Music

I  really need to make more of an effort to play music.  We listen to music in the car, and a couple of times a week but we're not in the habit of having music playing while we do other things in the house.   It's something I should work on because these kids respond so well to music.

Willow will listen in the car and pick out instruments, and the number of singers, things like that.  She'll notice when she hears a voice she really likes.  She likes to know the names of songs and artists.  Toby has always been a good dancer and now has started to sing.  He mashes together all of the lullaby's he knows, he'll hum and mumble along to a song on the radio or try to sing along with me.

I took them to see some live music at the folk festival this past weekend.  They loved it.  They watched and listened, danced and sang.  Willow, who will barely dance in front of me in our living room was asking me to dance with her in front of the stage - and a hundred people or so.  We met friends there and the kids played like they never have before- I can't help but think the music and atmosphere there brought them together.

I'm looking forward to having them in piano lessons in a couple of years- and then having them choose from there which instrument they'd like to play.  I wish I'd gone further in my study of music- not necessarily piano though.  I hope to give them that option and have them find something they can get really enjoy.

As much as I wish I had some photos to remember the day- I'm glad I wasn't preoccupied with the camera.  I took it all in and had some really special moments with the kids.  At one point we were looking at the moon in the blue sky, and Willow pointed up as a flock of geese flew overhead in perfect V formation.  We laid down on our backs on the grass and watched the geese, as we listened to the band play.  What an amazing day.

Conversations of Toddlers

On the deck, playing make believe.............

Willow:  Toby, where do you live?  Where is your house?
Toby:  Here.
Willow:  No, is it close. or far away?
Toby:  Away, here.
Willow:  NO, is it far away, or is it close?
Toby:  Close.
Willow:  OK, so where is your microwave?  Your fridge?  Where is your fridge, is it close, or far  away?
Toby:  Away.
Willow:  Toby, it's in your house.  How is your house close, but your fridge is far away?  Your fridge is right here, you silly boy.


In the car.............

Willow:  I'm thirsty, I want some cold water from the fridge when we get home.
Toby:  Water, too.
Willow:  Do you want cold water Tobe?
Toby:  Cold water.
Willow:  Water from the fridge Tobe?
Toby:  Fridge, water.
Willow:  No Toby, do you want cold water from the fridge?
Toby:  Cold fridge water.
Willow:  MOM!  Toby wants cold water from the fridge when we get home!!!


These two crack me up.  Just ordinary, everyday, gold.  This is the stuff I want to remember.  I love that Willow is learning to play with Toby and teach him things, and she is helping him with his vocabulary.  I love that he plays along so well, looking up to her and wanting to play whatever game she invents.  They just get along so well- when they aren't biting or hitting or stealing toys.