My Real Life

Thanksgiving is over and it’s that time of year again.

The excitement level is rising and you can just feel the electricity in the air.

The best example I have of this, in our home, is that this is happening again.

It started at dinner the other night, and now, it’s in full effect, almost every day.

So, please go here and rewatch this video from last year.

Because they make my heart sing and put me in the spirit like nothing else.

…my kids are all so different.

It’s always obvious to me how different they are, but this morning, as they got out of bed, I felt like I had a perfect visual example of how different they are.

During the day, Monkey in the Middle never stops moving.

Literally.

Never. Stops. Moving.

And yet…

This is what his bed looked like when I woke him this morning.  He slid right out and left it looking as though no one had even slept in it.

Monkey Girl is a pretty sedentary kids.  Her interests are reading books, doing homework, and playing on the computer.

And yet…

This is what HER bed looked like when she woke up this morning.

Like a tornado dropped her right in the middle of Oz this morning.

And, finally, Baby Monkey.

A variety of interests, sometimes moving, sometimes still, but always sweet.

Here’s what I found when he woke up this morning.

Just right…

The theme for this week was to share songs that tell a story.

My favorite kind.

So, without a lot of intro, here are some of my favorite songs that tell a story.

#1 Hurricane by Bob Dylan

I used to teach this song when I did a short unit on songs with meaning because a lot of music today doesn’t have much meaning beyond ‘let’s dance,’ ‘I love you,’ ‘I hate you,’ and ‘let’s dance a little more.”

The story of Reuben “Hurricane” Carter has always grabbed me, because I can’t fathom how completely corrupt the entire system was and how huge the helping of disservice that was done to this man.

Great, great song…awful, awful story.

2.  Copacabana by Barry Manilow

Need I say more?

3.  Paradise by the Dashboard Light by Meat Loaf

I always feel like I need to take a shower after I see or hear Meat Loaf, but this song had to be included in this list.

This song drives me insane because I’ve seen grown adults turn into utter fools when this one comes on, acting it out, creeping me out beyond belief.

And yet…

I know every word.

4.  My Name is Luka by Suzanne Vega

Always made me sad when I heard it.

Still does.

5.  Hazard by Richard Marx

I always thought this song was strange.  Like, did Richard Marx kill someone and this is his confession?

Having just thought of it, I just looked it up and it turns out that he wrote  the song, hated it, but published it anyway, because he wanted to prove his wife wrong, who said it would be a hit.

It went to #1 in a bunch of countries and pissed Richard Marx off.

Whatever.

6.  Don’t Stand So Close to Me by the Police

I know you know this one.

Everyone does.

7.  The Devil Went Down to Georgia by the Charlie Daniels Band

This one makes you move like no other.

You just can’t listen to this song and keep your foot still.

And, the story is captivating.

Love this.

8.  Brick by Ben Folds Five

Heartbreaking.

You feel for everyone in the story and want to go into the song and hold them close.

Hope you enjoyed story time!!!