*****Updated to announce that Susan is the winner of the Lemonsquare CD. Thanks for entering! *****
When Jayce was born, before we even left the hospital, Jeff made one demand as to our son’s upbringing: there would be no Barney. At first I wondered if it had anything to do with the questionable sexuality of the young males who “star” in that show alongside the big purple dinosaur. That wasn’t it though. It was the music that drove him crazy. As I’ve told you before he came into my life when I had already been blessed with three lovely little ladies of my own. And, he happened upon the scene at a time when Cassidy was engulfed in a long lived Barney infatuation. The phase in which she would gladly sit in awe in front of the tv for hours on end, had I allowed it. And admittedly, there were times when I did. Tsk. Tsk. I know. But sometimes a mom’s got to do what a moms got to do, know what I mean?
Anyway, having had his fill of Barney’s grating candiedness, Jeff set what he considered to be a reasonable limit on the raising of our newest little one. No point in starting something he wasn’t willing to endure. But a big part of Cassidy’s fascination with that prehistoric pansy – oops, did I really just type that – was the tunes he so obnoxiously endearingly delivered. And, as a mom, I certainly don’t want to deprive Jayce of some fun kid songs to rock out to while he chills out with his sippy cup.
Our differences in opinion here required that Jeff and I make compromises on this issue. We haven’t really allowed TV for Jayce just yet, but we do make exceptions for long car trips. We happen to have a plethora of Barney DVD’s on hand and we’ve found them to be mighty convenient to pop into the overhead DVD player in the Honda. But for the house, we have a variety of kid’s music CD’s to listen to. The newest one, Lemonsquare’s Music For Fun, has an interesting slogan: Children’s music that won’t drive parents insane. Considering my husband’s intolerance for kiddie tunes, I figured we could really put that to the test.
After having listened to these songs for a few weeks, I gotta give it to the Lemonsquare peeps: they can come up with some sticky tunes. You know what I’m talking about here right, those songs with lyrics that play over and over again in your head as you do the dishes, walk the dog, or make dinner. Unfortunately for me though, not only do they run through my head, but they also come out vocally. And because I care about you all, I’m going to pass along this little hint: proclaiming yourself (in song) to be “very very veggie” won’t exactly make a “cool” impression on your teenager daughter’s friends. Whatever.
Anyway, in spite of it’s cliche lyrics aimed to get kids to brush their teeth and eat their greens, this CD gives those old Barney tunes a run for their money. Jayce bops around the living room to it, his favorite (I’d venture to guess) being the 4th track, Bear Knows Best. The kid is big on animal sounds and this song incorporates lots of those in an upbeat way. I don’t expect that you’ll want to throw out your John Mayer CD’s just yet, but if you’re looking for something catchy and fun for the kids to groove to, you might want to give this one a try.
And…
I’m giving one away to one lucky mom who is ready to chuck Barney out the window. To win it, just leave a comment here telling me which of the Lemonsquare songs is music to your ears. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, July 22nd and must supply a US address for the CD to be shipped to.
Oh my goodness…
Personally the Very Veggie song, with the lightest calypso feel, might of been my fave, but the Animal noises song, was pretty good.
Too bad I didn’t know about this yesterday, you and I could have made up a catchy tune about the yummy turkey sandwiches you made!
Well from what I heard I guess I’d have to go with jayce’s bear song. However, in the interest of complete honesty…I thnk these songs would drive me bonkers! I appreciate the offer but don’t enter me in the drawing. ;)
Barney is banned in our house as well, with a long list of others. We’re very picky. lol
Dan Zanes tops my list for palatable kids music, along with Barenaked Ladies and They Might Be Giants (now that hey both do the kiddie stuff as well).
I listened to it with my 3 year old and her vote is for the Rainbow song.
I used to be anti Barney with my first and now pretty much immune to all annoying children’s characters. ;)
Ask Jeff about Raffi …. he used to love those songs!!
Pick me! We don’t even have any kids music yet. Wait a minute, maybe that’s a good thing. I liked the Rainbow song. It didn’t sound like Barney at all. And I have a feeling that we’re not going to go into Barney, etc. with our munchkins. But then I’ve said a lot of things like that and changed my mind at a different stage of life. So … pick me! Pick me!
I make my kids listen to The Beatles! ha ha
Really though, I can have them listen to most anything they hear someone sing on American Idol, because I usually have the original version already.
It’s hard to find something that doesn’t drive you crazy. My ten year old went through a kids bop phase, which he thankfully has seemingly outgrown.
You weren’t kidding about them being catchy. I am sitting here about to type and can’t get “I Found It” lyrics out of my head. That was a cute one and so was Bear Knows Best. I think my son would really enjoy the CD and it is better than some of the CDs that I am getting very tired of listening to.
“I FOUND IT” is the one that stuck! Please enter me. Yah right…thanks a lot Darcie….
“Bears know best” is the favorite over here! We are guilty of watching Barney and the songs do get a little annoying. At least these songs are cute lyrics and catchy beats.
Pick us please!