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Brooklyn Duo: Someone Like You

by | Jun 22, 2015 | Gather 'Round, Musical Monday

Brooklyn Duo Someone Like You

 

 

If you’ve been following my Musical Monday posts, you already know that I’m very, very partial to the cello.  It’s my favorite, hands down.  The rich sound just hits my heart!

 

I really like this cover of Adele’s Someone Like You, particularly the way the cello and piano take turns playing the melody.  That’s a good talking point to mention to your kids as you watch and listen.  

 

Also, isn’t the microphone for the cello really cool-looking?  It took me a couple seconds to figure out what it was.

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The Art of Andreas Lie

by | Jun 19, 2015 | Art, Gather 'Round, photography

andreas lie wolf

 

This art by Andreas Lie caught my attention this year, and my sons and I thought it was really fascinating.  Andreas is a 24 year old mixed-media artist from Norway, and in this series he artfully combines photography of wild animals with landscapes.  What a creative approach!  Don’t you agree?

 

Andreas graciously gave me permission to share his work with you here.  Isn’t it cool?  You can follow Andreas on Facebook, or buy his prints here, or here if you are in the UK.

 

andreas lie bison

 

andreas lie bear

 

andreas lie wolf

 

andreas lie bison 2

 

andreas lie bear

 

andreas lie fox

 

andreas lie squirrel

 

andreas lie deer

 

andreas lie horse

Happy Birthday Igor Stravinsky!

by | Jun 17, 2015 | Gather 'Round, Musical Monday

stravinsky

Igor Stravinksy was a Russian composer, pianist, and conductor who was born on June 17, 1882.  He is considered to be one of the most important composers of the 20th century.  

 

His composition, The Rite of Spring, is one of his most famous pieces.  I’ve included this cool video of an animated score because I think it can really enhance the listening experience!  I think your children (and you!) will be fascinated.

 

You can learn more about Igor Stravinsky and his music in our Late 1800s/Early 1900s Composer Study Collection. 

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How to Invite Your Kids to Be Creative Without Saying a Word

by | May 21, 2015 | Art, Gather 'Round, Mom to Mom, The Winds of Inspiration

invitation to creativity
We have a tradition that we try to keep going at our house.  During the school week we generally don’t play video games.  Saturdays are “Game Day” when the kids can play video games all day long if they want to.  Sunday is “Screen-Free Day” which the boys often act like they hate, except once the screen time is removed, they find other things to do that they really enjoy.
 
I try to help remove the boredom/lack of direction/hopelessness that kids can sometimes feel when you just took away their favorite thing and they don’t know what to do next.  My favorite thing to do is to clean off the kitchen table and set up something that I think they will enjoy.  It might be a puzzle, a game, sculpey clay, a baking project, or art supplies.  This is what I set up today:
Nothing fancy.  Just clear space and simple materials.  
Within a short time they all gravitated toward the invitation and were doing this:

 

I had some nice music on in the background.  My daughter was at another table working on a 1000-piece puzzle.  I was making pancakes and reading.
 
I find that clearing spaces and creating invitations is a really nice thing to do for the family.  It provides an opportunity to bring out those card games/art supplies/stickers/projects that sometimes get forgotten during the regular weekday life.  I’ve never set up an invitation at the table that the kids didn’t want to do.
 
Try it!  Let me know how it goes.

 

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