Since then, something struck me about the importance of music and it's power to cultivate emotion and solidify a memory.  As the kids have gotten older, it has been an intentional effort of mine to include music among their childhood memories.  While I think there is something transcendent about music centered around worship {one of our fav artists is Shane and Shane} we also listen to a lot of main stream music, too.  Our home is often filled with music, and the kids have each developed their respective favorites.  In fact, I feel like it's given me a bit more insight into their personalities to know each child's preferences.  My seven year old son Aidan has an uncanny amount of physical energy; in fact, so much so that one time he broke his nose and chipped a tooth on the headboard of our bed, just being a super hero.  However, when Aidan listens to music, he seems to prefer acoustic/folksy music or sounds that are soft and lyrical; he often relaxes when he listens and it seems to calm him.  Mia, on the other hand, is my little rocker {in the picture she is belting it out to Kelly Clarkson's Stronger} and loves pop and rock and roll.  One of my biggest dilemmas has been how to handle the kids during the witching hour {you know, that hour before dinner, where they are tired and hungry and tend to whine and fight.  Your kids would never act that way, I'm sure, but that's how it is in our house.}  Well, I have found that is often the best time to turn the music up as loud as it will go and dance in the kitchen.  Also, sometimes at bedtime, the kids request listening to a favorite song instead of a story.  I'm looking forward to taking them to their first concert, when the time seems right.  But overall, my main drive has been that when the kids remember home, not only do they remember times of peace, quiet and safety, but they also have memories of heart-pumping dancing in the kitchen, laughter, and that special type of joy that accompanies music.

What about you?  Do your children love music and how do they respond to it?  Do you dance in your kitchen.... or only when no one is looking? ;)

Dancing Poster by Joy of Ex, found here.  For some of our family's fav songs, you can click here or listen to the songs on the pop up player on the right side of the blog===>

It's not a secret that bright, enamel jewelery has been a trend for awhile now.  One of the things I love about Joyfolie is taking some of today's modern trends and applying them to little girls.  So, considering Easter is this weekend, the profusion of candy, and the chunky jewelry trend, I have the perfect DIY for you.  I took the color inspiration of coral, lilac, and teal in the lovely bouquet above and used similar hues in this necklace, perfect for your little gal's Easter basket {or perhaps equally fun as birthday party favors}:


So, here is what you need:


Supplies:
gumballs
ribbon
satin or fake flowers
felt
gems {optional}
clip
fabric glue or glue gun


tools:
a metal skewer

Reading through the material list, this DIY is for a gumball necklace!  You may like the fun, ephemeral nature of the materials.  If you don't like that and want it to be lasting, I have tips for that at the bottom.

So, to start, use your skewer to poke holes in all your gumballs:




Next, take your ribbon, and wrap the end with a piece of tape {makes it easier to thread} and push the ribbon through the gumball, knotting the ribbon in between each one.  I used wasabi tape, so you could see what I mean.

Add enough gumballs until you feel the necklace looks complete.



Hope you enjoy!