Friday, January 29, 2010

Isaac Riley plays Chopin


Sixteen year old Isaac always has a new piano piece he is working on. I love this one!
Waltz in C# Minor, op.64 no.2

Saturday, January 23, 2010

If I Had My Life To Live Over

               Hammock Girl, Olivia Kate                                                         

If I Had My Life To Live Over
by Erma Bombeck
























I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren’t there for the day.



I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.                                       


I would have talked less and listened more.


I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.


I would have eaten the popcorn in the “good” living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.


I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.



I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.


I would have sat on the lawn with my children and not worried about grass stains.


I would have cried and laughed less while watching television, and more while watching life.





I would have never bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed for a lifetime.






















Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I’d have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.




When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, “Later. Now go get washed up for dinner.”


There would have been more “I love you’s.” More “I’m sorry’s.”  








But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute… look at it and really see it… live it… and never give it back. 

Stop sweating the small stuff.  Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what.

Instead, let’s cherish the relationships we have with those who DO love us.












Dance!









Swim! Laugh! Play! Enjoy! 



















We only have one shot at this and then it's gone.      



Wishing you blessed days!






credits:
Scrapbook page
 by Eva Paige Burk


Photos:  "Rose Light" and "Butterfly Petals" 
 by Elizabeth Ann Burk





Sunday, January 17, 2010

The Fine Art of Entertaining a Child




It was exciting!  3 yr. old Sydney and her baby sister, Jordynn were coming over to spend the afternoon with me.  Everything was ready for our pre-Christmas play date.  With years of experience teaching and entertaining children, this would be a piece of cake.  Right?  Well, there are things you need to pay attention to when you are going to entertain a child.  The following list can make a big difference in your success with children. 









1. Establish Rapport



Do you have a good relationship with the child? Sydney and I certainly have rapport!  She is my granddaughter and she has lived near us most of her life. We spend lots of time together.  As for Jordynn, she is very easy to entertain.  I sing her to sleep with my lullabies, or she sits contentedly on the floor tasting her delicious toys.  


2. Discover the child's Interests


Sydney knows by heart many of the songs I have written.  She has been the inspiration for some of those songs and she is in several of the music videos I've produced. Now, it is the week before Christmas and she loves to sing "Jingle Bells" and "Away in the Manger."  Jordynn will take her nap.


3.  Set Aside Quality Time:


Knowing the girls were coming to visit, I blocked off the afternoon and eliminated interruptions.  There would be no phone calls and no work on  the computer.  There would just be quality time with the girls.

4.  Plan Ahead:  Have Creative Ideas and Needed Materials Ready


Sydney was bringing her new set of musical instruments.  We would

sing "Jingle Bells" and "Away in a Manger", two of her favorite 
Christmas songs.  Jordynn had toys to play with and a place to take
a nap.



5.  Listen for Feedback:




Feedback is very important, and I began getting some the minute Sydney walked in the door.   She looked a little pale, like the whirlwind of Christmas excitement had hit her full blast.  She was quieter than usual.  Jordynn, on the other hand had eyes that were alert and a pixie smile on her little round face.  


Sydney began to pull the instruments out of her bag.  She pulled them out slowly, without saying a word.  Meanwhile, Jordynn sat on the floor with a rubber ducky in her mouth and quietly eyed her big sister.



Well, I just knew I could inject enough enthusiasm to get this music time off the ground.  I sat on the floor near Jordynn as Sydney put all of her attention on the cute Christmas canisters sitting on the coffee table.  Pulling out the jingle bells, I expected to see her jump over and grab her set of bells.  She didn’t move.  She just quietly rearranged the canisters with great care. 

Smiling, I didn’t say anything and I began singing “Jingle Bells” by myself.  Then I heard a little jingle nearby.  Looking up at me, Jordynn was gently shaking some bells. Her little face was lit up with joy and her black eyes looked deep into mine as if to say, "I want to have music time!"  And so we did!  

And Sydney?  Her little head leaned in our direction as she listened to the music she always loved.  But, she continued to peacefully decorate my family room with beautiful canisters that fit into one another.

What powerful feedback these little girls were giving me, without ever speaking a word!

6.  Be Spontaneous


         This brings me to the sixth and perhaps the most important item on my list.  Be spontaneous!  You see, children change minute to minute.  If you watch them carefully, you will see everything you need to see to entertain them.  Maybe, they would enjoy sitting on your lap listening to a story instead of dancing to the Wiggles.  Maybe, like Sydney, they have had so much Christmas joy that they simply need to rearrange canisters for the afternoon.

When entertaining a child, get to know the child, find out his or her interests and set aside uninterrupted time to spend together.
Have a plan that takes into account the child’s interests.  Then, listen and observe the feedback you are getting.  If your plan isn’t a fit, be spontaneous and join into the child’s world.  Decorate with canisters
if that is what the interest is that day.  And watch all of the children.
Maybe  another child is watching and would love to explore some new interests with you.


-Linda Kay Burk, www.songsofsingingbird.com