So, if a six-year-old girl asked you what "hey, soul sister" means, what would you say?
What would you do if she then started singing "hey, saxy lady"?
As if the situation isn't bad enough, what if she threw in a little gangnam style for good measure.
Should I be worried about what's going on in my daughter's Kindergarten class? Is this what I can expect from public school for the foreseeable future?
I don't consider myself overly uptight, but I really can't get behind these kinds of songs being sung in a classroom filled with six-year-olds.
The babe explained to me that her friend explained to her that "saxy" means "pretty." Then the little guy, who is FOUR, started singing, "hey saxy lady, I want to jump on your cloud." Who knows what that means...but I'm fairly sure it can't be good (my friends will tell you I don't know my lingo for beans).
So, do I move from the big bad city (OK, the urban suburban neighborhood) and retreat to a sparsely-populated country area where kids aren't exposed to this kind of craziness? Oh, right, kids aren't really sheltered anywhere anymore.
Luckily this was a one-time event, but if it's any indication of what's to come, I simply am not ready.
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Monday, March 18, 2013
Friday, March 9, 2012
Bedtime Songs from the Serengeti
This post is a pretty selfish one. I want to remember this ridiculous song I recently invented and sing to the kids every night (for some crazy reason, they both love it). We had been doing Silent Night and Twinkle Twinkle for the past 9 or so months, but we have moved on to these two masterpieces (please contact me if you are interested in purchasing the rights to either version of this soon to be bedtime classic).
The babe's favorite:
The Elephant Song by Christine
"There once was an elephant name Elly, and she was very big.
There once was an elephant named Elly, and she was very big.
Her Mama's name was Fanny, and she loved her very much.
There once was a giraffe name Rafi, and he was very tall.
There once was a giraffe named Rafi, and he was very tall.
His Mama's name was Gerri, and she loved him very much.
And they all lived together, on the Serengeti, in Africa."
The little guy's favorite:
The Giraffe Song by Christine
"There once was a giraffe name Rafi, and he was very tall.
There once was a giraffe named Rafi, and he was very tall.
His Mama's name was Gerri, and she loved him very much.
There once was an elephant name Elly, and she was very big.
There once was an elephant named Elly, and she was very big.
Her Mama's name was Fanny, and she loved her very much.
And they all lived together, on the Serengeti, in Africa."
The babe's favorite:
The Elephant Song by Christine
"There once was an elephant name Elly, and she was very big.
There once was an elephant named Elly, and she was very big.
Her Mama's name was Fanny, and she loved her very much.
There once was a giraffe name Rafi, and he was very tall.
There once was a giraffe named Rafi, and he was very tall.
His Mama's name was Gerri, and she loved him very much.
And they all lived together, on the Serengeti, in Africa."
The little guy's favorite:
The Giraffe Song by Christine
"There once was a giraffe name Rafi, and he was very tall.
There once was a giraffe named Rafi, and he was very tall.
His Mama's name was Gerri, and she loved him very much.
There once was an elephant name Elly, and she was very big.
There once was an elephant named Elly, and she was very big.
Her Mama's name was Fanny, and she loved her very much.
And they all lived together, on the Serengeti, in Africa."
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Friday Night
My lovely husband allowed me to escape last Friday night. I had tickets to see the spectacular Kathleen Edwards at the 9:30 Club. I was really looking forward to it, that is, until the babe came down with a fever at school and I had to pick her up, about 8.5 hours before I was to be heading out the door for my big night out.
Luckily my husband reassured me he would be fine and the babe would be fine, too. "Go and have fun," he said (or something like that). So I did. There was a little bit of guilt, but a lot of excitement. You may not recall, but I am a big Kathleen Edwards fan and if I were a rock star, I'd like to be sorta like her (she is from my hometown, Ottawa, after all).
So, the concert was great. Hanging out with my old friend was great. But getting home at 1:00 am to a sick little girl was not great. My husband had just changed the sheets on her bed as she had thrown up.
Now, what you probably don't know is that Kathleen Edwards released a new album a few weeks ago, Voyageur. One of the songs on this album is called "Change the Sheets" and I have been listening to it while driving around town with the kids. They dig it (excellent taste, those kids of mine).
Now this may not be completely on the up and up, but I had agreed to tape a little bit of "Change the Sheets" on my phone to show the babe (I was trying to make her feel better). How appropriate is it then that when I got home, just after my husband had changed the babe's sheets, she sweetly asked me if I could play "Change the Sheets" on my phone for her. That 5 year old sure is a dedicated fan! And was I ever glad I had figured out how to tape with my phone in a dark night club.
Saturday was a rough day for all of us. But I sure was glad I'd been able to rock out with K.E.
The babe is back in good health and all is well.
Luckily my husband reassured me he would be fine and the babe would be fine, too. "Go and have fun," he said (or something like that). So I did. There was a little bit of guilt, but a lot of excitement. You may not recall, but I am a big Kathleen Edwards fan and if I were a rock star, I'd like to be sorta like her (she is from my hometown, Ottawa, after all).
So, the concert was great. Hanging out with my old friend was great. But getting home at 1:00 am to a sick little girl was not great. My husband had just changed the sheets on her bed as she had thrown up.
Now, what you probably don't know is that Kathleen Edwards released a new album a few weeks ago, Voyageur. One of the songs on this album is called "Change the Sheets" and I have been listening to it while driving around town with the kids. They dig it (excellent taste, those kids of mine).
Now this may not be completely on the up and up, but I had agreed to tape a little bit of "Change the Sheets" on my phone to show the babe (I was trying to make her feel better). How appropriate is it then that when I got home, just after my husband had changed the babe's sheets, she sweetly asked me if I could play "Change the Sheets" on my phone for her. That 5 year old sure is a dedicated fan! And was I ever glad I had figured out how to tape with my phone in a dark night club.
Saturday was a rough day for all of us. But I sure was glad I'd been able to rock out with K.E.
The babe is back in good health and all is well.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
I'm Not Perfect
You know when a song gets stuck in your head and you just can't get it out? Well apparently this happens to kids as well. The little guy has been wandering around the house, and everywhere else, singing, "I'm not perfect, no I'm not." If you didn't know what he was singing, you may think there's some messed up stuff going on at our house. But in reality, he's singing a great song by the Laurie Berkner Band and if the little guy were to sing the whole song, folks may think we have a pretty cool home with just the right attitude.
The song's message is just as important for the little ones as it is for us big ones. In fact, it's such a great song I think I'll share the lyrics with you:
I'm Not Perfect by Laurie Berkner
I'm not perfect, no I'm not
I'm not perfect, but I've got what I've got
I do my very best, I do my very best
I do my very best each day
But I'm not perfect
And I hope you like me that way
We're not perfect…
You're not perfect, not you're not
You're not perfect, but you've got what you've got
You do your very best, you do your very best
You do your very best each day
But you're not perfect
And you know
I love you that way
The song's message is just as important for the little ones as it is for us big ones. In fact, it's such a great song I think I'll share the lyrics with you:
I'm Not Perfect by Laurie Berkner
I'm not perfect, no I'm not
I'm not perfect, but I've got what I've got
I do my very best, I do my very best
I do my very best each day
But I'm not perfect
And I hope you like me that way
We're not perfect…
You're not perfect, not you're not
You're not perfect, but you've got what you've got
You do your very best, you do your very best
You do your very best each day
But you're not perfect
And you know
I love you that way
Friday, April 1, 2011
Two Stories and Three Little Birds
One of today's stories is gross and made me smile. The other story is sweet and made me smile.
I'll start with the gross one.
My husband has been working late a lot recently which has meant that I'm on bath/bed time duty solo. I can usually handle it due to my nightly practice of working on regaining a positive attitude as I clean the kitchen after dinner chaos and the kids watch a little chill out TV.
So last night was a solo night and I had the babe agree that she was going to be my "helper." This usually means she will be less likely to compete with her brother for the title of most crazed and annoyingly behaved bath time kid. As I was getting things ready, I realized that the little guy wasn't playing with his sister, as I had thought. I went searching and quickly discovered that he was in our bedroom. I ran in and found the bathroom door closed. I opened it and found the toilet room door (or whatever people call it) closed. I opened it. Guess what I found?
My son standing proudly with the toilet cleaner brush up by his nose and mouth. I don't want to know what this kid was doing with the toilet brush...I just want to pretend it didn't happen. I dragged him to the sink and gave his hands and face a good wash while repeating to myself, "gross.....gross....gross."
I managed to get them both in the bath and things went fairly smoothly for about a minute until the little guy decided it was splashing time. So I got them both washed up quickly and got the babe standing to do the big rinse off. The little guy started whining and the babe looked at him and started singing, "Don't worry, about a thing." Then I kicked in, "Cause every little thing, is gonna be alright."
She looked at me stunned. As in, "how would my Mama know anything about this music?" I asked her where she had heard the song. "Miss Mary's room," she replied. "Do you know that's Bob Marley, sweetie?" I asked. She wasn't aware of the man who made this song famous, what he stood for, or what this song has meant to me in the past. But I tell ya, I just thought it was so cool that my 4 year old daughter just whipped out some classic Bob Marley in an attempt to make her brother happy.
In honour of the wise man, and to put a spring in your step this Friday afternoon, I present Bob Marley's Three Little Birds:
Don't worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: don't worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou:)
Singin: don't worry bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: don't worry (don't worry) bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, this is my message to you-ou-ou:
Singin: don't worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. don't worry!
Singin: don't worry about a thing - I wont worry!
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: don't worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right - I wont worry!
Singin: don't worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: don't worry about a thing, oh no!
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
I'll start with the gross one.
My husband has been working late a lot recently which has meant that I'm on bath/bed time duty solo. I can usually handle it due to my nightly practice of working on regaining a positive attitude as I clean the kitchen after dinner chaos and the kids watch a little chill out TV.
So last night was a solo night and I had the babe agree that she was going to be my "helper." This usually means she will be less likely to compete with her brother for the title of most crazed and annoyingly behaved bath time kid. As I was getting things ready, I realized that the little guy wasn't playing with his sister, as I had thought. I went searching and quickly discovered that he was in our bedroom. I ran in and found the bathroom door closed. I opened it and found the toilet room door (or whatever people call it) closed. I opened it. Guess what I found?
My son standing proudly with the toilet cleaner brush up by his nose and mouth. I don't want to know what this kid was doing with the toilet brush...I just want to pretend it didn't happen. I dragged him to the sink and gave his hands and face a good wash while repeating to myself, "gross.....gross....gross."
I managed to get them both in the bath and things went fairly smoothly for about a minute until the little guy decided it was splashing time. So I got them both washed up quickly and got the babe standing to do the big rinse off. The little guy started whining and the babe looked at him and started singing, "Don't worry, about a thing." Then I kicked in, "Cause every little thing, is gonna be alright."
She looked at me stunned. As in, "how would my Mama know anything about this music?" I asked her where she had heard the song. "Miss Mary's room," she replied. "Do you know that's Bob Marley, sweetie?" I asked. She wasn't aware of the man who made this song famous, what he stood for, or what this song has meant to me in the past. But I tell ya, I just thought it was so cool that my 4 year old daughter just whipped out some classic Bob Marley in an attempt to make her brother happy.
In honour of the wise man, and to put a spring in your step this Friday afternoon, I present Bob Marley's Three Little Birds:
Don't worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: don't worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, (this is my message to you-ou-ou:)
Singin: don't worry bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: don't worry (don't worry) bout a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Rise up this mornin,
Smiled with the risin sun,
Three little birds
Pitch by my doorstep
Singin sweet songs
Of melodies pure and true,
Sayin, this is my message to you-ou-ou:
Singin: don't worry about a thing, worry about a thing, oh!
Every little thing gonna be all right. don't worry!
Singin: don't worry about a thing - I wont worry!
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: don't worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right - I wont worry!
Singin: don't worry about a thing,
cause every little thing gonna be all right.
Singin: don't worry about a thing, oh no!
cause every little thing gonna be all right!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
The Birds and the Bees
I was going to write about our music class today and how the little guy pulled a stack of chairs over on himself and we had to make an early departure. It was our last class of the session and I'm not sure when we will be singing up again, so it was upsetting we had to leave under such circumstances (especially as I've been going to the same class with the same teacher since the babe was 1).
But then I also wanted to write about how the babe really loves olives, dill pickles and capers. I thought I'd ponder what that meant in a 3.5 year old. While cleaning up after dinner, I had come to the conclusion that these food likes say a lot about my daughter.
And while I was saying good night to the babe, it became clear what I should be writing about. My own Mother, otherwise known as "Nana," will be arriving from Canada tomorrow morning for a visit. I mentioned that Nana was my Mama and I was so looking forward to seeing her. Then I mentioned that Nana took care of me when I was a little girl because she is my Mama (I thought I was just harmlessly going over the basic facts). The babe looked at me, all serious like, and asked where she was when I was a little girl and Nana was taking care of me? I replied that she had not been born yet. The babe then asked if she had been dead then? I said that she wasn't dead because I hadn't made her yet. And guess what she asked next?
"But how does the baby get in the Mama's tummy?" WHOA. I didn't think kids asked that question so young. So I stalled and kinda dodged the question. I am all about being honest with kids but I frankly hadn't done any research on how to discuss the birds and bees with a preschooler. So I told the babe that it was scientific and I had to look on the Internet to see how doctors and scientists suggest parents explain these things to kids (I tell her I have to look things up on the Internet all the time). I told her I wanted to make sure I explained it correctly to her so that she would understand. "OK, Mama," she replied.
That was a close call. I guess I better look into how to discuss these things in the most age-appropriate manner. But ultimately I guess I'll have to trust my Mama gut.
But then I also wanted to write about how the babe really loves olives, dill pickles and capers. I thought I'd ponder what that meant in a 3.5 year old. While cleaning up after dinner, I had come to the conclusion that these food likes say a lot about my daughter.
And while I was saying good night to the babe, it became clear what I should be writing about. My own Mother, otherwise known as "Nana," will be arriving from Canada tomorrow morning for a visit. I mentioned that Nana was my Mama and I was so looking forward to seeing her. Then I mentioned that Nana took care of me when I was a little girl because she is my Mama (I thought I was just harmlessly going over the basic facts). The babe looked at me, all serious like, and asked where she was when I was a little girl and Nana was taking care of me? I replied that she had not been born yet. The babe then asked if she had been dead then? I said that she wasn't dead because I hadn't made her yet. And guess what she asked next?
"But how does the baby get in the Mama's tummy?" WHOA. I didn't think kids asked that question so young. So I stalled and kinda dodged the question. I am all about being honest with kids but I frankly hadn't done any research on how to discuss the birds and bees with a preschooler. So I told the babe that it was scientific and I had to look on the Internet to see how doctors and scientists suggest parents explain these things to kids (I tell her I have to look things up on the Internet all the time). I told her I wanted to make sure I explained it correctly to her so that she would understand. "OK, Mama," she replied.
That was a close call. I guess I better look into how to discuss these things in the most age-appropriate manner. But ultimately I guess I'll have to trust my Mama gut.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Turning the World Around
Last night was a rough one. Therefore today was a rough one. The babe was up half way through the night and then she went back to sleep. Then her brother woke up, and didn't go back to sleep. I was in and out of his bedroom constantly for half the night and couldn't sort out what his problem was.
He didn't have a fever. He didn't have a nasty diaper. I gave him water, so he wasn't thirsty. He didn't have a hair stuck around his toes. Ultimately, I think it was his tummy. He let out a few farts but I think there was a lot more stuck in there. I felt bad for him but he wouldn't let me comfort him. But he also didn't want me to leave his room. I finally fell back to sleep in my own bed at 6:00 am. It was like having a newborn.
Needless to say, we didn't quite make it to music class this morning. I just didn't have it in me. Instead we picked up a mocha, a few groceries, and chilled out at home until it was time for an early nap. The thing that made everything all right was listening to Raffi.
Have you heard of him? If you're Canadian, you probably grew up with his music. If you're from somewhere else and have not heard him, I encourage you to check his children's music out. He has great lyrics, wonderful messages, and music which can be both calming and upbeat.
Check out the lyrics to Turn This World Around (2000, Homeland Publishing). You'll see what I mean:
"We heard it from Mandela, turn this world around
For the children – turn this world around.
He’s done it once before, and now we hear his call
For the children, turn this world around.
The dreams of our young ones born into this world
Need respect and love to come alive.
Honouring the children is what we’re here to do
Now is the hour and we’ve got the power to
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
If every nation’s leaders put their children first
Care and provide for every child
Each and every household could sing a song of joy
All round this planet, a new light within it could
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
And the children sing: help our light to shine
May we all be fed, may we all be loved.
May the elders here open up their hearts
To this song of ours, may they do their part.
May our dreams unfold, may we find our place
In a healthy world, embracing every race
May we all be free, may we live in peace –
Hear the children sing, hear us sing.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
We heard it from Mandela, turn this world around
For the children – turn this world around.
He’s done it once before, and now we hear his call
For the children, turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around …
For the children, turn this world around –
For the children, turn this world around."
He didn't have a fever. He didn't have a nasty diaper. I gave him water, so he wasn't thirsty. He didn't have a hair stuck around his toes. Ultimately, I think it was his tummy. He let out a few farts but I think there was a lot more stuck in there. I felt bad for him but he wouldn't let me comfort him. But he also didn't want me to leave his room. I finally fell back to sleep in my own bed at 6:00 am. It was like having a newborn.
Needless to say, we didn't quite make it to music class this morning. I just didn't have it in me. Instead we picked up a mocha, a few groceries, and chilled out at home until it was time for an early nap. The thing that made everything all right was listening to Raffi.
Have you heard of him? If you're Canadian, you probably grew up with his music. If you're from somewhere else and have not heard him, I encourage you to check his children's music out. He has great lyrics, wonderful messages, and music which can be both calming and upbeat.
Check out the lyrics to Turn This World Around (2000, Homeland Publishing). You'll see what I mean:
"We heard it from Mandela, turn this world around
For the children – turn this world around.
He’s done it once before, and now we hear his call
For the children, turn this world around.
The dreams of our young ones born into this world
Need respect and love to come alive.
Honouring the children is what we’re here to do
Now is the hour and we’ve got the power to
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
If every nation’s leaders put their children first
Care and provide for every child
Each and every household could sing a song of joy
All round this planet, a new light within it could
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
And the children sing: help our light to shine
May we all be fed, may we all be loved.
May the elders here open up their hearts
To this song of ours, may they do their part.
May our dreams unfold, may we find our place
In a healthy world, embracing every race
May we all be free, may we live in peace –
Hear the children sing, hear us sing.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
We heard it from Mandela, turn this world around
For the children – turn this world around.
He’s done it once before, and now we hear his call
For the children, turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around.
Turn turn turn, turn this world around – for the children
Turn this world around …
For the children, turn this world around –
For the children, turn this world around."
Friday, July 9, 2010
"You and Your Heart"
I know I mentioned that the babe has been quite good company lately, but that doesn't mean she's any less bossy. Sometimes I forget she's only 3.5 with the way she can order me around. Luckily most of those orders are coming my way in the car when she's telling me which song she wants to listen to.
The babe is OBSESSED with Jack Johnson these days. I bought his new album, To The Sea and have been playing it in the car lately. But all she wants to hear is the first track, "You and Your Heart." She wants to hear it over and over and over again. Slightly obsessive behavior.
Anyway, last weekend my husband was in the car with us and the babe requested her favorite tune. My husband obliged and cranked it when she asked him to turn it up. The kids proceeded to laugh and bop along to the song while my husband looked back at them also bopping his head with a huge grin on his face. It was definitely a moment. Only trouble is, the babe is constantly trying to recreate that moment.
I don't mind listening to the song, but I have to tell you I am pretty sick of it. I'm also not willing to crank it every morning on the way to school. But when I do play it relatively loud, and take a quick look back at them, they are both bopping their heads to the beat and making each other laugh. It is so freakin' cute.
Jack will be coming to DC this month, and I know the babe would get a huge kick out of seeing him in concert, but she may get annoyed when he wants to play more than just her favorite song.
You and Your Heart from To The Sea
Jack Johnson, 2010
"I’ll watch you when you say
What you are
And when you blame
Everyone, you broken king
I’ll watch you change the frame
I’ll watch you
when you take your aim
At the sum of everything
You and your heart
Shouldn’t feel so far apart
You can’t choose what you take
Why you gotta break and
\Make it feel so hard
You lay there in the street
Like broken glass
Reflecting pieces of the sun
You’re not the flame
You cut the people passing by
Because you know what you don’t like
It’s just so easy
It’s just so easy
You and your heart
Shouldn’t feel so far apart
You can’t choose
What you take
Why you gotta break and
Make it feel so hard
You and your heart
Shouldn’t feel so far apart
You can’t choose
What you take
Why you gotta break and
Make it feel so hard
You draw so many lines in the sand
Lost the fingernails on your hands
How you gonna scratch any backs
Better hope the tide
Will take our lines away
Take all our lines and….
Hope the tide will take our lines a…
Hope the tide will take our lines away
Take all our lines away"
The babe is OBSESSED with Jack Johnson these days. I bought his new album, To The Sea and have been playing it in the car lately. But all she wants to hear is the first track, "You and Your Heart." She wants to hear it over and over and over again. Slightly obsessive behavior.
Anyway, last weekend my husband was in the car with us and the babe requested her favorite tune. My husband obliged and cranked it when she asked him to turn it up. The kids proceeded to laugh and bop along to the song while my husband looked back at them also bopping his head with a huge grin on his face. It was definitely a moment. Only trouble is, the babe is constantly trying to recreate that moment.
I don't mind listening to the song, but I have to tell you I am pretty sick of it. I'm also not willing to crank it every morning on the way to school. But when I do play it relatively loud, and take a quick look back at them, they are both bopping their heads to the beat and making each other laugh. It is so freakin' cute.
Jack will be coming to DC this month, and I know the babe would get a huge kick out of seeing him in concert, but she may get annoyed when he wants to play more than just her favorite song.
You and Your Heart from To The Sea
Jack Johnson, 2010
"I’ll watch you when you say
What you are
And when you blame
Everyone, you broken king
I’ll watch you change the frame
I’ll watch you
when you take your aim
At the sum of everything
You and your heart
Shouldn’t feel so far apart
You can’t choose what you take
Why you gotta break and
\Make it feel so hard
You lay there in the street
Like broken glass
Reflecting pieces of the sun
You’re not the flame
You cut the people passing by
Because you know what you don’t like
It’s just so easy
It’s just so easy
You and your heart
Shouldn’t feel so far apart
You can’t choose
What you take
Why you gotta break and
Make it feel so hard
You and your heart
Shouldn’t feel so far apart
You can’t choose
What you take
Why you gotta break and
Make it feel so hard
You draw so many lines in the sand
Lost the fingernails on your hands
How you gonna scratch any backs
Better hope the tide
Will take our lines away
Take all our lines and….
Hope the tide will take our lines a…
Hope the tide will take our lines away
Take all our lines away"
Sunday, May 30, 2010
The Music Truck
Today is the day the "music truck" became the "popsicle truck."
Since the weather has warmed up, the ice cream truck has been driving through the neighborhood every night. I had convinced the babe last summer that the truck was a "music truck" because it blares its child friendly songs as it drives slowly around the 'hood searching for dessert deprived children.
We always stop when we here it and watch it drive by. And I have always felt terrible when I see it stop for the neighborhood kids and not for my daughter. Having a child with a dairy allergy makes you see everything in a different light, and the music truck has always been one of those things.
But today we changed things. When we heard the music truck coming the babe stationed herself on the front lawn to watch it drive by. An idea flashed across my brain...perhaps they have non-dairy, non-tree nut, non-peanut, non-sesame, non-egg type treats?! So I ran up to the passing truck to wave him down.
And guess what? He had a few options for us....some yummy sugary, multi-coloured, high fructose corn syrup special treats (the kind I never ever buy). So we dropped the 2 bucks and got the babe her first music truck treat. We took a picture so we could remember this awesome moment.
She didn't finish the popsicle, but you could tell it made her day. Just seeing her face light up made me want to wave down the popsicle truck at least once a week. After all, we all deserve something special on the weekends.
Since the weather has warmed up, the ice cream truck has been driving through the neighborhood every night. I had convinced the babe last summer that the truck was a "music truck" because it blares its child friendly songs as it drives slowly around the 'hood searching for dessert deprived children.
We always stop when we here it and watch it drive by. And I have always felt terrible when I see it stop for the neighborhood kids and not for my daughter. Having a child with a dairy allergy makes you see everything in a different light, and the music truck has always been one of those things.
But today we changed things. When we heard the music truck coming the babe stationed herself on the front lawn to watch it drive by. An idea flashed across my brain...perhaps they have non-dairy, non-tree nut, non-peanut, non-sesame, non-egg type treats?! So I ran up to the passing truck to wave him down.
And guess what? He had a few options for us....some yummy sugary, multi-coloured, high fructose corn syrup special treats (the kind I never ever buy). So we dropped the 2 bucks and got the babe her first music truck treat. We took a picture so we could remember this awesome moment.
She didn't finish the popsicle, but you could tell it made her day. Just seeing her face light up made me want to wave down the popsicle truck at least once a week. After all, we all deserve something special on the weekends.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
That Song
There's this song I love. I never hear it and I don't know where the CD is. But I found myself humming it the other day as I was washing dishes.
Today a funny thing happened. I was returning some stuff at LL Bean and as I walked in, this song started. I can't help but think that it means something. The song is Anchorage by Michelle Shocked (Mercury, 1988). Here are the lyrics, for those of you who are interested:
"I took time out to write to my old friend
I walked across that burning bridge
I mailed my letter off to Dallas but her reply came from
Anchorage, Alaska
She said, Hey girl it's about time you wrote
It's been over two years, my old friend
Take me back to the days of the foreign telegrams
And the all night rock and rolling
Hey Chel we was wild then
Hey Chel you know it's kinda funny
Texas always seems so big
But you know you're in the largest state in the Union
When you're anchored down in Anchorage
Hey girl I think the last time I saw you
Was on me and Leroy's wedding day
What was the name of that love song you played?
I forgot how it goes
I don't recall how it goes
Anchorage
Anchored down in Anchorage
Leroy got a better job so we moved
Kevin lost a tooth, he's started school
I've got a brand new eight month old baby girl
I sound like a housewife
Hey Chel, I think I'm a housewife
Hey girl what's it like to be in New York?
New York City, imagine that
What's it like to be a skateboard punk rocker?
Leroy says send a picture
Leroy says hello
Leroy says keep on rocking, girl
Keep on rocking"
This song says so much to me. And if you've never heard it, you should try and track it down because just reading the lyrics doesn't do it justice. I suppose I understand it a lot more now than when I first fell in love with it. Because the realization that you sound like a housewife can be pretty overwhelming.
Today a funny thing happened. I was returning some stuff at LL Bean and as I walked in, this song started. I can't help but think that it means something. The song is Anchorage by Michelle Shocked (Mercury, 1988). Here are the lyrics, for those of you who are interested:
"I took time out to write to my old friend
I walked across that burning bridge
I mailed my letter off to Dallas but her reply came from
Anchorage, Alaska
She said, Hey girl it's about time you wrote
It's been over two years, my old friend
Take me back to the days of the foreign telegrams
And the all night rock and rolling
Hey Chel we was wild then
Hey Chel you know it's kinda funny
Texas always seems so big
But you know you're in the largest state in the Union
When you're anchored down in Anchorage
Hey girl I think the last time I saw you
Was on me and Leroy's wedding day
What was the name of that love song you played?
I forgot how it goes
I don't recall how it goes
Anchorage
Anchored down in Anchorage
Leroy got a better job so we moved
Kevin lost a tooth, he's started school
I've got a brand new eight month old baby girl
I sound like a housewife
Hey Chel, I think I'm a housewife
Hey girl what's it like to be in New York?
New York City, imagine that
What's it like to be a skateboard punk rocker?
Leroy says send a picture
Leroy says hello
Leroy says keep on rocking, girl
Keep on rocking"
This song says so much to me. And if you've never heard it, you should try and track it down because just reading the lyrics doesn't do it justice. I suppose I understand it a lot more now than when I first fell in love with it. Because the realization that you sound like a housewife can be pretty overwhelming.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Not a Baby Any More
In my head, I know the babe is not a babe any more. She's a toddler. This became obvious today when we attended a make up sign language/music class in Arlington (we've missed two classes and I want to make sure we get our money's worth!).
The class was for children up to 18 months old. The babe was one of only 2 toddlers in the room (the rest were babies sitting calmly in their Mother's laps). My daughter and her new buddy were into everything, wouldn't sit down, and were generally in everyone's business. They were super cute, but I could see how other Moms may not think it's "cute" that my daughter is trying to "share" (take) their child's drum.
It was amusing to watch her, but challenging to try and balance discipline with learning in a group environment. When I was pregnant I had a lot of time to read about being pregnant and the first few months of a child's life. I haven't had a chance to read about this "stage" and I'm not really sure what I should be doing with a 15 month old.
Group activities expose your child to other kids (which is great for the 'stay at home with Mom' kinda kids), but they also expose you to other parents. And it's tough to parent in front of other parents. There's always the concern that they may be better at it than you. Or they may be more up tight than you and be secretly judging you. Who knows. Perhaps I am worrying more than I need to. Kids will be kids (until your kid gets pushed over by another kid, which just happened in the class held before our Wednesday session).
Despite these little issues, I'm pretty thrilled we signed up for a few activities. It's nice to have an official place to be other than a doctor's appointment!
The class was for children up to 18 months old. The babe was one of only 2 toddlers in the room (the rest were babies sitting calmly in their Mother's laps). My daughter and her new buddy were into everything, wouldn't sit down, and were generally in everyone's business. They were super cute, but I could see how other Moms may not think it's "cute" that my daughter is trying to "share" (take) their child's drum.
It was amusing to watch her, but challenging to try and balance discipline with learning in a group environment. When I was pregnant I had a lot of time to read about being pregnant and the first few months of a child's life. I haven't had a chance to read about this "stage" and I'm not really sure what I should be doing with a 15 month old.
Group activities expose your child to other kids (which is great for the 'stay at home with Mom' kinda kids), but they also expose you to other parents. And it's tough to parent in front of other parents. There's always the concern that they may be better at it than you. Or they may be more up tight than you and be secretly judging you. Who knows. Perhaps I am worrying more than I need to. Kids will be kids (until your kid gets pushed over by another kid, which just happened in the class held before our Wednesday session).
Despite these little issues, I'm pretty thrilled we signed up for a few activities. It's nice to have an official place to be other than a doctor's appointment!
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Good Tunes
My friend just passed this link along. If you're looking for some very fun children's music, check out NPR's Best CDs of 2007: The Year in Music for Kids. You can listen to one song per album which gives you a nice taste of what you can expect if you were to purchase the whole thing. There are some great melodies and hilarious lyrics. You have to hand it to these people! Good songs about poop are hard to find.
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