Tag Archives: toddler

Owen’s Picks

I love when a song catches Owen’s attention. He’ll stop whatever he’s doing, tilt his head to the side and ask “What’s that song?” and then declare happily, “I like it!”

Here are four songs that recently received my opinionated three-year-old’s nod of approval and, thankfully, are all fun songs the entire family will enjoy!

We heard this song on a Sunday drive out to Oma and Opa’s house. Moments after it started Owen declared “I like this song.” Although I much prefer the German version this tickled me to my 80’s core.

99 Red Balloons  – Nena

This song comes on at the end of the movie “Marmaduke”. Owen and I have watched “Marmaduke” three times, yes three times. Every time this song started Owen popped up from behind the couch (he’d lost interest in the movie by this point – sadly I was still glued to the TV) and asked, “What’s that song?” Another 80’s gem.

What I Like About You – The Romantics

This is a sweet and beautiful song from a new family album by Walter Martin (available May 13th – can’t wait!). Owen heard it for the first time one Saturday morning on Spare the Rock Spoil the Child (we listen most Saturdays via PRX.org). As soon as it came on he stopped, listened and asked “What’s that song?” then declared that he liked it!  I like it too, I like it a lot.

Sing to Me – Walter Martin featuring Karen O

We heard this next one also while listening to Spare the Rock Spoil the Child. It was Owen’s top pick from the 3/22 show. This made me very happy because it totally ROCKS! We listened to it five times and danced all over the living room. I’m definitely going to check out ScribbleMonster and see what else they’ve got going on.

A Monster Goes Rrraargh!- ScribbleMonster

What songs has your little one responded to lately?

Music Joy #1 – My Son Singing a Song I Wrote

Blogging doesn’t come easily to me so I’ve made a prompt for myself to encourage writing. I’m calling it “Music Joy” and each post will be about a joy I experience through playing children’s music. The joys will be in no particular order. I will share new joys as I experience them as well as joys I recall from the past. Here goes…

Music Joy #1 – My Son Singing a Song I Wrote

This has happened many times and is always such a treat. The most recent occurrence was yesterday while playing at the beach. Owen was all suited up in his wet suit (the one just like Daddy’s) and was squealing and grinning from ear to ear from the moment his feet hit the water. He was having a great time chasing waves and digging in the sand with a little shovel. As he dug in the sand he sang:

    Out in the backyard
    Waiting for you
    Out in the backyard
    There’s playing to do

I smiled to myself and thought it was sweet but also appropriate as “Out in The Backyard” is a song about playing with a shovel and a pile of dirt. He sang those four lines then splashed deeper in the water to “surf” with Daddy. It was a special moment I will always remember.

Our afternoon at the beach was filled with many special moments. As we drove away I closed my eyes and smiled in gratitude; grateful for my family, our music, the sun, the waves and the sand.

Suiting up with daddy.

Song Inspiration: The Edamame Cheer

We went out for dinner the other night and when the server brought a plate of edamame to our table Owen’s face lit up with a huge grin and he called out “edamame” and clapped his hands in delight. He then gobbled down the edamame one after another practically non-stop. He has always liked edamame but the day I gave him a little pile of full pods instead of shelling the beans for him, well that day edamame shot way up to the top of the list of his favorite foods.

Inspired by the excitement he showed over the edamame I made up a little song. We sing it at dinner sometimes especially when we are having…EDAMAME!

Owen loves edamame!

The Edamame Cheer

I love edamame
Edamame is yummy, yummy for my tummy
I love edamame
Edamame is yummy, yummy for my tummy

When the plate is put down in front of me
I clap my hands, I cheer in delight
Let’s count it down, so happy that it’s time to eat
3, 2, 1
Edamame! All Right!

© 2012 Kristin Kellner

Ikura is his favorite

I don’t have an edamame picture but here is one from a sushi outing
He also loves sushi, his favorite is ikura (salmon roe)

Owen Loves: AC/DC

Owen loves AC/DC. Actually he loves early AC/DC and early AC/DC only. Seriously. He started crying when his daddy played a song off of Back in Black. He only wants Bon Scott! Ask him what his favorite song is and without hesitation he will tell you “High Voltage”. His other favorites are “T.N.T” and “Let There be Rock”. Owen and his daddy watched some concert footage together and after seeing Angus Young’s energetic and physical guitar style he started standing with his guitar and moving around the room. I definitely think he picked up some moves.

Owen, 17 months, getting his rock on with AC/DC

Rock On Little Man

One of the first rock ‘n’ roll songs Owen responded to was Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love”. It was on a kid friendly playlist I put together and every time he heard the guitar intro he would wiggle and dance around. I learned to play it on guitar and Owen, already showing signs of independence, of course wanted to play it too.

Owen, age 15 months, rockin’ out with Queen