermusik classes. But I thought I would remind everyone how you can earn those discounts on your tuition.
1. Refer a friend who joins and both receive $10 off tuition
2. Attend five consecutive semesters (including summer) and receive $15 off tuition
3. Refer five friends who join and receive a FREE semester! (we have one family collecting this discount this summer)
Here’s the book we’re currently reading in Our Time. I am always in favor of rhyming books in our house because they’re more fun to read out loud than non-rhyming books.
Plus, the kids love seeing what happens to the duck, his truck, and all his friends.
Plan now to attend a Kindermusik Summer Camp this year. Besides the same wonderful singing, playing, instruments, and dancing that we do all year, summer camps add the fun of snacks and crafts.
Priority enrollment for current students will begin April 23 and run through May 4.
Re-enrollment offer for families currently enrolled in our spring session.
Enroll in summer camp and receive $5 off tuition. Must be enrolled by April 30, and $25 deposit paid by May 4.
Open enrollment will begin May 7.
Spaces are limited!
Summer Camps will run July 10 – August 9, 2007
Village Summer Camp for children birth to 18 months
Thursday 9:00 – 9:45 AM
Thursday 5:45 – 6:30 PM
Our Time Summer Camp for children 18 months to 3.5 years
Tuesday 6:00 – 6:45 PM
Wednesday10:00-10:45 AM
Thursday 10:00-10:45 AM
Thursday 6:45 – 7:30 PM
Imagine That! Summer Camp for children 3.5 – 5 years
Tuesday 7:00 – 8:00 PM
Wednesday 6:00-7:00 PM
