Have you read the book Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell? I read it over over Christmas holidays and I found it fascinating. Gladwell spends the book analyzing what makes people successful. What are the special characteristics that make those people especially unique? I won't spoil it all for you since it is a great read, but one thing he emphasizes is the importance of nurturing talent. It isn't just the fact that the brilliant and talented are brilliant and talented. Someone has to notice and encourage that talent, or else, sadly, the potential is never realized.

I've studied the Nature versus Nurture debate for years. In fact, I did my AP Biology project in high school on that very topic. (I choose not to share how long ago that was.) So the theories in Outliers really hit home for me. Not just for myself as I struggle to find my calling, but also for the kids. I believe part of my responsibility as a parent is to nurture and encourage my childrens' gifts. The book gave me another way to think about it. Nurturing those gifts will positively affect my children, my grandchildren, and generations of children that I will never meet. Amazing, isn't it?

So, Tadd and I have been on the lookout for emerging gifts in the kiddos. Ok, I know that what they like today might be totally different later one. But maybe not. I was a very talkative child that loved to imagine herself in movies. Though I went through a painfully shy period due to my environment, I made my way back. Who knows what would have happened if my folks caught on to my dramatic flair earlier and took me to plays or acting lessons?

Well, I think we might be seeing the beginnings of an interest...and fortunately it is something I am already familiar with...


                                                                            

Peanut loves playing drums! I thought it was a fluke at first, but nope...he digs them! I had a gig a couple of weeks ago so I pulled out my huge tumba drum. I thought it would be fun to play a little for the babies. Pumpkin kinda laughed and then played with something else. Peanut's eyes grew wide and he tried to climb the drum. Then he proceeded to clap and dance along with the music. Hmmm...

The clincher was the drum Mimi and Gramps gave Pumpkin for her birthday. She hasn't been wild about it, but it is Peanut's favorite thing. He banged with one hand for a while, no big deal. What amazed me was when he walked around, found the other stick, and proceeded to beat the drum with two sticks and alternating motions. After a while, he even started dancing and adding some shoulder moves to it, like he was doing a kicking solo. It was priceless!

                                                                            

Which leads me to the theory that the apple really doesn't fall far from the tree...even if the branches were grafted on. Poor Tadd might have another drummer to listen to!

Pumpkin is so active that everything seems to entertain her equally. (Well, except looking in the mirror. That really is her favorite.) Perhaps she just hasn't been exposed to her thing yet. Maybe she will love mathmatics. Or painting. Or sports. Perhaps she will have a future as a yoga practitioner...

                                                                                    
OOOOOHHHHHHHHHMMMMMMM....