4th Grade Music

Tonight was Dylan's music "demonstration" at Northridge. Not quite a formal music program, they performed some songs of their choice and clapped some of the rhythms they are working on in music class.


The first song was a "Welcome Song" that they sing to start each music class. After singing to each other, they sang it with a family member.


They demonstrated a simple dance to "Yankee Doodle" and brought up a family member to join in. Dylan chose Connor, and they both excelled at the rhythms and movement, making my heart swell with pride.

The whole thing was no more than 30 minutes, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Three Little Pigs

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FLASHBACK: Here's a video I took a year ago. At the end of third grade, the kids in Dylan's class were paired up to present readings of alternate versions of fairy tales. Dylan and his friend Connor presented "Three Little Pigs" in class, and I had them do it again at home so I could take this video.

My favorite parts are when Connor grins and drops character to remember his line, and the way Dylan silently mouths Connor's lines.

Dylan has changed so much since this video was taken! Where has this little boy gone??

KIA Soul

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Here's my favorite TV ad of the moment, for the KIA Soul, which appears to be competing for the same customer base as the Toyota Scion xB.

Anyway, I like how the hamster gives a cool head nod after rolling down his window, and how they groove to the beat. Great song, too.

I love how commercials are getting to be just as entertaining as the programming content.

Happy Birthday, Brad

Brad celebrated his birthday by playing a gig and eating a hamburger cake, which he said was delicious at 2 am.

In the Big City

We spent Easter weekend at Mall of America, on a repeat of last year's successful trip. The kids loved the rides, especially the Splat-O-Sphere...

The Log Jam...

And the Underwater Aquarium.

In the shark cage.

On the way home, this was the scene on I-94 west of Valley City. Crazy flooding this spring!

Here's a short video clip I took of us fording the flood in the Suburban:

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Brad rode a few rides that were too intense for me. I took video of one called Tak Attack:

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Dunkie's No Flunkie

My Mini Kix classes performed at tonight's Dakota Wizards game, and coincidentally, Brad and the boys got free tickets for the game from Gate City Bank. Even though Dylan declared that he doesn't really LIKE basketball, they ended up having a fun time.

The game turned out to be a real nail-biter that went into overtime, with the Wizards pulling out an exciting win.

I don't really LIKE basketball either, but it was still a fun evening out with the family.

Play House

Brad constructed this awesome little house for Connor, complete with attic, mailbox, bathroom, and chimney.

Connor was so pleased with it that he took it to school for Show-n-Share. Or rather, we brought it to school for him.

A cardboard box goes a long way in the hands of an expert.

Book Worm

This was the super-cute scene I came upon last night. Connor can't get enough of the Captain Underpants books and reads all the time. I don't know what I like more - the footie pajamas, the bean bag chair, or the stuffed bunny tucked under his arm.

I just love to see a kid who can't keep his nose out of a book.

Change the Sign

I got a big kick out of this sign on the side of the M&H on Main in Mandan.

Real Guys Wear Pink

Dylan really wanted pink hair. He's 10 years old, so I thought, "What's the harm?"

Don't tell Grandpa.

Trouble on the Highway

Saturday was a big day for me, with four dance teams competing in Jamestown. I had to be there early, and hit the road at 6:30 am. By 7:30 am, my car was dead at Exit 230.

Luckily, one of my dance families saw me and stopped. I hopped in with them and made it to Jamestown in time. I caught a ride home with another family at the end of the day.

The family who picked me up also generously offered to loan us their car trailer to bring my car home, which we did yesterday. How nice of them, especially since we had been quoted $450 to have it towed.

Here are some pics of Brad using a hand-winch to get it up on the trailer.

If something like this HAS to happen, things couldn't have gone much better. I made it to my event, my teams danced well, the weather cooperated, and we had plenty of time to take care of this on Sunday. The bad news: $3300 for a replacement engine. Yikes. But still cheaper than a new car.

Sociopath Love Song

Kris Kitko is one of my longest and dearest friends in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD.

She's also a crazy-talented songwriter and musician. Here's a vid she uploaded yesterday. Funny stuff. Plus, get a load of the flashy pickin'.

Pinewood Derby

Sunday was our Cub Scout pack's Pinewood Derby. Conveniently, Dylan and Connor each got a second place.



They both had block-style cars - Dylan's was a double-ended Frankenstein, and Connor's was a Lego brick with flames painted on the side.



The track



Finish line!

Alpine White

This TV ad for Nestle's Alpine White candy bar ran in the late 1980's. I remember it vividly because I loved the music. Then a few years later I found out that the music is performed by Sophie B. Hawkins, whose other music I also love.

I never had an Alpine White candy bar, but it was really cool to hear this song again.

Fowl Diorama

This month's book project for Dylan's 4th grade class was to construct a diorama depicting a scene from a graphic novel. He chose Artemis Fowl, and a scene in which time stops in a sphere around a mansion, trapping Artemis inside.

He used a milk carton for the mansion, cotton for the clouds and trees, and an old bass drum head for the time-stop sphere.

I think Dylan's finished project turned out great!

Singing Valentines

The Northridge first-graders presented their music program this week, and this being Valentine's week, they focused on songs about love. It was very cute and mercifully short. Connor is on the left end of the back row.

The cafetorium at Horizon is a great performance space; however, it was a bit small for this particular event. With about 100 students performing, it was standing room only for the spectators.



My favorite song was a new take on "I'm a Little Teapot", in which the teapot slowly loses appendages (handle and spout), until it discovers that it's a sugarbowl!

More McCartney

"It's Over" is off Jesse McCartney's last album, Departure. I really like this video, which depicts the story told in the song - he's "deleting" an ex from his memory.




"I'm Leavin'" is another song off Departure. This is a live performance recorded for a radio station, and he nails this vocal, proving that he's more than just a pretty face.

In fact, he's a Grammy-nominated songwriter now, too. He co-wrote Leona Lewis's "Bleeding Love", which is nominated for Record of the Year.

Click here to watch the steamy music video he made for the song.

Hot Desk

The Hot Desk is a talk show produced for ITV Mobile and hosted by Mel Blatt and Nicole Appleton, AKA Mrs. Liam Gallagher. They interviewed Liam for their first episode, and he recently made a return visit for a second interview.

Liam is notoriusly bad mannered, but here he's charming and funny. Perhaps the presence of his wife improves his behavior. My favorite part starts at 5:35, where he gives the one-word answers.

See how much you understnad of his broad Manc accent.

Song of the Moment

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Jesse McCartney - "How Do You Sleep"

Jesse McCartney is my new PYT, and this song is just about all I've been listening to for over a week. I obsessively watch the video at work, and I wake up with the song in my head.

I know, I know, I'm the wrong demographic for this song and this singer. I can't explain why lately I'm drawn to these new young artists. Maybe I suffer from the Benjamin Button syndrome...getting younger over time. The funny thing is, I know that my 20-year-old self would have HATED this.

In addition to being a terrific song, I also love this video for its stylish look and clever editing. Jesse's crisp suit and dark aviators are ultra-cool, and the slow-motion plays up a physical quality that I admire - precision and economy of movement. Check out the folding chair walk-over and the microphone flip after his bow at the end. Watch it in high quality from the YouTube site if you can - the whole thing just looks great in sharp detail. To quote Jodi - "HOT!"

Dance Weekend

Got back yesterday from Minot for State High School Dance Competition. 40 teams, 700 dancers, 127 performances. Whew! I like being a part of putting on this event, but it's also a relief when it's over.

Here's a clip from the Jam Session, which is how we pass the time while waiting for results. I liked this one because it got the whole crowd going.