passing on my love of music to my son

I've been wanting to get Sky into some musical lessons for the last year or so. Now I finally have the brain power to think about this and get it in our schedule. He initially wanted to play guitar, and I'm wondering if that is too advanced for him (he is 6). I want to foster a life-long love of music in him, and I don't want to frustrate him early on.

I read this article which seemed to present a lot of different opinions, good perspectives:
http://ask.metafilter.com/89630/Help-me-pick-the-best-first-instrument-for-a-very-small-6-year-old

Looks like my options are:
1. kid's size guitar (hopefully good enough quality to keep for a while)
2. ukulele (same tuning, smaller, easier to play)

I just bought a mandolin (why? it was a deal, and I'm sure I'll find some use for it). I could get him on that, but apparently it is tuned like a violin, which I don't know if it would be confusing or not.

I have a keyboard at home as well, which is another option. I think what I am going to do is dedicate some time to play around on different instruments and see which one he is more inclined to pick up. I welcome any thoughts on this!

so very thankful

What a lovely Thanksgiving Day I had today! My favorite guy and I took our time getting out of bed (he woke up, rolled over, and said "read, mama"). We went to get D and drove down to my folk's house. My mom and dad, uncle and grandfather, sister and her husband, my niece and nephew were all there. We had good food and good conversation. We lingered over seconds. We played Fuller Family Bingo with the kids. We sat around yakking until we were all ready for naps.

I took D home to Alameda, and the three of us ended up playing soccer together in the park near his house. Lots of running around, lots of laughter. At the end my little guy wanted to stay with his dad. They had a talk, and we walked back to my car. The two of us drove home, watched the Spiderwick Chronicles, then did our usual bed time routine. I managed to practice cello and put away a ton of laundry while he was in the bath.

It is just so lovely to spend time together as a family. I think the three of us are finally settling in to this new family arrangement. And that is such a relief!! :)

Feeling good

This morning I got an email from my sister in law saying she and my brother had decided to move back to the States. I can't tell you how happy that makes me, which is kinda strange, since we hardly ever spent time together while they were here. Before they left, they came to Oakland, and I took them to the Parkway Speakeasy Theater (food, beer/wine, couches and movies??? what's not to love?!?!) and had a great time hanging out with them.

I emailed her to tell her I was glad, and I knew it must have been a hard decision. She emailed back to say that they realized they want to put more time and effort into the relationships they miss here, and that I was at the top of the list.

Can't tell you how good that made me feel!

Home for the Holidays

Interesting phrase that. My new home, although I have only been here a month, feels like a safe haven. It also, at times, feels like a dark echoy cave. I'm frequently alone in the house, so how i view it depends on what mood I am in. And lately, I've been all over the map.

I'm going to my sister's home today to visit my family. A sort of homecoming, although I see them regularly. Going with my son and his dad. Not as a pretend family; we're beyond that. We are a family of a different sort, where we are friends and parents. Easier to endure the holidays knowing at least I don't have to act like "everything's ok". Why did I feel the need to do that for so long?

Tomorrow we are visiting his family. I have no idea how that is going to go. The last thing Doc said to me was something like a plea not to break D's heart. Did I do that? How will be be around me? We shall soon find out.

After that I will want to retreat, I am sure. Although I'll probably be social on Tuesday, and then in the studio that night. Ahhhhhh creating music. It does so soothe me.

The other night I saw Vienna Teng in concert. She was brilliant, moved me to tears a couple times. She played my favorite song of hers, Harbor, that will always hold a special place in my heart. And I had a thought that night, that home is where my heart is. Where my heart wants to be, there I am home.

I am such a romantic sometimes, sheesh! :)