To my child

Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I will not worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.

Just for this evening, when I run my fingers thru your hair, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever. I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, and the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.

And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little bit tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask Him for nothing, except one more day.

Music and The Human Experience

Music & the Human Experience Music is found in every culture worldwide. It's our constant companion, from birth through childhood, love, marriage and death. It has a starring role on every stage of the great human drama - whether we are at war or at prayer, by ourselves or with others, happy or sad - music is there. But does it really have a purpose? Where does it come from? And why does it have such power over our hearts and minds? Taking a look at the How and Why of music, the team that brought you the Peabody-Award winning series The Wire: the Impact of Electricity on Music brings you a new six-part series, The Nerve: Music & the Human Experience.



The Nerve will be broadcast on Inside the Music starting on September 6: Saturdays at 12 PM (1:00 AT, 1:30 NT) on Radio 2 & Sundays at 8 PM (9:00 AT, 9:30 NT) on Radio 1(NOTE: Episodes will be available online the following Monday or Tuesday after broadcast on the Episode's page)



Episode 1: Wired for Sound (Music & the Brain)



September 6 & 7Episode 2: In the Key of DNA (Music & Evolution)



September 13 & 14 Episode 3: The Pipe, the Drum and the Thunder Run (Music & War)



September 20 & 21Episode 4: Enchanted, Entranced (Music & Spirituality)



September 27 & 28Episode 5: myTunes (Music & Identity)



October 4 & 5Epsiode 6: Sentimental Journey (Music & Emotion)October 11 & 12




The Nerve is: Jowi Taylor: Host/Producer, Paolo Pietropaolo: Producer, Chris Brookes: Producer, Ian Cauthery: Web Producer

Music and The Human Experience

Music & the Human Experience Music is found in every culture worldwide. It's our constant companion, from birth through childhood, love, marriage and death. It has a starring role on every stage of the great human drama - whether we are at war or at prayer, by ourselves or with others, happy or sad - music is there. But does it really have a purpose? Where does it come from? And why does it have such power over our hearts and minds? Taking a look at the How and Why of music, the team that brought you the Peabody-Award winning series The Wire: the Impact of Electricity on Music brings you a new six-part series, The Nerve: Music & the Human Experience.

The Nerve will be broadcast on Inside the Music starting on September 6: Saturdays at 12 PM (1:00 AT, 1:30 NT) on Radio 2 & Sundays at 8 PM (9:00 AT, 9:30 NT) on Radio 1(NOTE: Episodes will be available online the following Monday or Tuesday after broadcast on the Episode's page)

Episode 1: Wired for Sound (Music & the Brain)

September 6 & 7Episode 2: In the Key of DNA (Music & Evolution)

September 13 & 14 Episode 3: The Pipe, the Drum and the Thunder Run (Music & War)

September 20 & 21Episode 4: Enchanted, Entranced (Music & Spirituality)

September 27 & 28Episode 5: myTunes (Music & Identity)

October 4 & 5Epsiode 6: Sentimental Journey (Music & Emotion)October 11 & 12


The Nerve is: Jowi Taylor: Host/Producer, Paolo Pietropaolo: Producer, Chris Brookes: Producer, Ian Cauthery: Web Producer

ClimbingJumpingRunningMoving....It's your Toddler!

They're moving. They're climbing. They're wonderful! I'm talking about toddlers. It's a misnomer, because "toddling" is NOT what they do! Looking for a fantastic class where your toddler can express himself/herself to their fullest? Look no further! It's Kindermusik Our Time!

Fall Sale! Chelmsford Mothers' Club

GENTLY USED CHILDREN'S CLOTHING, TOYS & GEAR SALE Need a stroller? Children's clothes (size 0-6)? Books & movies? Children's furniture? Toys & games? Nursery items? Halloween Costumes? Winter coats or boots?

You can't afford to miss the CMC Fall Sale!

Saturday, September 27th, 20089:00 AM to 12:00 noonGrace Community Church 275 Billerica Road (Route 129), Chelmsford (next to Knowledge Beginnings)Admission $1 per adultCash/ Mastercard/ Visa accepted*


* The CMC will accept credit cards for payment on purchases over $25. Please note due to space, only umbrella strollers will be allowed on the sale floor.For more information, email us at sale@chelmsfordmothersclub.org All CMC profits will be donated to Lowell Wish Project.
Chelmsford Mothers Club is a non-profit organization for mothers with young children.

www.chelmsfordmothersclub.org

The Empty Nest

My daughter is in Kindergarten. She's there from 9:30-3:30 every day. She loves her school and I do, too. We walk to school almost every day, and she has so many great stories to tell. Some of my mom-friends have said, "Isn't that a long time for her? Isn't it a long time for you, too?"

No and again, no.

I have invested 5 years thus far of playing, nurturing, loving, and laughing with my child. I have given and received countless blessings along the way. I have been peed on, spit up on, pooped on, cried on, bled on. I have been tickled till I'm blue, kissed till I was wet with kisses, and we have fallen asleep in each others arms. Bliss.

On the flip side, I haven't read a book that doesn't have to do with parenting in 5 years. I have gained about 30 pounds that won't come off no matter how much I jump and dance around with my Kindermusik kids every day. And I haven't had a quiet house, ever. Not for more than 10 minutes at a time. You see, 10 minutes isn't enough. An hour isn't enough. But 2-3 hours? Yeah, THAT's what I'm talking about. I can take a walk and do laundry and take care of the dishes and maybe put some pictures in a photograph album. I can call someone without interruptions, do my checkbook, and maybe get my eyebrows done. I can listen to 80's rock in the car at annoyingly high decibels and not worry about puncturing little eardrums. I can reclaim a little bit of sanity in the 2-3 hours ( of course the rest of the time is KINDERMUSIK...hel-lo!) of my day

Oh my goodness! Where have I been all this time? What happened to ME? From day one at the hospital where she was little and plump and new, to yesterday when she was playing with her sticker dolly book, I morphed into Mommy. Not Bernadette. Mommy. It's a role that I have grown to love, but in the meantime, there's a woman-beast that's churning and gurgling...saying.."I want.....to....be......FREEEEEE......." AAAAAAGHHHHH! I want to take on-line courses. I want to learn how to ride a motorcycle ( yes, I do!!). I want to call a friend and go out for coffee. I want to teach MORE classes. I want to do all of the things that make me, me besides being a great mommy. And now I can do that.

It is so important to have time for yourself. We do not have family that lives locally, so time spent apart from my child was expensive. If you have the capability to maintain even the smallest part of non-momminess, then embrace it with relish and live life to the fullest. Never lose your complete identity in mommyhood. It's only PART ofwho you are. A big part, but only a part.

I'm off to take a nice long walk. Alone.

Aahhhhhhhh.

Fun to Share

I've met so many wonderful people on both my life and Kindermusik journey. Keeping in touch with people has always been difficult for me, especially since Katy was born. Enter the technology of the 21st century. I can send pictures to Grammie and Grampie via computer. I can post a video online to share with friends and family. I've recently joined Facebook and discovered that in minutes, I can share with many friends at once. ( I can even play a Scrabble game with friends who live 20 miles away!) It's amazing!

One of the things I've recently discovered is that I'm not alone in my enthusiasm to share with others. Parents want to share their children's pictures and stories with me, too. And that makes me so happy. As a teacher, I love nothing more than hearing what your kids are up to, how they are growing, what makes them happy. Being a teacher is like being a mom with a million fringe benefits.

Here is a blog link from a friend. Last week I did a Music and More program at the Wilmington Library. What a great program! About 30 children and their parents ( for a total of 60!!) attended.

http://mommyniri.blogspot.com/2008/07/sing-song-friday.html

If you want to share your stories with your friends and people who have similar interests, consider the 'blog'. ( No, not the Borg, the BLOG- little Trek inside joke there) Blogger provides a very easy format for writing your stories and posting pictures and links. Don't think you can blog? Neither did I. Give it a try- you never know what hidden talents you posess!

Secondhand Love

I'm a trash picker. Yes, I am. My answer to society's disposable mentality is "If you don't want it, give it to me!" ( Thank goodness that mentality is shifting!!) I'm talking about the big-ticket items, though. I don't root through garbage cans ( you have to draw the line somewhere....). And although I'm not alone in my trash-picking, I believe that the majority of people would not stop and examine what someone is throwing out, nevermind pick it up and keep it, or give it to someone who can use it. I knock on doors and ask if I can take the item on the street. The most they can tell me is "no."

In five years since I had my daughter, I have seen enough tricycles, easels, little-girl vanities, children's keyboards, and other large children's toys being left out on the street to fill a playroom. Granted, some of these things are broken beyond repair. But a tricyle with a missing bolt or only one side with tassels? A vanity with no chair? An easel with one side scribbled on it but the other side still good? All of these items, post bleaching and with a little elbow grease and a $ 2.00 investment for a bolt or a tassel, have provided my daughter with hours of entertainment.

I'm amazed and saddened by society's concept of what is disposable and what someone else could use. Maybe it's because I was brought up by two little aunts who grew up during the Great Depression and saved EVERYTHING. ( I have a book from the 40's called "365 Things to do with Hamburger"...but I digress.) We continue to put re-useable things out on the sidewalk for the trash guy to take way. Take away where? To a landfill where the item will sit for eons, unused and sniff.. unloved by another child? Even worse, it breaks down into particles that pollute our environment.

And let's talk about budgets! Do we want our kids to go to college someday? Do we want to put away money for retirement? Then why are we spending so much money on new stuff? Are we really that blind to the daily media assaults that "new and disposable" is the best thing we can do for ourselves and the planet?

Yes, there are lots of wonderful new products and toys that will not pollute the environment and I applaud all of the toy companies that have made the committment to "go green." But for now, while there are all of these items that people don't need out there waiting to be picked up by the trash man, let's think about what we can do with those things and all the resources that are at our disposal ( no pun intended!)

- Contact your town recycling organization and see what kind of items they take and what they will pick up.
- Have a good old-fashioned yard sale and the kids can sell lemonade. Even better, have a multi-family yard sale.
- Donate your toys to a local women's shelter or non-profit childrens' organization.
- Find a local preschool or daycare that could use "gently used" toys.
- E-BAY or CraigsList your items.
- Find a local consignment shop ( I like Mother and Child in Nashua www.mothersays.com ) ,to both buy and sell your items.
- try Freecycle, a Yahoo-based organization that lets you connect with other people in your town to give things away or to request items.

All of these things take less than a few hours to investigate and act on. Your two hours end up as 22 hours for some other child who would love to play with the stuff that you want to throw away.

To me, that equation is worth the effort.

Dance Paaaaaahhhty, Dahlink!

When Katy was 2, we watched a show called Oobi. The little characters were actually puppets- peoples' hands with little eyeballs, and the hands made the mouth movements. One day the characters had a "dance party." It was very cute to see all the characters let loose and dance around. Katy and I danced too- and we had a blast. (Note- this doesn't mean that you only dance around when the TV is on!!! :)

When was the last time you had a dance party? In our Kindermusik classes, we dance all the time, and it's so much fun to see the kids ( and the grownups) express themselves in movement. To quote Martha Graham, one of the most influential dancers of the 20th century, "The body says what words cannot".

Music connects our souls, our spirits, to something unearthly-something divine. Whether it's a waltz or a mosh pit, when our bodies move, our souls speak in their own unique way. Can't dance, you say? I don't believe you. I've seen parents who are shy and quiet lift their babies high up in the air and smile, twirling them around with joy. Dance doesn't have to be something you "do" or do well. It's how you move with your kid in your living room, like I did with Oobi and the dance party.

And you can start dancing with your child as soon as they are born. Rocking and swaying not only provide comfort for your baby, they are "dance moves", too! When you rock with your baby, you're actually helping them with balance and coordination. As your baby grows, try new things, like lifting them hiiiiiiighh up in the air and then loooooooow to the ground. Or twirl all around. Move forward, and then backwards. All of these different, EASY, moves are so beneficial for your baby! As they grow, they will already have a sense of how their body moves around in space.

When your baby learns how to walk, they can now watch YOU move! Jump up and down, wave your arms in the air, turn all around. You will find that your toddler wants to copy you so much! ( not to mention the cuteness factor when they actually DO jump up and down..) If you are enthusiastic about moving around, you are sending your child a message that emotions can be expressed through movement. Happy means jumping all around and dancing! Whoo-hoo! For the child who may have a hard time expressing himself verbally, this is especially crucial. It creates an outlet through which they can express themselves- and we ALL need that.

For the preschooler, movement and dance take on a whole new role- the use of imagination. Can you move like a tiger? How do you think a snowman might dance? Pretend you're dancing in the rain- what does that feel like? When you dance with a preschooler, it's always an adventure- a trip into their special 'pretend world'. Ask lots of questions- they want to show you everything that they know and everything they can do!

Put on the music and have a dance party- your kid will love you for it!

Don't Mind the Tombstones...

My family and I love cemeteries. Nothing weird, nothing creepy. Here in Lowell, we have a beautiful cemetery right down the street from our house and we've brought our daughter here for walks since she was a newborn. Not unlike the feeling you get when walking in Central Park ( during the day!) , our local cemetery offers a haven of silence and peacefulness ( well, of course) that you just can't find easily anymore. The giant gates to the cemetery are impressive, reminding us that this is an important architectural and historical place as well as a beautiful one. Passing through these gates is, well, like entering another world, a world of beauty and stillness.

But stop and listen, and you'll see that it is not still at all. This cemetery was designed as a place of beauty for those resting there, and there are a multitude of trees, birds, and animals that live there still. Nature lives all around, from beautiful warblers in the springtime, to the pair of nesting red-tailed hawks, to the crabapples falling from the trees, to the croaking of the frogs in puddles after a heavy rain.

My daughter and I have grown together in the cemetery, at first strolling while mommy got her exercise. Then, she was learning to walk on roads that are rarely driven, providing us with a quiet road to walk on together, picking up rocks, sticks, flowers, and pinecones along the way. Then, hide and seek among the tombstones and trees, and pointing out different letters and shapes. We've talked about angels, mausoleums ( big word for a 5 year old!),famous people and soldiers who have fought in wars. We have seen seasons come and go, each one offering a beautiful sight. We've talked about death often, and our surroundings have mirrored our talks, that death is a season, just like Winter. Spring will come again.

Our family walks in the cemetery every Sunday evening. It is a ritual for us and I look forward to it. This beautiful place has become our friend, a place where we can walk amongst tombs with no fear- in fact, with respect, joy, and the promise that Spring will come again. For the trees, the grass, the flowers, and someday, for us, too.

Punjabi Groove

When my husband and I moved to Lowell, we started watching local cable to see what events and activities were around us. We stumbled on a Bollywood movie and were riveted to the TV set. We couldn't pull away! There was something for everybody. Great music, beautiful clothes and colors, and subtitles ( thank goodness!). We were hooked. We watched Aap Ka Manoranjan (the TV show) and made it part of our weekly routine!

One day we saw a commercial for Daler Mendhi. This turbaned, happy, bearded guy bounced around on the TV set to this fantastic pop-groove and I couldn't help but feel the beat and dance along with him. And my white-bread Anglo husband liked it too! We were hooked. We bought his music. We saw him in concert. TWICE. And he was fantastic. I did a little research and found that Daler draws a lot of his influences from the Punjab region of India. He is a mega pop star there.

Check out a Daler Mendhi video here

If you are looking for a new music groove, look to Punjabi music and Daler Mendhi. You'll be bouncing too!

Family Time

Meet my family. Not my immediate family, no, but pretty close. This is my Family Time class from New Horizons at Choate in Woburn, MA. I've held monthly classes here for almost two years and have shared music and laughter with all of these wonderful people. Family Time is Kindermusik's curriculum for families with (or without) more than one child.

Making music together with children of more than one age and developmental stage might seem challenging. Babies rolling on the floor, four-year-olds stomping like dinosaurs. But, just like home, the chaos has it's magic moments. When an older brother or sister wants to dance with his baby sister, for instance. Or when a toddler learns to share an instrumentwith another toddler in class. Or a baby suddenly starts clapping to the music because their big brother/sister is doing it.

These aren't just music skills. These are life skills.

When a child demonstrates this kind of behavior in a musically-inspired, relaxed, happy setting, it creates a memory for the child that lasts ( perhaps subconsciously) forever. And THAT's what I love about Family Time and all of my other Kindermusik classes.We're all there to have a good time, to sing songs, to dance, to laugh. But in the meantime, the kids are learning how to get along- a HUGE asset for preschool readiness and for life, too.

Yesterday I was at a playdate with my daughter. Naturally, as the day progressed, there were times when the kids were, shall we say, energetic ( that "I want to tear my hair out" mom-feeling!!! Yes, I've been there...) I asked my friend and her family to join me for Family Time at 4pm. They came and they had fun- the perfect diversion to the day- a little music, a little loving and snuggling, and we were all better for it.

As a teacher with one daughter, the option of teaching Family Time seemed like such a challenge a few years ago- what do I do with different age groups? Yikes! But I took the plunge into the jumbling, tumbling, family chaos and I am forever changed. Nothing inspires me more than seeing moms and dads dancing with their children, smiling and singing with them, and holding them close during quiet time ( yes, we can actually accomplish this in class!). So thank you to all of my Family Time families who have shared these wonderful moments with me.

I'm proud to call all of you my family, too.

Holy Berry

I went strawberry picking with Katy last week. It seems fun enough, reaching under the leaves for those beautiful red summer jewels... First one berry, then two, plop into the basket, and then, well, maybe a few don't make it to the basket...munch, munch...yum. I like to go early in the morning, and Katy's old enough now where she's okay with a 7:30am drive to the farm ( occasionally I have to bribe her with a stop at Dunkin Donuts for a bagel!!!)

The dirt road hits my feet as we emerge from the car. Ahhhhhhh. Nothing but birds, bugs, and everything is so greeeeeeen. I take a deep breath and savor the aroma of farm. Yes. Not-huge-piles-of-cow-poop-farm, just the smell of Mother Earth as she invites us to pick our first share of summer fruit. And I am transformed- called back to a place and time where cars and cell phones didn't exist- where birds sing and the warm breeze kisses my face. I am home. I take Katy's hand and we stop at the chickens and goats and say hello. They're perfectly content pecking, chewing, laying about. I am jealous :). I am blessed that my daughter knows about goats and chickens, how they live and what their contribution is to us.

The blessings continue as we walk down to the strawberry fields. Maybe a handful of people are there, early risers who, like me, enjoy the world before 9am. And I feel like I have entered a sanctuary in a church. There is minimal noise. People nod hello to us, and I nod back, acknowledging that this is a beautiful place and the earth has been so good to us this year with all of these delicious strawberries.

We pick away- or at least I do- Katy finds many reasons not to pick ( see "Drama" on a future post!) but she helps me look for the ruby red berries and weaves a story about having a berry party, with shortcake and berry juice. I pick in record time- 4 quarts in 20 minutes, because we have a commitment later in the morning and we need to be home for 9am. But as I'm picking, I'm acutely aware that each berry I pick is a gift. A gift from a source that is beyond our capacity to grasp fully- a source that moves in cycles, in seasons, in death and life- THE source. I have a feeling that this event is not so removed from going to church. We are worshipping and revering the Earth-, and each berry reminds me that I must give, too. Not only should I share these berries with friends, but I should share the experience of the farm, I should share my time with my daughter, I should share good things with everyone because the Earth has shared with me.

So thank you, Parlee Farms. Thank you to all of the farmers and people who till the soil, who grow berries and vegetables with love and attention. We'll make our pilgrimage back for blueberries. And raspberries, and apples, and pumpkins, too.

Dum, ditty, dum, ditty, dum dum dum

Spike Jones knew what he was doing. I remember listening to his songs when I was little ( on a....gasp...record player!) and cracking up. There were so many different noises that the man could make- it was amazing! And hilarious! Of course I had to try the razzberries, finger/mouth popping, and hiccup-gulps. My friends thought I was from another planet....BUT... they were laughing!!! The point here is that sounds, especially funny human-made sounds, get a reaction. And when you're playing with a baby, reaction is a very good thing.

Are you utilizing your "silly potential" with your kids? With babies, it's as easy as making simple sounds like ba-ba-ba, ma-ma-ma, da-da-da, la-la-la. There are endless combinations to these simple syllables ( called "phonemes").

Phonemes are the simplest forms of language- simple syllables that when strung together, form words. By presenting phonemes to your baby in a rhythmic way, you are teaching her language skills that will last a lifetime. Try this with your baby:

ba-ba, ma-ma, la-la, da ( repeat, in rhythm. Watch for your baby looking at you, looking at your mouth, and give yourself a few minutes of silence in between to see if your baby responds.)

or

ma-ma-ma, da-da-da, la-la-la, ba ( like a waltz beat- 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1-2-3, 1)

And maybe you thought you weren't musical! Ha!

Make up your own syllable games! Get creative! Your child will enjoy all of the different sounds and combinations and they may try a few of their own.

You can also find phonemes in rhyming books. Sandra Boynton's book, "Moo Baa La La La", and Al Perkins' "Hand, Hand Fingers Thumb" are great books that emphasize syllables and repetition.

Studies prove that music and language are vital to a baby's optimal growth and development. So shoo-bee-doo to your heart's content- your baby will love it!

Squishy, ishy, just deliciousy!

Mmmmmm....mud. I love the way it feels between my toes- and chances are, your child might, too. Playing with wet textures like mud, wet sand and dough gives your child the opportunity to explore their world through the sense of touch. Whatever medium you may be using, encourage your child to talk about what they feel- is it wet? Is it squishy? What could we do with it? Could we paint with it? Try adding water a little bit at a time and see what happens to it! Get messy! You can always hose em' off later ( even more fun!)

Why I'm Here

Once upon a time I had a little baby. I loved her, fed her, played with her, laughed with her. She was the best thing that I had ever experienced in my entire life. So tiny, so fragile, a miracle.

One day when she was a few weeks old, a friend told me, "There's this music class that's happening in town. You should go with her!"

I love music ( and who doesn't?) and I thought, "Wonderful! Another experience that I can share with her!" And off we went. We danced, we sang, we played with instruments and colorful objects. I was a sponge- I wanted to learn as much as I could about what I could do for my baby to help her grow. And our teacher was warm, caring, and offered suggestions in class that I had never even considered. She spoke from her heart and made a lasting impression on me. I made new friends- other moms that were seeking the kind of support that only new moms can appreciate.

My baby grew. And I grew, too. Our weekly music visits were fun, educational, and they opened my eyes to new ways to teach my daughter about the world and about her endless potential. As I grew, I realized that I too, had endless potential. Maybe I could offer this kind of music class to other parents, too! Maybe I could share all the information that had been so helpful to me! Maybe I could run my own part-time business AND be at home with my child! ( Flashback-prior to having my daughter, I was commuting to Boston full-time to a job and a career that I knew was not for me.) I had a music degree that was gathering dust on the shelf and it was time to take it down, dust it off, and explore this new facet of my life. Luckily, we were blessed to be in such a position that I could pursue a part-time career.

When she was two, I thought it would be a good opportunity to explore the "other side" of Kindermusik and I became certified to teach. I could teach in the morning and be with my daughter for the rest of the day! It was perfect! Two classes became four, then eight, then ten. My love, my passion for not only my own daughter but for children everywhere had been kindled by this Kindermusik experience.

Four years later, my passion and love remain- bigger and stronger than ever. I am dedicated to helping children and families share time, music, and love with each other. The future depends on our children. By planting the seeds of love now with them, we can assure a better future for our world.

I am writing this blog to share all that I know about music, education, and resources that can help us all become better parents for our children. You will see links for events, developmental articles, and musical songs and activities for you and your whole family to enjoy. Feel free to submit your questions and comments! I'd love to hear from you.

Peace,

Bernadette

Hello Everyone!

Hello Everyone!