Our Rock Star

I did not grow up with much of a musical upbringing. At one point I think I was interested in taking piano lessons, but I think that was more because my older sisters had taken lessons and I thought it was only fair. The lessons didn’t last. I guess my mom thought it was a waste because the piano teacher only came once for me. My mom would never tell me I was a lost cause, but that must be the reason. She probably couldn’t stand to listen to me practice. But I don’t blame her; I was probably nails on a chalkboard bad

I can’t hold a tune, not even close. I’m not even an “okay” singer. I am horrible. Just horrible, and I’d admit it to anyone. I disclaimer whenever I sit next to someone other than my husband at Church that I stink.

I don’t even know anything about music. I don’t know how to read it and I don’t know how to lead it. I honestly don’t remember learning any of this, even though I know they teach it. I must have been absent that day. I remember enrolling in a Music 101 class my first year at BYU because it filled a general requirement and figured it would be easy enough. I remember looking over the syllabus at what we were expected to know, and I couldn’t even stay in the beginners class because I didn’t know how to count music, I couldn’t tell one note from another. Treble clef, measure, quarter note, sharp, flat, what is that?? I’m pathetic.

I can barely keep a beat, and even that is hard. I have no coordination, therefore I only lasted in one jazz class as a child and that has even left scars because we wore atrocious costumes that involved red spandex, bare stomach midriffs and crimped hair. Even lately I gave it another whirl with a hip hop aerobics class and I am telling you, it was soooooo embarrassing.

Austin is pretty much the same. He never played a musical instrument and focused on sports when he was younger. I actually think he has a really nice voice, and has the confidence to sing fairly loudly, even at Church, but he would never join the choir or anything like that.

Basically, our children are doomed.

At least that is what we thought.

There have been quite a few situations arise the past few weeks that give us a glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, our kids have a fighting chance at having a well rounded childhood rather than one that is tainted only with sports. Dax has given us a world of hope. Here are three examples how:

1. Dax has been playing at a little friends house on Tuesday’s and the other day I went and picked him up and they were listening to the Kidz music channel on TV and dancing. He was having such a great time and rocking a pretty nice beat. He actually looked pretty coordinated and not like a total spaz like his mom. He even threw in a few twirls just for me when I got there. I usually turn on the radio when we’re cooking dinner and lately he has loved having a little dance off in the kitchen while I cook. Even when we were in HB on the pier there was a little concert with some Reggae band, and Dax had no problem busitn’ a move in front of hundreds of bystanders. So, he has rythym! Hooray!!

2. A few days ago we were at Austin’s parents and Dax and his little cousin were providing the entertainment as usual. Jett brings out the Guitar Hero guitar, presses the hand to one of his stuffed animals which is a gorilla that sings “Wild Thing” and pretends he is playing the tune on his guitar. He held the guitar perfectly, stood with one foot in front of the other like he was doing a hard core solo, and was banging his head as he played, and he’s two in a half! Dax’s turn was next, and instead of pressing the gorillas hand for a mock concert of “Wild Thing” he belts out every word to “I Love to See the Temple” rock style. We couldn’t stop laughing. On Sunday his nursery leaders told us he did the same thing with the play guitar in his class, and they couldn’t stop laughing either. So, he has an interest in instruments and loves to sing! Hooray!!

3. Yesterday as we were cleaning and getting ready to leave for the day Austin turned on his iPod. We were all singing and dancing and Dax runs out of the room. He comes back with a turkey baster and proceeds to sing in it like a microphone. Austin and I get distracted with something and Dax takes his place in front of the full length mirror in our room to watch himself sing and dance. He is singing a song, but nothing I can make out. He keeps saying the same phrase over and over again. I can’t quite tell what he’s saying, something I’ve never heard before. The only thing he has been singing lately is “I Love to See the Temple” and even though it is a great song to be sung, it’s been making me a little crazy!! Austin and I have a quick conversation that goes something like this;

Dax singing in the background

Bryn: Austin, what is he singing?

Austin: I have no idea.

Dax still singing in the background with the turkey baster.

I listen really hard to try and make out the words…
Its two butterflies…..?

Its takes two …??

Dax still singing in the background with the turkey baster, jamming in front of the mirror.

Austin stops what he is doing to try and make out the words.

Dax still singing in the background with the turkey baster, jamming in front of the mirror, and singing so unbelievably loud.

Finally Austin picks up what he’s saying.

Dax: “It’s tooooooo laaaate to apooooologiiiiiize. It’s too late….” (the song by OneRepublic)

Are you kidding me? We laughed so hard. Where does he come up with these things?

We concluded that we might just have a little Rock Star in our home.

My mom has told me lately that a singing child is a happy child. Dax is definitely happy. And when he sings like that, so passionate and so fervent, so are his mom and dad.