Active Triangle

Recently I was waiting in line at one of my favorite triangle coffee shops (Full Bloom) and an advertisement for a “Drum Collection” caught my eye.

There are few things I love in my life (of course in addition to my little family) and those things would be the following: coffee, music, and anything active.  Immediately I knew we would be attending (haha).

Saturday rolled around and we were running late (well, truth be told, late for me… not for most people).  However, I was hellbent on packing up all the gear Boofie would need and dragging my husband to what he was told was a “Drum Circle” (that just sounded fun).

We made our way down to Garner to visit our first Music Together Sparklers class. Y’all, I. WAS. NOT. DISAPPOINTED. This class was ON POINT.  I was legit sad when it was over.  We sang, we danced, and the littles (and parents) were able to play a variety of instruments.  Our Boofie absolutely loved the dancing and exploring musical instruments.  The teacher (Jean Marie Whaley) did a phenomenal job selecting instruments that would appeal and support his development while keeping his interest.  Mama LOVED the instruments and singing… and felt like she got a great working out carrying/dancing with little Boof.  Additionally, as someone who has expertise in education, I have to say she was an exceptional teacher who was thoughtful and well-organized.

As a working Mama it’s tough to get out and about and schedule fun and educational activities for Boofie during the week, however Music Together Sparklers currently has a Saturday (WAHOO) class in Garner. The class is Mixed Age at Christy’s DancExplosion from 10-10:45am.  We’re currently enrolled in swim lessons, but will be looking at joining in on the fun in the future!

If you get an opportunity to try this class out, let us know what you think!

Happy singing!!!  

Navigating new motherhood is tough… no sleep… breastfeeding troubles… food allergies… the colic, oh, the colic… (How come no one ever warned me?!?).  Through this new transition in my life, one of my saving graces was the Triangle Area Parenting Support Group (TAPS).  Truthfully, I learned about TAPS during a late night no sleep/feeding/crying session (where we probably were all crying).  In my late night fog, I thought that there had to be a support group for new parents.  Thankfully google was my saving grace in finding TAPS and I signed up immediately.

With Boofie being only 3 weeks old, I was incredibly apprehensive in bringing him out and about alone for the first time.  However, I got over my apprehension quickly when I saw how incredibly welcoming my TAPS leader was as well as the support of the other moms.  My first day at my new TAPS group was amazing and the leader of our group Kayce was absolutely phenomenol in supporting us through a structured model designed by the Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS).

Our TAPS group meet weekly for 10 weeks in one another’s homes.  Each week I loaded up the Boof and drove to another new moms home.  Week after week we discussed highs and lows, developmental milestones, and connected with one another.  I got to know these new moms, their babies, and connect.  We laughed, we cried, we shared.  I couldn’t imagine going through this time without them.  Although our TAPS group has officially ended, we still make time to keep in touch and spend time together.  In fact, I enjoyed my first round of TAPS so much that I signed up for a 2nd round that was a Baby and Partner group!

The Boof at his first TAPS Group at about 3 weeks old. (as you can tell, he was enjoying himself)

Boofie at his second TAPS Group… a little happier to say the least… (goodbye Colic ;)).

If you are a new mom in the Triangle Area and are looking for support and/or a way to just get out of the house during maternity leave (haha), I encourage you to look into the Triangle Area Parenting Support Group.  Although there is a small fee, it was well worth it when you’re in the trenches of new motherhood!