I really would like to write this column along the lines of “if you give a mouse a cookie.” Only, it would start with “if you teach a kid to play a musical instrument.”

But, it’s the holidays, and my brain is already going to mush, so I can’t put more than two coherent thoughts together. As I’m trying to write this, E is trying to read me excerpts from the play she and her friends are writing. A is rehearsing for his upcoming play audition, including vocals AND tap dancing. And G has been trying to tell me something maybe sort of important for the past 10 minutes, but both of us keep getting distracted by the other shenanigans around us. Hopefully, it’s not that he needs two dozen cookies baked for something tomorrow. It’s the holidays and this is how the next three weeks will be.

At any rate, back to my original premise: the musical instruments. This year has seen an explosion in my kids’ interest and abilities in the musical arts. Since it’s also that time of year, I’ve had a flurry of clips from old concerts and performances showing up regularly in my Facebook memories and it is stunning to realize how far they’ve come.

If you give a kid a musical instrument, they will have the opportunity to learn a skill that will take them on an adventure like no other. A has been playing the trumpet since he was in second grade. I found a clip from his very first Christmas band concert, and the trumpet dwarfs him. His little face, cheeks puffed out, earnestly playing is just too much. These days, the trumpet almost seems like a toy in his hands and he plays it much like an extension of himself.

Since that first band concert, he’s had the privilege to play with a community band, the district band, county band, and of course his school marching, concert and jazz bands. He’s made the kinds of friendships that will last a lifetime, he’s met people from other school districts and other disciplines. I only have to think back to last year’s jazz band concert and remember him rocking out to the theme from “Hawaii 5-0,” replete with Hawaiian gear on to realize how his confidence has grown because of his love for music.

If you give a kid a musical instrument, it will give them a foundation to explore other areas of the arts. I’ve already talked about A’s foray into the dramatic arts. Being able to read music and understand things like tempo and dynamics have given him a leg up when it comes to singing, and now, dancing.

G surprised me this year when he signed up for middle school chorus and has surprised me even more by really finding his voice. Working as a stagehand on the drama club production exposed him to every scene and every song. One night, I heard him in the shower, essentially singing the entire score, changing keys and voices for the different characters. It was an absolute delight, but one that I’m sure he was able to pick up more easily because of his musical background.

If you give a kid a musical instrument, eventually, it will become two (or more) musical instruments. G picked up the alto saxophone a few years ago and I have to say, he’s rocking it. The sax very much fits G’s goofy, cool personality. I can already see him jamming out in a smoky nightclub, wearing a crumpled fedora and shades. It was not at all surprising to me when he came home one day lugging an even bigger saxophone case. He is currently borrowing the school’s tenor sax. I think I prefer the mellower tones of the larger instrument. There are far fewer ear drum shattering squeaks than there were from the alto, both because of the instrument and his growing skill level.

Recently, he asked me what instrument I think he should tackle next.

“What do you think, Mom, should I start the trombone? Or maybe I should just go to the baritone sax.”

While I was contemplating that decision, E piped up with her answer: “You can’t play the flute, because I’m playing that,” which brings me to my next revelation.

If you play a musical instrument, even if it’s only for a few years, eventually, someday, one of your kids might pick it up and play it, too. Since it’s a forgone conclusion that when music lessons are offered, my kids will take them, E has been planning to rehabilitate my old flute for quite a while. This year, she finally got to join the ranks of her brothers and started lessons. I’ve found it interesting that both boys have been more than willing to help her practice, even though their own instruments couldn’t be more different.

In fact, other than trying to outplay each other, music seems to be the one area where my kids can work together and not fight for five minutes. They are currently working on their Christmas pieces on the trusty old piano, which we’re still keeping in the musical mix. While they’re almost competitive with each other to see who can play their songs better, they’re also encouraging to each other as performances improve and everyone seems to be a little bit more into the Christmas spirit. If you give a kid a musical instrument, you will encourage them to realize there is strength in numbers and together is almost always better.

If you give a kid a musical instrument, your December, and every other month of the year, will never ever be quiet again, but there is something magical about the holiday season that makes the ruckus enjoyable. The other night, as we listened to A strum away on the guitar, breaking up the holiday classics with some Violent Femmes, I turned to the Wonderful Husband and said that I will never, ever regret one single minute or dime that I’ve spent on the music lessons over the years.

Life is just better with music. If you want music in your house and in your heart every single day, give a kid a musical instrument. And, if you want to enjoy it, a few lessons probably wouldn’t hurt either.

Liz Pinkey is a contributing writer to the Times News. Her column appears weekly in our Saturday feature section.