houpley

Wah, dah, wah! Dah! Bah! Waaaa! Hey Jackson, instead of just singing sounds to Eli, maybe you could sing actual words to him so he learns new words to say? Ok. ... Red, red, red, red, red, white, white, white, white, blue, blue, blue, blue, magician, magician, magician, silver, silver, silver....

Jackson has been attending vacation bible school this past week. He is always taken with good stories and music. Now that VBS has come to a close, Jackson has been regaling us with his own renditions of the songs.  I asked him if we should call him Pastor Jackson.  He declined the title.  I suggested Reverend Jackson. He disagreed. How about Father Jackson?  No.  Finally, I asked him, "What should we call you when you are singing from the pulpit?" "Michael Jackson."

I've got a call in to Garrison Keillor.

Is there ever a time when this isn't funny?

Yesterday afternoon Jackson wrote his first song. He has been working on it for a while. While strumming his guitar in the living room, he began stringing together phrases he has picked up from various songs with what I think may be actual day-to-day experiences. When I realized an actual song was formulating, I grabbed a pen and paper to jot down the finished product. What was even more hysterical, was that in between jam sessions he would walk over to peruse my notes and check the lyrics before starting over from the top again. Unfortunately, I didn't get the finished product on video. I was too busy filling out his liner notes. His title: Old Song Running Down the Road Turn the Page When I came home, You were here. I love you. Ohhhhhhhh! Like a ball fell in my head. Whoa! Like a rock and roll. Baby, baby, Like a talking bowl. I love you.

Jackson is a whiner. He knows every crack in the dirty sidewalks of Whineville. Yes, I will admit this is an inherited trait. My parents have regaled me with tales of my never-ending whining. So as the cycle continues, now it is my turn to hear the whiny-whine-whine that comes with snack requests, bedtime stalling, fears, don't-want-tos, etc. Whining is the name of his game. We tried some traditional tactics like pretending not to hear him when the first syllable whines its way out of his mouth. It worked sometimes but was really hit or miss. And his frustration from feeling as though he wasn't being heard would overcome any thoughts about actually stopping the whine. So then we tried mapping out a plan and explaining thoroughly that "every time you whine, we are going to ignore it." He agreed. But again the strategy to de-whine the boy was never consistent. There's been a load of compromising. It's almost as though he can't help it. He doesn't even re...

Jackson: Mama, will you play the roller skate song? (Brand New Key ) Mama: Ok .... Oh look, she's playing a guitar. Jackson: Yeah, I'm all about guitars.

Really? http://www.flickr.com/photos/73102019@N00/5309160431/ Unfortunately, he may love this gift most of all.

Just another laundry day musical.

Jackson woke up this morning singing Black Eyed Peas songs. Good parent or bad parent?

For Sylvie:

Young love.

There's a new radio station in town that plays music from the mid to late 90s. On the way to school Jackson asked me: Mama, what music is this? This is supposed to be GenX music. Oh. Where does it live? It lives in Barton Coliseum.

Me: So, I heard you got in trouble today. Jackson: Yeah. Me: What happened? Jackson: I got the Neosporin. Me: Why? Jackson: Cause I need the cream to put it on my hands and on my leg. (please note there is no need for Neosporin on his hand, leg or entire body, yet he dispensed with a tube today) Me: Well, the next time you need the Neosporin ask the teacher. You say to her, 'Teacher, I need some Neosporin, please.' Ok? Jackson: Ok. Me: Let's practice. Jackson: Teacher, can I have some Neosporin to put on my hands and on my leg, please? Me: Nice work. Jackson: Can you sing "Cat's-in-the-cradle-when-you-comin'-home"? Me: Ok.

This is currently Jackson's No. 1 request when it comes to music. He loves it and tries to sing it daily. We've watched it ... hmmm ... maybe a braziallian times? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Py2f38iPBeI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSeYf2A3y5Q

Jackson was strolling up and down the hallway strumming his guitar absentmindedly when he spotted the outfit I had laid out for him for school the next day. He was excited to see the black and white t-shirt* laid out on the the trunk. He snatched it up and carried it in to the hallway asking me: "I wear this morrow?" I said yes and I guess he was so thrilled he decided to immediately write a song about it. Thus this bluesy tune ensued: http://www.flickr.com/photos/73102019@N00/4078921133/ and this version: http://www.flickr.com/photos/73102019@N00/4078927107/in/photostream/ Let's just say I caught many renditions on video. *Please note there is no actual motorcycle on the shirt. In fact, it just says Old Navy.

While we are not crazy-granola-hippy parents, we don’t allow Jackson to watch TV. It isn't like a giant soap box that we stand on, it just isn't really an issue. It’s just not on the schedule. If one of us stayed home with Jackson during the day, I'm sure things would be different. TV would be most helpful when a parent has got to finally get to that shower, fix a meal, etc. But since Jackson is in school, the minute we all come home we spend our time visiting, playing, etc. All that being said, we do however let Jackson watch youtube.com. That's right. No T.V. We just let him troll the underbelly of the internet. Every now and then we will play a youtube video of a family member, a great song or of a Sesame Street character. Currently Eric has been trying to educate him on Michael Jackson's music. Youtube has a plethora of MJ as you can imagine. But his favorites are of course Fiest's 1234 Sesame Street song as I have mentioned here before, and anything Elmo re...

Now that we have a outdoor sound system, it's fun to lounge on the deck and listen to my fave summer songs. The following are a few tunes/albums I crank up when throwing open the sun roof and soaking in a summer daze. What are your favorite summer tunes to crank up in the heat? blister in the sun by Violent Femmes I think the title really explains my reasoning Live by Ani Difranco Well, the heat is so great. Turns water to sky. Outkast by Andre 3000 Just plain fun.

Home with the boy, today. So we're hanging out, playing, swapping tall tales, etc. However, Jackson never watches television. But I do sometimes play a few youtube videos. Just stumbled across this one this morning. And this video has been played...well...more than four times that's for sure. Check it out. It's hilarious. Sesame Street rocks. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZ9WiuJPnNA He loves her. Every time the song ends: "Where lady go?"