What an awesome event that was today! I'll be honest - there could have been more kiddies there and I WAS kinda sad about that...but I do know that everyone who DID come thought the Happy Moon Show was awesome and thought the whole event, in fact, was pretty special!
Special thanks to our Sponsors:
The Toy Space Inc. brought out their very fun Alien Mascot and did an awesome raffle for $100 gift certificate,
Beauticontrol brought amazing samples of their hand scrub (my hands are SO grateful!),
The Ultimate Kitchen showed us their Epicure and Tupperwear Selections,
Camp Gems Science Camp for Girls! ...omygoodness, my girls were fascinated by their demonstrations -
Fangs'n'Hiss brought out their very special books
Magnificent Creations showed us their uplifting messages
and Red Pearl Homeopathy also displayed their healthy wares...
and Irina Photography will be sending us pictures of the whole thing poste-haste! Whew!
Red Pepper Spectacle let us use their screen and decorated the space for us with their beautiful puppets and art...and Model Citizen couldn't be there cuz it was a pretty big day for his 264 Augusta Street Store at the kick-off for PS Kengsington (We'll be there next month!)
And A HUGE THANK YOU to the staff at the Gladstone Hotel who helped us with so much light and joy, and made the whole process pure bliss, really.
And the VOLUNTEERS - so many cool people - Samantha, Tamara, Ashley, Maxine, Ollie, Kofi and Rodney and Desmond...Omygoodness, I have a list more of people but I need to grab all the names from JERRY JEREMIAH - who launched his book today: SOMETIMES, THAT's ME!
And not to forgot the rocking, swaying music of I Eat Kids! who were a huge delight!
I AM THRILLED! SOMETIMES, THAT'S ME! :D
I'll be back shortly with some pics and other cool info from the Dance Party. Obviously - NOBODY palyed my video game (boo hoo! it's fun, y'all!), so I just left it at that but I DO owe you a video of Songs Are Not For Circles! I just couldn't find the time before this, (especially when I realized that the site (CircleSing.com) was, actually- after it's re-write, in need of a massive reorg to make it tighter, cleaner and easier to navigate). This week is all about adding this video (actually, I auctioned off the one copy I had but I did recieve THREE orders:) and will use one of those in the video) - and links for all our generous sponsors on the front page...look out for all that. You know I do all this stuff by myself, right? ;p Well, I do! Same as I raise my girl! (Well, I get a lot more help with that than this, actually - I have great friends!:) That's why, sometimes, things take a little longer...just so you know:)
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Sunday, May 31, 2009
The Family Dance Party!!!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Thank you SPONSORS!...(and FREE STUFF)
Omygoodness, I'm getting so excited! This totally is promising to be one of the hottest events I've ever been part of and I can thank my sponsors for it's extra awesomeness! These people will be showing their wares and providing even MORE opportunity for fun times at the event (click to enlarge):
| Camp Gems |
| Steve's Music Store |
| Model Citizen |
| The ToySpace |
| Irinaphotography |
| Zen . Tai Wellness Centre |
| Fangs'n Hiss Ltd. |
| Tupperware c/o The Ultimate Kitchen - Ingrid's Team |
| BeautiControl |
We'll have a little loot for everyone who joins us on that day!!! and
Raffles for a Free SongBook (Songs Are Not Just For Circles!) and storybooks (Not-So-Only-Child) as well as gift certificates from Dominoes, candy(!!!) and MORE!
(your first chance to win is FREE with admission!)
More information to follow - I was just SUPER excited to say THANK YOU! to all the awesome, smaller, Canadian owned and run businesses sponsoring our event!!!
THANKS!!!
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Friday, May 15, 2009
WIN TICKETS with Desktop Tower Defense!
This strategy game is one of my all-time favourites - for many reasons...they're all listed here in my little article below. I challenge you to beat my high score. But don't worry if you don't. The highest score (regardless of whether it beats mine) will win a full Family set of tickets to the Family Dance Party on May 31st at the Gladstone Ballroom - Click Here for that information.
Here is an example of how the game is played:
This guy is much better than I am (but still not the best) - I still juggle and I haven't yet reached this score.
Click HERE for the written instructions.
Click HERE to see the scoreboard.
It's called: The CircleSing! Challenge
(you have to be careful to type it EXACTLY as it is here or you won't find it.)
Also important: I still play version 1.5 MEDIUM (I do play to relax, after all) - if you play HARD, you won't find the scoreboard either. The PRO version is still very new and I haven't had a chance to check it out yet (Video game designers are constantly improving themselves at an alarming rate!)
Once you've finished the game (the whole thing lasts about 5 minutes), it will ask you to add your name to the High Scores. Choose a name and enter it. (You don't have to enter every score! Feel free to practice first:)
A page will open asking you to Add Score to Group. THIS is where you enter: The CircleSing! Challenge. Again - make sure to type that EXACTLY the same as it appears here. (no period)
Up there now is my score (jennielea!) and my friend's score (AnonymousOne) - just so you know you're in the right place. You can also click on our names to see the maps we used.
THEN: Send me an email at circlesing@sympatico.ca
Include your name, phone number and the name you used on the scoreboard.
This is important so I know for whom I'm saving the winning tickets at the door!
Also - even if you don't win the tickets, a lovely consolation (sur)prize will be waiting for you at the Family Dance Party JUST for having played.
Ready!? GO! : Desktop TD 1.5
The deadline for scoring is Friday May 23rd. I will call the winner on Saturday May 24th.
Why play a video game???
Recently there was a long and involved email chat between parents at Alpha Alternative (where Allegra attends) about video games. People get worried about these things. I can understand that. SO many video games encourage violence, there is the concern that children pull away from the real world in favour of the one on the screen...(I, myself, worry about screen addiction in general), there is a lack of physical involvement (which, I guess, Wii and DDR are trying to solve) and, many are concerned, understandably, with the "dumbing down" of our precious youngsters.
I don't entirely agree with all of these worries. But then, I really like video games - I always have. It's very natural to me - I grew up in a home where the PARENT was obsessed with every new system and game that emerged and started, myself, in the classroom of all places (although the teachers did put limits on it), with Space Invaders. Ha! 'Member that?! And while I feel that the obsession in my childhood home bordered on the unhealthy at times (we NEVER turned off the TV in our house, for instance), I'm also still able to see the merits of video games.
I find video games can be helpful for stress relief, particularly. Sometimes I NEED to get away. It's really hard for me to stop the whirring in my brain, and to step away from gathering the energy of any person sitting near me; to just pull away and rest. And I really need to rest far more often than my mind will allow in this busy world - I found that out the hard way. Eep!
I remember reading somewhere that brain waves are even slower when watching TV than they are when sleeping. Which makes sense to me, because sleeping can cause the mind to try and deal with issues from wake time on an unconscious level...especially if the issues are overwhelming. When watching TV, the mind doesn't have to create scenarios or solve problems or do anything really - just absorb. Video games, IMO, offer a nice balance there. They set up scenarios away from real life but require the mind to actively deal with them.
So, while Yoga is still my number one method of finding calm, video games come a close second - especially when I don't want to pull away for a long period of time but just need a moment or two to sit back and recoup. Or when I need more time but my body is tired from cycling and working. Also, sometimes the whirring gets the better of me and I have difficulty organizing my thoughts (particularly when I'm dealing with UGH! bureaucracy!) and I need something to set my brain straight STAT!
With regards to Allegra - I feel it's important for her to have this time to do what pleases her and also to practice getting up and walking away from it when it's time. I limit the amount of time she's allowed to play (no set limit, it depends on the circumstances of the day) and what she's allowed to play. Sometimes there is violence (in Role Playing Games (RPGs), mostly) - and I see that as an opportunity for us to discuss what is appropriate In Real Life(IRL) and what, clearly, only makes sense in a fantasy world. Also, I'm impressed with the skills she gathers during these games such as problem solving, math, language, strategizing, and the ability to take a failure and turn it into a success.
Video games are generally well-structured with regards to skill development, offering levels of increasing difficulty that make perfect sense. Each level increases the difficulty JUST enough so that boredom doesn't ensue and frustration is limited. Unlike school or other activities, "failures" don't have to be shared with everyone, they can be acknowledged and let go, thereby allowing room for improvement, limiting embarrassment and therefore discouragement. And the significance is ultra-low, it's not real life; there's nothing REAL to lose in failure...and there is ALWAYS another chance. That can make all the difference to a burgeoning self-esteem, right there.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
HAPPY MOTHER's DAY!
This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf saying, "It's okay honey, Mommy's here." Who have sat in rocking chairs for hours on end soothing crying babies who can’t be comforted. This is for all the mothers who show up at work with spit-up in their hair and milk stains on their blouses and diapers in their purse. For all the mothers who run carpools and make cookies and sew Halloween costumes. And all the mothers who DON’T. This is for the mothers who gave birth to babies they’ll never see. And the mothers who took those babies and gave them homes. This is for the mothers whose priceless art collections are hanging on their refrigerator doors. And for all the mothers who froze their buns on metal bleachers at football or soccer games instead of watching from the warmth of their cars. And that when their kids asked, "Did you see me, Mom?" they could say,” Of course, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world," and mean it. This is for all the mothers who yell at their kids in the grocery store and swat them in despair when they stomp their feet and scream for ice cream before dinner. And for all the mothers who count to ten instead, but realize how child abuse happens. This is for all the mothers who sat down with their children and explained all about making babies. And for all the (grand) mothers who wanted to, but just couldn't find the words. This is for all the mothers who go hungry, so their children can eat. For all the mothers who read "Goodnight, Moon" twice a night for a year. And then read it again. "Just one more time.” This is for all the mothers who taught their children to tie their shoelaces before they started school.
This is for all the mothers who sent their kids to school with stomach aches, assuring them they'd be just FINE once they got there, only to get calls from the school nurse an hour later asking them to please pick them up. Right away. This is for mothers whose children have gone astray, who can't find the words to reach them. For all the mothers who bite their lips until they bleed when their14 year olds dye their hair green. For all the mothers of the victims of recent school shootings, and the mothers of those who did the shooting. For the mothers of the survivors, and the mothers who sat in front of their TVs in horror, hugging their child who just came home from school, safely. This is for all the mothers who taught their children to be peaceful, and now pray they come home safely from a war. What makes a good Mother anyway? Is it patience? Compassion? Broad hips? The ability to nurse a baby, cook dinner, and sew a button on a shirt, all at the same time? Or is it in her heart? Is it the ache you feel when you watch your son or daughter disappear down the street, walking to school alone for the very first time? The jolt that takes you from sleep to dread, from bed to crib at 2A.M. to put your hand on the back of a sleeping baby? The panic, years later, that comes again at 2 A.M. when you just want to hear their key in the door and know they are safe again in your home? Or the need to flee from wherever you are and hug your child when you hear news of a fire, a car accident, a child dying? The emotions of motherhood are universal and so our thoughts are for young mothers stumbling through diaper changes and sleep deprivation... And mature mothers learning to let go. For working mothers and stay-at-home mothers. Single mothers and married mothers. Mothers with money, mothers without. This is for you all. For all of us...Hang in there. In the end we can only do the best we can. Tell them every day that we love them. And pray.” Home is what catches you when you fall - and we all fall."
~Anonymous
PS...That thing about the songbook was SUPPOSED to say next month...it's almost done! And the show's almost here! 3 weeks! Wanna win tickets? Stay tuned. Wanna Buy tickets? Paypal on my site at http://www.circlesing.com/events.html
Monday, April 6, 2009
Family Dance Party - May 31st!
click to enlargeI know the Bunch Family has been hosting such dance parties and that people love them...and I, myself, used to LOVE LOVE LOVE the Kids' Rave at the Bamboo - unfortunately, I've never had the good fortune to be involved with those events so being the do-it-yourselfer I am, I'm organizing my own!!! With the help of Jerry Jeremiah, that is. And the kids - who are, themselves, excited to show you the flashy, snazzy show they've been sprucing up for the last year! I Eat Kids is a rock band made up of kids 10 and under, actually - they're awesome too:)
Jerry has designed a lovely book called: Sometimes That's Me - all about different emotions that little kids might have and the situations that lead to and from them. It's lovely. I can't wait for y'all to see it.
Myself, I've been trying to launch Songs Are Not For Circles for EVER! I'm just SO focused on keeping the program running in an inexpensive (for you!) way, developing new songs (cuz we need them!) and all the while ensuring emotional balance for my daughter and I (especially when things at home got so difficult for a while there) that gathering financial support for this endeavor has constantly been on the bottom of my priority list.
As I do with everything else (when I'm doing things that make sense in my world:) - I'm going with the flow...I can always afford to print one or two books at a time, so that's what I'm going to do. I'm customizing them for you! Then you can have a personal memory of the fun y'all had together when your kids were young. *sigh* That's what life's all about right there:) Sorta...
So, anyway, you can order your ultra-special personalized songbook - which will include your four favourites from a list of songs not already printed in the book and a special handwritten message from me. It's a brightly coloured laminated soft coil songbook that you can even hang on the wall and includes over 50 of your favourite songs already.
And I'm giving the first TWO copies away in a JellyBean/Skittle Counting Contest on May 31st at the Family Dance Party!
We're working on a simple YouTube Video this week, which will also include a newly recorded song from me! jennielea!, so you can see how lovely and jam packed this book is. Really - I've been ACHING to share it; I'm SO glad I've found a way!
You can buy tickets online through PayPal:
And if you're in one of our many areas (or in our workshops, of course) and would like to have tickets dropped off or have them mailed - you can drop me a line at circlesing@sympatico.ca or leave a message at 416-603-2335 and we'll hook you up asap:)
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Tuesday, March 24, 2009
This Thursday!
At 10 am is the Free Family Circle in the Founders Room at Swansea Town Hall!
It's a Registration Date for the upcoming April 2nd Toddler Series (although some registrations have been taken by phone and email - it's ok to do it that way too!) do feel free to drop by even if you're unable to register - the more, the merrier:) On that day, anyway - the session is limited to 12 children and one series will be added at 11am should the need arise.
I'm excited to be going back to work there - I've missed my friends and families over there and even just the neighbourhood, itself. Living downtown is handy but not so much pretty the way it is over there....
Also, a date of May 31st is ALMOST confirmed for our Family Dance Party at the Gladstone.
We have a couple of surprises for that day (well, they're surprises for the moment but I'll let you know as everything gets firmed up) and it's an opportunity for Happy Moon Productions (Allegra and Luna) to show you our fun show they've been working hard to perfect for a while now.
At any rate - I'm excited. I'll wait until it's fully formed before I mention it again - promise:)
Not too wordy today - I'm draggy now: I had a big day with the little babies today. I SO love the way little babies ADORE their mamas. I think I said that 5 times today - I'm just having one of those days where I can't get over it, I guess. Lucky me:)
Have a singsongy day!
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Friday, March 20, 2009
Today's Google! Haha!
I'm pretty selective (ok, I'm VERY selective - there are still less than 10 I use regularly) about the books I choose to use in my programs. They need to be rhythmic and lyric and, ideally, there are plenty of opportunities for group interaction. They need to include challenges that children make for themselves naturally; information that kids want. I have a strong interest in (what I call) 0-5 books - books that you can buy for your new baby and still be interesting (if not intact - although most board books are pretty resilient, in general) by the time their 5 - often even longer. I do find many books that don't quite enough lyrical flow for a larger group exploring music and rhythm but I would highly recommend for home, daycare and reading groups.
The Hungry Caterpillar (age 40 today!) is one of those books.
It has everything! Eric Carle rocks!
Bright simple pictures that can attract the eye of the very, very young (less is more). His interesting design and use of colour and texture means that, even as these simple pictures become clear and retain meaning, children are still drawn to their beauty and then, of course, the story itself:
On a practical level, he introduces the days of the week, counting up to 5, a range of clearly defined colours, a variety of fruit (which encourages good eating habits!), a tiny science lesson and offers an interesting sensory experience as it demonstrates, through it's design, how more things take up more space.
On an emotional level - children can empathize with the lonely caterpillar that can never seem to fill himself up. Even in the strongest family unit, we can all feel lonely - or alone - sometimes, as each of us has a completely unique journey to take to get through life. I don't mean in a deep depressing way, though. An example might be: the day that a toddler just wants to run and run and run and needs to be constantly reminded that "this" is not the time or the place. Why isn't everyone else wanting to run too? Or a child who just first attends daycare - where all the other children seem content to play and s/he can only pine for Mommy and Daddy all day....Just, sometimes, we feel like we're on our own. It's comforting to know that others feel like that sometimes too - even caterpillars. Complicated journey - simple tale....
And, of course, the caterpillar turns into a butterfly - which is every child's story really. A determined sense of adventure mixed with some nutrition and a little rest turns caterpillars into butterflies! Yay!
The Hungry Caterpillar has been in print for 40 years today and is being celebrated by everyone - even Google! and also Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers Group, who is launching The Very Hungry Caterpillar Day on March 20th, They're even providing a downloaded activity kit for Librarians and educators complete with lesson plans, arts and crafts, and other activities for librarians and teachers to share with their students: http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/yr/pdf/caterpillar.pdf
Taken from Strollerderby Posted by Hannah Tennant Moore:
Born to German immigrants in New York, [Eric Carle] was upended at the age of six to move back to Germany, for which his mother was terribly homesick. The carefree freedom of the first six years of his life quickly eroded, replaced by teachers armed with bamboo switches and the panic of war. His father was drafted to fight for Germany, leaving Carle and his mother starving and spending much of their time hiding from bombs in their cellar.
******
“With my books,” Carle says, “I try to recapture a period I should’ve had and didn’t—for more fun, more nonsense, more humour.”
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
GREAT KIDS' STUFF SALE
My favourite way to shop! I always feel like we have SO much stuff in the world already, if we take good care of it we don't ALWAYS need to be making more...we can share! And share the cost of it, too, really - AND help others in the community while we're at it!:
You can click on the image to go straight to the site or here for North Toronto Moms Group.
From my inbox:
22nd Semi-Annual Great Kids Stuff Sale
Saturday, April 25th, 2008 - 9:00 am–noon
High quality items for newborns up to 6 years old. Clothes, Cribs, Strollers, Toys and More!! Thousands of brand name, new and gently used baby and kids' items at incredibly low prices!
St. Leonard's Anglican Church, 25 Wanless Ave ,
(just north of Lawrence, east of Yonge)
CASH ONLY PLEASE
Interested in selling your kids stuff? This is the best place in the GTA to sell used items. Clear out the stuff you no longer need and turn it into cash! WWW.GREATKIDSSTUFFSALE.COM
Please do let me know if YOU have a community event you'd like me to post here. It's FREE!
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Sunday, March 15, 2009
Today on Queen and Spadina!
Ok, so THESE pictures are not from today. This is Allegra a couple of weeks ago at Caribbean Jourvert for the Caribbean Catholic Church at Dundas and Ossington. She was stilt dancing with her bestie, Luna, and came home full of the zest of the day! I just had to let you see!
It's a collage of thank you notes and seasons greetings and pictures, both drawn and digital that I've gotten together over the years. It's not all of them but it's many. Besides being a really simple way to let the poor wandering souls in the street know where we're coming from, it's a great way for me to share all these wonderful expressions I've received over the years! It really bothered me, as I collected them, that I didn't have a way to share them - and now I do! I'll bring the board out to Swansea Town Hall on Thursday March 26 for the free family jam, too! It's THAT portable! I can't bring it out all the time...but to special events, at least.I'll try to bring it out tomorrow, to Metro Central YMCA FDC (you can always drop in there on a Monday), and the kids too! (Well, the kids are coming, most certainly - they're eager to strut their stuff once again.) We had a FABULOUS time today, working on some more moves before taking it to the streets. Our little vaudeville show really turns heads; it's really fun - I mean - I'm PRETTY sure that passersby find it fun...for us: I'm TOTALLY sure! Haha!
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Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Morning Music
Seriously - Could I be any happier right now?
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Sunday, March 8, 2009
FINALLY!!! I'm BACK! YAY!
Swansea Town Hall
Thursdays: You can register at the FREE FAMILY CIRCLE
on Thursday, March 26 at 10am, Swansea Town Hall
(or even just come out to say "Hi!")
9:45am (a second class will be opened at 11pm based on interest)
The series runs: April 2nd to May 28th (no session on April 16th)
8 Weeks – SongBlossoms/BopSkipHop (toddlers 1-3 years old)
95 Lavinia Street (2 blocks South West of Bloor and Runnymede)
8 weeks/$110 - Siblings $60 or 4 weeks/$55 - Siblings $30
Register
with jennielea! at 416-603-2335
or email bookjennielea@circlesing.com
or at the FREE FAMILY CIRCLE on March 26th!
*********************************************************************************
Also, an early reminder about High Park Circles
every WEDNESDAY at 11am
beginning July 8th and running to September 16th.
These Circles are PayWhatYouCan events (min. suggested $5)
held next to the ADVENTURE PLAYGROUND in High Park (off Centre Road@Parkside Drive)
click image to enlargeAnd keep checking in as a variety of family and children's events all over town will be posted here in the coming weeks as I get back into the swing of things!
This post is complete.
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