My daughter loves wearing girlie outfits of tutus, dresses, large volumes of tulle, and looks absolutely adorable in the skinny jean that I can’t swallow my pride to wear. She has a keen eye for clothes and can actually pick out some pretty great outfits.

My son, on the other hand, doesn’t care what he wears, as long as it is devoid of any trace of a button or zipper.

The thing that cracks me up the most about their garment choices is their imaginative play wardrobe.

These kids will pour themselves in to a Batman suit made for an 18 month-old, just because it’s emblazoned with the bat signal. I can’t get Miss P to part with her Little Mermaid costume that has busted at the seams to an irreparable point. They are the epitome of upcycling.  Being young, they can get away with looking like a hobo.

As for me, make no mistake, I am fully aware that I’m in a fashion rut.

I’m barely squeezing myself in to the same pairs of ratty jeans I’ve had for as long as I’ve had kids. I sport the standard-issue Mom Shoe Dansko clog that, while uber-comfortable, is not the most fashion forward. And I don’t think my collection of Target sweaters, circa 2001, would stand a critique by Heidi Klum and Michael Kors.

So, perhaps this week’s song, “Hideous Sweater” by Bill Harley and Keith Munslow was written expressly for me.

Two-time Grammy winner Bill Harley teamed up with award-winning Keith Munslow on a new album called It’s Not Fair to Me.

The first time we cracked up with Bill Harley was hearing “There’s a Pea On My Plate”, a song of a kid’s issue with certain legumes being placed on his dinnerware by his mother. My kids are no stranger to dinner coups, and this song could very well have been their mealtime anthem.

Keith Munslow’s “The Leftovers” was a huge hit around these parts for a long time.  If you’ve ever neglected to clean out your fridge, this tune about leftovers conspiring to overtake the fridge might be more reality than fun entertainment.

Bill and Keith have a similar sensibility about them that makes this pairing perfect. Both weave fantastic storytelling in to their music effortlessly, with a smart sense of humor that taps in to a child’s logic and way of thinking.

“Hideous Sweater” is a cry for an Oprah makeover.  Keith implores Bill not to leave wearing an atrocious sweater and calls his taste in to question.  In return, Bill refers to Keith’s tee shirt as an example of needing a wardrobe change.  The comedic banter between the two is effortless and hilarious.

Musically, the loping waltz is certainly catchy.  If kids could sing bar songs with mugs of 2%, this would be it.  Be warned, you will probably find yourself singing this diddy as you pull out tomorrow’s wardrobe.

Bill Harley and Keith Munslow’s It’s Not Fair to me is available through their website, Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby.

 

While I consider myself to be a creative spirit, I ain’t no poet.  I’ve always been one of those folks that struggled to find rhymes when playing those preschool games my kids excel at.  My mandatory poetry in high school was the shortest length possible, only rhymed about 70% of the time and very high on the cheese factor.

A pretty good reason to NEVER become a song writer.

When I was in 4th grade, I entered a song composition contest.  I’m not sure why I did it was exactly, as I wasn’t really that great of a musician.  My muse?  I decided to write a song about becoming President.  It wasn’t even an aspiration really, but I thought it might give me some brownie points with the judges.

I ended up winning the contest at the school level, and I think maybe even the local level.  Because no one else entered.  Once that sad composition made it up to the regional level, my sheet music was better suited as a place mat.

I mean, c’mon , check out these lyrics!

I-i-i have a dream to…be President.  I think I would be a first class choice.  Thinking, talking, working, writing, I can handle these.  I’d like to be your leader if you pleeeeaaase.  

My submission was recorded in my bedroom, on tape, , sung in my nasaly 10 year-old voice and accompanied by none other than yours truly as I huffed out the horribly boring melody on the FLUTE.  I’m pretty sure I was given that medal out of pity.

Luckily, there are capable song writers out there that take rhyming to an artform.  Or not rhyming.  My favorite.

This week’s song comes from SteveSongs (a.k.a. Steve Roslonek) You may know him from PBS Kids where he sings his lovely tunes with youngsters.

I’ve liked Steve’s songs in the past (I mean, what’s not to like about “Fast Monkey“? Or “Marvelous Day“?), but not as much as I do from his new album Orangutan Van.

There’s just something about this album that I adore.  A certain Je n’est c’est quoi.  It could be that the material is accessible and relatable.  “Flat Stanley” is sure to get your kids ears perked up if they’re familiar with this paper-thin literary gypsy.  And it’s a song that, towards the end, sounds vaguely akin to Dave Matthews.

Maybe it’s their wit I’m attracted to.

Like the one song that sucks me in, hook, line and sinker. “Song Without a Rhyme. ” We’ve been hearing it a bit on Kids Place Live, and I’m so glad this song is finally released and available for purchase.

It’s a smart song from two guys who spur each other on to complete a line of a verse without rhyming.  The result is pretty funny, but not at all cheesy.  My cup of tea.  The friendly competition between Steve and his fellow musician produces some fun anticipation, as they spout off a line with lyrics that lend themselves to, well, rhyming, so well that it’s nearly impossible to break the habit.

Which gets me thinking, maybe I need to rework my President song without getting so locked in to rhyming.  Would it be a lot better?  Probably not.  I’ll leave the music to the musicians.

 

It’s not often that I find myself feeling hip, cool, and up to date on trends these days.  I found out about Gangnam Style was past the popular phase.  I’ve just started watching the first season of Mad Man, four years after it’s original air date.  Are people still nuts about pomegranate juice?

So when I found out about new children’s recording artist Cat Doorman‘s CD Cat Doorman Songbook, before it was even released January 24th, I felt like I gained back a smidge of my trendiness.

Cat Doorman is the children’s music and media project brainchild of Portland illustrator and indie musician Julianna Bright.  Though labeled as children’s music, make no mistake.  This isn’t Wheels On The Bus.

The songs on Cat Doorman’s album are rich and sophisticated.  While conveying some great messages to kids about empowerment and individuality, the lyrics are complex and appealing to adults as well.

Julianna’s voice has a great tone to it, something akin to Ingrid Michealson in its lilting quality and strong but pliable sound.  While perhaps too quiet and soft for a preschooler, her voice shines on tracks like “The Lonely Girl” and “All The Birds” (which would make a great new lullaby for those wee little ones).

The CD has a little bit for everyone.  For those that like to rock out, Cat Doorman offers “So Many Words,” a song that provides some ABC alternatives to apple, ball and cat, backed by some great strings and drums.  Interested in something more playful?  “Let’s Get Dressed Up” is a fun song geared towards those with vivid creative play apparel.

Perhaps my favorite track on Cat Doorman’s album is “Two Old Shoes.”  The message behind it is a great one – despite what ever reasons the world seems to give you that you’re an ugly duckling, take a look at yourself and realize you’re a swan.

The release of Cat Doorman Songbook will coincide with the launch of an app called Little Red Wagon.  It’s an app for kids based around Julianna Bright’s version of this song that appears on her album, created with her very own illustrations.  Be sure to check it out!

In an effort to bring you to the edge of trendiness as well, I’m giving away a copy of Cat Doorman’s CD, Cat Doorman Songbook right here, right now!  Entries will be accepted starting today and ending tomorrow at midnight, just in time for the album’s official release!  All you have to do is enter the Rafflecopter form below.  Good luck, and happy listening!

Full of it… was provided one or more copies of the products mentioned above for free evaluation purposes.  I received this product at no charge to me and I am free to keep it for my own personal use without obligation to return it.  All opinions are 100% completely my own.