Monthly Archives: September 2012

Cards for Clara

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A week ago, we shared the story of the Peters family.  Clara, who is in kindergarten, was diagnosed with a bone marrow disease and is in the process of treatment at Children’s Mercy Hospital.  This treatment includes chemotherapy and a bone marrow transplant (from one of her sisters).  Due to her compromised immune system, Clara will remain in the hospital for quite awhile.

You can watch the story that aired on NBC here: http://www.kshb.com/dpp/news/health/5-year-old-to-receive-life-saving-cure-from-sister-after-being-diagnosed-with-bone-marrow-disorder.  It won’t take very long for you to realize what an amazing family they are!  To receive frequent updates, you can “like” Clara’s Crew on Facebook.

This Friday is Clara’s birthday.  We want to encourage all of our InJoy families to send a card (have your child help make a card or choose a special card together).  If you need some design inspiration, Clara loves rainbows.  We know she will be thrilled to know people are thinking of her.

In the coming days and weeks, consider sending another card. Children always enjoy getting mail and when they are in the hospital, it’s extra special.  You can mail cards directly to Children’s Mercy Hospital.

Clara Peters
2401 Gillham Road
4 Henson Room 23
KC, MO 64108

Thanks for helping out a member of our InJoy Music community!

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/ndm007/263855278/”>nathan makan</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photopin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/”>cc</a> 

Food Allergy Week

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If you’ve been a member of the InJoy community for awhile, you know that anytime we celebrate in class (Halloween, Valentine’s Day), we have a “No Nuts” policy.  We also ask that you share any food allergies with us when you enroll so that we can make individual classes aware of other food allergies.  It’s important to us to honor the needs of children and help make sure they are safely included in opportunities for snacks and treats.  Before each class celebration, your educator will give you a list of children in the class and will make you aware of any food allergies (the allergy only.. not the specific child’s name).  When planning a treat to share, you are encouraged to read labels carefully to avoid those allergies.  Your educators and the families in your class appreciate your cooperation.

Here are some interesting facts about Food Allergies in the United States: 

* Nationally, 8% of children (that’s 6 million kids!) have food allergies and young children tend to be the most affected.

* Food allergy is a growing public health concern.

* As many as 15 million people have food allergies.

* An estimated 9 million, or 4%, of adults have food allergies.

* Boys appear to develop food allergies more than girls.

* Food allergies may be a trigger for or associated with other allergic conditions, such as atopic dermatitis and eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases.

* Although childhood allergies to milk, egg, wheat, and soy, generally resolve in childhood, they appear to be resolving more slowly than in previous decades, with many children still allergic beyond age 5 years. Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, or shellfish15 are generally lifelong allergies.

To learn more about Food Allergies, visit the FAAN Website.  You’ll find information about many types of food allergies, FAQs, research, advocacy information, and much more.  If you’d like to get involved on a local level, this Saturday, September 15th, is the  Food Allergy Walk in Kansas City.  By participating in this walk, you’ll help support the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN) in their ongoing research and support of families dealing with food allergies.

Photo Credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/dotpolka/95640831/”>dotpolka</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photo pin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/”>cc</a>

Getting to Know Your Kindermusik Educators: Miss Erin

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Meet Miss Erin

Miss Erin is the newest addition to the InJoy Music staff.  She became a licensed Kindermusik Educator and began teaching classes this summer.  Miss Erin is a board-certified music therapist whose work included special training in therapy with infants in the neonatal unit at Children’s Mercy Hospital. She is the fifth educator in our Getting to Know Your Kindermusik Educators in 10 Questions feature.

1.   Where were you born?
I was born in Dallas, Texas at Baylor Medical Center – a true Big XII girl, from birth!

2.   Do you have siblings?
I do not. I am an only child; however, I got my first dog – as promised! – on my 10th birthday.

3.   What was your favorite toy as a child? 
Hrmm. . . I think it’s a tie: I was OBSESSED with dinosaurs around kindergarten, and had a full set of carnivores and herbivores and even a velociraptor that made screeching noises! But!! I was also serious fan of dress-up, and loved to play “Spice Girls” with my best friend in platformed shoes and crazy get-ups. Of COURSE there was singing!!!

4.   Do you have children?
I do not.

5.   When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
First I wanted to work at McDonald’s, then I though it would be nice to be a veterinarian, and I still want to be a pediatrician!

6.   Sumer or winter?
Summer – just not another like this past one. I do need moisture, and not my own sweat.

7.   Would you bungee jump?
Probably not – I already had one life-altering accident and understand that thrill-seeking is fun, but life is more precious.

8.   What’s the next planned event you’re looking forward to in your life?
KU Homecoming 2012 – ROCK CHALK on Saturday, October 27th, at Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas!!

9.   What’s the worst/most embarrassing CD/Album you’ve ever owned?  Do you still own it?  Still listen?
Uhm, I don’t think I still have it, but I owned AQUA’s original album with “Barbie Girl” and “Candy Man” and other oh-so-catchy tunes.

10. What is your favorite thing about Kindermusik? 
Seeing the joy and listening to the laughter and singing of the children and families I lead in music exploration.

Miss Erin is looking forward to the start of classes this week!  Haven’t signed up for a class yet?  There is still time!  Visit our website to view the schedule and enroll TODAY!

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlebemle/3511330328/”>maybeemily</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photo pin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/”>cc</a>

 

Getting to Know Your Kindermusik Educators: Miss Megan

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Meet Miss Megan

Miss Megan has been a Kindermusik parent since her oldest daughter was 12-weeks old.  Realizing the value of Kindermusik in her daughters’ lives, Miss Megan became a licensed Kindermusik Educator and has been teaching for InJoy Music since 2010.  Megan is the fourth educator to be featured in our Getting To Know Your Kindermusik Educators in 10 Questions feature. Visit tomorrow and Monday to meet our remaining two educators.


1. Where were you born? 
Mexico… Gotcha! That is Mexico, Missouri

2. Do you have siblings? 
Yes, one older brother, Jared.

3. What was your favorite toy as a child? 
Hollie Hobby ragdoll. Or as I called it “hobby hobby!”

4. Do you have children?
3 little girls; Ryann (7), Reese (5) and Reagan (3)

5. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
an eye doctor

6. Sumer or winter?
Tough to choose. Love to ski (winter) but you can’t beat the beach (summer)

7. Would you bungee jump?
Nope- never!

8. What’s the next planned event you’re looking forward to in your life?
We are planning on our first family trip to Disney in June. I am not sure who is more excited; the girls or me?

9. What’s the worst/most embarrassing CD/Album you’ve ever owned?  Do you still own it?  Still listen?
Weird Al Yankovich- Dare to be Stupid. I blame this on my brother. He and I used to listen to Like a Surgeon and Girls Just Want to Have Lunch on repeat. I would make up dances to go along with the songs. We thought it was hilarious. I can say my taste has evolved and I no longer listen to Weird Al (thankfully).

10. What is your favorite thing about Kindermusik?
My favorite thing about Kindermusik is hearing the kids sing. There is a moment when they start to feel comfortable in the class and will start singing on their own. I love that!!!!

Miss Megan can’t wait to see you in class next week. Haven’t signed up for a class yet?  There is still time!  Visit our website to view the schedule and enroll TODAY!

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlebemle/3511330328/”>maybeemily</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photo pin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/”>cc</a>

Getting to Know Your Kindermusik Educators: Miss Miranda

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Meet Miss Miranda

Miss Miranda is a licensed Kindermusik educator who joined InJoy Music in 2009.  She attended Kansas State University where earned a degree in Business Administration with a minor in music.  Miss Miranda is the third educator to be featured in our Getting To Know Your Kindermusik Educators in 10 Questions feature.  Visit us again tomorrow to meet another InJoy Music educator.

1. Where were you born? 
I was born at Research Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri. At the time, my family lived in Lenexa, but we moved to Beloit, Kansas when I was three years old.

2. Do you have siblings? 
I am the youngest of four….I have two brothers and one sister. There are five years between me and my closest-in-age sibling. I am told that my parents had gotten rid of all of the baby stuff, and then….surprise! Here I came! 🙂

3. What was your favorite toy as a child? 
My baby doll, “Cindy Kay,” was a very important part of my little life. I played with her so much (and completely wore her out) that one Christmas I recieved “Cindy Kay 2”. I still have both dolls.

4. Do you have children? 
My husband, Dave, and I have two boys. Josh is 4 1/2 years old (as he will proudly tell you), and Isaiah is 15 months old.

5. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I remember three ideas I had: 1) a harpist, 2) a nurse, or 3) a teacher. It’s cool that my seven-year-old self got one out of three right!

6. Summer or winter?
I’ve always liked winter. I love fall and winter clothes, and the wonderful outdoor smell of fireplaces burning in the cold air.

7. Would you bungee jump?
Nope – not even if my life depended on it. As I’ve gotten older, I enjoy heights less and less. I don’t even like ferris wheels! I’m a bit of a wuss.

8. What’s the next planned event that you are looking forward to in your life? 
Dave and I are going to try and get to Mexico for a long weekend next spring or summer. We’ve been there three times together so far, and I’ve been excited to go back ever since we got home from our last trip!

9. What’s the worst/most embarrassing CD/Album you’ve ever owned? Do you still own it? Still listen?
Since our shelves are packed with kids’ music, the worst one in recent memory is a Shakira baby CD. Imagine “Hips Don’t Lie” in elevator music format. Worst. CD. Ever.

10. What is your favorite thing about Kindermusik? 
My favorite thing about Kindermusik is the community it creates around the love of music. What a happy place to be!

Miss Miranda can’t wait to see you in class next week. Haven’t signed up for a class yet?  There is still time!  Visit our website to view the schedule and enroll TODAY!

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlebemle/3511330328/”>maybeemily</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photo pin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/”>cc</a>

 

 

Getting to Know Your Kindermusik Educators: Miss Laura

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Getting to Know Miss Laura

Miss Laura is a Licensed Kindermuisk Educator at InJoy Music.   She taught elementary music for several years in Grain Valley, MO and Olathe, KS, and gave flute, piano, and voice lessons for over 12 years. Miss Laura is the second educator to be featured in our Getting to Know Your Kindermusik Educator in 10 Questions series.  Visit the blog each day to read about another educator.

1. Where were you born?
I was born in Warrensburg, MO, but I lived outside of Holden, MO.

2. Do you have siblings?
My sister, Christi is 5 years younger and my brother Caleb, is 10 years younger

3. What was your favorite toy as a child?
My favorite toy was a dollhouse my dad built that looked just like our house right down to the bricks he made out of pieces of red label tape.

4. Do you have children?
Yes – three boys! Reece is 8.5 and Owen and Brooks just turned 3.

5. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I went back and forth between wanting to be a teacher and an interior decorator. But I think I always knew I’d be a teacher.

6. Summer or winter?
Fall, definitely. Crisp mornings, pumpkin bread, candles and camping on cool nights; my perfect day.

7. Would you bungee jump?
Now that I have kids, probably not. But I did do one of those bungee rides where they pull you up to the top of a crane and release you to go flying across the parking lot.

8. What’s the next planned event you’re looking forward to in your life?
Nothing major, but our family’s going camping in October and we always enjoy that!

9. What’s the worst/most embarrassing CD/Album you’ve ever owned? Do you still own it? Still listen?
Um, I grew up in the 80’s, so pick a cassette. Although I do still own the New Kids on the Block Christmas album and some Kenny G; that’s pretty bad. Yes, I still own them, but no I don’t listen to them – or do I?

10. What is your favorite thing about Kindermusik?
From a teacher perspective, it’s my families. I love seeing them each week and interacting with them during class. From a parent perspective, I love watching KM activities transfer into our daily lives. Like a song from class being sung during an activity at home.

Miss Laura can’t wait to see you in class next week. Haven’t signed up for a class yet?  There is still time!  Visit our website to view the schedule and enroll TODAY!

photo credit: <a href=”http://www.flickr.com/photos/mlebemle/3511330328/”>maybeemily</a> via <a href=”http://photopin.com”>photo pin</a> <a href=”http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.0/”>cc</a>