I surely won't stop blogging.......

Only 3% of the general public really "get into" classical music. Why?

Why do so many people want their children to learn to play the piano? And why do so many children give it up after only a few years?

What if the whole world LOVED classical music?

Oh, and do you know anyone who is "tone deaf"? Here's a video of one of my favorite musicians.

Thanks for watching.
What would the world look like if we never said anything that wouldn't stand the test of being the very last thing you would ever say to them.....to your children, your partner, anyone?

Make a difference.
Love,
Yvette

Thank You

Dear friends,
A bunch of years ago I read a book called the Five Love Languages of Children. It's a great book by Gary Chapman.

These 5 love languages are

Time (presence)

Gifts

Touch

Acts of Service

and ....

um...

I always forget the one that speaks to me! Of course. We moms tend to do that.....

Oh, yes....

I do remember:

Words of Affirmation

From the bottom of my aching heart I so appreciate the kind words you have written to me and spoken to me since I've broken the news of my moving to North Carolina. I treasure them. I do feel very loved. Thank you.

Love,

Yvette

Farewell

Dear Friends,

Have you ever experienced when your toddler, busy in the adjacent room, becomes very quiet for a stretch of time...you jump up in a panic to check because surely something is up? Well, I've been quiet on this blog for a bit and sure enough something is up. My heart is trying to make some distance so it doesn't break too badly in saying goodbye.

“The winds of change are blowing my way. I can feel it in my bones.” This quote comes with a melody sung by the children’s music group, Gemini, that often performs in the Holland area. It’s been playing in my head and heart for a month now. I am relocating to Asheville North Carolina! It is exciting to be moving close to extended family members but at the same time I am experiencing great depths of sadness at leaving the Holland community and my “Kindermusik fan club”!

Needless to say I have great concern about passing the baton of Kindermusik on to an entity in the Holland area who can continue to offer this premier program to the many families who have and will continue to look to Kindermusik for their children’s musical beginnings and for the program that nurtures relationships between adults and children and gives children a solid start in cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development.

If you would like to connect with me on the possibilities of Kindermusik of Holland being part of your passion, part of your umbrella of music and art programs, and part of your community building relations programs please contact me at your earliest convenience. I will be formally closing the doors of my studio on July 25^th, 2008. I know I have lots of details to wrap up and if you have any questions or need to remind me of anything...please drop me an email.

Musically yours,

Yvette Odell
Kindermusik of Holland
616-392-7182
http://holland.kindermusik.net
www.kindermusikofholland.blogspot.com
singandtwirl@sbcglobal.net

"Imagination is more important than knowledge." A. Einstein

The POWER of a few moms.....

Just over 50 years ago a group of moms met at a picnic and started chatting. These moms each had young babies in common. Through their passionate conversation and connection they were inspired to meet again with the purpose to nurture precious support in their choice to breastfeed their babies. By word of mouth other moms joined the conversation. Soon it was necessary to organize and allow circles of moms all over the world to benefit from the information and support these few women had begun to amass. This is the story of La Leche League.

This story means a lot to me because in the first 10 days or so of nursing my first baby I teetered on the edge of giving up because of soreness. Calling a La Leche League leader saved me! I've attended meetings for over 20 years and have for the past 13 years as a leader been helping moms who are asking the same kinds of questions I asked!

La Leche Leage has been a powerful entity in my forming of my philosophy on parenting and nurturing children in general. Perhaps most poignant was that La Leche League encouraged me to listen to my heart first in everything I do concerning my work with children.

Yesterday, June 8, 2008, Edwina Froehlich, one of the moms in that very first conversation at the picnic in Chicago, passed away at 93 years young. Many La Leche League friends are wearing a pearl necklace in her honor this week. I'll be wearing mine in gratitude for her passion and activism.
LLLove,
Yvette

GOING GREEN

My daughter Claire has been involved in this little project at church. It's a community wide event so walk on over, bike on over, skate on over!

Travel Green!

The Blessing of All Green Modes of Transportation

Excited about eco-friendly travel? Whether it’s a bicycle, stroller, fuel efficient vehicle, skateboard, or feet, come have it blessed!

Literature will be available on topics such as bicycle safety, personal wellness, and environmental impact. We’ll also have maps of trails, giveaways, and more!

All are welcomed to this free community event. Bring a friend and a nonperishable food item for the St. Vincent de Paul Center. For more info call Carol Vandergriff at (616) 392-4434.

Saturday, June 14 at 3:00 pm at

St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church

195 W 13th St. in Holland

Support our planet...

...promote wellness

Summer Music

Kindermusik classes are over!
I'm missing you already! What do we do now? Before you are over involved in activities make sure you reserve your one on one time with your children. Sign up for the Kindermusik summer sessions right now!!

I've already started my summer job at the Holland Farmer's Market! I have enjoyed seeing some of my "fan club" out to buy plants for the garden. The Boeve's (that's the farmer that I work for) sell lots of tomato and pepper plants and other veggies for making up your garden. My favorite plants though, are the herbs. Come by for some aromatherapy!

Every Wednesday at the market from 10am to noon there will be children's programming. So on June 11 I will be there with some Kindermusik activities! Come for the fun!

Farmers Market Kids Activities: Kindermusik at the Market (Session One)

Wednesday June 11, 10:00 AM

Eighth Street Marketplace 150 West Eighth Street Holland, MI 49423 42.790063, -86.11421

Yvette Odell, from Kindermusik of Holland will be back at the market with fun farm songs and engaging activities for children. She’ll spark the imagination with songs about everything from corn seeds and cabbages to sun and rain. Spend the morning singing, twirling, and making music at the market!

The Big Read Bus will visit the Farmers Market from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with great books for fun summer reading!

Admission: free

Organized by: Downtown Holland Principal Shopping District
Contact: Holland Farmers Market
616.355.1130
http://www.hollandfarmersmarket.com

SATURDAY, MAY 10, 2008 * HILL AUDITORIUM, ANN ARBOR

The University Musical Society honors flutist Sir James Galway at the

13th Annual Ford Honors Program.

So.....I must brag a little!!! My flute duet friend and I went this concert and as part of the award to honor Sir James Galway we played a brand new piece of flute music commissioned as a surprise gift for him. The piece was a fantasie on "Oh, Danny Boy" and it was beautiful. So I've been going around telling everyone that I PLAYED FOR James Galway! (Hey, my name is even listed!) <<>> Of course the details are that there were over 100 flutes in this choir but it was very much a thrill for me! Sir James Galway said that out of all the halls in the world to play in his favorite was the opera hall in Sydney Australia and second was Hill Auditorium in Ann Arbor. True; as I listened to his concert I felt like my head was inside the piano...I could hear the felt of the hammers hit the strings and at the same time the flute was in perfect balance....It was a beautiful concert. I also enjoyed hearing his wife play with him on the Franz & Karl Doppler : Rigoletto Fantasy

As I look at the program book I'm thinking...."Now I HAVE to start a scrapbook!"