Archive for the 'Music' Category

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A smashing success

Published on Wednesday, November 19, 2008 in Claire, Conversations, Fun, Language, Moms' Group, Music, NaBloPoMo 2008, Photos and School. 0 Comments Tags: Conversations, Fun, Language, Moms' Group, Music, NaBloPoMo 2008, School.

The Moms’ Club we’re a part of has decided to create their own Music Class. I’d volunteered to host the first one.

The concept is simple. Everyone brings any instruments they have, and they all go in a clothes-basket. We take turns playing with different instruments, singing, and dancing with scarves to music.

Because Claire was so into all of the music stuff, we’d purchased a nice musical instrument set that included a triangle, tambourine, maracas, cymbals, hollow wooden scraper-thingy, and a longer-handled clacker-dealie. (I may have been the Music Class Leader this time, but that doesn’t mean I’m required to know all the technical names!!) She also has a nice xylophone to add to the mix. There would be plenty of instruments to choose from and share. It was going to be perfect!

Neither one of us could wait for Tuesday’s Music Class.

Monday morning, Claire had her Young Preschooler Class. Every Monday, as I’m signing her in, she picks her name-card off of the table (she finds it herself!) and takes it over to The Question of the Day poster on the wall. The teacher then helps her read the question, and Claire answers it. She then puts her name-card in the slot indicating her answer. The question is different every week and always simple. (i.e. “Are you wearing red?”) It’s something they do every time, and it helps with early reading skills, recognition, etc.

It’s fun, and she loves it.

But, what does this have to do with Music Class we were going to have on Tuesday?

Well, here’s the conversation we had on Monday night:

“Claire! We need to label your instruments for tomorrow’s Music Class! If you help me gather them all up, I’ll put your name on them.”

“Oh no! Momma, you can’t!”

“Why not? We don’t want them to get mixed up with anyone else’s instruments, so we need to put your name on them.”

“We can’t, because we left my name at school!”

She was quite relieved that we didn’t need her name-card from the school to label her musical instruments. I thought it was hysterical that she thought we’d left her actual name at the school, but I did a great job of not laughing out loud.

We got the instruments labeled, everyone showed up, and all the kids had a great time playing with the instruments, singing and dancing. All in all, the Music Class on Tuesday was a smashing success…

...quite literally, I’m afraid.

This was a “while being put away” casualty and not a “while being played” situation. No musicians were harmed in this incident and thankfully, this isn’t a fatal injury. “Says you!” cries The Tambourine. Forgive her. She’s just a little short-sighted right now. As soon as I get her fixed (I’ll probably just remove the ripped paper – I may or may not re-cover her), no one will be the wiser.

[Edited to add: Check out the update!]

Today is Day 19 of 30 in the NaBloPoMo Challenge! Check it out and/or join in the fun! Instruments requiring repair? One. Days completed in the NaBloPoMo Challenge? Nineteen!

The Gitchy Gitchy Spider

Published on Thursday, October 2, 2008 in Claire, Milestones and Music. 0 Comments

“The Gitchy Gitchy Spider
climbed up the-uh SPOUT!!
DOWN came the rain
and washed the spider OUT!!
DOWN came the sun
and dried up all the rain.
And, the Gitchy Gitchy Spider
climbed up the spout again.”

~as sung by Claire, age 2-and-three-quarters

I know I’m a perfectionist at heart, but I LOVE her version. I think I like it better than the original. Of course, I’m a tad biased.

Kinda like a Concert in the Park…only better

Published on Thursday, September 18, 2008 in Claire, Fun, Music and Photos. 2 Comments

Click on photos to enlarge.
Clicking a second time will show more detail.

Yesterday I was able to enjoy a free concert…in my home office. Claire decided to showcase her piano-playing and song-singing abilities.

She’s a new artist on the music scene. She’s got a very soulful sound.

She sings with a lot of energy.

She puts all her heart into every song.

She’s not afraid of those high notes.

And she always asks the crowd if they have any requests.

And I still think his name sounds like the candy…

Published on Tuesday, September 9, 2008 in Music and Random Thoughts. 2 Comments

As Claire and I were coming home today from running some errands, one of my favorite songs came on the radio. It’s catchy, has a lot of bass, and borders on rap. Or is rap. Depending on who you talk to. Still…it makes me smile…and not for reasons you may suspect.

You see, when my hubby and I first moved to this state, we found a radio station that was rather progressive. It prides itself in finding new artists and playing new music. It was early 1999, and one evening, we were cruising around downtown looking for a parking space. We were going out on the town with our friends, like we did most weekends.

We’d decided to listen to the radio, rather than our CDs, and imagine our surprise when we heard the DJ call my name. I’d been listed as a winner, and I had x-amount of minutes to call! To win my free stuff! I was ecstatic. I’d recently procured a cellphone to use only in emergencies, and this *was* an emergency! I called the radio station, was properly enthusiastic and was told that I’d won tickets! To a concert! For a musician we’d never heard of! Still, since I was on air, I was pretty excited, and I remember sitting in the car and listening to myself on the radio. Plus, what are the odds that we’d be listening at that moment, hear my name, I’d call and I’d win!

To get the tickets, I’d have to go back downtown to the radio station and pick them up. We looked at each other, knowing that the odds of us jumping through the hoops to actually get the tickets were pretty slim…especially for someone we didn’t recognize…but it was nice to win.

I remember getting to the restaurant and telling our friends that I’d been on the radio! I’d won tickets!

“To what?” they’d asked.

“I dunno…the M&M concert…?” I’d said, still excited, but knowing I wasn’t going to go.

“M&M…like the candy?”

“Yeah. M&M, like the candy. I guess? Have you heard of him? I think I’ve heard of him, but I can’t be sure…is he that guy that sings that one song? Hmmm, maybe not? I’m not sure.”

“Are you going to go? I mean, they are free concert tickets…”

“Nah…it sounds like a hassle…and for someone who isn’t even well-known. I think we’ll pass. Still!! I’m SO excited that I won! It’s too bad they weren’t tickets to someone famous or that we actually like…”

…and we went on with our evening. The tickets went un-picked-up.

And “M&M**” went on to go triple platinum by the end of the year.

So, every time I hear his music, I smile. I coulda been there…before it all really took off…for free.

*sigh*

**And, yes, I know he doesn’t spell his initials, er, I mean his name that way.

Musically Inclined

Published on Thursday, August 7, 2008 in Conversations, Music and Random Thoughts. 2 Comments

As the three of us were cleaning up the kitchen one night after dinner:

Daddy: ♪♫♪ Hmmm hm hm hm…hmmm hmm hmm hmmm…♪♫♪ ”Ahhh! I can’t believe Oh Tannenbaum is stuck in my head. Maybe I’m subconsciously wishing for colder weather.”

Momma: “That’s okay. The other day, I kept singing ♪♫♪It’s Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas.♪♫♪ I’m not sure what that’s all about.”

Claire (not to be outdone or left out of the conversation): ♪♫♪Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday to everybuhhhhddddy! ♪♫♪

I guess you had to be there…

The Vulcan Car Seat Relaxant Grip

Published on Thursday, May 29, 2008 in Claire, Moms' Group, Music and Parenting 101. 3 Comments

Is there a “get the toddler in the car seat” equivalent to the “Vulcan Death Grip?” For real. I’d love to know where that pressure point is. Her ability to climb into the car seat herself really saves my back, so I’d like to be able to apply said grip after she’s sitting in the seat.

You may think I’m being facetious in my question, but I’m serious. A pressure point that doesn’t cause permanent paralysis would be awesome. Or that doesn’t cause bruising. Well, no visible bruising anyway… Just kidding! (or am I?)

At first I thought maybe the straps needed to be adjusted on the car seat. I checked the manual, and sure enough, the straps needed to be moved to the next slot up. So, I did that. But, it’s still a wrestling match.

Some days are okay. I’ve tried giving her choices: Do you want to get in the seat yourself, or do you want me to help you? Do you want to click the top latch by yourself, or do you want me to help you? Like I said, some days are okay.

Some days are not. Puppy gets taken away until she calms down. I physically have to hold her down with one arm while trying to click the latches as quickly as I can…all the while shielding my face from her claws and flailing limbs. The ringing in my ears from all the screaming seems to subside after a few minutes.

The day we brought a little boy home with us from a playdate (so that his mom could go to an appointment in peace), I wasn’t sure what to expect. I couldn’t handle two crazed beasts. I decided to hope for the best and really played up how much fun it would be to ride in the backseat together. It worked. He hopped right into his seat and waited patiently. Claire did the same. I was amazed. So…you CAN do it. You just don’t WANT TO. I’m onto you, Little Missy.

And, for the record, she gets in the car seat with minimal thrashing about for Daddy. Again, proving that the issue is not mechanical, it’s psychological. Maybe the problem is me? No…I’m not the one who is two.

Today, we had another Music Class with the Mom’s Group, and Claire did NOT want to leave. I tried to leave three times but got stopped chatting with other moms that were also trying unsuccessfully to head for the door. On the fourth and final time, I told the moms that I had to do the Grab and Dash, and to please ignore all the screaming.

I went back to the playroom and escaped through the door with a screaming toddler.

As I carried Claire to the car, she was literally kicking and screaming, and she didn’t stop when she got to the car. She was in no mood for my choice-offering questions, so I put her in the seat. Out of nowhere, she developed the strength of ten men. This was the biggest struggle I’ve seen yet.

Oh, the arching of the back! Oh, the throwing of oneself from side to side! Oh the gnashing of teeth and the shrill screams!

I was finally able to get the latches clasped, but not without her smacking me. This is unacceptable. I told her that as soon as we got home, she was sitting in time-out. You would have thought that I ripped poor Puppy limb-from-limb with how she erupted in a fit of tears. Then, the bargaining began. She didn’t do it on purpose! (Yes, she did.) She wouldn’t do it again! (Sorry, I’m not a fortune teller. Actions have consequences. The sooner you learn that, the better.) She tried apologizing, but I told her that was nice, but it was too late. Time-out is where little girls go who hit. Period. (see note below)

As I got out of the backseat, all disheveled and bruised, I saw one of the other moms. “Do you have a bumper sticker that says, ‘I swear I’m not kidnapping this child; she just hates her car seat,’ on you?” She laughed and said her little boy does the same thing and that she’d just survived a massive struggle as well. As both kids screamed in the backseats, we quickly chatted about how he was perfectly fine for me that one day…he’d gotten into his car seat willingly and was all happy through the entire process.

Maybe next time we should switch up kids, and I should put him in his car seat and she can put Claire in hers. Hmmm…that might not be a bad idea. Of course, that will work for Music Class, but not for any other trips I take, and I’m sure the novelty of someone else strapping them in would wear off eventually.

The Vulcan Car Seat Relaxant Grip would be much more practical.

Note: Claire sobbed all the way home (thankfully, we live close), and went straight to the time-out corner upon our arrival. But, whatever it was has worked itself out of her system…for now. Oh, the trials and tribulations of being two…

Slacker

Published on Sunday, April 27, 2008 in Music and Product Reviews. 3 Comments

Last week, my hubby introduced me to a music site where you can put in your favorite artist or genre, and it will play music that falls into that category. It’s called Slacker. I’ve fallen even more madly in love with it, so I though I’d share a little more about it.

I love the name, and I’m surprised someone else didn’t snatch it up. Then again, if they truly are slackers, that explains everything.

People tend to be very territorial with their music sites. I’m not. I’m new to this whole scene. My hubby was really into Pandora and Rhapsody, and whatever the kids are into these days. Now, he’s playing around with Slacker.

He tried to get me hooked on Pandora, but, personally, I didn’t like it. It always played such weird things in my line-ups, and I didn’t have the time to constantly rate or tweak the song lists. It was more trouble than it was worth (and it was free! What does that tell you?). I was busy! Who has that kind of time and dedication! I do have good friends that have painstakingly created song lists in that and other programs. That’s awesome, but it’s not for me.

Plus, I’m the kind of person who could be deliriously happy listening to my favorite (at the time, because it always changes) song on repeat. For real. Make me work for it, and I’m not happy. Gee, maybe that’s why they named it Slacker?

I haven’t had to do any tweaking. The song lists are awesome. How ironic that when I actually have more time, I find a site that doesn’t need its hand held.

So, why is this so cool? Well, Claire loves to sing and dance, and she’s started memorizing lyrics. This is good and bad.

Most of the clubby/dance/popular radio music she likes has some interesting lyrics. So, when I stumbled upon the Toddler Radio on Slacker, I was pleasantly surprised. Granted, I wavered between wanting to thump my head on the wall and actually enjoying the songs from my childhood. Today, we are exploring the Kid Radio, and it’s a lot of fun, too.

The Jonas Brothers? Miley Cyrus? Of course I’ve heard of them (now), why do you ask? I was beginning to feel so out if the loop. (Where’s my cane? Get off my lawn!)

What I think is cool is all the mainstream artists (that I’ve actually heard of before now) who are now doing some kid-friendly songs, too…

And Slacker would be awesome to play at the office, since it’s continuous and not elevatory at all, unless you tell it to be.

So, if you’re in the market for a free online music source that takes no effort on your part, like changing the CD or setting up an mp3 list, check out Slacker. I’ve noticed that there is an option to set up your own playlist, but I’m too much of a slacker myself to even know how that works.

Good answer

Published on Sunday, April 20, 2008 in Claire, Conversations, Lovey Dovey and Music. 0 Comments

My hubby and I are bantering over the kind of music he wants to play during dinner. (Speaking of which, he showed me a really cool music site! It’s called slacker[.]com, and it’s really cool!!) He is making fun of my choice of music and I his. (We really do like the same type of music, for the most part…it’s when we both get in a mood that makes it interesting.)

We’re at the end of the meal, and I’m getting everyone some ice cream. All of a sudden, I realize that he’s tried to switch the station again. I make some snarky remark or obnoxious noise. Or both.

He says, “Claire, your momma is…”

“Be careful!” I interrupt with a warning in my voice. “She’ll remember and repeat every word you say…”

“…funny,” he says. Good save, Mister. But, I’m not through with you yet.

“Do you want your ice cream…” I say with an accusatory tone.

“Yes!” he says, laughing.

“…in a bowl or on your head?”

“In a bowl!” Claire shouts. “In a bowl!”

“Good answer, Claire. Good answer.”

Cuz I’m the King of Bongo, Baby

Published on Wednesday, April 9, 2008 in Claire, Fun, Moms' Group and Music. 2 Comments

Claire and I went to a Music Class today! It was hosted by our local MOMS Club, and it was part of the Meet & Greet they have once a month. This was an opportunity for us to check out this group before we join.

From what I saw today, we’ll be joining! You never know what you’re going to get with groups like this, and all the women I met today seem really nice. Claire got along fabulously with the other kids, so I think we’ll give it a shot.

There is a small annual fee to join the club, and it covers the cost of snacks, mailings, etc. To be honest, the cost of the yearly fee would have more than covered the cost of a real Music Class and snack, so I think we’ll be getting our money’s worth! (Now that I have time, I wanted to do different activities with Claire. Rather than get tied down to the schedule of a particular class, I decided to look into something like this MOMS Club, because the cost is minimal and the activities are varied and all in our area. Perfect!)

So, the Meet & Greet was great, but the Music Class was awesome! The woman who led the kids was very well suited for this, and so talented. (She runs her own Music Therapy business and provides music classes for all kinds of groups or individuals.) I thought it was great that Claire got to experience someone playing the guitar, bongos and violin for real. (As opposed to the guitar and drum-set we have for Rock Band…though fun, is not quite the same. And, Daddy has been trying to convince me to let him buy his own bongo set, so once he hears how much fun Claire had, I’m sure he’ll kick his “but it will really be for Claire” excuse into high gear!)

The woman started the Music Class out with a scarf dance that we all preformed to King of the Bongo by Manu Chao. I’d never heard this song, and I loved it! I did a search on youtube, and apparently I’ve been living under a bongo-less rock, because there are a lot of versions out there!

Here is a link to the one from Robbie Williams:

Link to youtube

Here are some of the lyrics:

Momma was queen of the mambo
Papa was king of the Congo
Deep down in the jungle
I start’d bangin’ my first bongo

Every monkey’d like to be
In my place instead of me
Cause I’m the king of bongo, baby
I’m the king of bongo bong

This Momma would love to be Queen of the Mambo, and both Claire and I rocked the scarf dance.

Needless to say, the Music Class was a success. We sang songs, danced some more and then the kids got to choose an instrument out of a plastic tub and we became a band. For every song we sang, the kids chose a different instrument, and it was so much fun! (Claire’s favorite was the drum…Daddy will be thrilled!)

When the Music Class was over, the kids played some more in the playroom while the moms chatted. When it was time to go, Claire wanted to stay forever, which is a sure sign that she had a good time.

Now, the song and the lyrics I’ve copied and pasted above are stuck in my head. I start humming it and Claire sings along, “Cuz I’m the King-go Bongo, Baby! I’m the King-go Bongo!”

…and we dance.

None of my secrets are safe

Published on Monday, January 14, 2008 in Claire, Conversations, Fun, Music and Parenting 101. 7 Comments

Last night, my hubby and I were getting dinner ready. Claire is sitting at her place at the table, and she requests a song. (We have a laptop that stays on the kitchen table, and Claire and I listen to music, etc. during lunch, so she often has requests at night at well.)

“Momma, I wanna listen Come-a Come-a Come-a Come-a … Come in GOLD! Come in GOLD!”

“What does she want to listen to?” my hubby asks with a confused look on his face. This wasn’t her usual request for Dani California.

I honestly wasn’t paying attention, so I asked Claire to repeat what she’d said.

“I wanna listen Come-a Come-a Come-a Come-a … Come in GOLD! Come in GOLD!” This time, she sang to a very specific tune.

“Oh no!” I gasped. I can’t believe she not only remembers it, but that my secret would be out.

“WHAT!?” my hubby asked.

“I can’t believe she remembers that song! I listened to it once last week when you were working late,” I said. “Okay, maybe we listened to it twice. Still! I had no idea she’d remember it, let alone request it a week later!”

“What song??” he asked, his interest now definitely piqued.

“Karma Chameleon by Boy George,” I admitted. “And, what’s funny is she actually has the tune right. Not to mention, I don’t know how old I was when I figured out that he was saying ‘karma’ and not ‘come-a’…so she’s not that far off with the lyrics.” (*Please see the note, below…)

So, here is a link to the song on youtube. Like the other youtube links to songs on my blog, the video quality isn’t the best. But, for the record, we don’t watch the videos. I minimize the screen and dance around the room.

I interrupt this post to announce: Can you believe that this song is TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OLD?? Yikes! Okay, carry on…

My hubby wanted to know what other songs would be requested in the future, and I said, “Oh, we find whatever random song from my past that pops into my head. Last week it was Boy George, Robert Palmer and Bananarama. None of my secrets are safe anymore, so I’m sure Claire will tell you all about it sooner or later.”

*Note: Yes, the lyrics are “come and go…come and go…” But, Claire was getting the “gold” part from the “Lovin’ would be easy if your colors were like my dream…red, gold and green” part.