Roman Cavalry choirs are singing
This may seem like child abuse to a certain fraction of you, but we don't let Leta listen to music geared toward kids. Or I guess I should say we haven't ever introduced it to her because we were afraid it would induce seizures and/or homicidal behavior in her parents. We get enough of the repetitive, seep-into-your-brain-and-rot-it-from-the-inside-out tunes in the television shows she watches. DORA I'M LOOKING DIRECTLY AT YOU.
If I say the word VAMANOS! I think I will trigger an unwelcome twitch in a certain percentage of you who have had to watch hour after hour of that little kid running around with her wretched monkey and talking map AND OH HEY I NEED THERAPY.
So she's growing up listening to our music, and that means she hears a lot of Radiohead and Boards of Canada and lately a lot of Neko Case. And I recently purchased and am constantly playing the fantastic new Dinosaur Jr. album Farm
That kid loves Coldplay, specifically "Viva La Vida" and we listen to it all the time, every day. We're listening to it right now. It is her favorite song, no other song compares, and she cannot stop her body from moving to its rhythm. Exhibit A, the child in her pajamas:
I know in some circles it is patently uncool to like Coldplay, and well, those certain circles can suck it. In fact I would have to say GIVE ME AN EFFING BREAK, and please go shave your ironic mustache. I grew up listening to Anne Murray, ABBA, and the Bee Gees, so I would say she's already ahead of me. My only wish is that we can at some point move on to another song. I know, I know, it's about as likely as her looking up from her bowl of black beans at dinner and saying, "This again?"
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Heather talks about public tantrums (from kids) on today's Momversation.
- RIP Louis Mortimer Armstrong: http://bit.ly/1R4tv6
- Hugs and kisses to you, too! RT: @Monkey_Tree: @dooce he probably committed suicide because he was tired of LISTENING TO YOU WHINE.
- Our fish just died. And I'm sitting here crying. And it wasn't even my fault!
1. Jax said:
I love ABBA. And Bee Gees. Rock on.
2. shelley said:
Love it! We dance to that song at our house too!
3. Milla said:
i cannot wait to see how Leta handles this entry when she sees it as a teenager.
4. Victoria said:
It's an awesome song, and that was the best dance ever! :)
5. Anonymous said:
Love it, she is adorable!! I personally love Chuck's angst-ridden pacing in the background.
6. Amy said:
She is so cool!
I love when kids get so into music.
They can strip away all the crap and just enjoy!
7. Amanda said:
It's really fun to see you all interact like that. And She totally can dance. And you can totally sing.
8. Chantal said:
That is too precious for words. Loved the ending bit with father and daughter.
9. Kirsten A said:
I love the photo below of you and the baby. She is really starting to look like Leta.
I am not into the kid's music either. Even the awesome bands who now do kids music. Although I do have a fond spot for Pete Seeger. How could you not? Anyhow my kids listen to what I listen to. Right now we are listening to She and Him by Zooey Deschanel and M. Ward. I love cranking the volume and singing along to torch songs with my kids!
10. Carla said:
She actually dances in a manner quite similar to the front man of Cold Play, Chris Martin.
Music shouldn't make your ears bleed. And lots of kids music makes my ears bleed.
Except "They Might Be Giants." That doesn't make my ears bleed.
11. Rose said:
That's a budding musician....you can see her hear and react to every instrument. Next time could see more of Daddy's dancing?
12. Anonymous said:
LOVE Leta! LOVE Chuck! LOVE it! My 3 year old son has a current mild obsession with the Arctic Monkeys, Led Zepellin and Jay Z... Eclectic? Yes. The exact same way I was brought up? Yes. It reminds me of my Dad sitting us down to make us listen to The Dark Side of the Moon...
And one more thing - Dora drives me mad!
Love from London.
13. doug said:
awesome! and I happen to be wearing the shirt I bought at the Coldplay concert, so...
14. Bucky Four-Eyes said:
I'd love to see Leta's interpretation of "Walk Like an Egyptian."
I second the They Might Be Giants recommendation, also.
15. S said:
IS SHE AIR PLAYING THE SYNTH? Coolest kid EVAR.
Parachutes will always be one of my favorite albums, I don't care who knows it, even millions of Dooce readers.
16. Lori said:
Kid's got moves.
17. Anne said:
This is so great!
18. S said:
P.S. Don't knock the Bee Gees.
19. Nancy said:
Haha I bet she learned her dance moves from the hubby. Very cute (:
20. Fosterhood said:
Now we know where she gets the air keyboard dance moves!
21. Josey said:
Oh Wondrous Being of Light and Splendor...your daughter rocks!! I've just stumbled across your blog and am extremely addicted already. Love it. :) Thanks for sharing your life with us.
22. Mariah said:
That daughter of yours is freakin awesome!
23. Megan said:
So cute..she's got the flailing arms when dancing!
24. Camp Run-A-muk said:
We do let our boys listen to some children's music but only what WE approve...we love They Might Be Giants. However we mix it up with current music like you; also huge fans of Viva La Vida. My boys favorite song is by Nelly... You know the one about "lighting up the Cocoa Puffs?" NOT "light it up and take a puff" What sweet innocence...
25. Nat W said:
That song is awesome, I don't care what anyone says. Also, Leta dances about as well as I do...maybe better.
26. lonek8 said:
great video! I also don't do specifically "children's" music because it is so aggravating. I listen to regular radio and because I have fairly poppy taste in music my kids like it too. There are some songs they prefer over others, and we listen to those ALOT, but in general, other than downloading the clean versions (which I don't even remember to do half the time) I don't make concessions on the music we listen to. Also, because Dora is on the channel with commercials we don't ever watch it. At least that is my excuse. the real reason is I might have to sell my children if watching that show is a requirement of mommyhood.
27. Valancy Jane said:
Huh. I was listening to that song a moment ago, and I'm eating a late lunch of black beans right now, for the fifth day in a row.
Sadly I am not in my pajamas right now, dancing in my kitchen. I would rather be.
28. Kirsten said:
Oh, Dooce. I love this so much, yet it makes me kind of sad at the same time. She will hate you for this like I hate my parents for showing my now fiance the time I danced the macarena in my underwear. I was 10 though, clearly old enough to know better.
Cute pj's too!
29. Mandi said:
Adorable video! We don't do kids music here either. Besides what my mom brings over and gets my kids insanely attached to and now it's a rule they can only listen to it with their grandma and everyone hates me, the mean no-fun no-kids music mom. I'm over it. My three year old son loves Kid Rock and Jay-Z. Innapropriate? Maybe, but at least my ears don't bleed.
30. erika said:
You should get Leta some old Muppet Show episodes. My 6-year-old loves herself some Mr. Leo Sayer...and some Mr. Alice Cooper!
31. Anonymous said:
That was darling!
I only hate Coldplay when they speak aloud in a non-singing way. And Gwyneth and her GOOP.
32. Rachael D. said:
When the music moves you, nobody can blame you!
33. Molly said:
Leta is cooler than me and she is only 5. I kind of pity her classmates.
34. Lola said:
I grew up listening to Anne Murray. 30 years ago I was Leta but only Anne Murray was playing in the background. Shhh I still love her. My kids are growing up listening to todays "Anne Murray." We listen to music everyday. My oldest son was barely in school when he got his own ipod and could name off every song he did and didn't want on it. I love to watch them "rock it out" with their air guitars and drums like Leta so wonderfully show-cased for us today! GO LETA!!
35. Maura said:
Huh. I can't comment on the Dora thing, since I'm kidless, but I can thank you from the bottom of my heart for telling me what that part of the lyrics says. I could never quite catch it and, as that's the only Coldplay song I truly enjoy, it was bothersome.
Dance on, Leta! :-)
36. Mary said:
How dare Chuck be so bold as to walk through her big number...lol...Oh, that Leta...She cracks me up!
37. karmen coon van derven said:
that's just some good shit, dooce.
the girl can move!
38. Alex said:
Awesome moves Leta!! I wish I could dance like you!
39. Lori said:
She can totally dance! Quite a style that girl has... Rock on Leta.
40. ElleTark said:
Heather, your singing is phenomenal, and I actually thought that Jon's skinny white calves were yours at first, and I thought, "God, those are some long-assed shorts." Props to the family dancing...this is how everyone should grow up.
41. chacha said:
Yes, they can suck it if they don't like Coldplay. Leta already has good music taste (my repeat Coldplay song is "Strawberry Swing").
42. Aidan's Mommy said:
That is just about the CUTEST thing I have ever seen! Especially when she crouches down with her hands on her thighs and springs up with umpt!
Priceless for the senior slide show!
43. Juliet said:
a kid/family after my own heart. i grew up listening to "adult" music--rod stewart, abba, the bee gees, anne murray, johnny cash, the carter family, carly simon, etc. that exposure led to years of clarinet playing, which wasn't necessarily "cool", but i wouldn't trade for anything (i think every child should know/learn how to read music). you're raising a (possible) future musician, music critic, artist, and/or dancer. kudos! and the family that listens to music together stays together, i say.
44. steph said:
I love Coldplay and I'm tired of the Coldplay hate. They used to sell a shirt for kids that says "My mum loves Coldplay" on the back but I couldn't find it!
45. Julie said:
Maybe she will grow up to be a Rock Star and make gazillions of dollars so she can put you in a good old folks home. Wishful thinking, maybe?
BTW...she kind of dances like Chris Martin. That's awesome!
46. Jennifer said:
Chuck is TOTALLY Photobombing in this.
Why else would he walk by more than once?
Hmm?
47. Meganithappen said:
Um, that basically made my day.
48. Liz said:
I love the Western twang you threw on the Coldplay lyrics lol.
49. Corey said:
This is just absolutely adorable! Love it - especially the ending!
50. Rachel said:
That was fantastic -totally made my day. I love how she lip synchs to it while dancing!
51. Ingrid said:
Thanks for making me feel better about liking Coldplay :)
P.S. I'm jealous of Leta's jammies!
52. Amy said:
I love this video! Great song (those ppl CAN suck it), awesome dance moves & overall a good Friday fun feeling. Esp. as the hubs & I just had BOTH a NYC & Cape Cod trip slip through our hands. Boooo.
LOL @ #46 Jennifer - he was cracking me up!
53. Sarah said:
I grew up on my dad's classic rock: the Who, the Guess Who, The Beatles, The Stones, The Moody Blues. It probably wasn't until Jr. High I realized "modern" music existed!
54. Christine said:
I'll like Coldplay just this once, because I love your parenting. Buy that kid a keyboard! Leta you made my day.
55. Lstew said:
Leta looks like she'd be great at DDR or line dancing; or DDR line dancing? Hmmmm...
56. dk said:
I'm SO with you on the kids music. We forbid any kid-oriented music in our house too. Consequently our kid's favorite song ALL THE TIME is Wonderwall by Oasis. We thought we were doing ourselves a favor, but anything, even the delight of Oasis, is old on the 1,000nd listen.
57. Shanon said:
That's EXACTLY what I look like when I dance to that song! Hahahahahaha
But what's with the Elvis impersonator singing along?
=D
58. bethh said:
ha, after hearing so much press about that song, I've now FINALLY heard it, thanks to you and Leta. That's an adorable little video.
I now have the song on loop, thanks to youtube. I will hold off on doing the Leta Dance at work though.
59. Tiffiny said:
I totally know what you're saying about kids music. BUT...I do love Laurie Berkner, and the Barenaked Ladies have a kid's album that I actually really like. That is my 2 cents for the day. ;)
60. Annie said:
So cute! I wanna have one like that so I can dance around and sing along! A sweet family moment, thanks Dooce!
61. Susannah said:
That was awesomely awesome, particularly the dramatic finish.
My three year old's favorite song is Trouble by Cat Stevens. And while it is beyond adorable to watch a three year old sing it, it is also a bit, er, troubling, lest she change her name to Yusef the Explorer.
62. Anonymous said:
Absolutely love the dance! My girls do the same thing and it always makes me smile and laugh. :-)
63. Taylee said:
I watched the whole thing. And smiled the whole time. Don't let Leta get older. Hurry quick, do something! A shot, I dunno...but keep her little like that with the dancing twitch thing she does.
Do you like how I say that as if I know the child personally? yeah, I know. It's just what I do though.
64. Lacy said:
She's fantastic!! That kid is blessed with GREAT hair!! Is it weird to envy the hair of a small child? She sings, she dances, AND she has great hair. What a life!
65. Sarah McD said:
WHAT?!? You mean if I have a child, I don't have to listen to any of that god awful kiddie music? I don't know why it hadn't occurred to me before. That was one of the major things holding me back from having one. Well, that and 18 plus years of being responsible for another life.
66. Carolyn said:
Um... I did the Viva-la-Vida-is-playing-and-I-can't-not-move dance in my kitchen last night while making dinner. Except my version wasn't as cool as Leta's.
67. Jaxon said:
Oh yeah, great humiliation footage for later. Looks like you guys are having fun.
68. MyHormonesMadeMeDoIt said:
She likes Coldplay not Dora Dora...'nuf said. I think she has better taste in music than me.
69. Isabel (5 years old) said:
"I love that song and her dancing.....can I talk to her on the computer sometime?" Posted by her mother Carrie
70. Monica said:
If you like Neko Case you might try Kasey Chambers. And I think I heard she was coming out with a new album of stuff she worked on for kids - but it's not your typical kids music.
Go Leta Go!
71. shineon84 said:
She has some stage presence! You have a budding rock star on your hands!
72. Sara said:
My four year old is a big fan of George Harrison. He talks about him like they're old friends. He has also picked a favorite song every year--2007 was Sweet Escape, last year was Bleeding Love, and I'm still waiting to see who wins song of the year for him this year. Yesterday we heard Bleeding Love on the radio and he said "Is she ever going to stop bleeding?"
73. Kelly said:
OMG - she dances exactly like my husband when he's drunk. That was brilliant.
74. MissCaron said:
Oh wow. That was fantastic. And Jon? Wow. I have no words. Add in your singing and I'm practically peeing my pants!
75. Missy said:
Love the interpretive dance! Chuck's contribution was small, but nice. Where was Coco?
76. Amanda said:
Well slap my ass and call me Judy! I was totally prepared for the cuteness of the dancing but not AT ALL prepared for the adorable lip synching!!! Good GOD, the laughter that must occur over at the Armstrongs!
77. Mama Aiden said:
Ohh, she is sooo going to kill you when she's older!
78. Grizzly Kitteh said:
You sound like the coolest parents ever! Although mine come in a pretty close second since I grew up "watching" Sesame Street to my Stepdad's soundtrack of The Doors, Rolling Stones, and Supertramp. At the time I hated him for not letting me "listen" to Sesame Street, but now I think he's awesome for it.
If you get tired of hearing Dora yell Vamanos, you should try Yo Gabba Gabba! I don't even have kids and I love watching that show. If you haven't already seen them, look up the Youtube clips of Elijah Wood's and Jack Black's guest appearance on there.
79. jill said:
have you & leta seen the PS22 choir version of this song? kids beautifully singing coldplay... it makes me all teary eyed in the best way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_tcE4rWovI
80. BlackCatMima said:
Ouch. I think my ovaries just exploded. Too. Much. Cute. Kisses to sweet Leta! ♥
81. guilty noodles said:
My boys (3&8) don't listen to kid's music. In fact, when preschool began and classrooms played music geared towards kids, my son would announce how boring those particular songs were. My first son used to find comfort as a baby the second Radiohead, Travis, Rufus Wainwright & Coldplay was put on (I'm not a fan of Coldplay). To this day, when asked to bring music to class for share time, he's the only one who jams to Greenday & Queen.
We also would receive some complaints because we'd let our son chose songs to burn CDs as party favors for his birthday. Looking back, I think at one point I was listening to one of the discs and asked my husband, "Is this song about one man's need for a sex change and did we put it on a 5 yr old birthday party's goodie bag?"
82. Emma said:
That kid has the moves!
As for Coldplay, one of my greatest concert experiences ever goes like this:
Parachutes Australian Tour around 2001? 2002?
They play the concert, they play the encore. Everyone is all loved up after listening to Clocks.
They leave the stage, the lights come on, 90% of the crowd leaves. Chris comes back on stage, looks at the crowd and says "Do you mind if we play a few of our new songs?" and then PLAYS FOR ANOTHER HALF HOUR to the couple hundred of us left, standing in the blaring lights as the staff clean up bottles around us.
SO awesome.
83. Jennsa said:
Man, she's got some mad dance skills.
Must go home now and listen to Viva la Vida on repeat. For hours. :)
84. Heidi said:
That was the best 3:48 of my day. What a beautiful family you have...
85. kage said:
I flinched at reading "VAMANOS" and I don't even have kids! One day with our twin nieces watching the same damn Dora video over and over and over again was all it took.
As cute and hilarious as Leta is in that video, I think my favourite part is the way Chuck walks back and forth in the background. There's something terribly human about that dog!
86. Jan said:
Leta may, as some have suggested, be mortified seeing this as a teenager BUT, believe me, she'll LOVE it when she's a grown woman. What could be better than a little girl doing some kitchen-Coldplay-pajama dancing with her daddy?
Also, Leta RAWKS the moves.
87. Danielle said:
Thank God it's Coldplay. My childhood dancing consisted of tunes by John Denver. I love Viva La Vida. Now I'll think of it as Viva La Leta.
88. katie said:
My son is 3... like you, I don't allow much children's music in my house because I'd like to survive his childhood with at least some of my hair intact.
His favorite song is "Kids Oracular" by MGMT. The mere fact that it's called "Kids" would normally prevent me from knowingly play it in my house, but one day while driving him to school the song came on and he yelled from the back seat "MAMAN! TURN IT UP! ISSS MY NEW FAVOWIT SOOOOONG!"
If only I had realized that I would now hear that about 700 times a day.
*sigh*
Children can ruin the best songs.
89. hootenannie said:
This is the damn cutest thing I've ever seen. Leta, you are awesome - AWESOME.
90. Grizzly Kitteh said:
PS. I almost forgot, I was going to suggest a cure for Coldplay. The first time my little brother heard My Morning Jacket's One Big Holiday (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NEgkgCgRFII), he was cured of the Viva La Vida.
91. Jessica said:
Love it! My son's favorite song right now is a toss up between Bob Marley's Jah Live (only for the line that says, "Rasta Your God is Dead") and JJ Heller's song Small. Given that JJ Heller is a Christian singer songwriter and Bob......well Bob is Bob.....I find it to be insane!!! And I love him dearly. And we love music. As I drive my kids to school in the morning for 25 minutes to get 9 miles (yes we live in LA), we sing together. I do allow kid music.....but only cool kid music...like the Putomayo playgound stuff and Ziggy's children's album and Dan Zanes, he is an awesome folk artist. Loved watching Leta dance!!
92. Laura June said:
In terms of kids music growing up, I can only remember listening to Raffi, Fred Penner and Sharon, Lois & Bram.
The music geered towards kids today seems positively torturous in comparison.
Other than that it was the Traveling Wilburys, the Eagles, Supertramp and the like. I <3 my parents for that.
93. Sherpa Tat said:
I don't let my kids listen to kid music either.
Our house favorite is "Ahead of my Time" by The Teddy Bears.
Go ahead, try not to dance with that one playing - we all jump around like crazy. Love it.
94. jrep said:
All music is uncool somewhere. We must rise above. And has she heard the Jon Schmidt "Taylor Swift Meets Coldplay" Youtube?
95. Robin said:
This brought such joy to much day! Thank you for sharin!
96. Anonymous said:
The kid is a natural at finding/feeling rhythm. Get that girl some piano lessons, she'll be great!!
97. Abbe said:
When I was about Leta's age, I was obsessed with CCR's Down on the Corner. I made my mother mark the 'right' side of the record, so I'd know which side to play. I still have the record and to this day, when that song comes on, I'm back in our old house, dancing across the hardwood in my socks, making up lyrics because my 5-year old brain couldn't decipher all of the words.
I hope when Leta is grown, she has the same kinds of memories!
98. Nicole S. said:
Very very cute, but I had to mute my computer lest my head explode. That song is just awful. Probably as awful as a Coco kiss right after she's had a feces breath mint.
99. mandie said:
She looks surprising similar to Chris Martin when Coldplay appeared on SNL and played that song. :)
100. Jessica said:
That was awesome =) thanks for making my day!
101. Britt said:
Brilliant. Definitely one for future boyfriends.
102. Bailey O'Rourke said:
Your little girl is sooo beautiful! I love her hair.
And your baby is pretty damn cute too!
103. miss said:
go, leta!!!
104. windylou said:
Thank the LAWD my husband plays "our" music for the kids. I'd rip my eardrums out if I had to listen to that shit all the time.
They dig stuff like The Ramones, Jay Reatard, The Dutchess and The Duke, The Reigning Sound, Harlan T Bobo, Chuck Berry, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, The Detroit Cobras, Electric Six. Hopefully they don't turn out too warped.
105. Heather said:
The best part was you singing. Hilarious.
106. Alanna said:
I don't care how uncool it is....the Coldplay concert was freaking AWESOME.
And Leta's got moves - I think she might be a better dancer than me.
107. 'Becca said:
Ahhhh...Leta, too? AWESOME. The Cheat loves that song, only he calls it "Bells Are Ringing." Between that and "Oven The Tiger" by Survivor, there's simply no room for "Wheels on the Bus."
Thank god.
108. rmm said:
What a sweet video of Leta and her dad. She's so into it!
Now this girl has a couple of years on Leta but have you see this little girl dance? Crazy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IKx3UU7hwr0
109. Holly said:
Chris Martin would be proud.
110. My said:
You should listen to this then: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0v3d6SFcDys
111. Erin said:
Did children's music exist when we were little? (I mean in the way it does now.). I grew up listening to Linda Ronstadt and Hall and Oates. Leta is light years ahead of me!
112. Michelle said:
Leta is adorable. Just in case you were not aware. And I've never listened to kid's music either. The thought of it makes my ears bleed. My 4 year old daughter's favorite song is "I Want To Hold Your Hand" from the Across the Universe soundtrack. She sings along with it every morning on the way to school. It rocks:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D92Lyxj7U7Q
113. Kate said:
This is such a cute video! If she isn't already in dance, you should think about it. I wish that I had taken lessons and was a more confident dancer today!
114. robyn said:
Holy crap I love your family.
115. KellyKjellberg said:
too cute! i love to see little ones dancing! they are just enjoying themselves, not worried about anyone else!
116. Melissa said:
i will get this cryptic post thing you have going on. every time i go to post, i forget to hit the publish post. i don't know, perhaps i am just a tard. then again it is friday and by fridays i am ready to sometimes put my head through a wall.
i just wanted to say, although it might be naieve, i think that if this blog gig you've got going on runs dry, your family has a very promising future as a cover band. i mean with leta and jon's sweet dance moves and your voice you could go platinum, forget being #26. that voice, unbelievable.
i also find it ironic that we both referenced so you think you can dance today. although mine animated this time around, children dancing is extrememly entertaining. wait? or is that just to us?
have a great weekend.
117. Greet said:
I really don't know what I like most about this: Leta dancing, Jon dancing, their dramatic move at the end or Leta's "again".
She has quite a good sense of rythm for her age, by the way, she really does!
118. Geri said:
Such a great age -- before the magic is gone and concrete thinking sets in, right? My kidlette used to dance like no one was watching in her Little Mermaid bathing suit in front of family friends even! I miss those days.
Coldplay! They didn't win the Grammy for nothin'! C'mon, they are WAY COOL.
We went to see Coldplay in Irvine and it was one of the best shows ever. My daughter (18 soon) declared Chris Martin the best performer ever after. He's up there, but I told her she hasn't seen Mick Jagger and the Stones with all his running around on stage.
We've been on a rock n roll education program since the kidlette was born. She could identify the Beatles when she was 3, and her first concert was Dave Matthews and Trey Anastasio at Staples Center. Next stop . . . Katy Perry at the Santa Barbara Bowl next week. YAY.
119. Sara said:
Seriously? When my daughter was oh, around 5-6 months or so, we had to keep Coldplay in the car at all times. Why? Because "Green Eyes" would AUTOMATICALLY stop any sort of outburst while she was shackled into her carseat. Not ANY Coldplay song, that specific song. It was like a mute button for my baby. Thank you, Chris Martin. I never would have made it to the grocery without you.
P.S. That baby has turned into a 3-year old that LIVES for the Pixies. She wasn't scarred, after all.
120. Carroll said:
Absolutely required viewing when her date for the Senior Prom arrives on your doorstep.
121. Kuffy said:
You are SO going to get to meet Gwyneth for that.
122. Sandra in BC said:
No kid music here either. Unless it was on a Wiggles DVD that we got as a gift. Never occurred to me to introduce it.
As far as my kids are concerned, Gnarles Barkley and Black Eyed Pease ARE kids music, and This *SHIP* is Bananas..B.A.N.A.N.A.S....
123. Adrienne said:
My sister insisted on eating peanut butter and jelly every day for lunch. So I would make her peanut butter, and make my brother and me more varied sandwiches.
One day she was peeking over the cutting board as I made us salami, and prepared to make her peanut butter. And with tears in her eyes and voice quavering she asked, "how come you always make me eat peanut butter?"
124. Katy said:
As it should be.
125. janeannechovy said:
Okay, CHUCK! Chuck is friggin' awesome in this. And I love Jon's white-man moves.
126. Jen on the Edge said:
Oh my gosh, that is so great!
I was wondering where she got her moves from, but then I saw your husband. I was waiting for them both to show jazz hands.
127. Kathleen said:
I have the same rule about kids music and my four year old has the same obsession with "Viva la Vida". I think she likes a particular tempo, since her loves are more song-specific than band-specific. The exception is the Ramones, which she is just crazy for, perhaps because most of their songs have the right tempo. So far she seems to have undying love for all of the Carolina Liar she has ever heard. And she seems to like Airborne Toxic Event. I mean, really, she tells people to be quiet when she likes a song, asks me to turn up the radio in the car, and has been driven to tears when people talk over songs she likes.
128. Jan said:
The whole time I listened to "When I Ruled the World" while watching Leta dance, another song was tugging at my memory. I finally have it now: Wonder whether Leta would like "Life in a Northern Town"? (The original mid-1980s Dream Academy version, not the watered down whiny version by Sugarland.) It's got a similar sound and has similar dance-ability.
129. jayne said:
No kids' music here, either. One of my daughter's favorite songs for ages was the Stones' "Paint it Black." Right now she's on a mixture of Journey, Fleetwood Mac and Christina Aguilera. Oh, and Beyonce. And Pink. And the Beatles. Okay, mostly, it dates her parents, but still - NO kid music!!
130. Deirdre said:
Love the dance party atmosphere! I listened to Motown obsessively in the car for like 4 years of my schooling. I Ain't too proud to beg.
131. Shannon said:
There's nothing quite like a kid who's just free, not worried about being in PJs or friends or being seen, just free and moving. Great video, thanks for sharing the moment.
132. Alyssa said:
If my husband is EVER willing to dance with our child on camera like Jon did with Leta, knowing there is a chance it will end up on the interwebs... I will die happy.
Round of applause for Jon.
133. Elaina said:
I'm pretty sure that's EXACTLY what Chris Martin looks like when he's singing this song.
Also, Leta is a way better dancer than me.
134. zenmomma said:
Awesome! Leta dances just like Chris Martin.
P.S. Just for laughs, you should know that my Captcha verification words are Pandit Goldstein. That's totally going to be the name of the lead character when I write my novel.
135. iamthanu said:
I remember singing "Band on the Run" in the backseat until my mother turned around and pleaded for me to stop. I remember being very offended that she did not like my acapella style . . . I was singing from memory and was maybe four years old.
And I danced for hours to "Don't Cry For Me Argentina" sung by Karen Carpenter. I had no idea what the song was about, only that the lady was very sad. My father taught me how to use the headphones very quickly.
I think I turned out alright. Even if my mother didn't know what "Afternoon Delight" was about. I certainly didn't.
136. amy j. said:
We totally enjoyed this...my oldest first said about Chuck a) that's a chocolate lab, then she said, b) whose that old guy in the yellow shirt? (I shit you not, lol) c) Leta's hair is longer than Ruby's, wow d) who is that weird women singing? she's horrible (lol) d) is this Coldplay? (LOL...ha, ha, she's seven...so in your face Leta ;)
We didn't forbid ours from kiddie music..we were just very selective, They Might Be Giants and Dan Zanes etc. They listen to our music all the time and had a Ramones shirt as babies. We have music nights where we play stuff for them...GosGos, Michael Jackson, Sex Pistols, Johnny Cash...we play it loud and we dance our asses off. They now request certain people...ie The Beatles, Death Cab for Cutie, Norah Jones...whatever.
My most favorite thing about it is that they LOVE music, which I did too at their age. Only thing, my seven year old is going to see the Jonas Brothers next week...a parent's powers only goes so far Heather, unfortunately.
137. Amelia said:
Is your husband wearing manpris? House manpris?
138. Stacy said:
I am also one of those parents who avoided kids' music in order to preserve my own sanity. The result is that my child has a fondness for Lenny Kravitz and was once heard to sing the chorus of a certain Eric Clapton song about a dangerously addictive white powder. Where did he sing that chorus, you ask? In the 2nd grade during recess. At prep school.
You can't make this up.
139. Anonymous said:
That was awesome! She is one great kid!
140. Susan said:
Funny, as I sit here reading this post what do I hear scream at me through the TV speakers....river, forest, yellow valley. Say it with us, say it louder, you can do it. Twitch.
141. Michelle said:
Seeing Neko Case in November and I cannot wait. Deep Red Bells love it!
If you're looking for a next phase of music for Leta (and yourself) I highly recommend The Innocence Mission, Birds of my neighborhood. You will never ever get sick of this CD, it's lyrically wonderful, full of childhood and memories. Move onto Glow and Bright As Yellow after your intense love of 'Birds' sways you to hear more of this great music...
Trust me!
142. Rachel said:
She's got the rhythm! Jon too, that is HOT. ;)
143. Kat said:
Her piano hands are fantastic!
144. Angie said:
Where did Leta learn to dance like Peter Garrett from Midnight Oil (they are an Aussie band in case you haven't heard of them). You should google a vid of one of their shows and compare Leta's performance!
145. Meredith said:
We are having a boy in January and my husband has already stated that he will teach him all about "the classics." And I'm all, "yes, Sondheim, Rodgers & Hammerstein, Andrew Lloyd Webber." And he's all, "No, The Stones, The Beatles, Grateful Dead, etc." Plus, we have been downloading vintage Sesame Street and The Muppets albums. Stuff we listened to when we were kids. Which, sadly I guess, is considered vintage!
~Meredith
146. Mommica said:
Dude! Are you sure Chris Martin isn't her daddy? And Jon is (obviously) her OTHER daddy? I'm not sure where you fall in this equation...
147. Kim said:
Wait a minute!!!! What about the "Be A Friend" Song??? I've had that one seared in my brain since I watched Leta singing it!!! Thanks a lot.
148. Jackie said:
LETA HAS EXCELLENT TASTE IN MUSIC.
149. laura said:
My niece & nephew, Jaedan & Aedan, hate coming to Aunt Lola & Uncle Yimmy (because they can't say Laura & Jimmy) house because we do not get Noggin on the television, and I've put a block on anything with that rhymes with "dick-a-lodeon". I can't handle that shit, which is why I don't have kids.
Leta cracks me up, I love that kid!
I also love that my "captcha" words are "ala sarcasm".
150. yummymama said:
that was flipping hysterical. what did the baby think?
151. Deborah said:
Maybe bridge the divide by listening to the PS22 version of it. It's pretty awesome.
152. Anonymous said:
Laura -- Jaedan and Aedan!??!!? Are you serious -- those are their names??
153. Lissa Lander said:
Even though that was adorable, I've come to the conclusion that following a perfect stranger's perfectly normal life is sort of odd. Don't get me wrong- I love to read blogs, and I occasionally grace the internet with my own meaningless thoughts, but just now I felt like a peeper in your kitchen.
154. Bria said:
Have you ever looked into enrolling Leta in dance classes with the Virginia Tanner Creative Dance program at the U? I think she would love it. Such a good program, both the open enrollment classes and the audition-based Children's Dance Theatre (which starts in 2nd grade and runs through 12th). She is such a natural dancer - she might really get a lot out of it.
155. Jasie VanGesen said:
DUDE! Her dancing and pantomiming the lyrics... she is just the most ridiculous and free and adorable thing FUCKING EVER. Ok, just had to get that off my chest.
My son just turned 8 last month and we also have never had a single cd of Raffi or Peter, Paul & Mommy Too... or whoever the young kids are listening to these days. I value my sanity way too much. So my kid likes Death Cab, Iron Maiden, Dio, Pedro The Lion, Deep Purple, Gossip, Genesis, and Interpol. Kid's just gonna have to deal.
156. Rachel said:
Yea aside from Wubzy on Noggin, that's as junior as we get around here. Music wise, my 3 yr old son runs toward Linkin Park and Duffy. My 10 yr old girl & I are obsessed w/ Muse right now.
When I got pregnant the first time, a wise friend told me this: have a back-up song in your head. When it's 2AM and you want to PUKE from singing twinkle twinkle little star repeatedly, make sure your tired brain can retreat somewhere safe. I personally went to Alanis, my lord and savior; I will forever thank the woman for "You oughtta know" for the rest of my life.
157. Elizabeth_K said:
I loved her precise feet movements, and the ending was perfect. Now. AGAIN! :)
158. Jennifer said:
That was damn cute. When I was a kid my little sister and I used to dance in the kitchen with my mom all the time; only we listened to ZZ Top. To this day I till can't hear their music without feeling the urge to bust a move.
159. Sara said:
I grew up on my parents music...I remember being strangely touched by "Dust in the Wind" and "Bridge Over Troubled Water". I loved the anthem of my parents life and feel connected to them through the music they shared with me. My children are growing up on mine- I laughed as my daughter learned to ride a bike singing "Handlebars" by the Flobots. They might not understand the meaning to our music...but it challenges them. More importantly, you are doing far more than listening to your music, you are singing and dancing and spending invaluable time with Leta...You guys Rock!
160. Naomi said:
we did the same thing. boy developed his own taste in music from the music videos played on the channel we had it on (you know, back when music video stations actually played music videos). his taste went to bon jovi, edwin, ricky martin, live and a couple of others. he's into european head banging metal now.
oh, get leta in to some dance lessons...poor child has as little sense of rhythm as me (and believe me, that's *very* little)
161. Christie said:
Oh, Heather. It's so great to hear you say that you have also boycotted kiddie music. I am embarrassed to admit it to most people, worried they'll think me an unfit mother or something. But I just can't bear it. There is already a lot we're asked to endure, you know? My son is only 11 months, but I'm dreaming of the day when he'll do herky-jerky little dances to Wilco and Aimee Mann.
Rock on, sistah.
Christie
www.trailerwife.com
162. Kristy Merrill said:
I feel ya. Karis has an affinity for hard core gangsta rap. WTF? Where does this child hear that crap? How on earth does she KNOW THE LYRICS if we stumble upon a random radio station? Oh, and she's got the slutty music video vixen moves to go with it. Again, WTF?
163. Jess said:
Before getting thrust into parenthood via an "Oh shit!" pregnancy, I was the second in command at, what was then, The Edge 103.9FM, an alternative rock station in Phoenix. Upon discovering that, "Hey, I just missed three months of tampons and pre-menstrual cleaning tirades..." and ultimately that I was indeed preggo, I vowed to my Husfriend (I was his boss-ish...we lived on the wild side) to never expose our unborn Spawn Nugget to music that included instruments like the xylophone or whose album title was alliterated to the point where we never wanted to see or hear the letter M again in our lifetime.
Coming up on 2 years and we're still going strong.
At any given moment, in any given room in our house, there's an iHome, MusicChoice, Radio, or stereo blasting some sort of awesomeness from the likes of Coldplay to Jack Johnson to Minus the Bear. We're attempting to hone his ability to get down with his bad self for an oh snap effect on the first day of kindergarten.
Ere go, it's nice to know there's someone out there who doesn't think I'm insane because "There's not a single kid song on your iPod"...
164. solaro said:
Just got back from a 3 hours commute (no I do not live in LA but in Montreal) and I need my fix of Dooce. Your daughter singing is just what I needed to make me laugh (and 2 margaritas). Coldplay should have been with me during my commute it would have been much more interesting. Leta is great! Keep the good work and play that song again.
165. tricia said:
My cheeks are killing me from grinning so hugely through that entire video.
My 3-y.o. is also a huge Coldplay fan... but I only play it in the car. After seeing this, that's about to change!
166. Claire said:
Love,love,love!
167. Kristy Merrill said:
side note - I actually saw Cold Play debut that song at the 2008 MTV music awards.
http://theprimamomma.com/?p=168
Good times...
168. Sarah said:
She even dances like a scenester!
Things that are good for kids: Listening to their parents awesome taste in music, I grew up singing along to Penicillin Penny having NO idea what that was about until years later.
169. Brandy said:
I fully AGREE!!! We have 6 yr old twin boys, and they not only love Viva La Vida, but they also can tell you the name of each band when a song comes on..
Three base notes into a song and they shout in unison "Depeche Mode!!" or "Frank Sinatra!" It is a Name That Band challenge at the end of every track when the iPod is on shuffle... and I think there's nothing, absolutely nothing, wrong with that at all.
170. MM3 said:
Ridiculously cute. I like the way she works that gorgeous head of hair. The girl has got 'tude!
171. Shannon said:
That was incredibly awesome. Made my night. And I have been having a series of unhappy nights lately. Thanks Armstrongs! :)
172. beth aka confusedhomemaker said:
Nice moves, I like the hands playing the piano at the start & finish. She knows how to bring it all together. I am *almost* ashamed to admit that I have love for that song, especially since I use to rage against Coldplay. The whole drawing on the arm thing made me think of Eddie Vedder & that just turned me off.
My daughter is a freakin' HUGE Elliot Smith fan (she's 3) wants to listen over & over (that's my melodramatic girl) and the boys have a host of bands that they love none are "age appropriate." But all are awesome. IMO exposing to kids to a variety of music early on only helps create a wider range of tastes as they get older, growing up we always heard music our parents listened to. There wasn't this host of kiddie crap. Although once they got into school it got harder to keep them away from the kiddie crap. But thankfully they still enjoy good music.
173. amy said:
love this, thanks for putting it up, you guys are awesome parents!!!
174. Mrs. Smith said:
That's so GREAT!! I'm pretty sure my kids would kill me if I put a video of them dancing on the internet. But, I'm pretty sure I'd do it anyway...
175. Kristan said:
LOL. Looks like she got her dancing skills from you, Ms. Flailing Octopus Arms. (Oh yes, we remember the SXSW pictures.)
Not sure about the cuteness, though. Can one inherit things from one's dogs?
176. acm said:
Man, this might be my favorite video ever, and I don't really even know the song. great stuff! :))
We have a couple kids' CDs, either in the sounds-like-current-hits variety (Mother Goose Rocks, volume 3 cracks me up!!), or of the cool TMBG/Barenaked Ladies variety. That way, the repetition doesn't kill you, but you still have music that the kid thinks of as theirs when you're on the road or otherwise need a little grounding from home. But sometimes she has to listen to our eclectic mix of music, so hopefully we'll evolve in that direction. (Our baby is only 18 months right now.) Am inspired!
177. Katie said:
SO cute. But I can't help but be reminded of Elaine Benis from Seinfeld doing her neurotic dance.
LOVE the video!
178. jennC said:
Milli Vanilli ain't got nuthin' on that kid!
179. Louise said:
OMG! So cute! We dance to the Beatles in my house.
180. Catlin said:
Ah - brings back so many memories of my nephew obsessively listening to "Not Ready to Make Nice" by the Dixie Chicks. As a teacher my kids didn't have a music teacher so during "music" which consisted of me and a CD player on Friday afternoons, we sang "Ring of Fire," "Big Yellow Taxi," and danced around to various tunes by the White Stripes.
I actually wrote about my "kids'" playlist a while back on my blog:
http://lt-green.blogspot.com/2009/05/auntie-chronicles-music-to-soothe-y...
Unfortunately, my nephew did go through a phase where he adored the Wiggles, but at least it was short-lived.
181. megan said:
HOLYSHITTHATBOWATTHEEND!
182. Sharon said:
Go, Leta! You're a rock star! God, I wanted to be Ace from Kiss when I was 12. (my Coldplay repeater: Violet Hill.)
183. Carina said:
I hope this is your excuse to put her on Toddlers and Tiaras, because she would KICK ASS.
184. Anonymous said:
Oh. My. Goodness. I am in the process of recovering from a scary blog experience...please bear with me....
So. SO, I clicked on the play button to watch Leta dance to Viva La Vida. As the dancing commenced, I was taken aback by the raver-type music playing in the background...something about "taking you to a gay bar"?!? Now, I know you have a varied taste in music, but I couldn't believe that even Heather Armstrong would play a song with lyrics like that (yes, they were quite specific about what was to happen at the gay bar) for her daughter until she was at least eight. I kept re-reading your post, and was sure that I was supposed to be hearing Coldplay. I watched in amazement, awed not only by by Leta's dance moves but the song being played as well.
It was after a minute or so that I realized that I simultaneously had my boyfriend's sister's blog up on another page...and on her blog she has music...and she listens to all kinds of music...some of which has very interesting lyrics. So, as it turns out, there is a band, that goes by the name of Peaches, who has a song entitled Gay Bar. And, when I closed the web page with the other blog on it, I did in fact hear Coldplay (and you singing along in the background). What a relief.
185. Jaime said:
BEST. VIDEO. EVER! I dance the same exact way to that song.
186. Donna T said:
OH STOP IT! That's the cutest thing I've seen all day and I work at an effing PET STORE!
Donna
PS: You probably know this but you guys can't sing for crap.
187. Ann said:
That was a hoot! :)
188. Jo Anne said:
My now 17 year old niece grew up listening to my brothers music. She is the coolest kid around and this isn't just because of music. When she was 4 years old she was at a petting zoo and she wanted to leave to go and listen to the Beatles. She has seen U2 about 10 times (for those of you that think they are amazing) and she knows more about music then most people of any age. If she cannot be a comedy writer when she is an adult then she wants to manage rock bands. I don't think she ever listened to "kids" music at all. She is also an A student at a very great private school and does improv in her spare time. So, Leta, keep listening to that rock and roll!!
189. Kate H. said:
This.made.my.day.
Thank you, Leta.
190. G said:
Love the comments about Chuck angst-riddenly photobombing... he's giving a sideways glance and glowering, "this is so not okay with me".
191. Kristen THRELKELD said:
Adorable! And we love Coldplay too. My 4.5 year old wants to know if "that girl has to pee"
192. GinaM said:
My 5 year old is the same way, no kiddie music! I love it! I just realized I may have let it go to far when she started singing Britney Spear's "If you seek Amy" Oops!!
I have to give another nod to Jon Schmidt's version of Viva La Vida and Taylor Swift, it's awesome!
193. solemom said:
Awesome video - thanks for sharing!
My little man is also a 'viva la vida' fan, but his absolute favourite lately has been 'Michael Franti - Hey World'. I highly recommend checking him out - very positive and/or thought-provoking lyrics and a great beat.
194. Valeri said:
SO ADORABLE! Get that kid in a dance class ASAP!
She's gonna be So Mad! when she's 16.
195. Kate said:
Leta is going to hate you for this when she is 14. Simultaneously, Leta, if you are 14 and reading this post and all the comments THIS IS THE BEST VIDEO EVER. You killed it, girl. I so so so so so love this and I cannot thank you, all, enough for sharing it with us.
196. Sarah said:
If the world is at all fair, someday my life will be like that. Perfection!
197. Kelsey said:
My four-year-old watched this, said Leta dances like a rock star, and wondered if we could come visit you someday...
198. Lisa Rae @ smacksy said:
Apparently, I am the mother of Leta's soul mate.
I hope she likes younger men.
A serenade, if you will:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSGHf2lLjK4
199. Alyia said:
Precious. One of the many moments you've let us see that makes me convinced that having kids is in my future.
Also, I don't really agree with those who say your vocal contribution was Western or Elvis-ish. I'm saying Billy Idol. Totally. Were you doing the snarly lip thing? Love it.
200. Katherine said:
Leta is pretty much the coolest kid ever. I'd say I want to hang out with her, but in my 24 years, I have never been as awesome as she is right now.
Additionally, my parents never pandered to me with children's music, either. I think I turned out much better, saner and more well adjusted because of it... Not to mention more artistically open minded. So good on you guys.
201. Hokie Deb said:
-->I hear you on the Dora thing. Why doesn't her shirt cover her belly? This bothers me more than the Map, It's the Map, It's the MAP!
My not even 3-year old was singing John Mayer and Dave Matthews in the car the other day. He can learn The Wheels on the Bus at school.
http://www.WebSavyMom.com
202. Amy said:
That was adorable! Thanks for sharing.
My hubby and I have done the same thing with our boy. Absolutely no kiddy music, well, with one exception... We absolutely love the Mary Had a Little Amp CD, which features songs by REM, Maroon 5, Moby, Dave Matthews and others. It is the only "children's" music that I can tolerate.
203. kelcut said:
I adore Leta videos. The kid has good taste in music.
On another note, you're on CNN. When I first started reading it, I was thinking, "There's no way they can't mention Dooce."
http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/08/21/outing.anonymous.bloggers/index.html
204. Christina said:
THAT IS EXACTLY HOW I DANCE!
And you're lucky... I have to listen to a personalized Elmo cd that has that wretched puppet singing to my child and saying her name about 60 times with the exact same inflection. It makes my ears bleed, and I have no one to blame but myself...
205. Anonymous said:
Dora, Dora, Dora, I abhor a!!
206. Brooke said:
So my first question was going to be where did Leta get those sweet moves, but then that became apparent at the end of the video. Way to go John!
I know there is a lot of complete crap out there when it comes to kids music, but I've found some worth listening to. I blogged about it a few months back if your interested: http://howsoonisnow-brooke.blogspot.com/2008/11/favorite-music-for-kids....
BTW, my kids love Coldplay too.
207. Katie said:
I hardly ever comment on here because there are always So. Many. Comments. But today I just had to.
I won't mention how cute this is (very) or how great They Might Be Giants is for the kiddos (I listen to it even when my 21-month-old is not in the car).
I just want to say I had a odd reaction to this video... It made me cry. I feel like I've watched Leta grow up from a baby who would not put her feet down to this beautiful little amazing individual.
I hope that is not weird, but it was certainly unexpected, and I wanted to say thank you for sharing your life with us in this way. It's been a pleasure.
208. Jillian said:
(In addition to VeggieTales, which really aren't all that bad), my son requests Weezer and Blah Blah (translation: The Alkaline Trio and their song Love Love, Kiss Kiss) on a daily basis. I don't know what I would do if I had to listen to children's music nonstop. Good for you for introducing Leta to real music.
209. Ginny said:
I love the look in her eyes, like she is completely absorbed in the song. She is in her own Leta-land.
Hilarious. I have some of these embarrasing videos of myself when I was younger too. Even though you feel like a total loser when you watch them, you secretly love it.
210. WackyMummy said:
Is it weird that I was watching Chuck more???
My 3 yr old son is into Daniel Powter, Enrique Iglesias, Celine Dion and Counting Crows, among others. I got nothing else to say!
211. Beth said:
She has GREAT taste in music! That is an awesome song!
212. alison said:
No Gutafer Yellowgold? No Dan Zanes? bummer.
213. Jenn said:
We don't do kid's songs either. I get Elmo's potty song stuck in my head enough, I don't think I could bear more than that. My son, strangely enough, has an unusual fondness for Louis Armstrong. I love jazz so it's fine with me. And we cut a rug like nobody's business.
214. Emira said:
I was raised on adult music by an 80s new wave/punk, former hippie. By the time I was 6 I had been to several punk shows and was intimately familiar with the entire Beattles, Stones and Clash catalogues. And, like someone else mentioned in the comments I also went to a private school and was a serious over achiever. So it seems Rock and Roll just does not corrupt. Oh and the day that Blondie was on the Muppet Show? It was like my world finally made sense.
I have to suggest Cibo Matto as a great adult/kid bridge. Completely ridiculous lyrics that are great for Leta's age and yet not totally cringe worthy for the jaded among us.
215. Ames said:
Is she bustin' a Beyonce move at the beginning there?
216. Gus said:
I loved this! I adore how you didn't laugh in front of her-even though it would have been a laugh of joy. And of course, Chuck walking thru like this happens every minute of every day around here. Ho hum. You are great parents and Leta is a divine dancer.
217. M Miller said:
Nothing wrong with letting them listen to the music you like! It is not necessary for them to listen to "DOra" and the like! My nephews can sing the Bealkes and Kid Rock and love it! They did have a few years of the wiggles and they do watch the kid shows, but they love "Real" music! Nothing wrong with that!
218. Pam said:
Awesome. That rocked. And I feel so much better than I have never put on Dora in our house. I've heard too much about it that I don't even want to go near it. Also, Raffi music for kids is pretty cool. I dig it. But other than that, I leave the radio on or put in my own CDs too.
219. Jen said:
I'm picturing the Leta-Marlo dance recitals in my head and the cuteness brings tears to my eyes. Well, it's either that or I'm just pregnant and hormonal. :)
220. Tiffany said:
Oh God! I love your kid, she rocks! Hell, all of you rock! If Katey ever quits and moves on to bigger and better things can I please come take her place?!!! Love it!
221. Angie said:
LOVE IT!!!!!!!
222. Lesley said:
I was having a shitty day until I saw this video.
I'll have what Leta's having.
Chuck wandering in and out of the frame as if nothing unusual is going on might be funnier than Leta's moves.
And that yellow T-shirt on Jon. Whoa! For a minute there I thought you had the Sun living in your house.
223. Anonymous said:
Well, you seem like pretty normal people to me. I never played "kids" songs when mine were young. We listened to a variety, mostly rock, but I made sure to get classical in too. Now at the ages of 19,22,24, they listen to a variety of music and are not "warped" in any way.
(pssst...I also took my middle son to see Jurasic Park before he even started school) You should have heard the nasty comments I got at the ECFE meeting. Whew!
224. zhoen said:
They Might Be Giants, Here Come the ABC's, Here Come the 123's, NO. I don't have kids, can't stand children's albums, but I like these. And my friends who have young children love them too, after many hearings.
225. beyond said:
i grew up listening to anne murray too, so i cannot be a music snob, like, ever. remember 'a little good news'? that's going to be stuck in my head for the rest of the night. thanks.
226. Renee said:
That video just made me happier than my daily dose of Lexapro. :-)
I think we should all have moments where we dance like 10,000 people aren't watching us!
227. Katie said:
Not child abuse at all. My parents raised us on Tom Petty and Neil Young and Gram Parsons, etc. - not nursery rhymes or kids stuff. Gave us a great appreciation for music, and now we're all whizzes at music trivia! :)
228. courtney said:
That was so awesome! My kids (2 and 4) request "The Scientist" at bedtime. But then they have to sing it to me because I don't know the words.
229. Meredith said:
That is just all kinds of awesome. Leta really feels the music. That is commitment.
230. Emily said:
What I wouldn't give for my 3y.o. to dance to Coldplay like that! She hates it when we play ANY music. Naturally, we choose to play it all the time! We love to endearingly call her "our little Pentecostal."
231. Nina said:
Greetings from Mississippi! Take that child to the Ballet West Conservatory. STAT!
232. Gaviota_mx said:
Wonderful! I smiled the whole time. Thank you again for sharing and yes, that beautiful girl can dance.
233. Kelly said:
I let my six yearold watch mama mia, and now its all ABBA all the time. (at least we have the ABBAs greatest hits)
234. poochmom said:
I found Chuck pacing in the background the most interesting part of this video.
235. Sally said:
If you're like me, You've wondered how you sound to others when you sing, and yes, you can sing and I kinda liked it
236. Melissa said:
I love how Chuck keeps walking back-and-forth behind her.
Has she seen the video? Or them perform live? She looks like she is mimicking Chris Martin. So cute!
237. jessica said:
i'm so glad to see there is a lot of time left to dance with the kiddo! we have a 2.5 yr son, and our family dance parties of late are to yacht's psychic city. i hope the dancing never ends, although i'm sure he'll tire of it long before i do.
238. Alicia said:
Chuck is a great backup dancer. Although he is subtle, he definitely adds to the performance. And he never looks at the audience. Excellent!
239. Melissa said:
Omg, she dances JUST LIKE Chris Martin!! :op
240. samantha said:
the best is the end where she says "do it again mom!"
also, the awesome end pose she and her dad have. that will be an amazing memory to have when she's older.
molto bene!
241. Maria said:
We used to play a tape (dating myself, I know) for our son called Doc Watson Sings Songs for Little Pickers. He is now almost 21 and plays banjo, guitar and mandolin. Keep exposing her to all kinds of music, it's a wonderful thing!
242. Sarah said:
Go Leta! Rock out Armstrongs!
243. Melinda said:
Heather, I love the dancing video - and Jon is hysterical, too, but has anyone mentioned how serene you look in that photo of you holding Marlo at LAX? It's beautiful.
244. Kathy said:
BEST. VIDEO. EVER.
BEST. DANCING. EVER.
One day she may hate you for posting this on the internets, but hopefully she'll realize how ahead-of-her-time she is.
245. Jennifer said:
I heart that video... I needed a good laugh today! :)
246. Coelecanth said:
Go Leta! Never, ever, let anyone (your parents included) tell you what music to love. Oh, and go Jon! I've always thought that keyboard players got the raw end of the dancing deal, but I can see how your moves are perfect for Coldplay.
Thanks for that, it made my day.
247. bre said:
You give me hope!
I became extra frightened to have children because of the horrible kids music that I assumed I would be forced to play. I was hoping my future kids would love Passion Pit just like me, and you've made me realize that I can make it that way if I want to.
Thank God.
248. Motherhood Uncensored said:
I have a recording of my now five year old singing "Fix You" at around 2.5.
"Lights will guiiiiiddde your bones"
Classic.
249. Anonymous said:
My mom played Lets Spend The Night Together by the Stones while doing housework way back in the day. I turned out ok as far as I can tell. Coldplay can't hurt!
250. Annika said:
You've totally confused me because I adore Dinasuar Jr. and hate Coldplay (not even in a they're-not-ironic-enough way, I promise!) But anway, we can call it even :) oh, and Leta is adorable.
251. Kevin said:
Well, she dances AT LEAST as well as Chris Martin!
I like Coldplay well enough, and thoroughly enjoy that song, but come on!
252. Terri said:
At least she's not using a pole!
Our 12 year old plays guitar and a few years ago we started him out on blues and classic rock ONLY - okay, we're old - but at least now when he's playing, which is CONSTANTLY, we love the music.
Sometimes I even think Zeppelin has entered the building! He loves Eric Clapton and I don't see anything wrong with that...well, except for the cocaine part.
BTW our kids learned, at about Leta's age, how to make their own music videos. They are priceless and good for hours of entertainment.
I have a vision of you both being in your 70's, 80's and hopefully up and Leta having her own blog posting video's of you trying to get up out of your chairs, tripping over the dogs, dribbling food, your teeth in a glass, snoring in bed etc. I assume she'll have carte blanche right?
253. Christine Barris said:
Oh she is so cute, and man, do I see some bad white dancing in her teenage future.
254. felix said:
leta's got great moves. and, while this isn't really the place for this, your haircut looks awesome.
255. Sarah said:
I think my favorite part of the video is when you start singing out of nowhere in the background. Leta is adorable and she must get her lack of rhythm honestly. This is a video to play at her grad night for all of her graduating class. PERFECT!
256. Colleen said:
We have dance parties like that here at our house, with my 4 & 6 year old. The 4 year old's favorite song is Buffalo soldier, and the six year old has recently switched from Back in Black by ACDC to Paralyzer by Finger Eleven. Not your typical kids music here, just an eclectic mix that is on our ipod!
257. Elizabeth said:
Have you seen the video of PS22 in Staten Island singing this song? It's great! You may have to move to NY so Leta can have this guy as her music teacher!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_tcE4rWovI
258. the niffer said:
That was fantastic.
259. Sarah said:
I get how you feel about Dora. But Diego's music is much better, if you have to watch that sort of thing. (Just coming off a marathon babysitting session with my niece and nephew. Maybe I'm not qualified? Maybe I am? Eh. Whatever.)
My comments are generally lame, but your writing never disappoints.
All the best to you x4!
260. Lesley said:
Leta's dancing reminded me of ELAINE!
261. Maureen said:
I love that kid! I also love Coldplay and Jon is pretty cute too!
262. Shelly said:
That was beautiful!! You really want to make me be a mom sometimes, Heather!
263. Linda Fleming said:
That girl rocks! I want to be Leta when I grow up. Loved the video- thanks for sharing.
264. Kate said:
Very cute...
One question, though, is Jon rocking some sort of man capris? Because the clogs weren't bad enough? :p Whatever, he looks good in them I guess ;)
265. Marnie said:
Dora + Boots + backpacks = Satan. Leta + Coldplay = the cutest freaking video clip I have EVER seen! You have an awesome family!
266. Meegan said:
I love it! We have a similar outlook on children's music. My 3 year old daughter's favorite song is "Oh, Boy" by Buddy Holly. She's a big Wilco fan, and, er, she kinda likes Beyonce but FOR SURE I have no idea why.
267. Shaun Paddock said:
Thank you! I needed a good laugh to make me cough a little more with my bronchitis. I must say, she is one awesome dancer. Was that you singing? You are not bad yourself! Be careful with what music you let her listen to; my kids only listened to Bob Dylan, Bob Marley, The Beatles, and so on. Now I have three hippies for children one of which is going to try out for American Idol next year.
Love it!
268. Lindsay said:
Adorable. And get that girl some piano lessons! Her love of music and "air piano" makes me suggest it. And I was about her age when I started. LOVED. IT. :)
269. Amy said:
Love it! My 4 year old was rockin' out to Boom Boom Pow by the Black Eyed Peas this morning. So cute. My 8 year old LOVES the "banana song" as she calls it by Gwen Stefani
270. Megs said:
Okay, so here's where I totally cheeze out...I think you're kids are getting the best childhood ever. They have two parents who are there in their lives. And they get to listen to great music.
To top it off, even if I don't always believe the same as yourselves, I've no doubt your girls will know how to express themselves honestly and to face the unknown with strength.
Who knows if you'll even read this, or if it even makes a spit worth of difference what I think. :)
271. KatieS said:
My two older kids (now 5 1/2 and 2 1/2) have rocked out to Viva La Vida from the start. In fact, the middle one proclaims, "It's my favorite song!" upon hearing the first bar of music. He and his sister will then violently bop their heads and slap their hands on the arms of their carseats in time to the music while singing totally the wrong lyrics (5 1/2) or the "Ohh Ohh OHH Ohh Ohhh!" part (2 1/2). We learned long ago to automatically ratchet up the volume lest they loudly screech for it. And as for ABBA, the 2 1/2 year old last Christmas forever abandoned his lullaby album for my Greatest Hits CD, demanding Mamma Mia music for nap and bedtime. Yeah, he really is the Dancing Queen.
272. Kathleen @ ForgingAhead said:
I love Coldplay - and they are, in fact, some of the best music to run to...at least at my pace :-)
Leta is brilliant. I need to get me some of her moves.
Funny how Chuck just paces back and forth with resignation.
273. Elissa said:
Oh my god, you gave birth to a rockstar!!! :D
Seriously, this video made me want to be a mom. Having a little girl as expressive and energetic and adorable as Leta would be amazing (as I'm sure you're already aware).
I'm totally subjecting my kids (whenever I have them) to "regular music." Decemberists, Death Cab for Cutie, Counting Crows and John Mayer!
274. Elissa said:
Oh my god, you gave birth to a rockstar!!! :D
Seriously, this video made me want to be a mom. Having a little girl as expressive and energetic and adorable as Leta would be amazing (as I'm sure you're already aware).
I'm totally subjecting my kids (whenever I have them) to "regular music." Decemberists, Death Cab for Cutie, Counting Crows and John Mayer!
275. Denise said:
Loved Leta free spirit dancing!
Neko Case - I love her too. Fox confessor brings the flood, my favorite! Everytime it rains I can't get her rendition of Bob Dylan's Buckets of rain out of my head. Sang it in the car on the way home from a drenched Chiefs game last saturday. My friends just did not understand.
276. Leon said:
"And Chuck slowly paces by waiting until someone plays The Cure or Bauhaus so he can get his emo-pout on".
I don't feel that I am exaggerating when I say this is quite possibly one of the best personal video moments of all time. Right up there with any schmuck who gets tagged in the crotch by a ball/bat/club/angry toddler.
God bless the times and the ages when you can just do your thing and not care who's watching. Or, in this case, filming.
277. emily said:
OMG that was amazing. Oh to be so uninhibited! LOVED the father/daughter adorableness too.
By the way, I just got an awesome sorta-kids CD, Ziggy Marley's "Family Time". Highly recommended!
278. Anonymous said:
She's got the hamilton noodley arms! But Chuck really has the smooth mooves, eh
279. Erin said:
Long way away, I know, but this should TOTALLY be the father/daughter dance at Leta's wedding! Save the video! So sweet.
280. Kelly said:
Totally and completely how I would imagine you to dance. No kidding, total compliment. Honestly.
281. Jenna Jean said:
Neko Case's release for this year was amazing. This Tornado Loves You is one of my favorite songs of 2009. I even bought the record. I highly recommend it to anyone looking at this comment.
282. Amanda said:
I love kids songs! Having kids to me is an excuse to play 110 Silly Songs in my car. But then again, when I grew up my mom didn't let me listen to ANY music, so I'm severely musically challenged. :)
283. Jenna Jean said:
Are those Jon's legs in the yellow shirt? Does he shave them? They look so smooth.
284. Rina said:
That is great! We love that song in our household and my 7 year listens to rock, oldies, hip hop (clean version of course), etc. She loves all the different types of music. I think it makes her well-rounded and keeps us sane.
285. bberburb said:
I am ok with Coldplay but while watching this at work earlier I had the sound off....and honestly it was like watching a preschool play of Twin Peaks.
286. Christie said:
It's nice to know I'm not the only mom who sings along while recording her child's antics. Also, that was a very respectful ending to the dance. Nicely done.
287. Tabitha said:
LOVE IT! And I love your kids. I'll totally babysit for free if you are ever in Dallas.
288. Lavender Lori said:
Don't tell my husband, but I love this song. I think any songwriter who can work in Jerusalem bells and sword & shield is awesome.
I love how kids move, unabashedly move. From the inside out.
289. shelli said:
OK, Heather, you know I love you, right? Right. OK, um, your kid is SO white, it's funny. Malka could kick her ass in a dance off! For reals.
So next time you're in NYC? (because, you know, we have no immediate plans to come to Utah), ring me up, and we'll have our kids bust a move.
290. michelle said:
You have the next to raddest 5 yr old daughter ever. She should totally be bff's with my friend's daughter Zaida(the raddest 5 yr old girl I know.)
291. Macy's Mom said:
Oh. My. God. I'm in love. I'm one of the creepy stalker people who just reads your blog religiously and never commends, but this is quite possibly the greatest thing I've ever seen in my life. My daughter is 20 months old but I totally see her in your recollections of Leta and I hope she turns out just as adorable!
Macy's mom
292. Mandy said:
I can't believe I'm going to admit this in a public forum, but aside from its obvious cuteness the first thing I noticed about this post is that I've apparently had the lyrics wrong this whole time. I definitely thought it was "Roman Catholic choirs are singing" - oooops. Thanks for setting me straight, Dooce.
293. lesismore said:
at least you're singing the right words. my poor son is going to have to deal with me butchering every song for the rest of his life since i turn the lyrics from good songs into lyrics about folding laundry and unloading the dishwasher.
example: the chorus to duran duran's "rio" as sung while video taping my son learn how to crawl (totally freestyle of course):
"his name is nolan and he crawls upon the floor,
just like the babies that were all born before..."
he is only nine months old and has already perfected the "i am so embarassed by you" eye roll.
294. Melissa said:
without reading a single other comment...OH MY HEAVENS...that is hands down the coolest thing ever.
she has the music in her...and she has got some moves...LOL...i kept thinking, she is playing a keyboard...and then i see she got that from dancing with her dad...LOL
watching this child grow from birth, it brings tears to my eyes and joy to my heart to see her growing up...and how weird is it i love her as if she is my own niece. that girl has more people that love her than probably anyone on earth!
rock on Leta!
295. Anonymous said:
I loved it!!!!! My daughter (and son) used to dance to Cindy Lauper (Girls Just Want To Have Fun) back in the 80's, in the same way. It teaches such body awareness and and a belief in one's own power and right thinking. Good work!
296. Anonymous said:
in ten years from now when Leta is totally embarrassed that she ever danced in front of the camera in her PJs - tell her she is freaking cute and we all love watching her grow up! And watching Chuck with his pacing in the background
297. MotherProof said:
I think she has great taste. And great moves to go with it!
298. AboutWee said:
My husband & I are soooo hearing you. We have banned all kiddy music in our house, & car, because we don't want to get locked in to having to listen to it ALL THE TIME!
I have been tutt-tutted for having The Script, Coldplay, Stevie Wonder, Lionel Ritchie, Air Supply & Evermore (etc etc etc etc) on whilst Flappy sleeps. Apparently, listening to nursery rhymes etc is meant to be very important for their development. I dare anyone to tell me that the reason my child can't do long division one day was because we banned The Wiggles!
Sending you a high five all the way from Australia. So glad we are not the only parents giving our child Kelly Clarkson instead of repetitive-doing-my-head-in tunes.
AboutWee
299. Salena of The Daily Rant said:
I don't even think I can express how much I love your family. LOVE.
Great video - thanks for the joy!
300. natalie said:
that totally made me want to have kids. it also brightened a very down day. thanks heather, your blog is always a high point of my day.