December 2006
Monthly Archive
Love Letters from Canada
Posted by kmwithsarah on 28 Dec 2006 | Tagged as: Family, Julia
Hello from Lakefield, the Cradle of Canadian Literature, hometown of the Canadian music sensation Leahy, and, well, me. We’ve had a decidedly green Christmas around here this year, but it has been wonderful to be back here with friends and family for the holidays.
Things I have learned so far:
1) The portable DVD player is an invention of pure genius. Both I and my fellow passengers would like to award a Nobel Peace Prize to the women and men responsible for finding a way for Julia to watch Curious George twice, on demand, during our 14 hour flight to Toronto.
2) Two year olds neither like, nor understand, jetlag.
3) Furthermore, caring for a toddler who wakes up at 3 am, demanding dinner, Dora the Explorer to appear on late night TV, and the sun to rise is not at the top of my Fun Things I Get To Do Now That I’m A Mom! list. Thankfully, it only lasted a few days.
4) Parsnips are fabulous! I had completely forgotten that they existed. Welcome back, old friend. I’ve missed you, and hope you are hidden somewhere in the Beijing veggie seller’s piles when I return.
5) Christmas is a completely delightful season when you have a 2 year old to share it with you. Thank you Julia, for being the best Christmas present ever.
Spring 2007 Enrolment Reminder
Posted by kmwithsarah on 14 Dec 2006 | Tagged as: KM Information, Useful Information
Tis’ the season for oh so many things, but in the midst of all your holiday frenzy don’t forget that a fresh new session of Kindermusik classes will be on offer at locations across Beijing in early January. Classes are filling fast, so enrol now to avoid disappointment in the new year!
But which to register for? There are lots of choices, and you can view them all on the handy online schedule. Wondering what the theme is for the class you’ve selected? See detailed descriptions of all the classes on offer here. Want to know the price of a class or have other questions? Get in touch! I’ll be in Canada with Julia from December 18th to January 6th, but will be answering e-mails regularly during our trip.
So celebrate the season and have a wonderful holiday with your family no matter where or how you are spending it. I’ll see you in the new year for more musical Kindermusik fun together!
The Carousel at Jianwai SOHO
Posted by kmwithsarah on 11 Dec 2006 | Tagged as: Julia
Julia, my 2 year old daughter, would like to inform you all that the carousel at Jianwai SOHO is free, but they will only run it for 5 or more kids at a time. Sure, windburn is an issue in Beijing in December, but Julia assures you all that it is a very good time.
And if you don’t believe her, see for yourself in this little video we shot today.
The Clarion Brass rings in the holidays!
Posted by kmwithsarah on 08 Dec 2006 | Tagged as: All that other stuff, Family, Julia, Only in Beijing
Ladies and gentlemen, feast your eyes and ears on the Clarion Brass and their online, animated holiday concert. Guaranteed holiday giggles, from the sky writing partridge and a sleigh named Rosebud, to the Fiddler Brass on the Roof salute to Chanukah. I now have no doubt that the Internet has changed everything . . . even Christmas.
In related news, I got a Christmas tree today from a street stall in front of the mall beside what remains of the Lady Street market.
I wasn’t going to do a tree here this year, as Julia and I will be in Canada for the big day. But then Julia started telling me about all the Santas at Carrefour, and pointing out Christmas lights and trees around town, so I swallowed my inner “Christmas in Asia feels like a Boxing Day sale” Grinch and bargained as best I could for a tree, lights and some sparkly star ornaments.
I didn’t have a family tree trimming party like we always had at home, but I did visit my Christmas memories of those times while I worked away at our little tree. Julia did help put a couple of decorations up, before retiring her cranky self to the couch to watch TV, and then later for a huge nap.
The tree sparkles in that magical way only Christmas trees do, and looks suitably festive in our living room. But best of all, Julia likes it so much she gave it a big hug and sang it Happy Birthday. Now that’s what I call festive!
Kindermusik is good for you!
Posted by kmwithsarah on 06 Dec 2006 | Tagged as: KM Information, Useful Information
I’ve believed in the power of Kindermusik since I first enrolled my daughter Julia in a Village class. But its always nice to hear that your parental intuition is backed up by science!
A recent study has found that repeated enrolment in Kindermusik imporvies a child’s ability to plan, guide, and control their own behaviour. Want to learn more? Take a peek at this re-enrolment article from Kindermusik International.
So there you go! A fun, musical activity for your child that’s also good for her overall development. What are you waiting for? Use the handy online enrolment form and re-enrol your child in a Kindermusik with Sarah class today.