Music

We have discovered over time that Bennett is quite musical. When he was little, he used to hum or "sing" himself to sleep. It was really quite endearing. I wish that I had those sounds recorded because he doesn't really do that anymore now that he's becoming more verbal. I think he was mimicking the song that I would hum quietly in his ear as an infant when he was a little restless before letting himself fall into dream land. My singing was a great calmer when he didn't want to get his diaper changed, or he had become a little fussy. I even find myself humming a tune into his ear now when he's crying because he's fallen or his feelings have been hurt. At about six months old, he would willingly spend thirty minutes or more in his jumper as long as I had my iTunes playing. Elton John and Pink were his favorites. He jumped in time!! And also - you should see his face light up when I turn on the record player. I can't wait until he starts to sing along.

But now? He's Mr. Rhythm. We have been going to a mommy and me music class called Music With Mar since Bennett was about four months old. It was a great excuse for us to get out of the house in the dreary winter months and it also provided me some much-needed exposure to grown people. I didn't do much talking with the growns (that's another post), but Bennett loved the class, and his teacher, Miss Katie, so we kept going.

One of the songs that we sing each week involves rhythm sticks. The littlest guys get red ones and the toddlers get blue ones, which are a couple of inches longer (and much more dangerous!). Bennett LOVES this part of the class. We ended up purchasing a set of the sticks for him to have at home - for "practice". (They're really for Brian to play the drums on our ottoman, but I can keep a secret if you can. shhhhhh) There is not a part of this house that hasn't been beat upon by the sticks. Brian and Bennett play the drums every day.

Bennett is getting very good. He doesn't just aimlessly toss the sticks around as if they are not attached to the ends of his arms. He taps a rhythm! He can copy us if we tap a few "notes" and he really likes to accompany the Jackson 5 or Stevie Wonder. The boys have gotten so good with the red sticks, we bought them a pair of the blue sticks today. Now the Ballmen can play the drums together and really lay down some tracks.