Final NAEYC Shots

I'm attempting to 'finish' off these variety of shots from NAEYC, because life has marched on with several new & wonderful events since then, but I wanna be certain to get all of these pictures up before I move on. In this series, I have the Phillipines, Mexico, Nigeria and both Dayton and Columbus represented. How's that for diversity? From my various outfits captured here, it appears that at least three different days are reflected in this grouping: LOL. I had fun, a great deal of fun. A great deal of inspiration. A great deal of support. A great deal of seed planting. A great deal of opportunities on the horizon. A great deal of gratitude to my official sponsors at Zaner-Bloser. A great deal of thanks to my unofficial sponsors ZB's parent company at Highlights. A great deal of thanks to both Lois and Deborah for allowing me to share their moments in the spotlight. A great deal of thanks to Zak for his energy and enthusiasm in our own workshop. A great deal of thanks to Connie for getting me on the agenda to begin with. A great deal of anticipation to Redleaf for the project that's hatching as I type. A great deal of thanks to Mar for introducing me to new Floridians. A great appreciation for the hugs of fellow presenters, Mary Jo, Dr. Thomas and Lisa Ooey-Gooey in the elevator. And finally, a great deal of thanks to NAEYC for pulling it all together. Until next year!!!!

[WHEW!!!! A new personal blogging high-light. I just linked to an even DOZEN brilliant links -- into a bigger & brighter day for children..... thru the efforts of these individuals and their companies!! Not too very long ago, I didn't even know how to post a hot link. LOL. Look at me now!!]

NAEYC Sixty Minutes

No. Not the TV show..... the amount of time in our workshop presentation. We went in with a plan. Five songs per performer x 2 performers = 10 songs divided by 60 minutes = 6 minutes per song, intro, sing-a-long, AND outro. We did it. In a whirl. In a whizz. In a splash. What we forgot to do was set up someone to take pictures. (Sarah where are ya when we need ya??) At the very last possible minute, I grabbed my camera and we got these couple of shots..... none of us together, at least not on my camera.

Meet Zak Morgan, of Zakland. Here he is with the promise: put something on your head, and you are automatically, 100% guarenteed more eye contact from preschoolers, than without that something on your head. His chorus about Johnny Appleseed, "I like apples and I like being free!" necessitated that I loan him my star headband from my earlier "Red, White and Blue."

The very scant-i-est of documentation that we were there. We sang. We danced. And there was JOY!! (That was in the title.) Sixty minutes is not a lot of time. It was like a whole lot of appetizers on fast-forward. I was delighted to get to participate. This was my seventh consecutive NAEYC workshop -- due to the generosity of Connie Dow realizing she couldn't be in two places at the same time. Next year is Orlando. Note to self: assign camera personnel ahead of time.

NAEYC: Next BIGGIE

While my bags are packed right this minute to go to Perry County for my family concert at their main library in New Lexington tonight..... I am also juggling all sorts of excitement on the horizon. Meet Zak Morgan. Here we are at the end of last week, in the food court of the Outlet Mall, midway between our two homes on Interstate 71 .

The two of us will be presenting together for the first time in California next month!!!! NAEYC is just a few short weeks away & while we've strategized on the phone, we now have a genuine outline. Our real challenge is that we only have 60 minutes. Honestly, 60 minutes. Oh, and we were assigned the opening morning, opening time slot -- to begin at 8:30 a.m. on Thursday. So up 'n at-em!! The early bird catches the worm. Rise and shine.

How on earth do we imagine containing our enthusiasm to 60 minutes, you ask? VERY good question. We plan on giving taste-tests of our favorite songs for one strategy. I have my brand new book. Zak has a brand new CD. Buckle your seat belts everybody we're gonna be movin' at mach speed.

****Many thanks to Connie Dow for pairing the two of us together in her absence. We will miss your contribution, but hope that the three of us will be on stage together for spring OAEYC.
****Zak has received a Grammy nomination for his artistry in the past. He's got the serious music-chops & talent. He has a brilliant warm heart and has been a spectacular friend thru the years. What's taken us this long to present together??

Make plans now!!! This is a first. Tell your friends. Oh...... and set your alarm clock!!