Sunday Singalong: Sunny Day

Finally! There's no doubt about the excitement my students, fellow staff, and I have felt this past week each time we've sung the "Sunny Day" song. After a seemingly endless winter of gray, dreary days, the sun is a much-welcomed change of scenery...we're just hoping it sticks around!

This week, I borrowed my mom's Flip Ultra HD Camcorder to record the "Sunday Singalong" video, and I am amazed at the upgrade in quality (compared to using the built-in iSight camera on my Macbook).  Even the sound is impressive!  I have a long wish list of tech toys, but the Flip is definitely right up there at the top.

This three-day weekend (thanks, Casimir Pulaski!) has been the perfect mix of productivity and laziness, but it's time to kick into high gear.  I'm off to lead Church Mice, after which I have a new month of music therapy sessions to plan.  Tomorrow, on my day off from school, I'm having my piano tuned, meeting with my accountant, teaching lessons, and providing private MT sessions as usual.   Throw in a couple loads of laundry, and I'm tired just thinking about it.

How has your weekend shaped up?  I'd love to hear what you've been up to!  Oh, and if you have any suggestions for next week's "Sunday Singalong" video, don't be shy.  I'm always up for suggestions - the song could be one of mine or a cover.

The Heat is On

This is how I've felt every day for the last week or so after spending even a few minutes outside. I tell you what, us Midwesterners get the worst of both winter and summer weather, and we're experiencing the latter right about now. And to think - it's only June! Luckily, I have the perfect song for such a time:



The sun is shining down from the sky,
Today it’s hot, hot, hot!
The temperature is up real high,
Today it’s hot, hot, hot!

Hot, hot, hot out there,
Sittin’ in the shade in a nice cool chair.
Hot, hot, hot out there,
Runnin’ through the sprinkler without a care.

We’re wearing sandals, and short-sleeved shirts,
Today it’s hot, hot, hot!
Boys wearing shorts, and girls wearing skirts,
Today it’s hot, hot, hot!

Hot, hot, hot out there,
Sippin’ lemonade through a plastic straw,
Hot, hot, hot out there,
Hummin’ a tune that goes “la la la la!”

This song perfectly describes a day like today. One of my piano students is having a birthday party this afternoon featuring water balloons and slip 'n slides...I have a feeling that after walking the dog, I'll wish I was at that party!

Foggy Day

So foggy, in fact, that driving to school this morning was a little scary! I'm a nervous driver in any case, so unfavorable weather conditions do not help my cause whatsoever. But I made it here, and it's Friday, so I can't complain too much. In fact, this gives me the opportunity to share my "Foggy Day" song, which I've been waiting to do since November. A true example of lemons to lemonade!



When I go outside and look around,
It seems like there’s a cloud on the ground.
It’s hard to see, everything is gray,
It’s a foggy day.

Be careful, move slow,
Everywhere you go.
Like a blanket from the sky,
A foggy day for you and I.

When I go outside and look around,
It seems like there’s a cloud on the ground.
It’s hard to see, everything is gray,
It’s a foggy day.

So there you have it. Hopefully the fog will soon disappear, and the sun will come out to grace us with its presence. Not much can top a warm, beautiful Friday...except maybe Friday Faves at Listen & Learn! Make sure you stop by later today for this week's installment.

Friday Fave: Warm Weather Has Arrived!

Finally...and I think it's here to stay. We are in for two 80-degree days, and then a string of 70s, which is more than okay with me! It feels so good to be able to go outside without a jacket. And in honor of the beautiful warm weather, here is my "Warm Day" song, which I've been waiting to share for a couple weeks now:



Well it’s not too cold and it’s not too hot,
It’s warm, it’s warm.
Don’t need a coat, won’t sweat a lot,
It’s warm, it’s warm, it’s warm.

It’s warm outside, right in between
Spring is here, the trees are green
And so today we’ll play outside
Hop on our bikes, and take a ride
It’s warm, it’s warm, it’s warm.

Well it’s not too cold and it’s not too hot,
It’s warm, it’s warm.
Don’t need a coat, won’t sweat a lot,
It’s warm, it’s warm, it’s
Warm, not hot, not cold, just right.
Enjoy the day, it’s shining bright.
It’s warm, it’s warm, it’s warm.

I can't wait to get out and ride my bike, walk our soon-to-arrive puppy, and just enjoy the spring. Unfortunately, I won't have much time to do so this weekend, however. Tomorrow is my dad's 50th birthday, which we'll be celebrating in the afternoon. Then tomorrow evening, I am singing in a gala fundraiser for the Child Advocacy Center. Church Mice, a music group for little ones I lead, begins its spring session on Sunday afternoon, and then the weekend will be over! Have a great weekend yourselves - hopefully it will be more relaxing than mine :)

Spring Snow

When the forecast called for snow this weekend, I laughed it off. After all, it's spring...right? It rained all day long on Saturday, and by late evening the temperature had dropped considerably. Maybe the weatherman was right after all? Sure enough, when I woke up early on Sunday morning, I looked outside to see approximately four inches of snow covering the ground. So in honor of Illinois' freak spring snowfall, I'd like to share my snowy day song (one that I thought I wouldn't have to think about for at least eight more months).



Snowflakes, snowflakes, float to the ground.
Here they come without a sound.
Big and small, down they fall,
It’s a snowy, snowy day.

See the ground, all covered in white,
Can you feel the cold air’s bite?
Making snowmen, snow angels too,
Snow is falling, yes it’s true.

Snowflakes, snowflakes, float to the ground.
Here they come without a sound.
Big and small, down they fall,
It’s a snowy, snowy day.

Make a snowball with your hands,
Toss it up and see where it lands.
Soft and powdery, white as glue,
Snow is falling, yes it’s true.

Luckily, most of the snow has melted and the high today is 60 degrees. My spring break starts next Monday, so I'm crossing my fingers in the hopes that this weekend was meant to balance out a perfect week of sunshine and 70 degree temps. I have other weather songs, ones about warm weather and fun in the sun, that I'd really like to get to. Have a great Monday, everyone :)

What Else Do I Need?

If you live in the midwest, you are no stranger to the fact that the weather can fluctuate radically on a daily basis. We started the week in the 30s, and today and tomorrow we're expecting 60-degree temperatures. I'm definitely not complaining about the warm-up, but sometimes it's a little difficult to keep up!

Today I headed out the door with a light jacket on over my sweater, but I'm waiting for the day when I'll need sunscreen and sunglasses, just like the song says.


Sheet Music: $1


It’s sunny, it’s sunny,
What else do I need?
Sunscreen and some sunglasses too,
That is what I need.

It’s chilly, it’s chilly,
What else do I need?
Mittens and a jacket too,
That is what I need.

It’s raining, it’s raining,
What else do I need?
Umbrella, rain boots, and slicker too,
That is what I need.

It’s freezing, it’s freezing,
What else do I need?
A winter coat, scarf, hat, and gloves,
That is what I need.

Oh, and if you are wondering, the official countdown to spring is at 15 days. And coincidentally, the first day of spring is also moving day for me! This weekend is daylight savings time, meaning we'll lose an hour of sleep on Saturday night/Sunday morning. But hey, I will gladly lose that hour if it means more light at night. A sure sign that spring is in the air...hey, I feel a song coming on :)

What to Wear, What to Wear

It's a little embarassing to admit, but one of the hardest parts of my day is picking out an outfit to wear. I always second guess myself...did I just wear this? Is this too spring-ish? Does this shirt even fit? This daily dilemma got me to thinking: it's probably a little overwhelming for kids when they first start dressing themselves. Now granted, they probably don't have the same concerns as us grown-ups (i.e. matching, obeying the rules of the season), but if I had to guess, I'd say it's a bit of a challenge.

That line of thinking inspired me to write this song, which covers several aspects of getting dressed. And next month, I'm going to use it as a precursor to the weather song, since our outfits are usually determined by the weather. Take a listen:


Sheet Music: $1


There are a few things that I need to know,
Before I get dressed today.
What’s the weather like?
Am I going to school?
Or just outside to play?

Because the people I see, and the places I go,
And whether there is sun or rain or snow,
All matter when I choose,
My clothes and my shoes.

Girls can wear a dress or skirt,
However, boys cannot,
We can all wear pants and even shorts,
Depending if it’s cold or it’s hot.

CHORUS

Next I’ll choose a shirt to wear,
Short-sleeved, or long,
Or maybe a sweater if it’s wintertime,
‘Cause in the summer that would be wrong.

CHORUS

Last but least comes shoes and socks,
Or sandals if it’s warm,
Sneakers if I’m playing outside,
Or boots if there is a storm.

CHORUS

I kept it simple, but I think it is effective. I've even found myself humming this tune a couple times this past week while standing in my closet, clueless as usual. Someday this will become an easy task...I hope!

Winter All Around Us

January is off to a great start. School is back in full swing, and most of my students are getting back into learning mode. I say "most" because some of my private students are still on winter break! I'm pretty sure they'll all be back in school tomorrow, but can you believe it? Two and a half weeks of vacation...wow. Anyway, there's no doubt that winter is truly here, and will be sticking around for the next few months. So here's a song to celebrate the coldest season of all:



Winter, winter, all around us
Cold out there, cold out there.
Coats and hats and scarves and mittens
I will wear, I will wear.

Winter, winter, all around us
Wind will blow, wind will blow,
Weather makes us want to stay inside
Ice and snow, ice and snow.

Winter, winter, all around us
Sing a song, sing a song,
As we count the days ‘til spring’s here
Won’t be long, won’t be long.

Truth be told, I am not a fan of winter. I absolutely crave warm weather, so I truly will be counting the days until spring arrives. Is it just me, or does winter seem interminable? Oh well; it's all about making the best of it, which I manage to do every year. What are some ways you enjoy the winter months?

It's a Cold Day!

Happy Tuesday to you all! You might recall that a few days ago, I shared with you the "Chilly Day" song since the temperature finally decided to head downwards. Well it didn't stop there; now it's just downright cold. In fact, we even had a few snowflakes yesterday. Luckily they have subsided (I'm not ready for that yet!), but the cold remains. So here's a very fitting song to complement the current conditions here in the good ol' Midwest:



Cold day, it’s a cold day
The temperature is low, this I know.
Cold day, it’s a cold day
So I’ll stay inside and watch the cold wind blow.

Cold day, it’s a cold day
I can see my breath each time I sing or talk.
Cold day, it’s a cold day
I need to bundle up if I go for a walk.

Cold day, it’s a cold day
The heat is on inside at home and school.
Cold day, it’s a cold day
I’ll zip my coat up because being warm is cool!

I spent last weekend in sunny Orlando, and now I'm bracing for the opposite end of the spectrum weatherwise as I head to Connecticut on Thursday. It will be a wonderful weekend no matter what the weather, as my family will be celebrating my brother-in-law Rob's marriage to his beautiful bride, Shannon.

But until then, look for another Thanksgiving tune tomorrow as we inch closer to that yummy holiday. I can't wait!

Chilly Day

Hey there, everyone! I hope you are all doing well on this Wednesday - though it feels like another Monday to me after the Veteran's Day holiday. It's a short week, as I'll be heading to Orlando on Friday for my friend Vanessa's wedding. But for now, I thought I'd share another weather song with you.

The weather here in the midwest is completely unpredictable, and in the last week and a half, we've had 70 degree days, 40 degree days, and everything in between. Today it's a little above average for (almost) mid-November, so it's the perfect time to post "Chilly Day." It goes like this:



I had to wear my jacket when I went outside today
I’ll have to wear it at recess if I go outside to play
Because it’s chilly, it’s chilly,
The air outside is chilly
It’s chilly, it’s chilly,
It’s chilly out today.

It’s fall and that is why the nice warm weather’s gone away
The temperature is lower and the cold is here to stay
That’s why it’s chilly, it’s chilly,
The air outside is chilly
It’s chilly, it’s chilly,
It’s chilly out today.

So bundle up when you go outside and do not catch a cold,
Zip up your jacket nice and warm, well this is what I’m told.
Because it’s chilly, it’s chilly,
The air outside is chilly
It’s chilly, it’s chilly,
It’s chilly out today.

I'm off to a Bulldog Pep Rally, where I'll be singing the now-famous Hope School Fight Song. Enjoy your afternoon, and see you tomorrow!

Cloudy Day

It's Monday, but I'm not in school...because it's Columbus Day! Thanks, Christopher Columbus, for discovering America, and creating an excuse for a day off to do all of the things I didn't have time for this weekend.

This work-week is an especially short one for me, as my husband and I will be spending a long weekend (Friday through Sunday) with friends in West Palm Beach. We need a mini-vacation after the whirlwind of the past couple months! So please try to contain your disappointment at my absence; I will try to make up for it by posting some great stuff in the next few days :)

Today, however, is not a very exciting day here at Listen & Learn. I had a very busy, family-filled weekend, which did not allow much time for all the recording that I have yet to do. So I will leave you with a song reflecting the current weather: cloudy, with a little gloominess on the side.



Cloudy day, it's a cloudy day
The sky is dark and the sun's gone away.
Cloudy day, it's a cloudy day
The only color that we see is gray.

When the clouds finally pass us by,
The sun will come back to light the sky.
But until then we'll have to sit and wait,
for the clouds to part just like a gate.

Cloudy day, it's a cloudy day
The sky is dark and the sun's gone away.
Cloudy day, it's a cloudy day
The only color that we see is gray.

Pitter Patter, Pitter Patter

The sun has finally taken a day off, and it's been replaced by storm clouds and raindrops. As much as I love sunny days, I am looking forward to singing a different weather song today. "Rainy Day" hasn't had much airtime since the spring, so it will be fun to dig it back out. Take a listen:



Pitter patter, pitter patter
Down comes the rain today
Clouds are forming in the sky,
Inside we'll have to stay.

Thunder crashes, boom boom boom!
We see lightning too.
Don't go outside,
Until the storm is through.

Pitter patter, pitter patter
Down comes the rain today
Clouds are forming in the sky,
Inside we'll have to stay.

Another Sunny Day

It's been a beautiful week here in central Illinois, and actually, with the exception of a few days here and there, the weather has been consistently sunny and warm all month. You know how excited I am about the advent of fall, but I am definitely enjoying these last few summer-like days.

There's nothing better than a beautiful, sunny Friday, so to celebrate, I'll share one of my most popular songs: "Sunny Day." My students absolutely love singing along, especially the part that goes "la la la la la." I wrote it early last year, and I have to say it is one of my personal favorites. So I hope you like it, too!



Sun-sun-sunny day, lalalalala,
Sun-sun-sunny day, yes sir!
Look outside and what do you see?
The sun is shining down on me.
Sun-sun-sunny day, lalalalala,
Sun-sun-sunny day!

The air is warm, and the sky is blue.
A beautiful day for me and you.

Sun-sun-sunny day, lalalalala,
Sun-sun-sunny day, yes sir!
Look outside and what do you see?
The sun is shining down on me.
Sun-sun-sunny day, lalalalala,
Sun-sun-sunny day!

Singing this song always puts me in a good mood. What songs do the same for you and your child or students?