kids

Parenting, offspringing, doting, discipline, diapers.

Parasites

Clara and I wrote and recorded this for the Fall Creek Elementary School Talent Show, and she lip synced it with friends Ava, Clare, Grace, Nuala, and Tivona. It's a parody of "Dynamite" by Taio Cruz - see the (child-inappropriate) video on YouTube. I think it has to do with the similarities between the two most virulent parasites of childhood: pediculosis and Top 40 radio earworms.

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An der schönen blauen Donau

https://youtu.be/yPm078MCLWk

Clara and I performing a recorder duet at our school talent show; Very Serious Classical Music. read more...

Fall Creek School of Rock

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NLAzzNg44pU

The final edited video for the first performance of our elementary school’s School of Rock - an 80-member rock band including ages from pre-K to fifth grade and skill levels from complete novice to experienced performers. That’s me oompahing on the tuba at 1:33. I suggested the song, arranged it and did lead vocals and tuba for a performance by our adult band as a demo for the kids, and coached the wind section. My daughter is visible singing at 2:02 (on left, in profile) and at various other places. The whole project was a blast, and we’re now working on our next song in the second 10-week session. read more...

One Bottle of Pop

Fellow parent Angela Comprone (of Not From Wisconsin) and I helped Clara’s first grade class learn “One Bottle of Pop.” This is our performance at this week’s school assembly. I was impressed that they could really get the round going.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E554hKvEJMo

Wavin' Flag

Clara received this song on a mix CD from her cousins, and it got into both of our heads. So she wanted to perform it at our school’s assembly. I’m very excited that we can do harmonies together now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW0kJfHTfyI

Breakfast language

[Clara and Timothy are quietly eating clementines for breakfast.]

Clara (suddenly, pointing): F-HOLE!!

T: …

T: …

T: …

T: …What?!

C: Your clementine peel. It looks like a violin’s F-hole.

T: … Oh! … Yes… Yes, it does. Of course that’s what you meant…

'A' You're Adorable

I recorded this quickly for my daughter’s kindergarten class to practice with. We performed it together at the All-School Program on 12 Feb 2010. Lots of kids sang along! That’s Clara and Katherine shouting the alphabet. My good recording gear wasn’t working, so this is recorded on a cheap condenser mic and a Sound Blaster card.

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My favorite things

Clara: I love school, and going to sleep. They are two of my favorite things. But I like school best.

Black Snake

[as recorded by Catharine O’Neill, some months ago]

Clara: I’m glad we’re past the snake.

Timothy: What snake? I didn’t see a snake.

C: That black hose. It looks like a snake so I call it the snake hose.

T: Aah, yes.

C: I like you, Dad.

T: Oh, I like you too, Clara.

C: I think I’m going to like you all my life.

A Jewel

[as recorded by Catharine O’Neill, some months ago]

Clara: I found a jewel. When I have my bath, I’ll be a mermaid. You can hide the jewel in the bath. Then I can find it at the bottom of the ocean.

Timothy: OK. I’ll hide it when you’re not looking, or even thinking about it.

C: OK. (pause) It’s time to hide the jewel now.

T: Wasn’t I supposed to hide it when you’re not thinking about it?

C: Don’t worry, I’m not thinking about it.