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What are mornings like at your house? Do your kids wake up happy and ready to go? If so, well, you’re one of the lucky ones!
For the rest of us, we have to work to get our kids to wake up, stretch, yawn, get the sleepies out, and finally start their day. The less grumbles and whines during this process the better!
We’ve been using music as a way to wake up Ivan for just about his entire life. When the morning song comes on, it’s time to get up. This works in that he understands that he needs to get up, but he would still wake up grumpy. Now we have a new weapon in our arsenal: The Flannery Brothers’ new CD Wake Up Songs!
The CD is a collection of six hip, happy songs about how nice it is to get up and get your day started. The songs are chipper, but not obnoxiously so, and they find a way to be both uplifting and comforting at the same time. Most of the songs are set around a soft but upbeat organ piano sound that is really soothing to hear first thing in the morning.
As with all Flannery songs, these tunes have energy, but what I love most about them is the message that days are full of wonder and adventure and you don’t want to miss any of it by staying in bed. I actually find myself humming Wake-Up Song in the morning as I head over to Ivan’s room to get him up. It’s inspirational!
Ivan’s waking up.
My favorite verse in this song goes like this:
Well, in between breakfast and lunch
yes there is a whole bunch
of real cool stuff that I like to do,
and if you do so desire
there is an entire
adventure just waiting for you!
But my favorite song on the CD is Sleepyhead (click to listen to the full song), which Mike Flannery says is a very motivational song for himself as well.
And I guess I should admit that Ivan needs to listen to the CD twice before he actually starts smiling, but by the time we’re on our second listen through, he’s a fully transformed boy!
I’m feeling sooooo ready for spring, how about you? I noticed two little crocuses blooming in my yard today! Makes me think of summer and outdoor concerts….
But I’m getting ahead of myself. Here’s what’s going on this weekend:
SteveSongs will be doing a series of three shows at the Congregational Church of Needham on Saturday at 9:30, 11:30, and 1:30, though something tells me these may sell out fast.
Wayne Potash will be at the Lincoln Elementary School in Melrose at 10am on Saturday.
Peter & Ellen will be at the Barn Cooperative in Concord at 10am on Saturday and the Metrowest JCC in Framingham at 2pm on Sunday.
Margot Fox will be at the Regent Theatre in Arlington at 10:30 on Saturday.
Leeny & Tamara have three shows planned this weekend, one at the The Farm Bar & Grille in Essex at 12pm on Saturday, and two at Henry Bear’s Park (in Arlington and then Brookline) on Sunday at 11:30 and 3:30.
And for the HIGHLIGHT of the weekend! Gustafer Yellowgold will be at Club Passim on Sunday at 4:30pm. We’re VERY excited about this show. Don’t miss it!
Here’s footage of Debbie Cavalier talking about her experience getting a video on the hit FOX show 24. There are shots of her playing at the Watertown library on February 16th. We were there, but I can’t find us in the crowd. Were you there?
Debbie and Friends offers anyone the chance to become a recording engineer. Between now and April 4, anyone with a Mac and the GarageBand program can remix the song “Willy Won’t” from her newest CD, More Story Songs & Sing Alongs, for a chance to win cool prizes!
It’s easy to enter the contest at http://debbieandfriendsremix.ning.com/. Contestants may download a multitrack GarageBand file for “Willy Won’t” and then load the file onto their GarageBand app on any Mac computer. (Complete details about system requrirements are available on the contest page.)
Young mix engineers can then record additional tracks, raise or lower the volume on existing tracks, add effects and add their own special touches to create a unique version of “Willy Won’t” using Apple’s GarageBand program. Contestants must submit their remix entries by Sunday, April 4th at 7 pm (Eastern Time), as instructed on the contest site.
All entries will be considered, and the winner will be announced on Monday, April 5th. The winner will receive a Family Music Making Bundle from Debbie and Friends including two CDs, four music instructional books, t-shirt,s and other great gear. Two other entries will be chosen for honorable mention prizes. The winning remixes will also be featured on the Debbie and Friends’ blog this spring.
And be sure to check out the video for the song:
The latest release from Debbie & Friends is as much a jewel as the first, with a new story song based on The Little Engine that Could and some really sweet songs about her nephew (like Willy Won’t and Call Me Bob). As Debbie explains, “I believe that music for children is all about music with children. All of these new songs are kid-tested and approved. We hope the enthusiasm of a live concert comes shining through.”
Stay tuned for more about the new Debbie & Friends CD, More Story Songs & Sing Alongs, that’s due for release on March 30th!
Hugh Hanley will tell you that he has the best job in the world, and it’s arguably so. His workdays since 1985 have been filled with the gleeful sounds and happy faces of young children engaged in musical play.
To celebrate 25 years entertaining and educating preschool children with his “Circle of Songs,” Hanley will be [...]
Unfortunately we’re going to be busy all weekend and probably won’t be able to attend any music shows.
Bummer!
But hopefully you’re family will be ready to pick out one or two of the fun events happening this weekend:
On Saturday…
jeanniemack will be at Finagle-a-Bagel in Cambridge at 10am.
Little Groove will be at the Regent Theatre in Arlington [...]
If you’ve seen a Leeny & Tamara show, then you know the energy these two performers bring to kids’ music.
You also know that you never want to miss a Leeny & Tamara show—but what if it’s on a Sunday night?
This Sunday tune in to The Playground on WERS from 7:00pm to 7:20pm and you’ll be [...]
Music is a powerful tool for both engaging and energizing children as well as encouraging development. But how can music help your child? I spoke to two experts to find out how you can harness the power of music in your own home.
Amazon.com Widgets
Joe Rothstein is a speech pathologist who works with many special [...]
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What are mornings like at your house? Do your kids wake up happy and ready to go? If so, well, you’re one of the lucky ones!
