David's First Violin Recital

It was almost 2 months ago to the day, but I am just now posting about it. David has been obsessed with string instruments since before he was two years old. He could tell you the difference between a viola, a violin, a cello, and a bass. By ear, he could recognize solos from violins, banjoes, acoustic guitars, and electric guitars. He knew about mandolins, and even hammered dulcimers, for Pete's sake. He used to wake up from his naps talking about how he wanted to play the violin someday. So, Mamo and Papo, never ones to let one of their grandchildren's wishes go ungranted, bought him his first violin the Christmas after he turned two. In February of that year, he began Suzuki violin lessons and has continued with them weekly ever since. His teacher in Chicago did not incorporate recitals into David's schedule, but his teacher here does. So, for his first recital he played "Song of the Wind" from Suzuki Book 1. He insisted on wearing his fancy clothes for the recital, as well as his violin pin that Mamo and Papo gave him in honor of his big day. It was so cool to see him perform with absolutely no "nerves" or even realization that he "should" be nervous. Ah, the ignorance of youth :) After the recital was over, he expressed his disappointment that he only got to play one song. He marched around the venue playing songs on his violin, and was the last performer to put his instrument away and leave. Since then, he has discovered that if he can sing a song, he can play it on the violin, even if his teacher has never taught it to him. On his own, he has picked out the tunes to, and taught himself to play Happy Birthday, the Thomas the Tank Engine Theme Song, and a song from Michael's Kindermusik CD. It is really exciting to see him learn and to be so excited about his music. So, without further ado...here is the video clip from his recital...

In the Land of Honah Lee

http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/lyrics/puff_magic_dragon.html

I usually offer David the option of hearing either a story or a lullabye before bed. Tonight, he requested "the song about a dragon and a boy." I had sang him Puff The Magic Dragon once before, or at least the parts that I could remember. So, I sang it again, knowing that again, I was leaving out parts in the middle. When I went back out front, I decided to look the lyrics up on the internet (I have linked you to them above...) to see what parts I had left out. My omission was the verse about Puff and Jackie's adventures together: travelling on a boat with billowed sails, pirate ships, noble kings and princes. I decided to go back in and sing David the rest. Just so he knew the whole story...I almost made it through but when I got to the very last line, I could feel myself getting choked up and started to laugh at myself. At first, David was trying to figure out what was so funny, but he quickly realized that his nut job of a mom was about to start crying. I could see his chin begin to tremble too. I tried to quickly explain that I was crying because it's like the song says: Dragons live forever but not so little boys. Little boys grow up, and you will grow up someday too, David. I can't hold back my tears. David's chin continues to tremble. So, I keep trying. When you grow up, I will be happy for you David. You will grow up and have your own family and be happy, and I will be so proud of you. But it's just hard for mommies when their kids grow up." "But when I grow up, maybe I will marry one of you guys, you or Dad." "Well, David, I'm already married to your Dad. I hope you marry somebody your own age, David. Somebody who you love very much." "I think I will marry Dad then." "But your Dad is already married to me." "Well maybe one of you can get double married." By the end of our conversation, we were both laughing. Until painted wings and giant strings make way for other toys, I am going to cherish every moment with my sweetie boy.

WWJD

David and Michael have their own play village set up in our basement: The Melissa & Doug castle, their dollhouse, the Fisher Price barn, the Little Tikes parking garage, a Little People nativity scene, the Playtown Restaurant, and all the accompanying figures. I come downstairs one day to find Michael thrashing around in his play village, knocking over figurines, and buildings and generally wreaking havoc. "He's fighting everyone," Michael was yelling, "He's fighting everyone!" "Who's fighting everyone?" I asked. "Baby Jesus," he replied, and held up the peaceful holy infant for me to see.

Heartbreakers

The other day, when I was picking up David from school, two different mothers made a point to approach me and tell me how much their little girls love my David. The first mother said that on the way home from the dance party, her little girl was going on and on: "David is so funny. David is so nice. David is so cool." The music screeched to a halt when she finished with, "And David is soooo handsome." "What???," thought her mother. "You are 4 years old!! Don't you dare tell your father that you said that!"

The second mother said that her daughter talks about David all the time. She said that there have been numerous mornings when her daughter was resisting getting ready for school and was convinced to go only by her mother saying "But David will be there."

One of the moms in our playgroup back in Chicago predicted that David would be "that boy" in school that all the girls crushed on. Maybe she was right ;)

Michael's got his own game. Over the past month or so, Michael has developed what I can only call "a following" among David's classmates. At pick-up time, several of the girls literally line up to give Michael a hug. Today, one of the boys' mother caught us as we were walking out and asked if her son could just say goodbye to Michael. I felt like Justin Bieber's bodyguard, granting one more adoring fan their moment with the icon. My Michael Bear definitely has charisma ;)