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Classic Beauty
In my last post, I mentioned that GW and I have been studying different composers. What I didn’t mention is that I am quite musically ignorant. I can barely tell a Mozart from a matzo ball. And the only instrument I can play is my iPod.
But that doesn’t mean I can’t teach the classics. I just means that I will be learning as much as my girl, sometimes more.
We have set aside Fridays as our Arts and Humanities day. This includes our weekly composer study.
It is far easier than it sounds, even for a novice like me.
I grab my laptop and we cuddle up together while listening to a free six minute “radio show” on Classics for Kids. A different composer is featured each month. The radio show gives information about the composer’s life and music in an upbeat, kid friendly way. I also check out CDs from our library that feature that composer’s work. We listen to them while doing schoolwork or cleaning the house. Occasionally, we will talk about how the music makes us feel. At the end of the month, GW completes Classics for Kids’s monthly activity sheet. It’s fun. We both enjoy those months that include a listening map. What a fun way to train your ear.
If you’d like to see an example, here is one on Edvard Grieg, this month’s featured composer.
That’s it. Easy, right?
This method has worked well for us for several months, but this month I decided to add a bit to it. I wanted a record of what GW was learning so she could go back and review. I created a notebooking page for her to record her thoughts on. I think we will be doing this from now on. If you are interested, you can download a PDF of my page on Edvard Grieg here.
Simple but effective.
Last spring we studied Giacomo Puchini. Neither one of us had ever listed to opera before. In fact, it is quite possible that the only exposure I’d ever had to opera was this:
Secretly, I thought it would be a bit boring, even if Cher Loretta did not. But, I felt it was my duty to remain neutral and let my girl make up her own mind.
In addition to the CDs, I checked out a DVD of Madame Butterfly from the library. I intended to show GW a few minutes worth so she could get a more complete picture of what the opera is all about. I put in the DVD and was surprised to find that I was enjoying myself. I was even more surprised to find that GW was as well. She begged to watch all 2-plus hours of it. If you are not familiar with Madame Butterfly, I should tell you that every bit of dialog is sung.
In Italian.
Of course, there were English subtitles, and those kept us up with what was happening in the story, but it was the music that was so moving. By the time Madame Butterfly reached her tragic conclusion, GW and I were both in tears.
Who knew?
A couple of weeks ago I was driving along and happened to hear on the radio that another Puccini opera, La Boheme, was playing the next weekend in Portland. I went home and looked online for tickets, but it appeared as though all the cheap ones were sold out and I did not have an extra $260 lying around for a pair of the good ones. Truthfully, these days I am hard pressed to find any extra money lying around, but I digress.
Luckily, I happen to know a secret to getting what you want.
Ask for it. The worst that can happen is a no.
I wrote a letter to the Portland Opera explaining my desire to take my eight year old to see La Boheme. I told them of her interest in Puccini and her love for Madame Butterfly. I explained that I am a poor homeschoolin’ mama and asked if they would be willing to offer me a couple of discounted seats. You know, to encourage a future patron of the arts? For good measure, I threw in this picture of my girl:
Two days after I mailed it off, I received a call from the lovely woman in charge of the Portland Opera’s Education and Outreach Department. I had no idea they even had such a department. It turns out that the Portland Opera is very supportive of educators.
She offered me student tickets for $20 each.
They were Orchestra, Row H.
Yes, please!
The day before the show, GW and I went back to the Classics for Kids website spent some time playing with their interactive orchestra chart.
The next evening, we entered the auditorium and she made a beeline for the orchestra pit.
“Mom, look! That’s the percussion section! And there are the strings! And the brass!”
The performers continued to tune their instruments as they smiled up at this enthusiastic young girl.
We took out seats moments before the lights dimmed. The show was breathtakingly beautiful. The music, the acting, the sets: it was simply amazing.
Between acts, I whispered to GW from the program what would be happening next. She also followed along with the subtitles they had projected above the stage.
She didn’t fidget. She didn’t look away. I’m not sure if she even blinked.
It was magical.
Last week GW wrote a wonderful little thank you note to the Portland Opera. We both got a response. For her, some encouraging words and an invitation to write or email and discuss opera anytime. She is already drafting a response. For me, an offer for another pair of discounted tickets.
We will be going to Orphee next month. I paid $30 for the pair of tickets.
Lessons learned?
You are never too old, or too young, to appreciate beauty.
I don’t need to know everything in order to teach my daughter well. Learning together is really enjoyable for both of us.
Quality educational experiences do not have to be expensive or complicated.
Always ask for what you want; you may be surprised at how much you receive.
Cher Loretta was right. Opera is actually really cool – even if, as in my case, your date is holding your hand with one of hers and a stuffed animal with the other.
Sounds Resonable to Me
Over the last month, GW has been experimenting with radish seeds.
No, that is not like smoking banana peels.
She has been using Tops Learning Systems radish seed science booklet.
It was a wonderful study and I would highly recommend it. We both learned new things: geotropism, anyone?
And the things GW learned definitely seemed to stick. We were doing review questions today and she amazed me with her grasp of the material.
Except… there was this one question going back to an experiment sprouting seeds both in dark and light conditions. At the end of a week, the seedlings in the dark were much taller than the seedlings in the light.
So the review question was:
An empty box has been laying in a grassy field for several weeks, open side down. If you lift it up and peek underneath, predict what you might see.
GW hardly waited for me to answer when she shouted out “Rats!”
Remind me not to look under any boxes I see lying around.
If you want to read a great a review of this product, Heather from OMSH posted one here.
Welch’s Aqua Juice {Giveaway}
Today’s review caused huge a stir of excitement when it arrived at my door.
GW: Why is someone sending you juice?
Me: So we can try it out and tell people what we think about it.
GW: Like who?
Me: The people who read my blog.
GW: People read your blog?
Me: Um, go make your bed.
Welch’s Aqua Juice is being marketed to moms as a lower calorie alternative to plain juice or soft drinks. With the problem of childhood obesity growing ever larger each year (pun intended), I commend Welch’s for creating healthier choices.
But how does it taste?
I assembled an expert panel of kids to try it out.
Starting on the left we have:
S - boy, aged 8 and 3/4: Able to run faster and jump higher than anyone else. Don’t believe me? Just ask him.
GW - girl, aged 8 and 1/4: Has recently discovered the thrill of talking on the phone to friends. Oh joy.
J - boy, aged 5 and 3/4: Serious middle child, does not like to be called J-Dog. So I call him that all the time.
Wasn’t there another expert? Where’d he go? Oh, there he is:
This one is also called s, but he’s little.
s - boy, aged two and 1/2: Likes firetrucks. And pretty much anything else with wheels.
Panel Qualifications: They’re kids and they’re thirsty.
I poured the juice and asked for their reactions.
S: It smells like nothing. I think it’s great but I can’t get any taste of it. I mean I can only taste it when it’s in my mouth. I think he is stating that the product has no discernible aftertaste. S was the only expert who did not finish his juice.
GW: I really like it. It has a good flavor, kinda like apple cider with a hint of water. It’s clearer than the other kind of juice. Tasty. GW asked for, and finished a second glass.
S: I think the same as GW.
J: I can taste it when I swallow. Good for you, sweetie!
s: Dooce. Has he been reading blogs?
When asked which they preferred, regular apple juice or Aqua Juice, the panel replied:
S: This.
GW: This. It’s so tasty.
J: This ‘cuz it’s so sweet.
s: Fwire-twuck.
So, there you have it. The kids loved it.
But, when I tried it, I was less enthusiastic. Though it was smooth and went down easy (think Gatorade), it had a sweet floral taste that I didn’t care for. I don’t think I’ll purchase this product. If calories from juice consumption are a concern, I’d recommend diluting your regular juice with water. It would be more economical and (in my opinion) better tasting.
But I’m no expert.
Welch’s would like for you to try this product out and see for yourself. They have offered to ship a bottle to one of my readers. You will recieve a 52 oz. bottle in either Fruit Punch, Strawberry Kiwi, or Apple flavor.
Leave me a comment and I will randomly choose a winner February 11th at 9:00 pm, PST.
Attention All Bloggers
Earlier this week, I posted a review of Skin MD Natural on my review blog. (Did you know I had one of those? Well, I do.) The company contacted me this morning and offered to send a free bottle to anyone else willing to blog what they think of it.
If you are interested, leave me a comment and I’ll put you in touch with them.
Skin MD Natural
Once, a few years ago my family was rushing through Penn Station in New York trying to make our train back to Maryland. My bag, filled with a portable DVD player and other paraphernalia designed to keep GW quiet happy on the train, weighed way more than I could comfortably manage. The strap was cutting painfully into my shoulder and even in our rush, I had to stop and redistribute the weight. Mr. Frantic was way ahead of me and I told GW to ask him to wait.
Her little five year old voice rang out loud and clear with a “Daddy! Mommy has issues!”
Issues? Who me?
Actually, I’d have to agree. But only when it comes to my skin.
My face is the lovely combination of oily with dry patches. Finding a good moisturizer has been difficult. I’ve run the gamut from drug store brands to expensive ($75 per oz.) salon finds. If it heals the dry patches, it usually causes more oil. If it keeps the oil in check, the dry patches grow.
Last month, I got a bottle of Skin MD in the mail to review. Given my history, my expectations were very low.
The press kit that came with it explained that Skin MD is a Shielding Lotion. Apparently, this means that Skin MD forms a protective barrier on the skin to keep out the moisture robbing bad stuff.
Their website declares:
A Shielding Lotion is far more effective as a dry skin treatment than conventional moisturizing lotions or protective creams. If you suffer from dry skin, you know that just using a moisturizing lotion doesn’t solve the problem. A shielding lotion does much more than just treat dry skin – it’s a new kind of skin care product that makes a real difference to all skin types.
Skin MD Natural™ is promptly absorbed, without the slightest hint of any greasy or oily feeling or residue, transforming the outer layer of skin into a hydrating invisible shield.
I’ve been using it for about a month now, mainly on my face. I like it. I like it a lot.
I currently have no dry patches or oil slicks. And even when I went sledding with GW during the Arctic Blast 2008, I didn’t get any wind burn. The few times I have bothered to put it on my wintry arms and legs, it felt soothing.
Here’s what I don’t particularly care for: the packaging. Sort of cheesy.
And the smell. It is “unscented”. Which really means that it has a scent, just not a good one. It smells like, well, unscented sunblock.
However, neither issue is a big one. I’ll definitely buy this product.
Speaking of buying, Skin MD is available for purchase either on their website on amazon for $18 (plus shipping) for a 4oz. bottle. But for you west coasters, I just saw it at Fred Meyer in the pharmacy department for the strange price of $10.37. Guess where I’ll be getting mine?
Take that skin issues!
The “Look Ma! No Cavities, Just a lot of Stress” Giveaway
Contest now closed. Congratulations to Cassandra, comment #65:
What stresses me out? Driving–too many aggressive drivers and drivers that don’t obey traffic laws–makes me nervous and stressed, and sometimes I end up resorting to the same road rage tactics that annoy and stress me out.
What do I do to relax? Breathe deeply and try to refocus. Music and aromatherapy help out a lot. Sometimes I need to give myself an adult time out.
The details are on the way; check your email. After you get out of time out.
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If you are just here for the Bloggy Giveaway Carnival, I must apologize. I am about to tell you a long story that you really don’t care about. Feel free to skip ahead.
But for my faithful, regular readers (Hi, Mom!) I thought I’d ramble on unceasingly give you some background on why I chose this particular item to giveaway.
So, ahem…
Two months ago I went to the dentist for a cleaning and an exam.
Maybe he’s just nice.
Maybe he says it to all the girls.
But…
He glowingly praised my beautiful gums and went into raptures over my advanced flossing skills!
Okay, maybe not quite raptures, but he did say I was doing a very good job.
Which is why I was more than a little startled when I developed a tooth-ache, or rather a sharp pain, in one of my molars.
Did I mention, I floss?
I do have a filling in that tooth (and several others), due to a childhood diet of pilfered jello straight from the box. I wondered if that old filling had come loose since my exam.
Last week I returned to the dentist to have the tooth looked at.
It turns out that I have probably given myself a hairline fracture from clenching my teeth. It’s small enough that it does not even show up on an x-ray, but if I don’t take care I will eventually need to get a crown.
And flossing won’t do a thing to stop it.
I clench my teeth in my sleep when I am stressed. And once I start, it’s hard to stop.
Apparently, I am not alone in this habit. My dentist mentioned that he is seeing a sharp increase in these kind of tooth fractures. Blame it on the economy, gas prices, terrorism, or the fact that Jim didn’t propose to Pam, we are a stressed-out bunch.
There was little he could do for me than give me some Sensodine and advise me to try to reduce my stress level.
In the car on the way home, I turned on a movie for my girl so I could make a couple of phone calls. When I picked up my cell phone, I realized that it was broken.
Talk about stress! I was a full ten minutes from home.
I might have said “Crap!” or something like that.
I might have tried frantically to fix it before throwing it across the car.
And then I might have pulled over so I could pick it up and try to fix it again.
But it still did not work.
To take my mind off the phone, I grabbed a random CD and put it in. In moments my car was filled with soothing music and a soft voice counseling me to get comfortable and take some deep breaths.
It was a copy of a meditation that a friend had given me about a year ago. I had never made time to listen to it and it ended up in the car.
Let me just say – meditating in the car? Not so relaxing, but it did get my mind off my broken phone.
When I got home I looked up the website that the meditation had come from.
Stin Hansen created My Thought Coach. And, um? Wow. (How’s that for articulate?)
After listening to some samples, I subscribed.
For $6.95 a month, here’s what I get (quoted from MyThoughtCoach.com):
Membership includes unlimited streaming and downloads of every MP3 on the entire site.
You can:
· log in and listen as often as you want from any online computer,
· download and place files onto your MP3 player
· burn your own individualized CD
New content will be added regularly to each section of the library. You will receive an email notification each time a new MP3 is added.
· Easy and secure payment via PayPal.
· Cancel subscription any time.
· No hidden fees or obligations.
· We will never sell or distribute your e-mail address to anyone.Member or not, send or listen to the growing list of free e-mp3s at any time.
The site has guided affirmations for everything from becoming motivated to work out to letting go of anger or ending emotional eating.
There are also MP3s to listen to while you exercise. I can’t wait to try those out.
My daughter has been enjoying the relaxation exercises for children; in one she gets to visualize soaring on the back of an eagle. She is listening to them at bedtime every night.
Go check it out, there are lots of samples to listen to.
And I am trying to set aside time to meditate and release stress each day. Next to flossing, it’s the best thing I can do for my smile.
My long winded story is over; you can stop scrolling now.
I’ll be giving one of you lucky readers an entire year of stress relief, healthier living, and just all around happiness an $83.40 value. 
The winner of this giveaway will receive a year’s subscription to My Thought Coach, generously sponsored by Stin herself.
Go there and look around. Find your inner peace. Then come back here and enter to win!
Contest is open to anyone with a valid email address.
To enter, please leave me a comment about one or more of the following:
- What stresses you out
- Things you do to relax
- Your favorite brand of floss
Please do not say, “Count me in.” That’s just boring.
I will randomly choose a winner on Saturday, August 2nd sometime in the afternoon.
Good luck!
PS: Will I need a crown? Will I continue to floss? What other adventures will I have?
Subscribe to my feed to find out.
or….
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Four out of five dentists agree, Frantically Simple is good for your smile.
The fifth one? He’s just mean.
*My Kid’s Mom Rocks Giveaway
*And so does my kid.
***This giveaway is closed. Thanks for playing!****
I just got a confirmation email that my personalized box of Fruit Roll-Ups has been shipped.
I have to say, I don’t buy Fruit Roll-Ups very often. Mostly because I’ll bring a box home from the store and put it away in my cupboard with the rest of my groceries. Mere seconds later, I’ll pick up the box, still in the cupboard, and it will be full of nothing but empty wrappers. No one in my family knows how that happens. It must be a factory problem…
Even so, I’m pretty excited about this particular batch of Roll-Ups because they have the potential to make me the coolest mom of the first grade.
(As if I really need the extra help.)
Why?
Because I had these ones personalized with my daughter’s name.
Not the box. Not the wrapper. The actual Roll-Up.
And I plan to share them with her class during the last week of school.
That’s just the way I roll, dawg.
But, I am nothing if not generous, so I’m going to share the love.
There will be four, count ‘em four, winners of this giveaway.
Each winner will get to personalize his or her own box of fruit-roll ups for free. (Each box is a $30 value.)
That’s right, you get instant coolness delivered to your door and you pay nothing.
To enter, leave me a comment telling me either:
1)How your kid’s mom (or dad) rocks
or
2) How you would personalize your Roll-Ups.
I will choose four winners at random on Saturday, May 10th at 9:00am PST.
Winners will be notified by email, so please be sure to leave a valid email address.
By the way, my mom rocks because she’s so darn funny. Don’t believe me? See for yourself in my My Mom’s Funnier Than Your Mom series.
Once upon a time there was a Heidi…
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