A Manger is His Throne

This morning at church, Frog sang a solo with the adult choir.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WD8qaCpF9A

Keith and I were both so proud that we cried and couldn't sing our part. 

Tura Lura Lura

Last night, Aunt Z told me about a time several years ago that she sang a lullaby to my girls. As she sang "Tura lura lura, Tura lura, lural," the girls asked her, "What about Karen?" So, she sang "Tura kara Karen, Tura kara Karen." Of course, when Z told me this last night, we had to look up what "Tura lura lura" meant. Since it's just random rhyming syllables, we decided that "Tura kara Karen" is an appropriate change. 

New Highway

One of the men in our church is in a bluegrass group called New Highway. They came to our church to lead family hour this morning. Little Frog thoroughly enjoyed it. She was dancing and singing at the top of her lungs. As a former KOFC DJ, this made me a very happy mommy.

The Von Trapp Wiggins Family

We sing everywhere. But especially in the bathtub.

L&KJ: Let it go! Let it go!!

A: I don't really like that song. How about you sing Love is an Open Door instead?

L: But we don't know that one. 

A: Ok, next time we watch the movie, pay close attention to that one. But it goes: Love is an open doooooor! Love is an open dooooor! Love is an open door!

L: Ok

A: (leaves bathroom)

L: Love is an open doooooooor!

KJ: Let it go!

D: Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!!

A: (face palm)

Play date

We spent the day with the Prestons, doing various activities. But Trish pretty much summed the day up with this text message:

The best part of our fun date was when Robbie and Laura spontaneously started singing "God's Not Dead" on the way home. 

Happy birthday

Laura just sang a song she wrote for Karen:

It's your birthday, Karen! Now you're four! So stop sucking your thumb! On your happy birthday!

Stuck in their heads

Both of the girls declared today that Warren Barfield's "The Time Is Now" (http://youtu.be/NPwuwME_Btg) is their favorite song. Ever since we heard it in the car after school, they've both been humming it. 

Nap Time?

The girls have been asleep for a couple of hours. But David has been singing for a couple of hours.

Listening to his Boom Box

Aka the iPad. 

Putting concepts together

L: Who is Jonathan?

A: Mr. Jonathan Story, a friend of mine and Daddy's. The piano player that is about to play this song.

L: Why did he ask for one more?

A: They'd already told him two songs, and he was asking for one more, so that he could put the three of them into a medley.

L: What's a medley?

A: It's two or more songs put together to create a new song.

L: Like two letters come together to make a new sound is a blend?

A: Yep. Instead of letters, we are blending songs.

KJ: *sings ABC song**

Found a peanut, found a peanut!

Laura found a bag of in-shell roasted peanuts in the snack drawer. The girls took the bag outside for their snack time. After about ten minutes, Laura ran in saying, "I need water! I need water!" 

"Are you all enjoying the peanuts?" 

"Yes. But I ate a black one. That's why I need water." 

I couldn't help but break out in song: Ate it anyway; ate it anyway; ate it anyway just now! 

Laura gave me a very confused look.

Name. That. Tune!

I hear, "____, what is this song? La la la la," about a million times a day. Both girls are constantly asking this. Sometimes of each other, sometimes of me or Keith. Sometimes of random people we're around. And the songs are incredibly diverse. Some are from movies, some from cartoons they watch. Some from CDs/albums we listen in the car. They are constantly playing Name That Tune. And they're both getting pretty good at it. Both humming/singing songs and guessing them. I have to pay better attention when they're watching movies now, just so that I'll recognize a song when they ask me.

Origins of Music

Laura listened to the opening of this song  (http://youtu.be/GAkAgPc88Vo) and said, "Why does this sound like camels walking in a row?"

I explained about how both the music and camels are from the Middle East, and that a lot of movies put them together. Then, she identified the movie she's seen: Veggie Tales, Little Drummer Boy. Yes, that does have music like this with a camel walking. Good ear, Laura.

Unusual Playtime

The girls are playing princesses in their bedroom. This is not unusual. Their princesses are "talking" in high, squeaky voices. This is not unusual. The princesses keep taking journeys to my bedroom to change their clothes. This is not unusual.

What is unusual, is that the girls added music to their princess saga soundtrack. Laura is mainly humming movie theme music. Something that sounds vaguely like Jaws, except, obviously, her version of my version. And the classic Hero Has Arrived! theme. Karen is humming Amazing Grace while her princess dances, oblivious to the fact that Laura's princess is trying to track her down and incarcerate her for murder of the Beast. 

Sometimes, my kids crack me up.

David's harp

Cedarmont kids: Play on your harp, little David. Halelu, halelu!
KJ: Dis your song, Davy Baby!
L: No! They singing about big David that killed Goliath!
A: But she can still sing it to our David.
KJ: Yeah!
L: I guess so. But our Davy doesn't have a harp.

A Children's Playlist

It's been coming up a lot lately in various conversations, so I decided to tell you all about our Children's Playlist, the only thing our kids listen to in the car (and most everywhere else). They are grouped by type, and listed by artist then album. No, I do not get bored listening to this playlist nearly every where I go. First, because it is a full two days of listening. And second, because there is plenty of variety to keep me interested. And third, because when I'm by myself, I listen to my own custom playlist; like that ever happens.

Children's Radio Shows, via podcasts, these rotate regularly:
CBH Ministries: Keys for Kids
Focus on the Family: Adventures in Odyssey

Bible:
Chula Rogers: Memory Verse Songs
Eric Martin's reading of the KJV: all Psalms and Proverbs

Audio books/kid's stories:
The Brother's Grimm: Mother Goose Stories, One of my favorite productions of all time. Hear the stories behind the mother goose poems.
Fischer Price: Story Time Favorites, Came with a board book: The Three Little Pigs. I don't love the voice actors, but they don't completely irritate me.
Soundscape Productions: Curious George Came in a Curious George travel pack with books, games, etc.
*I am always looking for more kids audiobooks. Let me know if you see any.

Hymns:
4 Him: Hymns (a Place of Worship)
Family Life Today: Thanksgiving
Jonathan Story: Inspirational Music for Piano and Organ
Joni Tada: Hymns for a Kid's Heart
Keith Wiggins: Guitar Hymns
Porter: Music Box Hymns
Singing Men of Arkansas: Celebrate Musical America, Select tracks.
Vocal Majority: How Sweet the Sound

Classical Music:
Fisher Price: Classic Baby Beethoven
The Piano Guys: Beethoven's Five Secrets, Hits Vol 1

CCM, emphasis on what God did for us:
Acappella: Sweet Fellowship
Sara Groves: Conversations
Steve Green: The Mission, Morning Light (Songs to Awaken the Dawn)

Christmas Music, yes, year-round:
Sara Groves: O Holy Night
Veggie Tales: A Very Veggie Christmas

Music specifically made for kids:
Cedarmont Kids: Preschool Songs, 100 Sing-a-long Bible Songs
Disney/Mickey & Friends: Sing-a-long Fun (Classic Children's Music)
Greenhill Music: 101 Favorite Sing-a-long Songs for Kids, Not the best recording ever, sound is off. However, there are favorite kids songs in here that aren't on any of the other albums.
Sandra Boynton: Rhinoceros Tap Came with the book.
Twin Sisters Productions: ABC Nursery Rhymes, Came with a book of nursery rhymes. Has half a dozen versions of the Alphabet Song. Great production.

Lullabys:
Baby Love: Lullabys--Sleep Tight Baby
Michael Card: Come to the Cradle, Sleep Sound in Jesus
Veggie Tales: Junior's Bedtime Stories

The iPad played "Yankee Doodle." My daughter clapped and said, "Barney!" I listened. Yep. The purple dinosaur stole his theme song.

David's favorite toy today: the drumstick from the Bee Bop Band; it's nice to teeth on.

David has no less than 6 teething rings with monkeys on them. His favorite is the one that sings when it's moved. And has no "off" switch.

L: (reading Christmas Story) Come on soldiers, let's kill the babies! Dun dun. Dun dun. Dun dun. (Jaws theme song!!!!!)