Beethoven Lives Upstairs

Christoph is a little boy in Vienna who has just lost his father. His mother needs to rent out his father’s office space to make a living and Ludwig Van Beethoven moves in while he is writing his ninth symphony. Christoph doesn’t know what to make of this eccentric gentleman and writes letters to his uncle, a music student, about the disaster that is the musical genius. The book is written entirely in letters between nephew and uncle and sprinkles bits of historical facts into the story. As the story unfolds and at his uncle’s prodding, Christoph finds his opinion of Beethoven changing and the reader sees Christoph maturing and softening with compassion.

This is a fantastic book to include or even introduce in your study of classic composers. As I said, the book is written almost entirely in letters, have your child read the letters from Christoph and you read the letters from the uncle.

Then check out the audio by the same title produced by Classical Kids (BMG Kidz). Allow your child to listen through a few times (the audio is abridged and the children will pick up on this very quickly). After they've listened a few times encourage your child to pay attention to the music in the background. Ask them to write about the mood of the song and Christoph's mood. You can stop the CD after each letter if necessary. You can also have them draw a picture, abstract if possible so as not to stretch the lesson out farther than necessary.

Check out some other classical CD's from the library and discuss the mood of various songs. Also, don't forget to pick up some biographies of Ludwig Van Beethoven and discuss what liberties Barbara Nichol may have taken with her historical fiction.

Check and see if your local philharmonic or symphony offers special times or shows for children. If you live near me, our local philharmonic is very child friendly and offers several children's shows throughout the year. The conductor turns and talks to the children, he's very good with the children.

Here are some additional resources for Beethoven Lives Upstairs. There is a movie of this available as well but I have never seen it so I can't give a recommendation on it.

Works for Me Wednesday

Have you ever owned a shirt where the pocket or collar wouldn't stay down? I have this lovely brown striped shirt that a friend gave me but the pockets stay flipped up, even straight out of the dryer. Mr. Steady suggested I iron the shirt but I say peshaw, who irons? Especially when they make glue dots. Besides, this is Works for ME Wednesday. If ironing works for you, go with it.

I may or may not have done this on the way to church. I'm not telling. Either way, one glue dot placed strategically under each corner will do a right fine job until you can tack the pocket down. Or until you wear the shirt the next time when you'll apply a new set of glue dots. Whichev.

Are my glue dots showing? Don't forget to take the glue dots off before laundering.

Go over to We Are THAT Family for more Works for Me Wednesday posts.

Muffin Tin Monday Wednesday

I found Her Cup Overfloweth a few weeks ago when I shared with someone how I like to make my lunch for my children in a muffin tin. It started one day when I got sick of telling them for the upteenth time that they most certainly could not buy those prepackaged lunch kits at the grocery store. I called it a Sampler Platter and they loved it. I even got The Thinker to try some things he normally wouldn't.

She told me about Muffin Tin Monday and I haven't been the same since. I love seeing what everyone has put in their muffin tins and seeing past themes. There was no theme for this week so I followed suit. I had never thought to put hot food in their tins before, I always use finger foods and the occasional yogurt.

Clockwise from top left, baby carrots, peanut butter and jam soldiers, milk, chocolate cupcake with green icing, sausage and rice soup, green grapes.

Next week's theme is "All About Me!"

Speaking of Giveaways

The Nester has begun her giveaway extravaganza, one giveaway every hour!

Lola B's is Hosting a Giveaway

Have you heard? Lola B's is hosting a giveaway! Do I come up with creative titles or what? So anyways, go say "hey" and enter your name in the drawing! And don't forget who your friends are when you win!

Works for Me Wednesday

I don't believe I've ever participated in Works for Me Wednesday but I keep wanting to share this with you.

I bought this four cup muffin cup at a garage sale several years ago without nary a purpose in mind. However, I quickly realized that all of those odds and ends of good smelling candles could fit in there. I don't have a fancy electric wax burner so I put plain wax in my muffin tin and whenever we're done using our stove we place the muffin tin on the turned-off-but-still-very-hot burner. The wax quickly melts and the smell soon permeates the house.

Right now I have a collection of chocolate, vanilla and caramel in there but I am thinking I'll pop these out (just place in the freezer for a few hours) and replace it with Mr. Steady's favorite Butterscotch Brulee from The Candle House.

For more Works for Me Wednesday tips, visit We Are That Family blog.

Nursing Cover Up

Recently a friend of mine had a sweet baby boy and I made her a nursing cover up using the directions I found here. I had the boning and D-rings already because I had every intention of making one for myself when The Entertainer was born but didn't get around to it. Can't imagine that.

It's been a loooong time since I sat down at the sewing machine but it was very quick and easy to do. You simply take a yard of fabric, cut a strip lengthwise for the straps (although I agree with the author of the tutorial that the straps are still way too long). Hem around three edges, sew your straps up, add the D-rings, add the boning and voila. It's very modest and portable.