I'm joining Mama Kat this week (for the first time in ages - so happy it's one more thing that's making me smile)!
10 Things to Smile About (inspired by Things I Can't Say)
Here are 10 things that are making me smile today.
Learning new things (this past week I've read this and this and am reading this)
Impromptu photo shoots with E. with her new school clothes for Kindergarten!
Finally getting to go for a run and really running.
Beer brewing in our house. (And it has chocolate in it!!)
A delicious forecast expected for the rest of the week, perfectly coordinated with boat rides, balloon festivals, and a trip to Mackworth Island. Love August in Maine.
These last few weeks of uncomplicated nursing with M. It makes me smile, but shed a tear or two as well, not knowing what to expect once I start working part time again.
Seeing my name in print in the adult ed. brochure!
This song:
M. and his sleeves.
What...what are these??
Ocean State Job Lots and a giant bottle of $7 organic extra virgin olive oil
I'm turning into a renaissance mom. I've mastered the realm of literature (there is very little I would say I'm a master in, but I've got kids books covered...trust me). Now I'm moving into the world of music, kids and otherwise.
We're obsessed with Pandora's Children's Indie Radio. Okay, I'm obsessed with it. The girl likes it well enough because it has the guy from the Curious George movie (Jack Johnson) and the babe listens to whatever I tell him to listen to. But it really is a great station for kids and grown ups a like if you're into softer, acoustic tunes (you know, like Jack Johnson) and, for some reason, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons (and anything else from that generation). I love me some Frankie (as well as Sam Cook, the Beatles, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Armstrong...all of whom have popped up on this station along with the singers you'd expect).
That said, there are some songs that don't show up on this station that have nonetheless become family jams, for better or worse. They usually pop up on the radio on our way to preschool and that means the girl, babe, and I have to sit in the car and jam out until it's done and then be late(r) to school.
These our some of our jams (don't judge too harshly):
1.) Gotye, Someone I Used to Know
The girl may or may not refer to this song as the one with the naked man.
2.) Of Monsters and Men, Little Talks
I sing really loudly (and badly) to this song. The girl let's me. That's love.
3.) Mumford and Sons, Little Lion Man (the edited version...the video below is not)
Who hasn't fallen victim to Mumford and Sons catchy, folksy tunes? We certainly have.
4.) Fun., We Are Young
Well, we are young, aren't we?
5.) Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, Thrift Shop (the edited version...the video below is not)
This song is totally hysterical and awesome. I love how it celebrates thrifty-ness over commercialism. I'm not wicked into rap, but I love Macklemore.
6.) Rapper's Delight from The Wedding Singer
This one is my husband's fault - he told the girl that the old lady rapping in the beginning is her Grammy and that the man is her grandpa Mike) These tunes not up your alley? Maybe not, but here are some suggestions - Cool bands/singers that do kids stuff that is really listenable: Barenaked Ladies (Snack Time is a cool album)
Elizabeth Mitchell (not the actress from Lost)
Yo Gabba Gabba soundtrack (current bands playing kids songs)
Jack Johnson's Curious George soundtrack Jewel (her album of lullabies is so sweet) Kidz Bop albums (they cover current popular songs in a more kid friendly way and/or with more kid friendly lyrics)
