Weezer's Raditude

I don't really have anything to blog about, but I'm sitting here listening to Weezer's new album, and it reminded me of Melanie. She's at the age where we can finally play our own music, and not only kids' CDs. I figured I'd do a little album review; taking into consideration, Melanie's opinions of the music.

1. (If You're Wondering If I Want You To) I Want You To
This is a solid Weezer song. It's upbeat (Melanie like to headbang to it), and has a good melody. Melanie also likes it because they say "girl" in it a lot.

2. I'm Your Daddy
Referred to as "the baby song" by my daughter, it's yet another vintage Weezer creation. Sweet melody and groove. Again, one reason Melanie likes it is because they say "baby" and "daddy." She obviously doesn't know what it means. :-)

3. Girl Got Hot
Not our favorite song, but the chorus is very catchy and it's a fun song.

4. Can't Stop Partying
The hip-hop song featuring Lil' Wayne. It contains 2 naughty words (which I edited out) "rapped" by Mr. Wayne, but the song is another catchy masterpiece. I love watching Melanie bobbing her head in the back seat singing "I can't stop, partyin' partyin'!" You can't listen to this song without tapping your foot, or bobbing your head. Rivers dominates the 1st verse. One of my favorites on the album.

5. Put Me Back Together
I would be remiss if I didn't mention that this is Melanie's (and Mary's) favorite song on the CD. It's a slower jam that starts out with Rivers singing a bit lower than he normally does. Then, he kicks it up an octave, and it on! Melanie just about has this song memorized and sometimes uses it to sing herself to sleep. (Fun Fact: This song was mixed in Virginia Beach.)

6. Trippin' Down the Freeway
Nothing too special. A classic Weezer rock and roll tune. I like how he switches-up the chorus from 08-09, to 09-010, to 010-011. Kinda cool.

7. Love Is the Answer
A little Bollywood feel here. The song's cool, but kinda slow to be able to listen to over and over. The Indian singing is a nice change of pace though, and it's got a good message.

8. Let It All Hang Out
Similar style to #6. I like the repeating of words on the verses.

9. In the Mall
Similar style to #s 6 and 8. One of the weaker songs, but still a good classic Weezer feel.

10. I Don't Want to Let You Go
Like #5, a cool slower jam. Nice rhythm and I love Rivers voice on this one.

11. Get Me Some
Similar to #s 6, 8, & 9. Good lead guitar work.

12. Run Over by a Truck
The piano kicking this song off is one of the better intros on the album. Melanie like the "zippidy doo da" part. It's part of the "deluxe" portion of the CD. It should have been included on the "main" CD. I really like this one.

13. Prettiest Girl in the Whole World
Their last album featured "The Greatest Man That Ever Lived," so this song title seems obviously appropriate. I really like this song too. Kind of a modern "sweater song." Tight, Weezer harmonies on the chorus are always a positive. The chorus is simple, melodic, and catchy. This is another tune that should have made it's way onto the "main" CD.
Melanie likes the title.

14. Underdogs
This one lacks. It's supposed to be some some kind of slow ballad/anthem/fight-song, but it's just kinda lame. It's listenable, barely.


There you have it. Well, if you don't have it, go out and get it. ;-)

Disney On Ice: Celebrations!

We made a trip to the Hampton Coliseum on Wednesday (9/23) form the opening night of "Disney On Ice: Celebrations!" As you can probably imagine, Melanie loved it!
When we went last year, the theme of the show was geared more around Tinker Bell, because of the Tinker Bell movie that came out. The theme this year was a little more ambiguous. There was a section with all the princesses; a Halloween section with a bunch of villans; a section where Mickey & Minnie traveled the globe; a Fantasia number; and a Valentine's Day-type number.We let Melanie dress up like Tinker Bell this year, because we noticed a lot of little girls dressed-up last year. That was definitely an added treat for her. Overall, the show was good. The Halloween part was kinda freaky, but Melanie thought Jack Skellington was funny, so it wasn't scary to her. She was really into the part where all the different princesses came out and danced. She pointed out each one to me as they appeared, while never taking her eyes off the ice. A pretty fun experience for both children & adults.

-Grant

Music We Can All Listen To

Mary and I could only listen to Veggie Tales and Here Come the 1, 2, 3s for so long. We finally started insisting that we listen to some of "Mommy & Daddy's CDs." Now, much to our delight, Melanie often asks us to play our CDs. Here are a few of her favorites, that we really enjoy too.

Playradioplay! - I'm a Pirate, You're a Princess











The Killers - A Dustland Fairytale
The Killers - Human
The Killers - This is Your Life









Green Green Green - Freckles








Swimming With Dolphins - Silhouettes










Owl City - Fireflies
Owl City - The Saltwater Room










Owl City - Air Traffic











The Secret Handshake - All For You











I'm sure this is just the beginning, and that Melanie is going to absolutely LOVE everything that her Mommy & Daddy listen to. :)

-Grant

Melanie & Preschool

Melanie LOVES school! Seriously, she now knows that she goes on Tuesdays & Thursdays, and she's learned to count down the days. Pretty impressive if you ask me. After 3 days of school so far, she's gotten to know a few kids, Ava, Ella F., Ella C., and Henry. It took me forever to figure out that there were 2 Ellas because she kept saying "L F" and "L C." At school, she really enjoys playing outside, doing the daily "project," and just playing with the other kids. When we pick her up, the teacher always says that Melanie was an excellent student, so I guess she's behaving herself. :-/

(Here's Melanie on her 1st day with her teacher, Ms. Donna, on the right, and the TA, Ms. Nikki, on the left.)

I was telling Lianne yesterday, I kinda feel bad being the one that gets Melanie ready in the morning. I mean, I know Mary could do a much better job making her all super-cute and everything for her teachers. I think I'm finally figuring out those hair clips though.

Anyway, she really likes school, and is always looking forward to going. I have no problem dropping her off, and Mary has no problem picking her up. I hope school is always this easy for her/us.

-Grant

1st Day...

Today was the day. I dropped Melanie off for her 1st day of school. It's funny, because I think it was like Christmas for her. She woke up at 6:20 this morning. I remember waking up early on Christmas day, because I was so excited. Melanie has been very excited about starting school. I hope it lives up to her expectations.

No, I didn't cry. I was actually so out-of-it, I'm surprised I remembered her back pack & lunch! Her teacher, Ms. Donna, & asst., Ms. Nikki, are very nice and I'm sure Melanie will really like them.

I never worried about Melanie being at school.....until I really started thinking about it. She doesn't know anyone there! Luckily, like most kids, she makes friends very quickly & easily. Then there's the, "She better not push, or bite, or scream, or hit, etc., etc., etc..." As I write this, she's hitting the 45 minute mark, and I haven't gotten a call yet, so I'm taking that as a good sign. :-)

I'm very interested to hear what she has to say about her first day of school. I have a feeling that she's going to love it. The problem is, she has to wait four whole days before she goes back for her 2nd day of school. :-)

-Grant

Starbucks...

It's true! Mary will once again be working at Starbucks! Since being sold last year, the administration of the Doorway Singers has not improved, and we feel that Mary's affiliation with them is coming to an end. Couple that, with us wanting to get Melanie into a 2 or 3 day pre-school, today's economic environment, and Mary's love of coffee, and that's why she's starting back. She's actually very excited, and I'm looking forward to a nice iced white mocha every now and then. :-)

For Melanie's pre-school, we're looking at the Child Development Lab at TCC. It's right by our house, and I work on campus, so dropping-off & picking-up should be super-easy. We'll probably just do 2 days a week to start.

Also regarding Melanie, she got a "real" haircut. Here's a couple pics from the day she got the cut, and a couple from this morning.






Anyway, that's what's going on with us right now.

Melanie's 3rd Birthday!

We had Melanie's 3rd birthday party a couple of days ago, on her actual birth day, July 8th. The theme was a "princess tea party." We really appreciate everyone who took time out of their schedules to celebrate with us. Also, thanks to those of you who donned their royal robes for the event. :-)





After going to bed around 10:30pm that night, Melanie decided she would wake me up extra early to open all her new toys so that she could play with them. The pictures looked pretty blurry when I took them, but seem to have turned out okay. (I guess my contacts were still dry from sleeping in them.)

...with her new Tinker Bell.



...with her new baby doll and "cart."


...with her new mermaid bath toy.

Video Response

So, Bryan posted a video of Ava & Davin. Then, Clay & Angie decided to post a video of Macy watching the video of Ava & Davin. Bryan then saw fit to post a video of Ava & Davin watching Macy watch the 1st video of themselves. Well, not to be outdone, I decided to record Melanie last night, watching Ava & Davin watching Macy watching Ava & Davin. So there! :-D

Kids TV

After almost 3 years of watching kids' shows, Mary and I have our preferences. We don't let Melanie watch too much TV, but when she does, we try to mix it up a bit so Mary & I don't have to watch the same shows over and over. There is an exception or 2 to the rule though. Okay, here's my/our rundown of the different shows, and what we think of them. I'm not really considering any educational value of the shows, just the entertainment value for Melanie, and the "bearable-value" for her parents. :-)

Curious George - Not bad. Not always entertaining enough for Melanie though.
Dora the Explorer - Melanie liked this show at one point, but isn't a big fan anymore. Mary & I don't like how Dora yells everything.
Go, Diego, Go - See Dora the Explorer.
Franklin - Pretty good.
Little Bear - Pretty good. We never watch it though, cuz Mary doesn't like it for some reason.
Max & Ruby - This is one of Melanie's favorites! We don't let her watch it though. When she watches it, she copies Max, who repeats one word the entire episode. It's really annoying. Plus, Mary's not a fan.
Yo Gabba Gabba - We like the music, but it doesn't keep Melanie entertained very long.
Ni Hao, Kai-lan - Melanie like it, but it sometimes sounds like Kai-lan is cursing.
Blue's Clues - Hit and miss whether or not Melanie is entertained.
LazyTown - No.
Oswald - No.
Miss Spider's Sunny Patch Friends - Kinda weird, but Melanie seems to enjoy it.
Little Bill - No.
Pinky Dinky Doo - Pretty cute. Used to be Melanie's favorite.
Wow Wow Wubbzy - Good. Currently, Melanie's absolute favorite! She would watch this all day if we let her.
Peep - Pretty good. Melanie likes it.
Hi-5 - Okay. Melanie likes it.
Hip Hop Harry - No.
Barney & Friends - No.
Backyardigans - Good. Melanie likes it.
Olivia - I haven't seen it, but Melanie kinda likes it.
The Wonder Pets - Cute. Melanie approves.
SpongeBob SquarePants - Melanie really like sBsP, but it's a little grown-up for her.
The Penguins of Madagascar - Decent. It keeps Melanie entertained, and I like the fact that it's in HD.
Martha Speaks - Another hit-and-miss show. On the plus side, it's in HD.
Caillou - Mary doesn't like how whiney he is, so, we never watch it.
Sesame Street - Melanie doesn't like the show, but she likes the characters.
It's a Big Big World - Used to watch it; not any more.
Super Why! - See above.
Clifford the Big Red Dog - Neutral.
Arthur - Neutral.
Maya & Miguel - Neutral.
Between the Lions - We like this one, but Melanie doesn't like it as much as she used to.
Dragon Tales - No.
Mickey Mouse Clubhouse - Decent.
Handy Manny - Okay.
Imagination Movers - Not so much.
Special Agent Oso - Oh, no.
My Friends Tigger & Pooh - Used to be big fans, not anymore.
Little Einsteins - See above.
Charlie & Lola - Cute accents, but the shows nothing special.
The Wiggles - Melanie used to like, but not really anymore.

Well, that about does it. Again, we don't watch all of these shows on a regular basis, but over the <3 years since Melanie has arrived, we've sampled a lot of different kids programming. The only show that Melanie really watches now, is Wow Wow Wubbzy! She stinkin' loves that show!

Easter Video

Melanie was acting silly after dinner one night, so I decided to bust out the video camera. We'd been listening to a Veggie Tales Easter CD in the car a lot, and she pretty much had it memorized. It's only a 3 and a half minute video, but it seems longer because she sings the same thing over, and over, and over, and over, and over again. Stick with it though. We were able to catch a special moment that gave us a pretty good chuckle. :-)

We've joined the blogging community.

Well, here we are. Mary's been wanting to get a blog started, so I decided to go ahead and set one up. Hopefully, we'll keep up with this thing with a bunch of new pics and vids. To start though, we may post stuff from when Melanie was younger.
(Don't forget, watch the vids in "HD" when possible.)

Here's the latest video of Melanie "talking" on the phone.


Here's the vid that started it all.


Here's another short one of Melanie, singing her "funny ABCs."


Again, between Mary & I, we'll try to keep this thing updated so that you keep coming back. We hope you enjoy!

-Grant