Mother-in-law feeds Baby S
My mother in law's visit, while difficult for me as she stuffed my delicate lamb with every imaginable thing possible, was particularly amusing for Baby S. As we reviewed the video sequences she'd shot while she babysat him each afternoon, we all smiled thoughtfully at his giggles, toothless grins and sheer admiration for the woman he will call "mamie" for the rest of his life.
She spent much of her time with him singing animated children songs, whipping out a new title each few days complete with fingers dancing, bouncing about and a general air of "yoopee-ness." Bay S was enthralled. My husband was impressed. My mother in law was beaming. I was jealous.
Like a competitive schoolgirl, I rapidly searched my head for the equivalent to 'A Dada Sur Mon Bidet' * or 'Pêche, Pomme, Poire, Abricot,' and came up with 'The Itsy Bitsy Spider.' I awkwardly did finger crossings and my "rain" came a little before the line 'down came the rain,' so eager was I to show off. I was sadly rusty and let's face it, ill practiced. No one was impressed, least of all Baby S. My repetoire was empty aside from 'This Little Piggy,' and I was not going to risk the ridiculousness of getting that one all wrong too, what with bare toes involved and all.
My mother-in-law sympathetically offered to loan me her copy of a book that teaches you French children's songs, so unenamoured is she with the English language's gross lack of ability to entertain children. But yet I know this is totally untrue. We have fabulous songs! I just haven't got the brain cells to remember them all for now. So, I'm asking you dear anglophone readers. What is you personal favorite children's song? And please, something with some action. I really want to wow them, ...um I mean Baby S.
*No, not actually a bathroom bidet. I made the same mistake upon hearing the song, but my mother-in-law explained to me that a bidet is also a pony of sort. The "a da da" is the trotting noise and you bounce the baby on your lap to the 'trot.'
5 comments:
Ahh C'mon....you can remember more!? I know you can...the previous comment listed some great ones. I recently put together a cd of english children's songs for a french kid friend of mine - she is 3. I will send you along the mix if you would like! There are lots of songs that will get stuck in your head but also loads of fun adult songs to satisfy everyone!
:) Raffi is my favorite. I Like to Eat Apple and Bananas, Down By The Bay, Baby Beluga, Oats, Beans, Barley.
The Raffi CDs are great. The children always liked listening to them and singing along. It's weird, but my children seem to like the French songs better. Those are the songs we hear them sing when we are not in the room. Sorry I'm not helpful.
Be careful of what you ask for! I ran four miles this afternoon to the lovely tune of "This Old Man" today. (I guess the repeat button in my brain was sticking). Of course, this beat the hell out of the "Wheels on the Bus" yesterday, and "Good Morning, Good, Moooooorning" the day before. All this thanks to Evy's "Songs for Wiggleworms" CD. I agree that "No" by They Might Be Giants is great fun.
Jeannie those were great suggestions. You're such a link whore (sorry...that's actually a compliment) I loved the TMBG cd! I listened to some samples and have to pick up that one this summer when I visit.
Sarita I'd LOVE that mix. I adore your mixes anyway so I'm sure we'd love it. What I had a hard time remembering were the action songs. You know, making fingers move so that "wee, wee ones" can get interested.
Auntie M & EM I officially overdosed on Raffi when I taught French preschoolers. I started getting them hooked on Trout Fishing in America instead, which is kind of an 'alternative' version of Raffi style music. I'll have to dig out some of those tapes. Seb will surely try to sabotage them. He became a huge Raffi hater during that time.
The Wheels on the Bus is a good action song for kiddles. My daughter LOVES it!!
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