"Fridays with Noah"

Fridays with Noah started about 2 years ago when he asked his mom and dad if Grandma could take him to Kindermusik. Now it is a weekly ritual. I pick up my grandson about 9:30 a.m. and we listen to his Kindermusik CD all the way to class, participate in an Imagine That class for 45 minutes and then go to lunch together. After that we just spend time together, sometimes reading a new Kindermusik book, before he has to go home.

I introduced Noah to Kindermusik when he was a baby. He would come over to visit and we would play “music” together. We would put on a variety of Kindermusik CDs and tap bells, rhythm sticks, or drums along with songs like “Down in the Meadow”; bounce to “The Wheels on the Bus”; dance like a bird in his bird costume that we created for class one week; rock to “You are My Sunshine”; and many other fun activities. Before we knew it a couple hours had passed by.

Now Noah (4 yrs) has his brother Otto (10 months) hooked on Kindermusik. We all enjoy the train music from Noah's Toys I Make, Trips I Take class. Otto and Noah construct a train track and play for hours. Of course we take periodic breaks to play the bells and other musical instruments. Sometimes Otto looks at Grandma in amazement when she sounds like a train with that wooden thing she has in her mouth (a train whistle). Otto is learning fast just from observing his brother. He loves going to his own Cockle Doodle Moo class with several children who are about his same age. Music can be very stimulating as well as soothing for him. After an hour at Grandma’s playing and listening to music, he is ready for a long nap.

Kindermusik provides a very special time to bond with my grandchildren. These are times I will cherish forever. Regardless of where life’s paths might take them, I know that they have started on a life-long journey of loving, appreciating, and making music. I love being a part of that journey.

Sue Winters