Summer 2015 Playlist

Since yesterday was the first day of fall and I am not quiet ready to give up summer, I am reminiscing about one of my favorite summer projects; our Summer 2015 playlist. Music is one of my favorite memory stirrers. I love the nostalga I feel when I hear a song and it takes me back to another time and another place. I was hoping with this playlist we could listen to it all school year and no matter how crazy and hectic things get we can be transported back to summer 2015 when things were calm(ish), warm, and relaxed(ish).

Starting in June the girls and I began collecting our favorite songs. We listened to them in the car. We listened to them at home. We listened to them while cleaning. We listened to them while we ran.


On our trek home today A3 and I were jamming out to our playlist. I realized my girls choose to listen to some pretty strange and kick a$$ music.  I am pretty proud of our odd list we assembled.

1. Rummer Has It- Adele: This has been a favorite of ours for years. It started when A2 fell in love with Boomer has It and continued with A3 falling in love with Goomer has It. Every time we got in the car she would scream for Goomer. We would all get in the car and hold our breath hoping that, just once, she would forget to beg for her Goomer. Even with this tune being over played we couldn't leave it off the playlist. Too many tantrums occurred over the summer because of Goomer.

2. Little Things- One Direction: Yes, we went there.  How could a bunch of girls not fall head over heals in love with this sappy song?

3. Merry Happy-Kate Nash: This super fun song is every new piano players dream... A1 believes she will be able to play this song very soon. I think she could too, if she would willingly practice... Also the word "bum" is used when talking about a butt. "Bum" sounds so sophisticated!

4. Uma Thurman- Fall Out Boy: Even though the girls don't have any idea who Uma Thurman is, we still couldn't help but sing and dance anytime this song played. Plus this was one that even Mac liked.

5. The Show-Lenka:  I don't have any idea where she found this song, but it is A2's favorite. Even though she changed the lyrics to suit her life situation. "I'm just a little bit caught in the middle." easily became "I'm just a little girl caught in the middle." "I want my money back" quickly became a message to A3 in "I want my mommy back." A2 really felt like this song was written just for her. Plus it is a fun song.

6. Everything at Once-Lenka: Again, I don't have any idea where she found this song, but it is A1's favorite. She really likes the way it motivates her to choreograph her own creative dances. Plus it is an English teacher's dream when teaching similes...

7. Piano Song- Meiko: We love Meiko.

8. Fight Song- Rachel Platten: I had dreams of using this song as my 80's movie song. I imagined showing up during one of the many blow ups fights arguments strong discussions between the girls and blast the chorus, "This is my fight song." I know the fighting would end at that very moment. I am certain the girls would have ended up joining hands, spinning in a circle, and sang the power lyrics in unison... Hey, a mom can dream, right?

9. Ramalama-Roisin Murphy: Holy Onomatopoeia, Batman! This onomatopoeia filled song was introduced to us by our honorary A Team member, Andrew. I dare you to listen to this song and not dance. It isn't possible. Plus onomatopoeia!

10. Rotten to the Core- Descendants: Title says it all.

11. Evil Like Me-Descendants: Song about an evil mother daughter duo + Kristin Chenoweth sings it, do I really need to say more?

12. Just Give Me a Reason- Pink: I felt like it was important for the girls to know and love Pink. That is all.

13. Cheerleader-Omi: Fun song. No other reason needed.

14. Go Big or Go Home-American Authors: Anytime this came on the radio we would all end up singing along and wish the song would last longer. Now it can...

15. Party in the USA-Miley Cyrus: Miley and I have had a love hate relationship.  I can't say I really like the current Miley. The girls don't like her either. They think she is disgusting.  They are right.  I used this fun, clean Miley song as a lesson; drugs are bad, good people make dumb choices and become icky, stay off wrecking balls, and keep your tongues in your mouths.

16. King of New York-Newsies: Honestly, did you think we wouldn't have a show tune of some sort?

17. Restless Heart- Matt Hires: The entire A Team, including their manager, loved to turn this one up really loud, scream sing and jump dance. SO MUCH FUN!

18. My Little Love- The Weepies: When A2 first heard this song, she thought it would be the perfect song for me to sing to her every night before bed. So sweet. Now we all sing it all the time, not just at bed time. Love this sweet song and my sweet girl for loving it too.

I can't wait to make another playlist next year. Perhaps this will become a "thing" like the Now That's What I Call Music cds.

Banned Phrases

One of Mac's favorite shows is The Five on FNC, Ok, my liberal friends don't get all judgy on me, it really is a funny show you might be entertained by it, if you try. A popular segment on the show is "Banned Phrases." Greg Gutfeld chooses a popular, overused phrase and will deem it banned.

Stealing Greg Gutfeld's clever idea, I have come up with my own banned phrases for 2014:

1. Minecraft- Sorry A1, I really don't want to hear all about that game! I have no interest in hearing about the diamonds you have found.  I don't want to see the chickens you spawned. I don't want to watch you jump from brick to brick building who-knows-what. Minecraft makes me want to throw a two year old's temper tantrum.

2. No, Mama do it. A3, why does Mommy have to do it? Why can't Daddy hand you the cup of water that is sitting right next to him? Why do I have to get up and walk across the room to pick it up and then hand it do you? Why do I have to hand you the toy you dropped in the car? Why can't A2 bend over and pick up the toy that is at her feet? Why do I have to serve you your dinner? Why can't A1 bring you your plate? WHY DO I HAVE TO DO IT? 

3. Saboteur- Just stop with this one. 

4. Thrown under the bus-Rarely does anyone in my real life use this, but I hear it all the time on our favorite game shows and reality shows.  This saying is over used and just blah!

5. At the end of the day- At the end of the day; nothing.  This is another cringe worthy overused phrases. I just don't like it at all. 

6. I'm just going to be at the Muni for a little bit- No explanation needed. 

7. Can I have a sleep over? -Why do the girls ask over and over to have a friend spend the night? What could be fun about letting your friends in on the secret of how crazy your family really is, or how mean your mom gets when she doesn't get her sleep? The answer will almost always be "no" unless I am caught during a moment of weakness. 

8. Dag Nabit -Really, A1 are you 80? Is this what all the young whippersnappers are saying these days? Who are you!?!

9. It's not fair- I will show you what's not fair.

10. Anywho...- This sends shivers down my spine. Why would anyone want this to be in their vocabulary?  If anyone on the A Team ever says this, they can expect to get vinegar. Several of my friends know how much I hate this "word" and love to toss it into a conversation. To them I say: "I hope your rashy, moist, feet, don't require ointment."

Friends and, especially, family, if we could just eliminate these phrases, 2015 could be the best year ever!