So, our 4 year old son is into drums and guitars. Many kids go through a phase of setting up pots and pans and drumming on them. This has been a lifestyle for J-buddy (no…not his real name….sheesh). There are, at times, up to 5 drum ‘stations’ set up around the house made of whatever sounds cool when hit by a stick. And they’re not random. They are arranged. And woe to the parent (or sister) who moves any objects that have been set up in a drum kit formation. Recently, this has developed into a full-fledged band, involving Big Sis and neighbor kids. There is a drummer, a guitar player, a vocalist/keyboard player, and, of course, a cheerleader. They are all quite devoted…. more devoted than skilled, I would say. Video of this is forthcoming. To appreciate this development, a little background is helpful.

Two days after Christmas, 2004, this was the sight and sound–as you can imagine–that dominated an extended family gathering. J-bud was 2 years old. That’s a metal box he’s hitting. (uh, dude….your fly is…um…. flapping?)

Same occasion and setting. Better wardrobe. Expanded kit. What I love about this picture…. in the background… under the Christmas tree….. what he’s NOT playing with.
Summer, 2005, on stage at a camp that my husband directed for several years. There was not yet pedal capability, but J-bud had already figured out a basic cross-hand high hat/snare pattern. And had developed an affinity for o-v-e-r-s-i-z-e-d headphones. (pic taken, and drums owned, by our friend Justin)
If you come to our house ever, just know you will likely be greeted by rhythmic sounds of some sort. For a few years, I had trouble finding drummers for events I was leading at church, for camps, etc. Not anymore….. The story will continue.