Bye BYe September!

I cannot believe I missed the whole month of September! It has been a very busy month and I just got caught up in the mist of life. Marley, is growing and learning in the speed of lightening. He is making up songs and beats, he is expressing his feelings more clearly and he is reading picture books which the funniest thing I've ever heard.

This Month we were fortunate to have Mahmondylla and Babu visit us for a week. We love having our family spend time with us, and we especially love to see Marley and his grandparents connect. It is such an amazing feeling to watch 3 generations under one roof. I count my blessing and feel so gratefull that Marley has so much love in his life. No matter how far away or long time has passed, Grandchildren know their grandparents, they know that they are loved and they have deep sense of FAmily.

Thank you Mahmondyla and Babu! ;)

Labor Day Weekend

Marely turned 19months on September 7th, 2010. I cannot believe how fast time has passed. The leaps and bounds he has made, even from a month ago is astounding. He is such a little man, he is independent and knows what he likes and wants. He is adventurous and really just so much fun. Last Sunday, I decided to go on a spontaneous outing to Valencia, CA. Marley along with two of my best friends in the world Quincy & Deondray accompanied us to Six Flags Great Adventure. This past june Ahmed and I created a show that they premiered this summer. Half of the cast are really good friends of ours so I went to support them, before the show closed on Monday. They did an amazing job and I was really proud of their performance. Marley enjoyed it immensly, I'm so proud of the fact that he loves the theater and studies the movement and music of the production. The whole experience moves him.........and what's even more amazing he finds the same joy in the simplest that's not loud and battery operated! ;)

Toddlers & Learning

For the past two weeks I have been obsessing on toddler programs, pre-schools, indoor playgrounds, community events and any program that will make learning fun and allow Marley to discover new ways to express himself. I want to find an enviorment other than "home" to play and interact with other toddlers his age. I want him to feel confident in his abilities, but at the same time learn how to have an organized playing time. I know that he is on the young side to learn how to share toys and space, but we have to start teaching these things sooner or later. Last week I took Marley to his first childrens learning gym called MY GYM. It was wonderful, because they had a curiculem that consisted mostly of Free play but in between the hour, we would break every 15minutes or so to do a group circle, sing a longs, exercises, tumbling, etc. It was so much fun to watch his face light up over the new toys, and obstacles he could climb up and down, in and out. During circle time he really did not want to sit down, I don't thin he even understood the concept. Instead Marley ran inside the circle and went aroud high fiving people. Literally, he was going to every parent in the circle saying "Hi Five" , "Hi, Five"........ The instructor was trying to conduct the activity and Marls did not care! Everybody was laughing .......and I thought at least he is being interactive and friendly. All the other parents were giving me the look like " my son did the same thing when he first started", so I didn't feel like I was looked upon as not being in control of my child. But, then again I don't want him to feel controlled, I want him to feel guided and if he feels he needs me know that I am always there.

Another cool activity I discovered were these great free activities at the Outdoor Malls in Los Angeles. These high end outdoor shopping centers are catering to families and have great Children programing on the grassy property refered to "on the green". For instance the have Mommy and Me movies, Yoga for kids, Story telling for kids, Music, etc. My favorite mall is called the Americana at brand. Last week they had a band called The Hollow Trees. The band sings folk music geared to children. It was interactive for the kids, they sang along, danced and got to make lots of animal noises. Marley loved it. I just have to figure out how to tell him that he is NOT in the band. Every song I had to wrangle him from climbing up onto the stage. We loved the band so much we followed them later that week to their other gig at the Los Feliz Public Library (which also has great free children programs). Marley even got a chance to play on the drums. It was so awesome. Not so awesome when he had to come off , but awesome nonetheless.

There's nothing like hear children laughing and dancing like no one is watching!!!

Marley on Bongos

My little munchkin Marley loves hand drumming! For a nine month old he plays and dances with conviction and confidence, just like his daddy and mommy! For the past 5 weeks I have been performing in a show called the "Floor" in Hollywood. Its a fantastic cabaret show featuring vignettes of different styles of dance(salsa,burlesque,tango,swing,hip hop,tap and my section contemporary) to an amazing live Latin band. Before the show made its premiere I carried Marley along to my rehearsals. He was so overwhelmed by the movement and the percussive music; that it truly sent him in a trance. He would stare at the musicians, dancers and watch his mama move as well; which introduced him in this whole new world of communicating through rhythm and motion. When he hears a drum beats he cannot help himself by moving and this is something I truly believe he was born with. Without further ado............Master Marleeeeeeeeeey Best!

Brooklyn!!!!

Last week Ahmed and I caught up with our friend Fiona and her son Aubrey. Fiona is of Kittian descent so we have a special connection and I am so happy that we are now able to share the journey of Motherhood. Her son Aubrey is an amazing child. Not only is he kind, smart and beautiful......he is a musical genius! Our Stomp off -spring Boy Band continues to grow. I think MNM......will become MN AM. Aubrey is only 2yrs old but he is a special musician and has such an understanding of timing and improv. At dinner the boys started to trade 4 bars of druming on the table inside of the restaurant. Aubrey would play, Marley would respond. They didn't play over eachother......they listened! It was incredible! We were cracking up. They were actually riffing!? We were discussing how we personally know adults that do not even understand the concept. It was such an awesome evening. Thanks Fi, J & Aubrey