Turkey Dance- just in case you missed this lovely.

Bianca Merkley and The Sea Shell Song

Happy Music Monday everyone...

Just in case you missed it. I was over here last week sharing Bee's latest children's song "Shake Your Sea Shells." But don't forget to make a seashell shaker to go along to the music! 

Check it out here for more photos and info.

 Sea shell shakers: All you need is a glass or plastic bottle (depending on age of child) and then add some sand and seashells- and there you go- a seashell shaker!!

Enjoy a little bit of beach fun without having to leave your home!

besitos, xo

Friendship coaching

7 DAYS and counting for Valentines Day!!! YAY! I love Valentine's Day!

 But don't forget your little valentines this year! I'll be posting 7 gifts you can give your children this year to celebrate the week of Valentine!

As for today, I am over here at How Does She talking about how to be a "friendship coach" with our children and the benefits of positive social peer interaction. It is something that can often go overlooked.

Although, I think every child may need a little "friendship coaching" here and there-
 Here are some signs that they may benefit from additional help:

-Lacks at least one or two close mutual friends of his or her same age

-Invades personal space of others

-Has an abnormally loud or soft voice when speaking to others

-Seems ignored or victimized by peers

-Has trouble winning or loosing gracefully

-Doesn’t show empathy when others are hurt or rejected

-Acts bossy or insists on having everything their way

-Constantly tease other children

-Doesn’t attend to facial expressions or nonverbal cues

-Doesn’t make eye contact when speaking or listening to others

Check out some pointers here  on three ways to coach your little ones some social skills. Don't hesitate to seek out additional professional help!

 Also BONUS...We are also making these "friendship bracelets" and singing and dancing along to Bee's Friendship Song!! Did you know that she just started her blog?? This week she is counting down to Valentine's with her thoughts about love and music. Go check her out!

www.biancamerkley.blogspot.com

besitos,

The Healing Power of Music

The five day countdown officially begins...(whoa butterflies in my stomach as I think of that...) FIVE DAYS until the benefit concert with Mindy Gledhill!

For Music Monday...I have this news report that our local news station did on Brynn and the power of music. Take a looksie. 

Did you know there is a research study going on right now with a pill that helps aliviate symptoms of Rett Syndrome? The money we earn from the benefit concert will go towards helping these girls have a chance at a normal life.

For tickets or donations go HERE.

Besitos, 

P.S. Here is the News Report Text

EAGLE, Idaho - A little girl's rare disease is bringing an internationally known folk singer to Boise.

Brynn Jones, 6, of Eagle was born a normal child but by the time she was two years old, her parents say her health took a turn for the worst.

"We knew something was wrong but didn't know what," said Brynn's mother Makita Jones.

By the time Brynn was four years old, doctors diagnosed her with a rare disease called Rett Syndrome. To make matters worst, she had a rare gene mutation of the disease making her one of only 13 other people in the world to suffer this type of Rett Syndrome.

"Doctors told us, you know more about it than we do because it's so rare of a disease," said Brynn's father Steve Jones.

Rett Syndrome is a neurological disease mainly found in girls. The disease affects learning ability, mood, sensory perception, movement, eating and speech.

In Brynn's case, she has lost the ability to talk or control her hands.

"She can't communicate with us and so that's frustrating for her to get us to understand what she needs," Makita said.

Hope for Brynn came in the form of music. For reasons unknown, the music of folk singer Mindy Gledhill has an affect on Brynn.

"We discovered Mindy Gledhill two years ago and noticed that when we were playing the songs, Brynn would calm down. Music is very healing and calming and can bring about good emotion," Makita said.

Friends of the Jones family who happened to know how to get in touch with Gledhill told the singer about Brynn's condition. It didn't take long for Gledhill to offer to come to Boise to perform in a benefit concert to raise awareness about Rett Syndome and money for research to cure the disease.

Gledhill is scheduled to perform this Friday night at the Rose Room on 718 W. Idaho St. in Downtown Boise. Doors open at 6:30 and the performance starts at 7:00. Ticket prices are $18 for adults and $12 for children. All proceeds will go toward research to help cure Rett Syndrome. 

Hourglass.

You may be sick of my obsession with Mindy Gledhill's music... but I was listening to this song...I can't listen to it without tearing up.

It is exactly how I feel about little man. Take a listen.

 Mindy Gledhill - Hourglass [Keep-Mp3.com] by jfox196 

Hourglass

Little boy, when you speak
I can't help but kiss your cheeks
I love the way you grab my hands
And tell me all about your plans

Rocket high, comets fly
You and I could take a ride
And fly away to Neverland
And give our best to Peter Pan

When you reach for the stars
Don't forget who you are
And please don't turn around and grow up way too fast
See the sand in my grasp
From the first to the last
Every grain becomes a memory of the past
Oh, life's an hourglass
Life's an hourglass

Story's read, prayer is said
Close your eyes sleepyhead
While angels linger in your dreams
And hold you in their feathered wings
Just like you, I was small
Not that long ago at all
I wish you all the happiness
That God gives freely if you ask

photos taken by Dar and edited by Cristi

Oh little man how I love you. Please stop growing up.
Two more days to enter the Giveaway for Mindy's Cd- enter here. 

besitos,

Winter Moon

So, since I skipped Music Monday...
I thought I would share this video with you from Mindy Gledhill's Christmas album- which by the way there is a giveaway still going on for her new Christmas CD... submit your comment here to enter! 

besitos,

GIVEAWAY! MINDY GLEDHILLS' NEW CHRISTMAS ALBUM

Thanksgiving is done and over with...do you know what that means?
 CHRISTMAS MUSIC TIME!!!
Today I am grateful for Christmas Music...isn't it the best?? 

And I have just the album... Mindy Gledhill's "Winter Moon!"
I can't stop listening to it... you'll want to hear it over and over and over again!

And the best part is that Mindy was gracious enough to give one of my lucky readers a chance to get a signed copy for FREE.

All you have to do is:

#1 Be a blog follower. Click here if you aren't already

#2 Head over to Mindy's Site and get to know her. www.mindygledhill.com  

#3 Lastly, Leave a comment on what your favorite Christmas Song is of all time!

This Giveaway ends Friday December 2nd at 11:59pm!!

Don't forget about Mindy's Benefit Show here in Boise: 

Tickets $18/adult or $12/child – Purchase at http://irsf.ejoinme.org/brynnjones 

Besitos,

Turkey Song over here...

I am over here today-  with another song from Bee for Thanksgiving and we made these lovelies to flap around to the song...check it out! 

visit www.howdoesshe.com

Besitos, 

Mindy Gledhill December 16th in Boise

Today I am grateful for Christmas Music.
We are putting on a benefit concert featuring Mindy Gledhill. If you are in  or close to the Boise area- you will not want to miss this.

The Rose Room - 718 W. Idaho Street, Boise, ID 

December 16, 2011 - 7pm (doors open at 6:30pm) 

Tickets $18/adult or $12/child – Purchase at http://irsf.ejoinme.org/brynnjones 

If you can't make it...that's okay- donate! 

100% of our profits go to The Rett Foundation

besitos,

P.S. There will be a giveaway for her new album coming REAL soon!! (Like Friday!)

Music Monday- Kernel song

Today I am grateful for my sister Bee and her music. Little man could watch her sing for hours.

Happy Music Monday.

I found these at Hobby Lobby for less than $1 each....

besitos,

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner...

So wanna know who won Bianca's album? 

EVERYONE who entered....yes, you read right.

 I want to show my gratitude for those who took the time to write a comment and share with me your insights. I always look forward to reading them...so, this is my gift to you from me. 

Now in order to get one- make sure you are a follower of this blog and have liked Bianca's Music FB....then email me your address (cristidame@gmail.com)  and we will pop one in the mail for you! 

It's on me!

besitos, 

P.S. I am really feeling sad that I am going to miss my sister's album release show tomorrow on 11/11/11 in New York. I have been in denial about it- but it is here now. 

Good luck little sister. I am thinking of you all day.

Please Stay with Me...

Okay so I finally got to finishing this post today... While you listen to this song I want you to imagine this scenario:

My sister,  Little Man, and me driving on the highway from Boise to Salt Lake...anyone who is has driven that stretch knows there is NOTHING but fields and nothingness.

The wind was blowing like 75 miles per hour and blowing our car all around the road.
I looked at Bianca and she looked at me when we suddenly pulled over to the side of the road,  hopped out, and let our kite shoot high into the sky as as we frolicked around the field.
The wind was blowing so hard that the kite kept ripping out of our hands and we chased it around giggling so hard that tears came running down our faces!
 It was FREEZING!!

I so wish I had it on video...you had to be there. ;)

Anyhow- back to the song...the song that the album cover was inspired from.


enjoy.



 Please Stay with Me by Bianca Merkley

Also, don't forget to go over and get in on the GIVEAWAY OF BIANCA'S NEW ALBUM  HERE.

Besitos, 

Freebie Friday: Bianca Merkley's new album-CLOSED

Hello there...sorry this is a tad late today...but it's time for another Friday Freebie... and today you are in for an amazing treat...not only do you get to listen to Bianca Merkley's song "Time" right now... but you can also enter to win a signed copy of her NEW ALBUM "A Part of Me!!"
No one but Bianca herself has a hold of this album...not even me!

This song "Time" was written by Bianca and inspired by her childhood need to want to grow up quickly. Realizing the wasted energy she spent on always wanting to be something or somewhere else, she decided to "live more in the moment" and appreciate every stage of life." Bianca describes this song as "advice to herself"...take a listen for yourself.

Time Rolls on By by Bianca Merkley

What do you think?

So, what do you have to do to possibly get one of these babies?

#1 Be a follower of Weeds to Wishes here. 

#2 head to Bianca's Facebook page and "like" her page here

#3 Leave a comment telling me if you could pause life for one moment in time...what would you be doing?

 For every 10 entries- I plan on giving one of her albums...so if there are 20 who enter...I will give out 2...30 comments- give out 3 and so on.

Be the first to get this album!

Besitos, 

A New Day by Bianca Merkley

Well, hello there! Happy Halloween...Okay I have to confess that today's Music Monday is not really Halloween related at all...BUT if you would like to hear something Halloween in addition to today's post go here.

Today, I am stoked to introduce you to something really quite special and dear to me...

one of my sister Bianca Merkley's songs on her NEW ALBUM!!

It hasn't even come out yet...so you are one of the FIRST to have a listen...and let me tell you... you are gonna LOVE it!

I chose to have you listen to "A new day" because I thought it was fitting for a Monday... plus it is the first track on the new album. She wrote it last winter to help her get through some of those painfully cold NY Winter days. And let me tell you- we were there last Christmas....and it was sooooo COLD and I am from Salt Lake and know what cold is...but this was frigid cold.

In this song she sings, "I can choose to put grey colored glasses on to keep the sun from shining down...or I could choose to put rose colored glasses on, to help me see the flowers, they're coming up...and they're telling me...that today is mine..."

I thought it goes a long nicely with the theme of this blog...

Do you choose to see a Weed or a Wish?

Have a listen:

A New Day by Bianca Merkley

I told you she is awesome.

When can you get your hands on this goodness?

You are in for a treat...because this FRIDAY'S FREEBIE will be a signed copy of Bianca's NEW ALBUM!!!

So, come back to see me real soon and find out details on Friday!

Her album "Pieces of Me" is available on 11/11/11 which is also the day where Bianca and Mindy Gledhill will be doing their cd release concerts in New York.

I really really really wanted to be there...but it doesn't look like it's going to work out after all... So, if you are in the New York area...YOU HAVE TO BE THERE FOR ME! Paleeeeze?

Bianca's Photos were  taken by Cristi Dame

besitos,

Music Monday...lets get ready for Halloween!!

Bianca sent me this post last night, and sadly she went to the doctor today after having battled this cough for a few weeks, and she found out she has bronchitis! Yuck! That's what happens when you work with lots of little ones during this time of year. Hope you get better soon Bianca and stay healthy!

So here she is again folks, a little sick maybe, but we hope you still enjoy.

Music Monday- Apple Song

Music Monday 10/17/11

It was another late night helping my sister out with her promo piece for her concert next month....and when I saw that is was almost 1am (although the blog always says it's an hour earlier)...I was excited to be able to post this!! Happy Monday!

Enjoy.

Besitos, 

Music Monday...sorta.

It's been one of those Mondays...nothing went as planned. 

I stayed up late skyping and editing Bianca's Album cover (which I am totally excited about)...then...

just as I shut my eyes...Little Man awoke crying... not just any old cry but the "help me" scream...

he had a fever...

we were up most of the night...

it was hard to peel myself off the floor of his bedroom (where we both FINALLY fell asleep) this morning.

Then, thinking it was Tuesdsay this morning I frantically (with Little Man screeching  in the background) dialed my supervisor at the Hospital to tell her I was unable to make it to supervision...
she responded very confused:

 "Do you normally work on Mondays?"...

Um it's not Tuesday?? Crap.

Then in her nurturing voice she responded:

 "You sound like a mommy who could use some sleep hun...don't worry about tomorrow."

That obvious huh?

But it was then that I realized that I WAS scheduled for supervision... but with my Play Therapy supervisor who I had no way of contacting...so, I bolted out the door leaving Dar with a very grumpy child (and what I hear was a horrifying diaper) ...um can't thank you enough Dar!

Needless to say...I am tired.  

So where is Music Monday you ask...

well...oddly enough a similar craziness happened to Bianca... starting with staying up until 4 in the morning finalizing the album cover (the project we both thought would take 20 minutes max)...

then, she was just about to send her her music Monday song over...when I received a text saying:

 "I had to go to the hospital with a neighbor...will do video later though."

"What? are you okay?" I responded...but don't worry she is fine. I'll get more details later.

 So, this is Music Monday... I am putting some Music FOR MOMMIES who have had a rough morning and need to hop in a bubble bath and relax while listening to her soothing voice. Seriously...go do it...

In raiding Bianca's YouTube videos- I came across this one that I had never seen before of her recording in the studio... I can't wait for her new album!!!

Life is so unpredictable. 

You never know what weed or wish will come your way.

Let us know B how it went!

Besitos, xoxo

Shake Rattle and Roll...Music Monday

xoxo, Besitos

First ever MUSIC MONDAY

All the way from New York- here is Bianca Merkley (my cute little sis) to show us something she does with the kiddos she works with as a music therapist.

That is all for today- we are off to make out shaker eggs! Thanks for the idea B! 

Besitos, xoxo

Announcing MUSIC MONDAY

Little man has always has LOVED music.  Even in my belly,  nothing made him flutter around more then with my sister
Bianca's music. 

Bianca is not only a fabulous singer songwriter but a music therapist working in New York with children who have developmental disabilities. She is awesome!

In honor of my little man's love for music- I am announcing MUSIC MONDAY...where we will celebrate music with a post about implementing music in children's daily activities. 

Next week, Bianca will making an appearance and singing to us on the blog!! Can't wait!

 Check back with us!

xoxo, Besitos