A Momma & Isaac Date

     It may seem a bit silly to schedule 'dates' with my only child, but as I've been watching our end of summer/fall schedule get a little out of control I've been trying to be purposeful and intentional in spending time with my sweet boy. More than just co-existing by running errands or attending medical appointments or squeezing in trips to the park.  I want him to know that he is worthy of my time and focus...and I am of his. (Hopefully, he'll grasp this concept later!)  So...we got dressed up and went to the Symphony!

 

     The Seattle Symphony has a great Tiny Tot Series that introduces toddlers to the wonder of instruments & music.  Isaac LOVES music so I knew it would be fun for him, but I had a BLAST!  It was an interactive session in the small symphony hall, singing nursery rhymes with the accompaniment of a three-piece brass section. We learned about the fast notes that the trumpet can make and the low notes a tuba can make and the funny noises that the trombone makes too. They also played sections of several classical pieces while we listened along. I was really very impressed. In fact, at one point I caught myself tearing up...my little boy, who I knew nothing about two years ago, was now on my lap loving the Symphony; God has given us both such an amazing life. Who am I that I should be blessed with such gift??  

  

Sneaking a selfie after they told us to put cameras away.
True rebels!

With BoPeep, Linda Goose & Lisa Goose our hosts for the afternoon.

     Afterwards we wandered over to Soundbridge, the Symphony's music discovery center. We got to try out ALL the instruments, bang on the different drums, figure out how the bongos are different than the cowbell, and even practice obeying the Conductor (this is VERY important, 'cuz it's just like listening to Momma). Drums are a very key aspect of our lives right now so it didn't surprise me that Isaac took to those. What did surprise me was his skill on the keyboard!  He walked right up, sat on the bench and started tickling the keys up & down the board like he was a pro...???  As far as I know he has never seen or touched a piano so this was a bit of a shock. Piano lessons may be in our future!

Bongos

Snare drum

Playing the bells like a trumpet...why not!

Flat Beethoven
A little creepy, I agree

Without any instruction, he picked the piano sound he wanted.

Seriously??
Who knew?!

Finishing with a bang!

    The best part of any date, OF COURSE, is...ice cream. And since we were pretending to be Seattle yuppies we went for gelato. :) Salted carmel for Momma, raspberry for Isaac.

   It was a delightful afternoon on a perfect, brisk but sunny fall day. I was proud to be on a date with my handsome boy and while he may not remember the specifics of the day, it is my prayer that those little seeds of 'I am precious and special' were planted deep into his heart for harvest later.  We have several more Symphony events planned over the next 6 months and I'm sure lots of fun dates in the middle!
  
   On a somewhat connected note...The Love Without Boundaries Foundation (a ministry providing medical & foster care to children in China) contacted us & asked me to write a little blurb about life with Down syndrome. I told them, it's a FULL life and I LOVE IT!!  :) You can read the final story HERE.