Move Over Bieber

            I hope that I never become one of those crazy parents that feel the need to fight with a coach or referee, or force my kids into activities that they do not like or have no interest in, or keep my kids so incredibly busy that they never grow an imagination. However, I do strive to be a parent that fosters every talent and interest that my children have. I like to think that I do a pretty good job of this right now, Presley being only 10 months old is very interested in food…so I feed her…and she never stops eating. She’s good at it, it makes her happy, and she has learned to sign the word “more” when she’s cleared the whole bowl peas, half of a chicken breast, and 8 raspberries off of her tray, oh and the pre-dinner appetizer of cheerios. She really NEVER stops! Now, Ben’s a little more of a challenge when it comes to nurturing his interests because they are often ever-changing.  Within a single week Ben has been fascinated with baseball, Cowboys, TB cartoons (TV to most of us), hot air balloons, his dog, playgrounds, Biano (most of us call this a Piano), and his Woody doll (from Toy Story). So, you can imagine that it may be a little tough to keep up, but most people with 3 year olds are riding in the same boat on this one! There is one thing though, that has maintained Ben’s interest since he was a baby…Music, especially live music. While so many kids would ignore a live band or go about their business playing, Ben has always made himself front row whenever possible. It’s always been a fight to leave the scene of live music too, he would stay all night and just watch. Then he got a little bit older, and the watching became dancing, and now that he’s 3 he’s back to being shy to dance in public, but still makes himself front row to seize the sound and rhythm. We still catch him bobbing his head to the music and it appears that he has pretty good rhythm, much more than his father at least! Because we’ve been able to let Ben be around live music, he’s also taken a love for playing instruments. Move over Justin Bieber, here comes Benji!  For Christmas this past year, Ben received a shiny new guitar from Santa. He loved it! A few weeks ago I found a keyboard (Biano) for $0.25 at a yard sale, I couldn’t pass it up. He enjoys this too, and so does lil Presley! Amazing how two children produced from two “musically challenged” individuals have such a fond interest in instruments and music! I’m about 107% positive that they’ll be the next big singing duo in 15 years. I hope that the interest in music is something that lasts, we love watching and listening to our little rock stars!

 

 (singing "You've got a Friend in me")

 

(Part of the Rawhide themesong...minus all of the other words)

(After this, he was invited on stage...he played the drums)

 

Love love love these years!