Kindermusik Redeemed

I took Dylan to a Kindermusik class a few weeks ago. Those of you that read this post will be shocked. The nanny job I had that required me to take "A" to Kindermusik class once a week has been over since December 1st. So, why? Why would I voluntarily subject myself to that kind of torture? One word - LOVE. The love a mother has for her child that makes her capable of doing anything.

You see, ever since Dylan became a social butterfly, craving other kids to play with, I've been looking for activities. The Together With Twos preschool class was a bust. It started with three kids, and by December was down to one - Dylan. He really enjoyed it, but with no social interaction, there really was no point. So once again, I am on the hunt.

Yes, there are preschools I could drop him off at, but with my new job, I'll be spending two very long days away from him already. I want something we can do together. I just had a (nagging) feeling that he would enjoy Kindermusik. Plus, they let you attend one class for free, so what did I have to lose (besides my sanity)?

We were going to attend the very last class in that 15 week session, so I was a bit concerned that all the other kids would be pros and Dylan would be dazed and confused. HA! Not quite. He tried to take over the class!

We got there early, and when the instructor put out the instruments for the kids to try, while everyone was arriving, I just had to laugh. When I went with "A", I would have to hand her an instrument from the bin, and try to get her engaged. Dylan, on the other hand, went right over the second she put the bin on the floor, and proceeded to dump out the contents. The other kids seemed a bit confused by this strange kid who felt the need to try out each and every instrument with great enthusiasm.

When it came time to clean up, my kid was the one telling the others where to put the instruments - "In dere!! In dere!!" Dylan bounced on my legs, pounded the carpet with his imaginary hammer, marched, sang, and danced, all with a big, goofy grin on his face. When we were to stand up and march in place, Dylan marched around and around everyone in the circle, while beckoning, "Come, Mommy!"

When we got to the part where you swing the kids up in the air, he let out a laugh from deep down in his belly. "Finally!", I thought. Jim said that I took Dylan because I needed closure. He said my life just wouldn't be complete until someone danced with me at a Kindermusik class. That could be true, but whether we go back or not, it was totally worth it, for that laugh alone.

I Do Love Music, But I Hate Kindermusik

I have been at my new nanny job, with a 2 1/2 year old little girl, for 5 weeks now. The process of her warming up to me has been slow, and I mean S...L...O...W. Every Friday it is my job to take her to Kindermusik class. If you've never experienced the sheer joy of a Kindermusik class, let me get you up to speed. It involves a very excited teacher, children, and their mommies, daddies, nannies, or grandparents. The adults are to "model a love of music" to the children, by singing silly little songs, dancing around the room, and engaging in role play, all with a very high level of enthusiasm. Yes, you must be incredibly enthusiastic when modeling your "love of music".

A lot of the activities involve the parents or caregivers interacting with the children. Bouncing them on their legs, swinging them up into the air, or snuggling with them on their laps, are a few examples. There is just one problem with that. A, the little girl I watch does not want me to touch her in any way. Are you getting a picture of how this goes in your head? Well, here's how it goes...in my head.

*Oh Crap. Here we go. Lord, give me patience. I'm going to need it. Time to paste the smile on my face. This is fun! YAY! Yea, I've had more fun at the dentist's. Positive thinking is not working...

*Okay, she's getting out the instruments. Maybe that little boy is bored with the drums by (BOOM! BOOM! BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!)..maybe not. If I could just get my hands on those sticks the fun factor would increase exponentially...

*Oh, A is just sitting there. I should try to get her engaged. O.K. Man, what a look. Fine, I'll just sit here playing instruments myself. I LOVE music. Why is it Kindermusik, with a K, anyway? How about teaching them a love for spelling things correctly? GAH! I wonder what these people would do if I started beating myself in the head with the drum sticks?

(The singing begins). "It's our time to sing together. Our time to sing together. It's our time to sing together. Sing hello, hello. Shall we bounce?" (The adults start bouncing the kids on their legs, while singing). "It's our time to bounce together..."
*Oh great! She won't do it again. I'll just sit here bouncing my legs with an invisible kid on them like a freaking moron. What?! Don't look at me like that. I tried to get her to do it! I'm a good nanny, dang it.

(The teacher plays a CD). "What's that sound?"
*Seriously?! Kids, come on! It's the same dang sound EVERY WEEK! How can you not know what it is? It's the carpenter's hammer, and it goes rap, rap, rap, and I'm thinking of using it to smash these windows, so I can escape this torture.
"The carpenter's hammer goes rap, rap, rap, (everyone pounds on the floor), and his saw goes see saw, see saw". (Kids on laps are leaned way over to the right and then to the left).
*Hey, invisible kid on my lap, ya having fun? Love music yet?

*Here come the bells.
"Bells are ringing. Listen to them ringing. Bells are ringing. Listen to them ringing. Bells are ringing. Listen to them ringing. All through the day...and stop!" "Now, what should we do with our bells", the teacher asks.
*Oooh! Me! I have an idea. Heh. Keep smiling. Don't forget to smile.

*Oh geez. Here we go with the dust rags... (Everyone takes a dust rag, and dusts the air, the walls, each other, etc., while dancing around). "Dust, dust, dust, rest. Dust, dust, dust, rest..."
*Could she at least stay near me, so I don't feel like a complete loon? My house needs dusted, and cleaned, and organized. When am I ever going to unpack all those boxes? Is it even a remote possibility I'll be able to park my car in the garage this winter? Sigh. Keep smiling.

"Hey, A, isn't this fun?"
*O.K. Hey, invisible kid, isn't this fun? Oh, there's no need to thank me. I enjoy bringing you here every Friday. FRIDAY! Thank God, it's Friday!

*Man, that chick with the triplets, she's amazing. Look at how cute her kids are. She's always so happy and enthusiastic. How does she do it? Drugs. Must be some good drugs. Maybe she'll give me some so I can get through this. Can we just skip ahead to the Goodbye Song? I really love that part.