March 2014 - Full of it...

What’s In Your Bracket?

29 March 2014 by gina 2 Comments

I’m teetering dangerously towards the bottom of our 100+ person tournament pool. But I can’t really take all the credit, as my son helped me pick this year. Normally, I choose by what mascot I like best. His choice? What state’s he’s been to.

To each his own.

So, with that time of year again, I thought I’d drag this out again. The Tantrum Tournament, broken down in bracket style, complete with seeds and everything. What’s in YOUR bracket?

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

National Reading Month!

20 March 2014 by gina 7 Comments

When my daughter started Pre-Kindergarten this past fall, she was ambivalent about anything educational. We’d try working with her on her letters, and she’d give it a half-try. For example, I’d draw a “T” on a piece of paper and ask her what letter it was. Without even looking at what I’d written, she’s just spout off what ever answer came to mind.

“It’s a B!”

“No, try again.”

“S!…O…P?”

But then, something clicked recently. Suddenly the alphabet makes sense, and more importantly, they’re making sense in a string. As in words. She’s spot reading certain words now, and actively trying to sound out letters to read words she sees at school and at home.

And it’s awesome.

It also makes me feel like patting myself and my husband on the back for reading to our kids so early and so often.

Which makes me super happy to celebrate National Reading Month.

A while back, I featured Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke’s album Pleased To Meet You, which featured the fun and zany song “Animal Alphabet”.

In honor of National Reading Month, for one week only, Key Wilde & Mr. Clarke are offering a FREE SONG DOWNLOAD! All you have to do is head over to their Soundcloud page and click the download button, now through March 25th.

There’s also an accompanying “Animal Alphabet” app available from iTunes for 99 cents from Mibblio that features an alphabet made out of animals. A literary zoo, so to speak.

To celebrate National Reading Month in style, I’m hosting a giveaway, with not one, but TWO prizes! One lucky winner will receive a CD copy of Key Wild & Mr. Clarke’s Pleased to Meet You. And another winner will receive a free app download. All you have to do to enter is fill out the Rafflecopter widget below by Wednesday, March 26th at 11:59pm EST. Open to contiguous U.S. residents only.

Good luck and HAPPY READING!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Giveaway, Key Wilde and Mr Clarke, reading

Grab a Quick Sound Bite: New Music for March

18 March 2014 by gina Leave a Comment

This week, I have some fun videos to introduce you to.

The first comes from Walter Martin, who wrote the lovely “Sing to Me” that I featured on Valentine’s Day.

He’s just released the first music video from his family album “We’re All Young Together”, and it’s as adorable “Sing To Me” is.

Walter and friends perform the new song “The Beatles (When Ringo Shook His Mop)”. I love the live recording and seeing these musicians enjoy making music together. Walter sings about the Beatles and the members, giving listeners a quick lesson in Beatles history. I dare you to watch this and not smile.

You can pre-order Walter Martin’s “We’re All Young Together” on iTunes, which comes with an instant download of the beauty, “Sing To Me” featuring Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeah’s, here: http://smarturl.it/WalterMartin

Mista Cookie Jar’s “The Love Bubble,” with its blend of reggae and hip-hop and a catchy hook, became one of my favorite family music songs from the moment I first heard it. Now, Mista Cookie Jar and the Chocolate Chips have released a video that is absolutely mesmerizing. Beautifully and vividly animated by Mista Cookie Jar (a.k.a. C.J. Pizarro) and Missis Cookie Jar, “Call Me Mista Cookie Jar” is the 5th video release from their album, “Ultramagnetic Universal Love Revolution.”

It utilizes stop-motion techniques to transport viewers back in time to the silent moving picture realm. With it’s smooth tempo, delightful melody and lyrics that easily flow from rap to singing, Mista Cookie Jar gives listeners a little insight as in to who Mista Cookie Jar is. Which is cooler than cool.

Be sure to check more of Mista Cookie Jar out at www.mistacookiejar.blogspot.com/‎

Like what you read? Want more? You can follow me on Facebook or Twitter. But the best way to stay in touch is by subscribing to Full Of It to get posts in your inbox! Just click here.

Filed Under: kid music, Kid Tune Tuesday

7 Surprising Benefits of Lost Luggage

14 March 2014 by gina 4 Comments

I don’t fly often. And when I do, I like to trust that the airline I’m flying will deliver my suitcase safely to my final destination. And yet, for the second time in two months, the airlines have let me down, allowing my luggage to take its own sweet time to meet up with me.

The first time I lost luggage was in December. I searched for my suitcase at baggage claim longer than anyone should have to, and couldn’t quite comprehend what was happening.

I just stood there at the halted carousel, anxious and wishful, like dog on an invisible leash longing for a slow squirrel across the street. Am I at the right carousel? Where was my suitcase? Is it stuck back under those black plastic curtains? Did someone take it off for me to save me from straining?

It was only after the baggage clerk tapped me on the shoulder and urged me to head in to the customer service office did reality set in.

My crap had taken a detour.

Thankfully, I was staying with family, and after a quick but expensive late night trip to a 24-hour Walgreens, I had most of what I needed to tide me over until my bag arrived a day later.

So when I jetted south for a speedy-quick getaway to Miami this past weekend, I tried to do the smart thing and whittle down my belongings so they would fit in a carry-on bag.

You know, so I would have my suitcase with me at all times. So that it would actually make it where I was going.

Except, the airlines had other plans.

You see, US Airways waited until I was handing over my boarding pass at the gate to tell me that there was no room left in the overhead compartments, and that my bag would need to be checked.

No problem, I thought, it will just be waiting for me on the jet way when I arrive, right?

Wrong. Instead, the agent delivered a plastic smile and an answer that, in my agitated state, sounded something like “Your bag will be happily checked all the way to your final destination, so you don’t need to worry about lugging all your precious shit around.” As if they were doing me a favor.

And wouldn’t you know it, one third of the overhead compartments on the flight were empty.

What’s funny about this whole situation is that every time I asked one of the gate agents if my bag would make it, I was assured that it would be, without a doubt, 100% there when I arrived to my final destination. They actually joked that my bag would make it there before I would.

Which I guess is airline speak for You’re Screwed, lady.

To say I was pissed when my bag wasn’t waiting for me at 2am is putting things mildly.

But, as they say, why waste energy being negative? I should have been grateful I decided to even wear clothes that day so that I wouldn’t be butt naked in public!

So, this got me thinking. Thinking about surprising benefits to losing my luggage. Seven surprising benefits, as it were:

1. Being free of material goods makes me reevaluate what I truly need. It’s empowering, really, to know that I can get by on so little. And by little, I mean the tiny-ass toothbrush and toothpaste the airline gave me in their toiletry bag.

2. If I actually had a suitcase with saline solution in it, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to check out the unfamiliar neighborhood I was staying at in downtown Miami at three in the morning to desperately find a shady 7-11.

3. I’ve always wanted to give the natural make-up look a try. Now I could attempt it without cheating a bit.

4. A great test of the depth of my darling beloved’s love for me is re-wearing stinky jeans for the second day in a row.

5. Let’s be honest, that ragged Old Navy dress needed to be retired anyway.

6. Those shoes I packed would have given me blisters the size of Montana anyway. Besides, my trusty Dansko clogs let all those sexy young people in Miami know “Hey! I’m a Mom!”

7. Nothing says “Romantic Getaway” better than drying my hand-washed undies with a hairdryer in the hotel bathroom.

So, next you experience lost luggage, just remember that there’s a silver lining to the whole story.

And hopefully that silver lining isn’t the one in your suitcase.

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Filed Under: negativity, patience, positive thinking

15 More Adult Songs That Make Great Kid Tunes

11 March 2014 by gina 4 Comments

This post may contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase through my links, Amazon will provide me with a commission. It doesn’t cost you anything extra, but helps me keep this site running. And I’m providing links because I think it’s music that you need to have in your collection. You and your kids will thank me.

Since I last posted my list of 15 Adults Songs That Make Great Kid Tunes over a year ago, people have come to this site for that page more than anything else I’ve written.

I’d like to think that parents are wanting to expose their children to some kick ass music and legendary musicians at an early age.

But what it really means is that there are a TON of parents out there that are starving for music suggestions that won’t make them throw their devices streaming Twinkle Twinkle Little Star for the 400^th time out the car window.

I hear you, Parental Units of the Internet! And I am here to help you out. If you didn’t get a great playlist the first time around, here are 15 more adult songs that make great kids music.

Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder

With a great groove, who can resist this classic by Stevie Wonder? Not only is it a great dance tune, it’s also a crash course in the legends of jazz music.

Celebration by Kool & The Gang

I’m sure this dates me more than I should broadcast, but I can remember jamming out to this infectious song on the school bus in Elementary school on the way to Field Day. FIELD DAY. Do they even do that anymore?

On Top of the World by Imagine Dragons

I jumped on the Imagine Dragons bandwagon a long time ago and my kids love this band as well. Then we saw the Warner Bros. preview of their new movie Island of Lemurs: Madagascar, and now my kids jump from sofa to love seat like an ebullient, endangered jungle creature when this song comes on. So…there’s that.

Three Little Birds by Bob Marley

This song is the ultimate lullaby. I sang this classic to both of my kids when I was pregnant, and then again when I brought them home. And as an adult, every time I hear it, I’m reminded to slow down and stop fretting.

Mayor of Simpleton by XTC

I’m introducing a little New Wave music to the list by way of this fun song by XTC. It’s meaning is simple, and, given the title, would you expect any less? Because sometimes all we need to know is love.

Brave by Sara Bareilles

I’ve been singing the song’s chorus to my daughter when I see her acting skittish. Nervous. Apprehensive to join a new crowd or activity. Because beneath Sara Bareilles’ gorgeous vocals is the empowering message of personal strength and courage.

Birdhouse In Your Soul by They Might Be Giants

This was one of the first non-children’s music songs we introduced my son to. It felt like a breakthrough. An epiphany. We could actually listen to songs we liked too! And still, after all these years, this song still makes us all happy.

Shake Your Rump by the Beastie Boys

Okay, I realize that there are a couple of lyrics here that may raise some eyebrows. I’m also hoping that your children are like mine and can’t make out most of the words to the Beastie Boys’ raps to begin with. Because it took me about 15 years to make them out myself. But this song has an awesome beat that my kids can’t refuse to dance to.

Upside Down by Jack Johnson

Technically, this easy-going song comes from the Curious George soundtrack and not necessarily an “adult” song. But this Jack Johnson tune sounds like other songs of his, making it more tolerable to an adult. It’s a great one to play while doing homework, cleaning the house, and enjoying some sunshine.

Praise You by Fatboy Slim

Sure, the chorus sample is from a civil right’s movement protest song, but if taken at face value, this is just a fun song with a terrific beat that everyone can groove to. And if you’re lucky, I’ll show you my back spin.

Into Your Arms by The Lemonheads

I know a cuddly preschooler or two who would say this hit by The Lemonheads is their theme song.

This Must Be the Place by Talking Heads

I can’t sing this song around my children without breaking down in to tears as David Byrne sings “And you love me till my heart stops, love me till I’m dead, eyes that light up, eyes that look through you.” Because my kids? They are Home and where I want to be.

Our House by Madness

From the first distinguishable guitar notes of this 80’s classic, I’m up and dancing. And so are my kids. I loved this song as a kid. It has a catchy hook and fun energy that appeals to young and old alike. Or at least, to this old lady.

Apache by the Sugar Hill Gang

My kids were first introduced to this song on a Just Dance Wii game, and since then have watched this scene from Fresh Prince of Bel Air, which is only one of the Best. Scenes. Ever. We can’t help but boogie to the boogety beat when this comes on.

Lullabye by Ben Folds Five

What parent hasn’t said “Goodnight, goodnight, sweet baby” in the wee hours of the morning? I love Ben Folds’ voice on this song. And how often do you get to sing the name James Earl Jones in a lyric?

What adult songs would you contribute to this list? I’d love to hear them!

Filed Under: kid music, Kid Tune Tuesday

What’s In Your Bracket?

National Reading Month!

Grab a Quick Sound Bite: New Music for March

7 Surprising Benefits of Lost Luggage

15 More Adult Songs That Make Great Kid Tunes

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