Patience has its own rewards.

I've been teaching him for over a year now. I greet him at the door each week before class, but he only hides and looks away with uncertainty in his eyes. Sometimes I catch him watching me, when he thinks I'm not looking. I smile, and again he looks away. I know he's happy to be in Kindermusik. His face usually beams while he plays the instruments with his mom and dad. However he struggles to branch out and interact with anyone except his parents, so we continue our delicate dance around each other each week. Sometimes I wonder if I am dancing with the "elephant in the room", but all of that changed this week.
When I greeted him at the door, I caught a subtle smile before he looked away. It played at the corner of his mouth with a hint of impishness and was gone as quickly as it appeared. I saw it several more times, even if only briefly, throughout the class. While listening to the story time, he pointed in answer to a question I asked him. This was something completely new, and I was thrilled that he was finally getting comfortable enough in his social skills to participate on this level. Then the unexpected happened. We were about to close the class with a goodbye song, and he walked right up to me, looked me in the eye, and spoke. Not only spoke, but he took my hand to show me more about the question that he had. I tried to remain cool and calm as we walked together hand in hand. I wanted to appear as though this was totally expected, but inside I was trying to absorb this unexpected turn of events- to savor everything about this moment. It's the little victories that make teaching so rewarding to me. It's a joy to witness a child reaching out to accomplish something that I know was a true challenge for them. Those moments are often few and far between, and there is a fine line between challenging that growth without pushing so hard that you crush their desire to achieve it. 


I guess it's true after all. Patience does have its own rewards.

Building our future

A few weeks ago I received an email from Kindermusik International. Each year they select certain educators to recognize with the Kindermusik Maestro in Outreach award. Delightful Sounds has been so priveleged to recieve this award 8 times since we opened in 2003. I am so excited to be named among this special group of worldwide educators again this year.


Earning this distinction is a tremendous honor. I have always had a desire to reach out to my community to children who would not typically have the opportunity to experience Kindermusik. I would like to personally thank the local businesses and individuals that have financially supported our efforts in providing the gift of music to these very special children! I am overwhelmed by your generosity and amazed at the children's growth and development as they sing and dance with me each week. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Thanks Mom!

This is for the mothers who have sat up all night with sick toddlers in their arms, wiping up barf laced with Oscar Mayer wieners and cherry Kool-Aid 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 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, so 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. And for all the mothers who opted for Velcro instead.

This is for all the mothers who teach their sons to cook and their daughters to sink a jump shot.

This is for every mother whose head turns automatically when a little voice calls "Mom?" in a crowd, even though they know their own offspring are at home -- or even away at college ~or have their own families.

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 their 14 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 2 A.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...
Author unknown

HAPPY MOTHER's DAY!

Thanks for the reminder!

I've been teaching for over 15 years now. It's a challenge. There are different learning styles to consider, various levels of understanding, and the challenge of keeping things interesting for my students. It's easy to get burnt out and forget that teaching offers so many rewards too. I love it when a student gains something from their studies that they would never have understood without my help. I love seeing the look of wonder and amazement in a young child's eyes as they open their mind to new concepts and ideas. It's amazing to think that I may play some small role in helping to form tomorrow's memorable, world changers.

During my time in the classroom, I am usually so consumed with my work that I don't get the chance to reflect on the learning as it takes place. This week, however, I was afforded a unique glance at that process. A mom in one of my Kindermusik classes graciously agreed to snap some photos during class while I taught. I sat and studied the photos when I got home, and I found myself thinking- thinking about the impact we have on others when we are completely unaware, thinking about how much thanks I owe to those who taught me and those who have taught my children, and thinking about how special my students are to me. I hope you take the time this week to thank those who have had a positive influence in your life and helped to shape the person you have become!

A special thank you!

National Adoption month is almost over, and I couldn't let it pass before thanking those who chose life so that their precious children could be loved and cherished by an adoptive family. I know it could not have been an easy decision, but as an aunt to 2 beautiful adopted boys, thank you from the bottom of my heart!

You might be a home schooler...

As I walked through my home the other day, I noticed a quilt thrown in a pile on the floor of my music room. With a sigh and a mumble of "wishing people would just learn to put things away", I reached to fold it up. I stopped, however, as I realized that there was something more going on with that quilt. It had become a classroom. A crack along the edge of the quilt was allowing in just enough light for a 4th grade reading class to exist beneath its quiet shroud. As a home school family, this behavior is not that unusual for us. However, I venture to say that most of you don't realize that you are home schoolers too!

Webster's dictionary defines a classroom as "a place where classes meet". To many this looks like a room with 4 walls, desks, and children seated in neat and tidy rows, but I believe a classroom is better defined as "a place where learning occurs".  Realistically, learning can take place anywhere at anytime. You might learn about math or nutrition on a trip to the grocery store. Little ones learn phonics and other pre-reading skills simply by singing silly songs with you in the car. Maybe you've even found yourself explaining the concepts of momentum and physics while playing ball with your children. (although you might not have used the technical jargon! LOL)

The point I'm trying to make here is that just because your child is enrolled at a traditional school or is too young to go to school yet, YOU are always going to be your child's most important teacher. It doesn't matter what your educational background is like. No one knows your child better than you do. No one has the vested interest that you have to ensure your child's success in life. Teachers can have an amazing impact on their students. It's one of the reasons I love my job as a Kindermusik teacher so much, but I truly believe some of the most important skills your child will ever learn will come from you as you guide them through everyday life. So embrace your "homeschooliness" and enjoy learning with your children each day! 

Teaching Through the Pain

Yesterday my children were cooing and giggling over their newly born, baby goat. She's unusually tiny but sweet nonetheless. They are immediately smitten and name her Mistie. Today, however they have to mourn her passing. She was just too tiny to survive. Sometimes life is just HARD. There are so many lessons out there to learn, and as a parent, it can feel like an overwhelming task sometimes. How am I qualified to teach them about life and death, when I still struggle with these topics myself?
Loss- whether the loss of a pet, death of a family member, or even a divorce situation- is never an easy topic. It's full of abstract concepts and emotions that are unwelcome in our happy, little world. How do you explain to a child that life is not always a fairy tale where everyone "lives happily ever after"? Here are some of the things that we have been learning today:

• Children need to know it's okay to feel sad. That's a normal and important part of grief.
• Children need simple, honest answers to their questions, even if they're hard or unpleasant to discuss.
• Children are watching and learning from our example, so practice what you preach. 

If you're in the process of working through some of these lessons during this holiday season, I pray for peace and wisdom for you.

Until next time...

Parenting in a Microwave World

In the 1950s, Swansons put out the first ever, TV dinner. Along with the invention of the counter top microwave oven, this was the beginning of a new age in American history-the age of convenience. Fast forward 60 years, and you will find a society saturated in convenience and ease- convenience foods, computers small enough to fit in your pocket, drive through banks, drive through drugstores, and even drive through wedding chapels!
Has this plethora of conveniences affected our expectations for being a successful parent? You bet! There are some great tools out there that can make being a parent much quicker and easier than life in the 1950s. However, parenting isn't always effortless or convenient. Sometimes life is extraordinarily challenging. It requires sacrifice, selflessness, patience, and perserverance. For these character traits there is no "easy button". When faced with a challenge, whether in parenting or elsewhere, don't be afraid to go for the long haul. Facing life with grace and honesty is one of the best lessons you can teach your child about being successful, and when you fail (not if) use it as an opportunity to teach your child how to make it right and move on.

Until next time,

notable accomplishments

I received an email a few days ago about a Kindermusik educator's blog in South Carolina. It chronicles the musical journey of the Kindermusik educator and her very special intern. I found their adventures both inspiring and heart warming. It was so refreshing to remember anew why I do what I do in my music classes each week and how many lives may have been touched along the way. I'll get back to my posts on gifted children soon, but today I just needed some time for reflection. ENJOY!

My life in the zoo

I know many of you visit this blog for the great ideas about childhood development, music, and information about our Kindermusik classes. However, I also know that the label "Mrs. Aimee's Place" has also held high rankings in popularity. Since this label contains all the posts that are personal to me, I thought I would let you know that I recently started a new blog. It's about my life as a mother, musician, and home schooling parent. If you're interested in reading along, be sure to visit me and leave a comment at My Life in the Zoo!

More ramblings from the Possibility Finder

I was reading through some old posts on my blog, and I came across one from when I first started blogging. I was talking about all the possibilities I see when I get to know the children in my music classes. Let's face it, our children may not always behave the way we wish they would. They may not even be interested in the things we wish they would, but each child is a unique and wonderful package of possibilities. I love that thought, because it gives us hope for what our children may become. What contributions will they achieve in their lifetime? Who's life will they touch is some unique or profound way? Maybe these things would never have happened if we had not chosen to encourage the wonderful possibilities tucked away in our children. They may not turn out to be the next music sensation like we had hoped, but perhaps they save some one's life as a firefighter instead. Here's an excerpt from that post. "I am more than just a music teacher. I am a possibility finder! Hidden within each child, there are talents and abilities just waiting to be uncovered. Discovering strengths, learning to work through weaknesses-all these things play an important role in discovering everything they are capable of."

Life in the bubble.

I recently read the excerpt below on the Kindermusik blog. It caught my attention, because we are living in a time where ideals are being re-thought and pillars, once thought unbreakable, are cracking and crumbling. Yet, each week, I meet with the most wonderful families. They check they're cares and stress at the door and for an hour they are free to just enjoy- enjoy time well spent, laughter, making music and joining in the silliness of children. Need a little bubble therapy? Click here to download a coupon for a free Kindermusik class.

"We have learned the hard way in this recession that things are not always as they seem. Banks are not as solvent, General Motors is not as mighty, real estate is not as valuable. In fact, it seems as though we are in an epidemic of inauthenticity: character, genuineness, good faith, and sincerity are under siege. It’s no fun to read the paper anymore.

But from within the Kindermusik bubble, the world looks like it always has. The Kindermusik classroom bursts with authenticity: tender teachers, proven curricula, friendship, music, smiles. Perhaps what Kindermusik can teach all of us at times like these is that some things are truly timeless. Just as a playground swing still brings delight to a child as it did before iPhones, Twitter, and debit cards, Kindermusik wraps parent and child in bona fide warmth. Provides a true, joyful, and nurturing place where we can come together, share our children, and sing.

Nothing fancy, mighty, solvent, or newfangled.

But valuable? Authentic? Genuine? Sincere?

In a room full of children? Always."



contributed by Michael G. Dougherty (CEO, Kindermusik International)

Amazing feats; never before seen

Today's post really has nothing to do with music, but it has a whole lot to do with children. Actually, it's about the childhood "right of passage" of losing those baby teeth. Thanks to a sticky Sugar Daddy last night, my daughter lost one of her wiggly teeth. Over the years there have been some amazing stories associated with our tooth loss and the Tooth Fairy. There was the time my daughter lost her tooth when a neighbor's child flipped into the pool and knocked it out. It flew through the air and landed right in her hand at the water's edge. We've accidentally swallowed teeth and even had the Tooth Fairy find us all the way in a campground in Kissimmee. How does she know when the tooth is at anyway? We have speculated that she somehow smells them, but we have not been able to confirm this fact. Since we were leaving early this morning for our return trip home, my daughter left a note last night asking the Tooth Fairy to leave her coins on her seat in the car. True to her amazing "tooth fairy-ness" form, the coins were there, just as requested. I've asked my girls what they think the Tooth Fairy does with all those teeth and where she gets the money from. It's so funny to hear their ideas. My philosophy is that she sells them to the dentist to use in making false teeth. Although, I haven't been able to confirm this fact either. :-)

I enjoy asking creative questions to my children. It's a great way to work on story-telling concepts, creativity, expression, and other language and reasoning skills. Do you have any great children's stories? I hope you'll take a minute to share them here.

Muddy Memories: Priceless

We are currently on vacation in Western North Carolina, and one of the first things my children did upon arrival was begin making mud pies and sundry other muddy "treats and delights". At age 7 and 9, I am thrilled to see that they continue to enjoy this childhood right of passage. Messy play activities for children seem to be on the decline in our ever-busy society. That's a shame since playing with playdough, sand, water, mud, or paints is so beneficial to your child's development, and these benefits can be difficult to come by in other ways. To name a few...

• Finger strength and dexterity


• Hand-eye coordination


• Creative play skills


• Pretend play skills


• Cause and effect/reasoning skills

So get out there and have some fun making messy memories!

Time: $0

Soap: $2

Developmental Benefits: Priceless!



By the way, if you have not voted on the "Favorite Things" contest, better hurry. There's just one day left to vote!

Reaching our community - One child at a time

Kindermusik International recognizes that many Kindermusik educators make considerable efforts each year to reach underserved populations of children—those with physical, emotional, or economic challenges in their live. Each year they select certain of these educators to recognize with the Kindermusik Maestro in Outreach award. I am so excited to be named among the 17 educators worldwide to receive the distinction this year. Here is an excerpt from the letter I received from Michael Dougherty, the CEO of Kindermusik International.

"Congratulations on being recognized as a Maestro in Outreach for the 2009-2010 license year! Earning this distinction is a tremendous honor and know how personally proud I am of each and every one of you. You are the best of the best! THANK YOU for committing your life to reaching out to children who would not typically have the opportunity to experience Kindermusik. THANK YOU for sharing the gift of Kindermusik – quietly -- tirelessly – and -- oftentimes without payment or recognition. We THANK YOU and APPRECIATE YOU more than you can ever know."

I would like to personally thank the local businesses and individuals that have financially supported our efforts in providing the gift of music to these very special children! I am often overwhelmed by the children's progress which I am privileged to watch each and every day in my classroom. Thank you for reaching the WHOLE community with me one child at a time!

Believe in Music

So have you started writing for the "Favorite Things" contest? I certainly hope so! It doesn't have to by a lengthy story. I just can't wait to here what you love most about sharing music with your children. To tweak your interest, I decided to share an essay I wrote a few years ago about why I believe in music.

I am privileged to work with many children, including some who have been abused and now live in the custody of the state. I am only one music teacher, and, at times, I have questioned my ability to work with these children. I want to create something meaningful and lasting in their lives, but they have been stripped down to bare survival instincts. How do you reach past such a barricade and remind them that it is ok to just be a child, to laugh, to trust, to believe that life is full of wonderful possibilities?

These were some of the questions that haunted me on a return trip home from the foster facility recently. I had met a new child in class. She and her sister were the same age as my own two daughters. She sat sadly in a corner and wouldn’t even look at me. I tried every technique I knew to make a connection with her, but I couldn’t see that I even made a dent. As I was leaving, I overheard one of the other children remark, “She says she misses her mom! Doesn’t she think I miss mine too?” I cried for them all the way home. Did I believe in music anymore? What was I accomplishing there, anyway?
I did a lot of soul searching that week and here’s what I found. I do believe profoundly in the power of music. It is a universal language that invokes emotions and passions understood without words. It unites all of us in joys and sorrows. It brings us comfort when we are all alone and washes away our sadness. It stirs up hopes hidden deep within us, even hopes and dreams that we may have forgotten. Through music, we can express our innermost feelings, and the resultant melody moves those around us to share in those feelings. Sometimes a surprisingly beautiful harmony can be created in the process of dissonance, even the dissonance of an abused child.

I have come to realize that I can't change the world. However, through the power of music, I can change it one child at a time. Oh and by the way, that little girl was the first one through the door the next week, with a great big smile and an even bigger hug for me. I believe in music! Do you?

Kindermusik Maestro

I am so excited to announce that we, at Delightful Sounds, have been chosen as a Kindermusik Maestro for the sixth straight year. Developing children through music is our passion! Thank you so much to our families and friends, both in and out of the classroom, that helped to make this honor possible.

Kids for Kids

Over the weekend was the "Kids for Kids" event at my house. (In case you didn't know, I live on a 40 acre goat farm.) We have about 20 "kids" right now, and I had a great time watching so many children come and enjoy petting and playing with them. If you missed it, be sure to mark your calendar for next spring! Here are a few of my favorite pictures. You can view the rest of them here.

Spring's New Beginning

My husband and I decided to take an overnight hike to celebrate Valentine's Day this year. We walked mile after mile under the watchful eye of tall, straight pines and gnarled old grandfather oaks. On we went through the wetlands with their knobby-kneed cypress trees standing quiet and mysterious. It was filled with a solitude that can only be found in a place like that and often the only sound heard was the steady crunching of dead leaves under our boots.

As I walked along, I began to notice tiny little buds beginning to sprout on many of the trees. Springtime is coming, a time for new beginnings. Last year was filled with many challenges and hardships. February marks the one year anniversary of my uncle's death. He was the first in a string of family deaths that we faced last year. Each one harder to face than the one before. Follow that up with an extended illness for myself and a list of other challenges, and I was finding it harder and harder to keep picking myself up off the ground.

My thoughts turned back to the springtime growth. There, amidst all of the dead barrenness of winter, fresh life had begun anew. Looking back over the last year, I can honestly say that though my sorrows were many, my blessings outweighed them all. God and my family have faithfully stood with me through it all. I wish I could say that I left all of my trouble and sadness somewhere in the middle of that vast, quiet wood. I didn't, but I did bring some extra things back out with me. For somewhere in the freshness of the springtime buds I found greater wisdom, renewed confidence, and a resolute hope that with springtime's new beginning will come many treasured moments, whether happy or sad. I considered not sharing this post. In the end, I decided to only because I know so many more of you who have faced your own hardships recently. I hope that my thoughts bring you peace and hope.

Kids, Kids everywhere!

Here are some of the new babies born on our farm in the last 24 hours. Pictured on top are Misty and Ian and on the bottom are Cupid and Love.