MusicLady rocks!

B-Boy is really lovin’ his new class. The transition has gone really well, and he can say or do something new everyday.


One cohesive thread that we are fortunate to have- is MusicLady. Every time B-Boy moves to a new room, he gets new teachers and new classmates. But the one thing he can count on is seeing MusicLady at least once a week. And, you can always tell when he has had a session with her because he usually comes home singing a new song.

He was doing so well in class that I thought I would join him for some time with MusicLady… and I am so glad I did. We had a lot of fun!

We heard her read a book about Fall, and sing a song about it too. She sprinkled faux leaves and the kids picked them up. They all thought leaves were fun!

Then MusicLady brought out the glockenspiel (I love it that she uses a word other than xylophone, don’t you?). Each child got to take a turn playing the instrument, and of course I had to snap some photos! Jambuca got to go first….

Soon it was B-Boy’s turn!

It is neat to think back to the first time he sat in her lap to play it. He was so small then! He was interesting to see how confident he was to stand up, sit in her lap, and play what he wanted to. He no longer just bangs away… he plays as if the note was intent. (It’s not, but that is the level of his confidence!)

Then MusicLady brought out drums for us to play! (Granted, they were plastic coffee canisters with plastic lids on them, but we each had one, and they were fun to beat!) I must admit, the drumming was my favorite part of the day.

I'm drummin' with my Momma!

AAAAhhhhhhh!

 
She serenaded us with her guitar before she had to leave. B-Boy got very upset when we both went to leave, so I think it will be a while before I will be able to go back.



;)

Riding a horse with MusicLady

A few weeks ago, I was able to make it back to B-Boy's daycare for Music Time with MusicLady.

She comes every Tuesday at 10:30, and it is so much fun I can't believe it. I had been out of town for what felt like FOREVER, and a present to B-Boy and I was for me to go and have some fun with him in his classroom. Music Time is the BEST time to go for several reasons.

1. Waiting for MusicLady to arrive is such fun. The kids all fawn over the parent in the room, and work to get your attention by bringing lots of stuff to you. Each child had a book they wanted B-Boy's mommy to read to them!
2. The kids all are a captive audience to MusicLady's magical music. You never know WHAT instrument that talented woman is going to bring out.
3. It is fun to sing and bop to the music without looking like a crazy person. Everyone in the room thinks you are cool. And hey, if the teachers think you are lame... they aren't going to tell you because your kid is one less kid they have to worry about! :)
4. You can watch your child interact with someone without having to get your attention every second of the half hour you are there. A big plus!
5. MusicLady is incredibly sweet, and includes you in the fun while you are there.

I could list more, but you probably want me to move along and get to the point, right?

B-Boy had a blast with MusicLady. He actually LISTENED to her. One of the songs she sings is called "_____ is in the ring!". She has a big wooden hoop that she lays on the floor. One at a time, she sings their name followed by "is in the ring."  And, the child whose name is called will get up, step inside the circle, and a song is sung about them.

For example, she might say "B-Boy, would you like to get in the ring?" and B-Boy will jump up and step inside the wooden hoop. Yep, he does! Then MusicLady will sing in her pretty voice while playing an instrument to the tune of "The Farmer in the Dell"... "B-Boy is in the ring, B-Boy is in the ring, Hi-Ho the Merry-O, B-Boy is in the ring. And now, B-Boy is out of the ring!"

And just like that... B-Boy will step out and go sit down.

B-Boy had a ball, and enjoyed sitting in my lap most of the time we were there. At one point, he ran across the room to get on the rocking horse. He rocked for a while and I had to pick my jaw up from the floor because I didn't know he could do that!

Normally when MusicLady is finished, all the kids go outside to the toddler playground. On this day, however, B-Boy freaked out that his Mommy might leave and cried A LOT. Not that I could blame him. So, I took him out to the playground and held him until he could calm down. Once he did, he wanted to be put DOWN. As soon as his feet hit the ground, he took off running.

I was not sure why until I saw him sit down. You see, MusicLady had gone to the classroom next door, and they had decided to have Music Time outside on the playground. B-Boy just had to join in. It was quite the sight, all the kids from the class next door, B-Boy, and...

all the 2 year olds who were on the adjoining playground that were leaning up against the fence behind all the 1 year olds. There had to be at least 20 of them standing there watching, listening, singing and waiting in anticipation for her to visit them.

MusicLady, did you KNOW I was going to be out here? 

I think you came to find ME!

It was adorable. Everyone adores MusicLady and her cool pink guitar. She brings fun, learning, creativity and music into the hearts and minds of our little ones. We are all so lucky to have her.

Thank you MusicLady, we sure do love you.

A visit with MusicLady

MusicLady visits B-Boy's room on Tuesday mornings. B-Boy loves music, and really enjoys her visits to the room. We are so lucky to have her.

This week, I was able to go to his room to participate in Music Time. It was good to see MusicLady again! She is so creative, and has such cute songs for the kids. When I arrived, B-Boy was sitting on the floor with the rest of the kids, in a semi-circle around MusicLady. He looked up to see who was making noise at the door, and it was adorable to watch the recognition spread over his face.

He stood up and walked over to me with the biggest smile on his face! It was then that I realized that two other parents were there too! We joined them on the other side of the room, B-Boy sat in my lap immediately and started swaying to the music.

MusicLady sang a story about snow, showing a picture book and playing a Xylophone too. She then sprinkled snowflakes in the air for the kids to catch. (The snowflakes were paper cutout snowflakes that she had laminated to keep up with the children.) B-Boy took some coaxing to pick his up, and then spent a few minutes trying to hand it to me. MusicLady called him over and eventually got him to give his snowflake to her.

Ga! I got a snowflake!

Did you notice B-Boy wore his drum shirt for MusicLady? She did!

MusicLady then sang a song about snowmen. She brought out a felt board and attached 5 snow people to it. We then sang about the 5 little snowmen with tall hats and big red bows. Then the sun would come out (and she would put the sun above one of the snow people) and then the snowman would go bye-bye as it "melted" off the board.

B-Boy was quite curious, and sat near her to get a good look. But then it wasn't quite close enough, so he crawled closer, and even helped MusicLady pick the next snowman for melting!

I think this snowman should melt next!

During one song, each child got to sit with MusicLady and play the Xylophone. B-Boy really liked banging the mallets, and I could not resist snapping this photo for you.

We ROCK MusicLady! We should go on tour!

The last thing MusicLady did before she left was to show the kids her special snowman music box. It was a miniature ice rink that had a spinning piece on it. MusicLady told the kids to watch, and placed a snowman figure wearing ice skates on top. The snowman spun around while the music played, going faster and slower, spinning around the rink. The kids lay on their stomachs watching the amazing figure. B-Boy could not resist reaching out to touch it, and MusicLady was so sweet to show him the snowman was to be watched, not touched. He didn't try to grab it again.

(Can MusicLady come to my house and do that? Wait, I am getting off topic here...)

MusicLady then sang us out with her bright pink guitar. Yay MusicLady! Thanks for letting us have a fun together moment. MusicLady Rocks!

The MusicLady is fun!

On Friday, MusicLady came to visit the daycare while I was there.

B-Boy was playing in the Atrium (or common area) waiting for me to come feed him. As he was finishing his bottle, MusicLady came in and announced she would play some in the Atrium.

Teachers from several classrooms came out with babies, and MusicLady began to play her nifty pink guitar. After a few songs, MusicLady put down her guitar and started to play a wooden box. The box was hollow, and the top had slots carved out, so that there were tabs on the top. She hit the tabs with mallots, and they played a sound.

She let some of the older infants and toddlers play the instrument, and B-Boy got to play some! He plays with some Bongos in his classroom, so it wasn't his first instrument, but this was too fun.

He seemed to enjoy it, and it took a little time for him to understand what he was doing. She guided him at first, and then let him play it on his own.

Look at me Mommy! Like my song?

I snapped a few photos as I left... When I made my exit, MusicLady had handed out small, red egg-shaped shakers to the kids. The song sounded fun as I sneaked out the side door.

(Did I mention that B-Boy hates it when Neb and I leave? He starts crying, and gets quite upset. It's a normal milestone for his age, but it makes it increasingly difficult to drop him off!)

A date with a gator girl

Yesterday, B-Boy went to daycare to find MusicLady had returned! He is still feeling pretty crummy, so it was a nice diversion from his icky feelings.

She sang songs and played that fun pink guitar. Most of the other kids were doing other things, so B-Boy got her all to himself, which suited him JUST fine thank you very much. He really enjoyed the music and the attention. Heh heh.

Hey MusicLady, I don't feel good... sing me a song to forget.

Oh yeah, that's what I'm talkin' about! Go MusicLady!

At lunch time, I went over to feed him. Afterward, I asked where his teacher's wanted him. Since he has reflux, he needs to sit up after he eats. One of the other babies was sitting in the bouncer seat by the Fish TV. His teacher said, "Why not sit him over there by L-Girl? They can have a date watching Fish TV... but don't tell his friend BoyN because they had a date earlier."

So L-Girl got two dates in one day, and B-Boy was happy to oblige. They played with a large stuffed alligator, and also showed each other how they like to play with their feet.

I like playing with my right foot first, and then my left.

Me too! That is so amazing, we have lots in common!

I took some pictures (of course!) and one of his teachers came over to take a photo as well. She is young, blonde, pregnant, and B-Boy adores her. I'm chopped liver when she is around. I thought it was funny he immediately looked over at her when she approached as if to say "Girl, what girl? I only have eyes for you!"

Oh HELLOoooo Teacher, I didn't know you were there...

Oh, it's you mom, could you PLEASE stop that? You're killin' my vibe.

So L-Girl isn't the only one two-timing!

The MusicLady Return-eth

B-Boy got another session with the MusicLady at daycare this week. Did I mention how much I am lovin' his daycare? All the teachers are just so good with him, and have been so nice and helpful with us being new parents and all. We are still trying to figure all this parent stuff out. The fact that he gets visitors, with music, is a bonus.

B-Boy loves music, and I was happy to see her in his classroom on Thursday morning. She was very sweet, and even tolerated me taking some photos!

MusicLady, did you see the song I wrote you?

You must have, cuz I am getting to sit in YOUR lap!

See, I wasn't fibbing about that cool pink guitar. She got it in Nashville, and loves it- she told me it reminds her of her dad. We dig it too, MusicLady, and can't wait for you to come back.

Ode to the Woman with the Pink Guitar

On Thursday, B-Boy had a visitor to his classroom - The MusicLady! The MusicLady comes to the daycare and plays lots of different instruments, reads books in song, and also has puppets to join in on the fun.

MusicLady played her brand new bright pink guitar for B-Boy and his classmates, and sang too! It was his first experience with live music, and he loved it. B-Boy loves music anyway, but this was the first time that it was created in front of him. His teachers reported that he seemed to be having fun.

I think he enjoyed it not only because it was new, and she sang, but because one of his teachers held him the entire time. B-Boy knows how to get what he wants. ;)
  

Oh MusicLady, with the bright pink guitar,
I wonder what you love,
and where you are.

I miss you
and your fun bouncy songs,
I just wish I could sing along.

Thank you for coming,
I hope you'll come back,
so again I can sit
in my teacher's lap!

Photo Credit:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/94446676@N00/ / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0