Just like a star across my sky,
Just like an angel off the page,
You have appeared to my life,
Feel like I'll never be the same,
Just like a song in my heart,
Just like oil on my hands,
Honour to love you
--Corinne Bailey Rae lyrics
Lately, and admittedly, most annoyingly, Tsega has taken his indoor restlessness to drumming. He lovingly attached to a turkey baster and spatula (seriously, he shouts Yay! when he finds one), or any kitchen cooking utensil as a suitable substitute and taps, or rather drums (more positive term), on anything we allow him too. At first it was a plastic tiger, then a plastic airplane. He doesn't play with these toys or many other toys, but he will drum them. He is not allowed to drum furniture, floors, cabinets, tables, or people. I have tried to transfer this bizarre behavior or need into something less bizarre or rather, something musical and creative. Bizarre you ask? Well when you see your son tapping on a tiger for much of the day it is a little worrisome (and if you are thinking autism, think not, he does not display other associated behaviors). It may be a case of mad cabin fever; nature is his preferred life element and the poor boy is suffering. Or maybe my baby boy is musically gifted. So assuming it is the latter, we encourage him to experience different beats, rhythms, sing songs to the beat, drum along with him, beat on our bongos (from Ethiopia), buckets, pots/pans, and Bilibos, instead of tigers and planes, and introduce different sticks for different sounds. And if it gets too annoying for the rest of us, we gently suggest he take his drumming to his room.
An example of his work below just after breakfast. . . He (the one in the diaper for you newbies) is singing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, although it is hard to make it out over the drumming. Turn it up because the accompanying song is beautiful, but them turn it down because your ears will bleed. (Yes, in case you are wondering, it is hard to remain patient with so much noise!)
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Ethiopia 2006 and 3 babies
Ethiopia 2 years later
Funny Face
Playground
Family
We are Cindy, Jerry, and the triplets. Bereket & Sira are identical, we think, and the big one, Tsega, is clearly fraternal. All boys, all 5 years old (6 in June!). We lived in rural Kansas for most of their lives but now we are Washingtonians (DC). I grew up in California. I blog about family.
Video : click on image
Ethiopia 2006 and 3 babies
Video: Click on Image
Ethiopia 2 years later
Some of My Favorite Home Videos
Funny Face
Playground
15 comments:
oh the drumming...I think it really is the heart beat of some children. We have regular drum jams of a similar type at our place...with the exception that I have made anything metal off limits.(it helps that both my hubby and I are percussionists too) We got our oldest a remo kids konga, which we've had for a decade now and its still like new...even having been played constantly, used as a table, used to carry blocks/little cars/doll clothes. Maybe it would help to invest in some of these very kids friendly, but still real instruments for your crew? They can be hit with pretty much anything...so the whisk would still work if Tsega still felt so inclined. They even have gathering drums...intended to be played by a whole shwack of kids at once. It might ease your mama mind/ear to direct the energy to a creative...less grating tone. (love that song by the way)....and I'm sure there must be a HUGE cultural element with this also. drumming is such a huge form of communication in Africa....its in his blood!
here's a link
http://www.remo.com/portal/products/5/505/remokids.html
(or, alternatively, you could invest in some carpenters earphones...you know the kind that filter really load noise but let you still hear conversation)
Sweeeeet! I've got a lead singer for the band.
I'm a fan of Corrine Bailey Rae - great song.
Hey! Finally a use for the Bilibos! That's a positive.
MM, hey, I think I know what my boys are getting for their June Bdays! The gathering drum looks awesome!
Nancy yes, he can do it! And BTW, Hawaiian pizza is my favorite flavor. :)
Wow, STOMP! your boys remind me so much of the Sesame Street "Let's Make Music" crew!
http://www.amazon.com/Sesame-Street-Lets-Make-Music/dp/B00007G1UZ
Your boys are pure entertainment! Having one boy the same age, I know the energy they have! I don't what I would do with 3 of my Daniel's!! They are sooo cute!
i hear you...literally, my son loves to drum and unfortunately (sometimes) he has a real drum and drum sticks that his grandpa gave him to drum on...I too believe that this time of year is hard on our little nature loving outdoor boys...samuel loves to be outside...yeah for us some warm weather is predicted tom.
holy cow, I thought my 2 year old could make a ruckus until I heard that! But its a wonderful noise, all those sweet boys playing together.
Sometime I wear earplugs-just to kept you know, sane.
Bravo! Bravo!
(psst - I tagged you)
ouch.
maybe soft mallets and soft drums??
What a great video, they have already started there band. Too cute...
Sarah said that I should contact you. I'm expecting triplets and am about 27 weeks pregnant right now.
Just thought that maybe we could e-mail as I'm sure I could use plenty of advice. :)
I love reading your blog when I need a few good laughs! You speak "Mommy" so well. I feel like I could say some of the same things, except, well, I only have one. :)
The list of things that happened in one day... Hilarious.
What a video! I love the singing/hollaring along too:) I had to get Jules the Plan Toys mini drum set with rubber heads - much less tinny sounding, and hopefully less aggravating to our neighbors!
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