March is National Reading Month!

Do your kids have a favorite bedtime story, one that they request you read over and over again?  Well, at our house Pete the Cat is all the craze!   In these fun, repetitive, rhythmic books, you and your little ones will enjoy movin’ and groovin’ and singing Pete’s song.   Head to your local library and check out Pete the Cat by Eric Litwin, illustrated by James Dean …and as a totally rockin’ bonus, jump onto http://www.harpercollinschildrens.com/feature/petethecat/ where you can listen to all of the Pete the Cat books for free.

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Pete the Cat goes walking down the street wearing his brand new white shoes. Along the way, his shoes change from white to red to blue to brown to WET as we steps in piles of strawberries, blueberries and other big messes! But no matter what color his shoes are, Pete keeps movin' and groovin' and singing his song...because it's all good. 

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Pete discovers the library, the lunchroom, the playground, and lots of other cool places at school. And no matter where he goes, Pete never stops movin’ and groovin’ and singing his song . . . because it’s all good.

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Pete the Cat is wearing his favorite shirt—the one with the four totally groovy buttons. But when one falls off, does Pete cry? Goodness, no! He just keeps on singing his song—after all, what could be groovier than three groovy buttons?

-Posted by Miss Allie

Presidential Mac n' Cheese

I wanted to share one of my favorite recipes.  My mom made this for me when I was a child.  I introduced my husband to it when we were dating, and he swears it’s better than the box now.  We made it tonight, but unfortunately it’s not one of our daughter's favorites yet.  Hopefully, it will be just a matter of time.  My mom says she found it in one of her magazines and it comes from President Reagan.  I’ve also thought about throwing in some veggies to increase the nutritional value.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!!

 Macaroni and Cheese

2 Cups dry macaroni 

1 tsp. butter

1 egg, beaten

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. dry mustard

3 Cups grated sharp cheddar cheese

1 Cup milk

Boil the macaroni in water until tender; drain thoroughly.  Stir in butter and egg.  Mix salt and mustard with 1 Tbs hot water and add to milk.  Add cheese to macaroni, reserving enough to sprinkle on top.  Pour macaroni mixture into buttered casserole.  Pour milk over macaroni; sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for about 45 minutes or until custard is set and top is crusty (the best part!).

-Posted by Miss Karin

Staci's FAQs

As the faithful Administrative Assistant of Pied Piper Studios, the voice on the phone, the answerer of many Kindermusik questions, I have compiled my FAQ’s. 

Staci’s FAQ’s

Let’s start with a fun one: 

1.  Who do I hear in the background?

I work from home.  I typically work during my ‘office assistants’ nap times (1-3pm) Sometimes, however, my Kindermusik world and Stay-At-Home-Mom world overlap.  So naturally when I pick up the phone, Abby (almost 5) and Katy (2) also like to ‘help’ and put in their two-cents. 

2.  How do I pay my Kindermusik bill?

When you register for Kindermusik, I take your credit card information over the phone and set-up a recurring monthly charge.  A credit/debit card is your safest and most secure way to make any payment.

3. What is on-going enrollment? 

You will hear me say ‘on-going enrollment’ and ‘perpetual enrollment’ when discussing our program.  This means that once you enroll with us, you will be enrolled in our program until you tell us that you would no longer like to be enrolled.  This is so fabulous for busy families!  No need to ever fill out another registration form, no need to sit on a waiting list, no need to keep track of when to re-register!  Of course, when your child is ready to promote to the next class, we will be in contact with you about that exciting transition.  To un-enroll, simply call me at 515.221.2948 and I will cancel your future payments and open up your spot in the class.

4.  I want in a different class.  How do I do that? 

We understand your busy schedules sometimes change.  If you would like to switch classes, please let me (and your educator) know as soon as possible. We will try our best to place you in a class that will work with your new schedule, space permitting. We may have to place you on a waiting list if the class you request is already full.

5.  How do I schedule a make up class?

If you have to miss class, I'd love to help you schedule a make-up.  All you have to do is check out our schedule (www.piedpiperstudios.org) and let us know which class you would like to attend as your make up.  If you don’t have time to look on-line, just call me and I can schedule it for you.

6.  I’m on a waiting list for a class.  What do I do? 

I have a special place in my heart for the families on our waiting lists.  Please know that I go over my lists all the time and try to move mountains for those families who are waiting for a space.  First of all, if your schedule is at all flexible, there may actually be space for you.  If your schedule isn’t flexible, I will place you on the waiting list for your preferred class and once someone moves out of the class, I’ll be in contact with you to get you enrolled.   

7.  What do I do with my digital home materials?   

I am so excited about our digital home materials.  The materials allow you to do Kindermusik at home!  What fun!  Miss Jenn wrote a fabulous blog about this exact question and so here is that information.  (Go to Miss Jenn’s Blog). 

But I thought I’d give you my take on this also.  When I get the materials delivered to my email inbox, I login and download the music immediately.  We can then listen to Kindermusik in the car on the way to our activities.  Then I print out the activities I think my kids would enjoy doing. You can print as many copies as you like. I have found them to be fun, educational, and very creative.   Both of my girls really enjoy watching the videos provided!  Home materials also include e-books that can be printed out or downloaded to a device like an iPad.  My girls reenact their classes easily at home with these materials!

-Posted by Staci Gehlbach, Administrative Assistant- Pied Piper Studios