Four-Man Band

Every Monday, I watch my friend's two little girls (ages 3 years old and 20 months). Elizabeth and Lauren are delightful children (truly they are, and I usually don't say that about children!), and it really is a pleasure, if a little crazy (okay, sometimes a lot crazy) to have them for the day. Jamie loves when his buddy Elizabeth comes over, and Clare lights up, too, at the girls. Elizabeth especially loves to get down on the floor with Clare - she talks to her, rubs her hair, kisses and hugs her. It's so sweet.

Today was a cold, rainy day (where is the HOT August weather?), so we were stuck indoors. After a couple hours, the natives started to get restless, so I pulled out the instruments. We pumped up the Dinosaur music extra loud and danced. Even Clare got into the action. I wish I could post a picture of her swinging her hips like a Stegosaurus! She had a great time playing the recorder and drum (which is almost as big as she is!). Half the time, she sat and played instruments with the rest of the kids, and the rest of the time, I held her so we could dance together. Clare loves music - any kind. She loves to dance and sway to anything I put on the stereo. She loves to sit on my lap (or by herself on the bench) and bang on the piano... I mean, PLAY the piano. She also loves to just sit on my lap and listen to me play the piano (with the occasional added note from Clare). I read time and time again that individuals with WS have an affinity for music. Some, a genius for music. Can I honestly say that Clare is muscially inclined? Or that it is the Williams syndrome that causes her to love music? No, I cannot. Because Jamie loves music, too, and always has. And my family is a musical family. With the exception of my sister Christina (who has a lovely singing voice, something which I did NOT inherit), everyone else in my family plays an instrument. I myself have been a pianist since I was a child. But I would love it if Clare did have an interest in music and some talent for playing.

And, of course, what would an impromptu dance party be without a drunken sailor -with a snake, kazoo, and the cat's scratching post. Aaaah.... 3 year old boys!