I Get it!

I've learned this past year to let go of my own inhibitions about team sports. I never liked them. I was never good at them. I didn't like trying out - not making the team, etc. I found my place with music - everyone wins - everyone participates - everyone (usually) has fun. Even if you're not the best player in the band - your part is still important. You are part of a group and you all need to work together to accomplish something great.

So between my past relationship with sports and Quinn's feet issues I was very leery about signing him up for any team sports. And then his Physical Education teacher suggested it. As she put it, "at this age - everyone plays and they really try to make it fun. Any experience he can get running with his friends will help him break into a true run eventually."

So - Quinn's played basketball, soccer, and tee ball this past year. And he's loved every single sport. If you ask him what his favorite is - it's whatever he's playing at the time. We're just finishing up a tee ball season - where I signed both Quinn and Liam up to play together.

I get it now. The boys love it. They cheer each other on. They pay attention to the game (most of the time). They know the rules. They've improved with catching and throwing. They respect their coaches. And they look adorable.

Quinn's also taking piano lessons and it got me thinking. Why are we doing this? I have no dreams/hopes of him becoming a professional musician/rock star. I believe most parents have their children participate in a musical activity to encourage a love and appreciation of music. By participating and not just observing you feel a deeper connection to the music.

And it hit me. Why not give my kids the same experience with sports? I don't believe either one of them will go on to play professionally - or even in college (well, maybe Liam, but that's another blog post in itself). I can expose them to a variety of sports and allow them to build a deeper connection with each through participation and not observation. It'll work for now - as the games aren't competitive and everyone makes the team. We'll see what happens when they're older. But I've put my own fear about not being good enough to play aside and I've allowed them to determine what they feel comfortable trying.

His Voice

So, after talking this over with my husband, we decided we thought signing Quinn up for Choir wouldn't hurt. It might even be good for him. Singing is a good stress relief and being a part of a musical group has always been something I've enjoyed.

But, Mike and I decided we'd pose the question to Quinn to see how we felt about it.

The other morning I simply said to him, "So, you've got swimming right after school on Mondays and basketball on Saturday mornings. That's it for now. Would you like to sign up for choir on Wednesdays or just stay home on Wednesdays?"

His decision was quick and without hesitation.

"Stay home!"

I'm glad I left this decision up to him - it's nice to be able to give my child a voice in what's going on in his life.

Turkeys!

The goslings are crying...

Go tell Aunt Rhody
Go Tell Aunt Rhody
Go Tell Aunt Rhody
The old grey goose is dead.

The one that she's been savin'
The one that she's been savin'
The one that she's been savin'
To make a feather bed.

She died in the millpond
She died in the millpond
She died in the millpond
From standin' on her head.

The goslins are crying
The goslins are crying
The goslins are crying
Because their mammy's dead.

The gander is weeping
The gander is weeping
The gander is weeping
Because his wife is dead

He taught me that it's okay to sing songs or read books about death to children. He introduced me to what became Quinn's favorite book after Maggie died. He touched more children with his songs and inspiration than he probably realized. I found out today that Tom Hunter was diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease, soon after ending a 30 year gig of speaking to teachers and helping us use more music in our classrooms in order to take on the challenge of being a Minister at his local church. He took his last breath on June 20th while his family was there singing "The Garden Song". I will always remember him as I sing some of his favorite songs with my preschoolers and Quinn and Liam.

The Garden Song

Inch by inch, row by row
Gonna make this garden grow
Gonna mulch it deep and low
Gonna make it fertile ground
Inch by inch, row by row
Please bless these seeds I sow
Please keep them safe below
'Till the rain comes tumbling down
Pullin' weeds and pickin' stones
We are made of dreams and bones
Need a place to call my own
'Cause the time is close at hand
Grain for grain, sun and rain
Find my way in nature's chain
Till my body and my brain
Tell the music of the land

Someone else singing another version of The Garden Song go here.

Music

I got an email the other day saying I still had money to use at the itunes music store.

Any suggestions?

I got myself an ipod shuffle over a year ago to train for the Avon Walk. I used it for that walking and for when I used to go to the gym and work on the machines. The other day, I dropped Quinn off at preschool and walked around the neighborhood listening to my music and pushing a sleeping Liam in the stroller. It was very refreshing.

However, I need to get more music and honestly, I have no idea what's out there. Most of what is on my ipod is from Kathryn and is a nice mix. I've got some eminem (sp?), REM, Beatles, and some people I have no idea who it is - but I'm sure one might be surprised by what I'm listening to. I do prefer the music to be upbeat - since I use the pod for exercise purposes only - not relaxing. Sometimes I'll even use it for when I'm cleaning, but seeing that I haven't really cleaned lately...

So...any of you out there have any musical suggestions for me?

Christmas Songs!

We were so excited to receive another Holiday CD from danny g in our mail yesterday. We've been enjoying last years and wondering if we'd be lucky enough to get another unique set of Holiday songs. After listening to the second CD, I've determined that danny g needs to work part time at the Holiday Lite - 93.3, because he seems to be able to find fun and DIFFERENT Christmas songs to share, whereas everytime I turn on the Holiday Lite it's one of the same four songs.

Kid Rock

Quinn and I started our first music class this morning. He was excited about it even before we went. (Much like he was excited about going trick-or-treating before we even went and before knowing what it was all about.) Anyway, the excitement did not die down in class. He had a blast and was pretty good at listening to the teacher, Miss Jackie. I thought for sure he wouldn't dance or move, because anytime we're at home and we try to dance with him he just says, "no." And he NEVER says "no." He's usually the most agreeable two-year old I know. This program, Kid Rock, was offered through the park district and we had a much better experience then the first class we took there. He had so much fun and talked so much during class - so, he's going to be one of those preschoolers. The ones that want to tell the teacher EVERYTHING and are so excited they have no idea when it's okay to talk and when they need to wait. But then again, maybe he'll mature a bit before he's 4 years old!