Video Friday - googly eyes by caspar babypants

Wesley and I were listening to the latest caspar babypants CD, This is Fun! the other day and I realized that I never did feature the video for googly eyes here on Video Friday.  What was I thinking!?  I don't know.  I mean, young or old, who doesn't know what you mean when you say googly eyes?  And how can you not have a smile on your face when you say it?  Googly eyes are all about fun times.  This simple video created entirely by Chris Ballew (with some input by his wife, artist Kate Endle, and Chris' daughter Josie) is fantastic in it's simplicity.  You'll want to watch it again and again and you'll enjoy having the song stuck in your head all day.  I'll bet it keeps a silly grin on your face and a bit of lightness in your heart all day too.

From his website, this is what Chris had to say about the song googly eyes, "We love googly eyes around our house.  I will often come into the kitchen to find a sweet potato with eyes staring at me that my kids or Kate has set up.  One of them ended up being named Larry the Lemon.  He might get his own song someday.  For now this is a love song for the googly eyes and their amazing power to make things come alive."



Happy Friday everyone!  I hope you love this video as much as my family does.  Just be careful who you make googly eyes to today!

Video Friday - $9.99 by caspar babypants

Well, I'm back. I'm not sure if you missed me or not, but here I am again. It's been so long that I have not kept up well with all the new kids music videos out there. So "bear" with me here. Oh, that was an awful joke because here I am to tell you about an oldie but goodie video by the very fine Mr. Chris Ballew. Or chris ballew as he would write. No, he'd probably say caspar babypants. Anyhoo, this is my family's all time most favoritest song by caspar. It's the story of a little bear who is loved most dearly until the day that he becomes an old bear. Then he goes on a journey of sorts until one day he ends up with a new little kid to love. It's the age old story of toys. At least that's what Toy Story has taught me.

I don't know why my family loves this song so much, but I can tell you we are definitely not the only ones.  If there is such a thing for Kindie music, this song appears to have earned a cult following.  According to the YouTube comments, this video and/or song appears to be played quite often at your local Chuck E. Cheese.  Apparently every patron of Chuck E. Cheese loves this song.  I wouldn't know since I refuse to step one tiny toe in there.  However, I do know that when caspar came to Olympia and played at the local independent toy store Wind Up Here, there were tons of kids and parents there.  And when he played this song, there was not a single parent who did not sing along.  Truly.  You can't say that about every kids song.  I can't say that about every kids song.  There are lots that I love, but I don't know all the words.  I am proud to say that I know every single word to the song, $9.99.  

So, watch this video that caspar created along with daughter Josie and then tell me why I love it so.  Because I just can't figure it out.  My 7-year-old tells me every time we listen to it that he likes this song, but good luck getting a 7-year-old to explain why he loves or hates anything.  "I just do".  That's the answer.  I suppose you don't really need at reason.  If you love it, well then, that's enough.  I love it.  So there.


Happy Friday, everyone.  Take some time today to appreciate something simply because you love it.  You don't need a better reason than that.

By the way, caspar was at Wind Up Here in late October to promote the release of his third album, This is Fun!  If you didn't know, or haven't got it yet, go out and get it! It's every bit as awesome as the first two!

Video Friday - Video Two-fer

I have so many videos that I want to share with everyone that sometimes it's hard to choose just one.  Sometimes even though I love a video and want to share it, it might be an older one and I opt to show a newly released video instead.

This week though, I'm saying the heck with all the new releases and let's enjoy some older videos just because I like 'em and they are appropriate for this time of year.

First up is Recess Monkey's Sack Lunch from their 2009 album, Field Trip.  I know I talk Recess Monkey all the time, but hey, it's cuz they're good and I like them and they make good videos.  (And I'm secretly hoping that they'll get wind of my blog and send me free stuff for promoting them.  HaHa!  Just kidding. Not really!)  Here's what I love about this song and video:

1. Drew dressed as a giant paper bag parading around the Mall in D.C. and posing for pictures with tourists.
2. The chorus, sack lu-unch! sack lu-unch! sack lu-unch! sack la la la la la la la lunch!!!
   
3. The line, I'm kinda squished, is somebody leaking in here?
   
4. The fact that no matter how many times I hear this song I still think Drew is saying, They get drunk drivers to honk along.  Yeah, I know he says truck, but my brain refuses to hear this.
   
5. The choir harmonizing at the end of the song is just so awesome.
   

Who knew you could make such a sweet song about such an everyday item?  Wednesday night when I was making Lucas's sack lunch for his first ever kindergarten field trip, this is the song that played in my head.



Next up is Caspar Babypants' Monkey River off his debut album, Here I Am!  Again, I know that I talk about Caspar Babypants a lot, but that's because he's good.  His songs are good, the videos are good, and I secretly wish he'd come back again and leave a nice comment like he did the first time I wrote about him.  (Just kidding.  Not really!)

This video stares his daughter Josie in a monkey mask running through Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle.  It's very Planet of the Apes but in a funny and cute way.  I just love watching her skipping through the park without a care in the world, rubbing her little chin as she gazes at all the animals and the flabbergasted humans, and nearly running into trees as she tries to see through the off-set eye holes in the mask.  She really did a fantastic job as "wee monkey girl".  It makes me smile every time I watch it.



Lucas's class went to the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium in Tacoma, not Woodland Park, but I still thought about this video the entire time we were there, wishing that wee monkey girl would pop-up at any moment.

It was a really fun day and judging by the fact that there were at least four other schools there that day, I'd say that this is prime field trip time.

Happy Friday everyone!  I hope you enjoyed this special video two-fer post.  If you're headed out on a field trip today or even next week, I wish you clear skies, tons of fun, and maybe even a quick glimpse of wee monkey girl.

Don't forget that you can see both Recess Monkey and Caspar Babypants at the upcoming Share the Music Concert.

  

Kindiependent and the Share the Music Concert

Look out because Seattle is spreading the word about it's kindie bands!  On Sunday, June 13 you can catch four of the big names in Seattle kids music as they host the "Share the Music Concert".  Recess Monkey along with Caspar Babypants, The Not-It's!, Johnny Bregar, and Central Services Presents:  The Board of Education have all banded together to create Kindiependent.  From the website, "Kindiependent is a collective of like-minded people who are passionate about cultivating a vibrant kids and family music scene in the Pacific Northwest.  Through creative collaborations and community events, our mission is to develop a network of family-friendly artists and organizations that supports cultural innovation."

The "Share the Music Concert" is what looks to be the first of many collaborative events to come.  It's also the release show for Recess Monkey's latest CD, The Final Funktier!  Awesome!  I just can't tell you how exciting this is for me!  I love the fact that my family has easy access to so many great kindie bands and that they are actually collaborating and working together to share all their great music with Pacific Northwest families.  The festival is going to be four back-to-back sets with four out of the five bands:  Recess Monkey, Caspar Babypants, The Not-It's!, and Johnny Bregar.  The concert is FREE!  For more information, check out the new Kindiependent website.  You can also get more information about other upcoming group events and you'll also find links for each of the five bands.

I'm hoping that once the word gets out, even more kids music bands located in the Pacific Northwest will join ranks with these guys.  I can see Harmonica Pocket and Captain Bogg and Salty jumping on the bandwagon.  Maybe this means that there will be a giant kindie music fest coming our way in the very near future?  We can only hope.  And of course, support these guys like crazy!!!  See you there!

Update:  Check it out!  Harmonica Pocket has joined Kindiependent too!  Told you they would!

Video Friday - Ramshackle by Caspar Babypants

According to Caspar, he doesn't know what a "ramshackle" is, but believes that this video is it.  This is a fun little video, although I think it might creep some people out.  I can tell you that I'm not too fond of the crooked teeth on the guy, but that's because of my weird aversion to teeth.  Still, the song is fun, the video is nicely done, and it's definitely a fun way to start off your Friday.  I love how the stop-motion parts complement the video.

The video is another fan made one by the talented Greg DeLiso.  He's the guy behind the poor dust bunnies video that I featured in my original post about Caspar Babypants.  Wow, that's three links in one sentence.  Looks like I'm a little link happy this morning.  Something tells me that this video has put me in a very weird mood this morning.

Hope you have a great Friday everyone!  Even if it is a little weird.

Caspar Babypants - Live at the Capitol!

I figured that since I actually saw Caspar Babypants live with my kids, he deserved a little more space to talk about.  Also, since my husband is a fan of The Presidents of the United States of America and has been playing songs by them for our son since he was a wee one, a more in depth post was needed.

So what does the Presidents of the United States of America and Caspar Babypants have in common?  Well, as all the numerous articles and interviews like to point out, Chris Ballew is Caspar Babypants.  Yeah, really, that's exactly how he is introduced every single time.  Chris Ballew, lead singer of the Presidents of the United States (the group behind Lump) is in fact, Caspar Babypants.  Kind of weird isn't it?  Even the title of his website says, caspar babypants is chris ballew.  Like he's trying to say, "No, really, it is me!"  Okay, we get it.  That's quite an alter ego if you ask me and there's no way he's going to keep this a secret anymore.  And what's with all the references to Lump?  Was that the only song that they sang?  What about Peaches?  Okay, yes I did see Peaches mentioned too.

But, I digress.  We're here to talk about Caspar Babypants and the show his band put on in the rotunda at the Capitol sponsored by Mom's Rising.  I get a weekly email update from Seattle magazine Parent Map, that lets me know all the happenings going on in Seattle and the South Sound region.  So, lo and behold one day I read that Caspar Babypants will be putting on a free show at the Capitol Rotunda, and I say, "I am so there".  I tell me husband about it and he feels that it's necessary to take the afternoon off too.

I was curious just how they were going to set up a band to play in the rotunda since the area directly under the dome is four sets of stairs leading up to, and down to, a square which contains the roped off seal of Washington state.  I imagined a series of toddlers tumbling head-over-heals down the marble stairs chased by frantic mommies.  Instead the band was set-up in a hallway off-center from the dome and nobody tumbled.  However, the venue was still odd since the group sat directly in front of a rather gigantic, shiny-nosed bust of George Washington (I believe his nose has been rubbed more than once for luck).  The hallway was large, but was packed with kids, parents, and various legislators who stopped by to see what all the fuss was about.  Needless to say it was a hot and smelly affair, but nobody seemed to mind.

I read about Caspar Babypants when he debuted his album Here I Am.  My family was immediately intrigued knowing what Chris Ballew's background was. (Did you know that caspar babypants is chris ballew!?)  Anyway, we immediately went online and tried to find some of the songs to listen to.  However, because we had preconceived notions of what his music for PUSA sounded like, we were caught off guard, and ultimately, disappointed.  I think what we all hoped to hear was something like dune buggy.

Still, when I saw that he would be in town I knew it was a good musical opportunity for my family (I don't deny that I was also happy that the show was free).  I don't claim to have enjoyed the cramped, hot, sweaty, stinky, smelly quarters, but, the MUSIC, the music was FUN!  Honestly, I was surprised how much I actually enjoyed myself.  And though neither of my children is a card carrying member of the "Fisher-Price, My First Mosh-Pit" group (I stole that from Captain Bogg), they also had fun!

I know everyone knows this, but seeing someone perform music in person is such a distinctly different experience than listening to music on a CD, or even watching a video on YouTube.  Especially in such an intimate setting (it doesn't get more intimate than singing and sweating in a hallway with a ton of little people and the smell of a very ripe diaper).  The group started out with the song Baby Bear and I was instantly hooked.  Even my very squirmy baby boy took a moment to listen intently.  I apologize that I don't remember the whole play list.  While I tried to remain focused on the music, I still had to watch a 6-year-old and previously mentioned squirmy, wormy almost-two-year-old.  So, here's what else my husband and I also seem to remember hearing:  Little Broken Truck (a real crowd pleaser), Mary Had a Little Lamb, I'm a Nut (also enjoyed by the crowd), Run Baby Run (lots of out-of-control toddlers), and Under a Rock.  Sorry it's such a sketchy list.  Songs were included from his new album More Please!

At one point I had to skip out to the car, just before the concert was almost over, so I missed the song in which Caspar (who is Chris Ballew) paraded through the crowd playing a melodica.  My husband took pictures though and when I saw them, I asked him, "was that a real musical instrument?"  Yes, yes it is.  In fact there are numerous pictures of him on the internet playing this thing that looks more like a Fisher-Price toy from the 70's than a real musical instrument.  You see why you have to really go see someone play live in order to get the full experience?  Okay, I'll stop harping on that now.

So, to sum up, my family has a new appreciation for Caspar Babypants.  I'm happy to say that the numerous videos on the internet meant that we could see and hear the music from a new perspective too.  Included here are some of our favorites.  Also, if you want to hear more music, visit the Caspar Babypants website, which has a player at the bottom of the page so that you can listen to songs in full.

First up is itsy bitsy spider.  Everyone likes this video because the added lyrics bring a whole new level to the song.  But, more importantly is just how awesome the video is in all it's simplicity.  Everyone knows the hand-movements associated with this simple song, but to make your hands look like real characters is just so cool.  I can't do the video justice with my words, you just have to watch it.



Next up is poor dust bunnies, a fan video that really compliments the music.  You know you're cool when talented people want to make videos of your songs.



Finally, is Mama's favorite.  I tend to be a very sensitive person who will cry even at commercials so this video hits me right where it counts.  I'm always a blubbering mess after watching this one.



For more really cool Caspar Babypants videos visit the caspar babypants tv YouTube channel.  Or, visit my new Mrs. Mama's Monsters YouTube channel for Caspar Babypants and other fun kids music videos.

The World of Kids Music Part 3

So, the Seattle kids music scene.  I said I'd talk about it, so here goes.

Oh yeah.  Remember I said back in part 1 that I am not a hip and cool mom, so what I know about the Seattle kids music scene is not a lot.  But, I still want to talk about it, because, well, I think it's really cool that there is a Seattle kids music scene.  How many cities can say that?  Okay, okay so it's getting to be more common place.  Still, if you're going to start a kids music scene in a city, Seattle is definitely the place to start, right?  You can't deny that some pretty great music has come out of Seattle, no matter what your taste happens to be.  What is also really cool is how much Seattle has embraced this much needed change in music. 

As I said in part 1 I am also not the kind of Mom to just pack-up the car and drive two hours north just to attend a one hour preschool concert.  So, forgive me that I haven't actually done that.  However, I have listened to all of the groups I'm going to talk about and I have read several magazine articles and blog posts about said groups.  Stick with me here.

Just so you know, I get most of my insider information from Stefan at Zooglobble (I want to call him "Steve", but he's Stefan).  I've looked at a lot of blogs that involve kids music, but his is the best in my opinion.  A bonus is that he posts just about daily so you know that your kids music news is as fresh as fresh can be.  If you're truly interested in finding out more about kids music or want to learn more about the bands I will mention in a moment, go check out his site.  You'll be so overwhelmed, but then you'll just keep coming back for more and more.  Trust me.

So, kids music.  In Seattle.  Well, what I can tell you is that everyone around here in the general kids scene is talking about four main groups right now.  They are (in no particular order) Recess Monkey, The Not-It's!, The Board of Education, and of course, Caspar Babypants.  An interesting ensemble of names at the very least.  I have listened to CDs, watched video upon video, and read several online articles (all saying pretty much the same thing) about all four of these groups.  But, I've only seen one of them live.  I know, sad.   Most of these groups only have shows in the Seattle area, and while I would love to go see them, I just can't fathom driving for two hours for a kiddie concert.  Wait, I said that already.  Moving on.  I have seen Caspar Babypants live and I can tell you that it was a fun little show.  That said, I plan to talk more about Caspar Babypants in an upcoming post.

I think it's best that I not tell you how I feel about these bands and instead let you make your own opinion of them.  With all that the internet has to offer these days, it's pretty easy to find really cool, fun videos to share with your kids.  I'll share a few of those videos here with you and you can make the call.

Recess Monkey

This group of three teachers has been together since 2004 and has five albums.  What strikes me immediately about these guys is just how goofy looking they are.  I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one to say that too.   Here's a video by Recess Monkey that my kids and I had fun with.  It's called Marshmallow Farm.  If you've ever told your kids that those big bales of wrapped hay are giant marshmallows, you'll probably find this video pretty funny.

The Not-It's!

Five parents who are all currently in, or have at one time been in, an adult band (that sounds really strange and dirty for some reason).  All the articles I've read mention lead singer Sarah Shannon as having been a former member of the band Velocity Girl. However, if you read the bios on their website, you'll see everyone's been in a band, so why the distinction?  I don't know and it probably doesn't matter.  The Not-It's big thing seems to be the giant pink tutus that they wear at all their concerts.  Fans of the group can pay $27 on their website to get their own (kids sizes only, bummer).  I'd love to see these guys live.  They currently only have videos of their live performances, but I thought that this one was pretty good.  Here's the Not-It's live at Bumbershoot singing When I'm Five.
(The Not-It's! now have an official video on YouTube, see it here.  I still like When I'm Five though.)

Central Services presents the Board of Education

From what I've read about these guys they are aimed more at the tween set.  However, that doesn't mean that you and your preschooler won't like them.  I can't really explain them since I haven't had much opportunity to listen to a lot of their songs, but what I can tell you is that they seem to be a mutant hybrid of School House Rock! and all the educational They Might Be Giants albums.  That's the best I can come up with.  If you want to know more in depth, Steve will tell you.  What I can tell you is that this video is pretty darn funny, despite the prolific dictionary definitions.  My son's favorite part is when the bitter blueberries (yuck, bitter blueberries) say to the tomato, "Oh come on!  We're high in anti-oxidants too!  We're not like, 'ooh look at me, I'm so healthy!'"  You've got to love anthropomorphic fruits and vegetables.  Here is The Lonely Tomato by Central Services presents the Board of Education.

Thus ends part 3 of The World of Kids Music.  Music doesn't end here though.  My plan is to show a music video each Friday that my kids and I have enjoyed.  Yeah!  Now, you have something to look forward to each Friday!  Oh, you already look forward to Fridays?  Well, now it's going to get even better!

P.S. - Don't forget too that I'll be talking about Caspar Babypants and the little show that we saw him at recently.  It involves a giant head, a strange instrument/toy, and great acoustics.  It'll be fun!