Drummer Boy Matt

I think the reason I am sooo behind in my blogging is because the last three months of 2013 were really emotional for me, and Matt. Preparing to leave Matt's school Barkly House Harfield Road, despite the positive plans for his new school, was just hard. And so blogging was just avoided. And as I look over these photos (now with the distance of a month passed), I remember that constant knot in my stomach and the stinging tears lurking behind my eyes that seemed to dominate much of November and December.

 

But more of that in another post. Here are some fun pictures of Matt's role in the school's end of year Nativity Play. I love that all the children dress up and all the children participate in some way. The Grade Rs get to choose what part they wish to play, and Matt chose to be a drummer boy.

 

 

Matt and his partner drummer girl

 

Yes those Drummer Hats were big!

 

Matt's big moment: keeping the drum beat! Romelia sitting behind him reminding him to keep in time. Matt LOVES alternating fast beats with slow beats, and it took all his will power to keep the same pace.

Another favourite for Matt: doing song actions. I think it reminds him of his signing.

 The children all carefully filled off the stage and walked passed us to the changing rooms. As Matt neared where we were sitting, our little Nic couldn't contain his excitement and raced to hug Matt. Well it was more like a big, warm, rugby tackle due to the high levels of enthusiasm.

The shows over. Last photo before the costume comes off. Smiles all around!



Matt's Drum Party

It all started with a leisurely hammock moment...

 

 

 

 

Then we got into the drum theme by making our own drums

 

 

The cute recycled drum were soon overshadowed by the REAL thing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then the drum version of Happy Birthday

 

 

 

Matt soaking in the after glow of the drum rhythms

 

And then of course, the drum cake...

 

 

 

 

To end off, some energetic obstacle courses and games...

And last but not least, the much loved game of Duck Duck Goose?

 

Happy Birthday Matt - You're 7 years old!

 

Matt's shining moment

Matt, caught up in the the drumming beat, his little hands keeping pace, he is at home.

He, who normally is conscious of people around him, didn't seem to mind the crowd of people who were watching him. Maybe he sensed, what I sensed, that most people were totally enamoured by him and his drumming.

 

We were attending a fundraising luncheon held in aid of the NGO where I volunteer. The venue was our church hall, where Matt is well at ease. The programme included this interactive drumming session, where audience participation was welcomed and encouraged. As soon as the drumming started, I turned to Matt intending to ask him if he wanted to join in. But he was already on his way up. Drawn by the music. The drumming instructor is a friend of ours and knows Matt. He quickly included Matt into the drumming circle as you can see. And Matt's little hands added a unique rhythm the melodic beat. Matt attends a drumming class every week after school which has clearly increased his confidence, ability and passion for drumming.  

 

The camera doesn't quite pick it up, but I was almost certain that Matt was shining.