Yeah, why not the whole week? The kids said I was starting to throw out the Mother’s Day “card” a bit early when I asked them to do something for me yesterday, but I think today is a great time to start celebrating mothering.
The Ollibean Creed is made up of all of the things that we think are helpful and relevant for parents of kids with and without disabilities or “special needs”. This week it will serve as a Mamafesto in honor of Mother’s Day.
Day 1 will focus on Turn It Up to 11 & Bust a Move … Music!
Music is such a big part of our household. We dance, sing, listen to it way too loudly in the car, so loudly that my sister’s kids call our preferred volume “Aunt Lolly Loud”.
Particular songs mark our timelines-kind of like a family soundtrack.
Remember the summer in Atlanta?
You mean the “Hips Don’t Lie” / “Animal Crackers” summer or “Feel Good, Inc” / Gnarls Barkeley “Crazy” summer?
Whatever song that was heavy on our family playlist is tied to the memory of that point in time. Luckily, we share a fondness for playing a song over and over and over. Or at least the kids have indulged my love of the repeat.
So, in honor of Mother’s Day Week, is there a song that makes you think about why you love being a mom? Or a song that just reminds you of your family ? Or just a song you love? Share it!
We have adorable refrigerator magnets with the Ollibean Creed on them that we would love to share and will send the first 10 people that post their fav song here or on our FB page.
Dillan loves an album called “Playing for Change – Songs Around the World” – he particularly likes the song “Don’t Worry”. He has been watching the music videos for months…they are really great! We used to watch a lot of Signing Time videos, and the woman who created them is a singer who always incorporated one or two of her own songs into the video. One of my favorites is a song called “Shine” – makes me cry every time! Some of Dillan’s best talking is done through song:) Music certainly brings life, fun and smiles to our family!
Love, love, love!!!!!!
I sing along with John Lennon and I “Imagine”!
@Laurie: i have heard of Jonas! With Jacob’s first surgery it was a young Joe Forbess, MD. He reminded us of Doogie Howser! He was amazing! He was under the attending Dr. Keene. Do you remember him? How well our son healed. The team at Children’s was amazing. Jacob second surgery was done by John Meyer, MD. He rocks! We met some amazing people and learned so much. It is interesting that much of a particular communication happened between two other moms. We did this via non-verbal communication, sincel we were unable to understand our native language. But they say communication is 80/20…80% nonverbal and 20% spoken language. We supported each other step by step, using gestures, hugs, tears. These strategies communicate beyond words, ya know? Too much to list here. Moms rock!
For our youngest it has to be the song “Brown Eyed Girl”. But she is so into music, I am not so sure? She loves listening to Top 40 radio and I just heard her singing “Thrift Shop”. Ha!
thrift shop is another house fav :)
For our oldest daughter Hope, it is certainly the songs from “A Child’s Gift of Lullabyes”, my all time favorite being “Wings”. How I loved those long lazy days of playing, feeding, giggling, growing.
all of these songs are so great! we love the soundtracks to Across the Universe, Hey Jude was a a personal fav for H for a very long time, of course Wretches & Jabberers soundtrack , Tiny Dancer is so great for a drive and sing along , so many Fugees songs, Home by Talking Heads, Seven Nation Army.. wide variety
We were expecting our middle son Jacob during the tragic events of Sept 11th. It was the song in a film called “Beautiful Boy” that I viewed late one night during that time that brought tears to my eyes. Shortly after, Jacob had his first heart surgery at Children’s in Boston. I have so much respect for the wonderful nurses, doctors and staff that saved our beautiful son. It was through this process of “letting go” and reaching out that made us better people: learning that everyone has a journey and everyday is a gift. The lyrics from Lennon’s song repeat, “life is what happens when your making other plans”. Celebrate life!
That is a great line and so true! The song is such a sweet tribute. I think we have talked about this , but Boston Children;s is where H had his heart surgeries..Dr Jonas did the open heart and Dr Locke did trans cath. They were all incredibly amazing !
“Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft” by Klaatu! When that song was on the radio (1970s) my mother bought me a 45 of it because I loved it so much. And she never said a negative word to me as I then proceeded to play it 27 times in a row. That’s a love only a mother could show! :-)
I was nostalgic for the song and looked it up on YouTube again a couple of weeks ago. I didn’t listen to it 27 times in a row, but I did listen to it five times. And felt happy! Music has so much power.
it does. aww the old 45! i love this sparrow!
our family favourite at the moment is Les Mis. yep- the whole musical. 3 hours of it. We played it to the kids way before the movie was coming out. They loved it. My 5 & 7 year olds sing it everywhere. We got funny looks in the supermarket when they belted out “life has killed the dream I dreamed” The older kids like to sing “look down, look down”….. Very powerful musical with a great message about what happens when people are oppressed.
we are also huge fans. I know I have embarrassed everyone by singing loudly with or without the music.
Heart and Soul, played on the piano, loudly and with emPHASis will always remind me of my mom. Buffalo Girls will always remind me of my grandmother.
<3 Heart and Soul is the only song I can play on the piano!
Thanks, B.
I want to add: Anything Bruce Springsteen, because he was my mom’s favorite. I like “The Rising”.
And I don’t need another magnet ;).
People Of The Sun (http://pons.bandcamp.com/track/people-of-the-sun) PONS. It feels kinda like inciting rebellion, which is how I tend to feel whenever I talk to autistic kids…
had to listen to it! awesome. magnet !
I have many favorites. today they are.
A Simple Song of Freedom.
Here Comes the Sun,
All We Need is Love,
Because,
Daniel
Love love those songs! you are getting a magnet too:)
Em’s top 5 songs… okay she’s got way more than that at the moment, but here’s a sample play list (and yes, they ALL make me really happy. I just love that she’s gotten so diverse in her love of music and styles!) Gwen Stefani’s “you’ll never see me again”, “I’d rather be high” by David Bowie (I don’t think we should read too much into that one), Evanescence, Bring me to life and JJ Cale – Lies. We are a music loving family. So in honor of mother’s day, I’m going to pick one of my all time favorite songs – Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. Love that song. And I love that you’ve designated this Mother’s Day Week. It’s perfect! <3
http://vimeo.com/32337200