We Shall Make Music to Brighten the Day...

...Music will help us to lighten the way...

In an effort to help my boys appreciate music we try a wide variety of things.  One of the newest things we have done is to make some shakers.  When I take Mr. M to story time there is a part with singing and stuff.  There sometimes are shakers.  He loves the shakers.  So I have been on a lookout for some stuff to make our own version of them.  I also wanted them to be safe (read big) enough for my young niece (who is here often) to also enjoy.  They worked so great I thought I would share.

The dollar store has lots of little egg things to fill with candy.  I picked these ones up because they were pretty darn funny.  (and a dollar?  I bought two!)

I had some really old Orzo that I forgot I had (and found while moving) to fill half of the eggs.  I wanted them to have enough to make a noise, but also have enough room to shake well.

I love Krazy Glue.  I just glued around the top edge (the one without the stuff inside) and put the two together.  Don't get on your hands!  :)

Seriously?  The faces kill me! 

Don't let the lack of big boys in the picture fool you...they like them too.  :)  We have had a bunch of fun with them.  We like to shake along to our favorite songs, sing along to the shaking noise and just carry them in our pockets to hear them as we walk!  :)

Cheers

Random Act of Culture

While reading "Uncle Orson" the other day he shared a link that I loved.  Here it is just for you:



Hallelujah Chorus lyrics by Handel's Messiah


Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
The kingdom of this world
Is become the kingdom of our Lord,
And of His Christ, and of His Christ;
And He shall reign for ever and ever,
For ever and ever, forever and ever,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
King of kings, and Lord of lords,
And Lord of lords,
And He shall reign,
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings, forever and ever,
And Lord of lords,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
And He shall reign forever and ever,
King of kings! and Lord of lords!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah!

(Lyrics found here)


And another of the versions I LOVE (and have shared before, but want to again)




Truly one touching song.  I am emotional everytime I listen to it.  It is a testimony to my heart that He lives.

Because I Am a Nerd...

I like to watch kids shows, teen girl shows, and of course little girl shows.  But also because my boys love me, they let me...and sometimes even encourage me. 

A few nights ago we got to watch Camp Rock2.  I really enjoyed the first one (I might even own it...) and really wanted to see the second one.

This cute little song was one of my very favorites on that whole movie.  (plus that little guy is so darn cute!)

Hope you like it.  (and don't judge me for my girly tendencies...)



Here are the words...just because they are pretty funny (or if you really don't have time to watch it)

I'm good at wasting time
I think lyrics need to rhyme
And you're not asking
But I'm trying to grow a mustache
I eat cheese
But only on pizza please
And sometimes on a home made quesadilla
Otherwise it smells like feet to me
And I really like it when the moon looks like a toenail
And I love it when you say my name

If you wanna know, here it goes
I'm gonna tell you there's
A part of me to show
If we're close I'm gonna let you see everything
But remember that you asked for it
I'm trying to do my best to impress
But its easier
To let you take a guess
If the rest is what you wanna hear
The things in my brain, my heart,
Well you asked for it
For you're perusing,
At times confusing, slightly amusing
Introducing me


Do-do
do-do-do-do-do
do-do
do-do-do-do-do
La-da-da-da
La-da-da-da-da-da-da-da Da


I never, trust a dog to watch my food
And I like to use the word 'dude'
As noun or an adverb or an adjective
And I've, I've never really been into cars
I like really cool guitars and superheroes
And checks with lots of zeros on them
I love the sound of violins and making someone smile

If you wanna know, here it goes
I'm gonna tell you there's
A part of me to show
If we're close I'm gonna let you see everything
But remember that you asked for it
I'm trying to do my best to impress
But its easier
To let you take a guess
If the rest is what you wanna hear
The things in my brain, my heart,
Well you asked for it
For your perusing,
At times confusing, possibly amusing
Introducing me


Well you probably know more than you ever wanted to
So be careful when you ask next time
If you wanna know, here it goes
I'm gonna tell you there's
A part of me to show
If we're close I'm gonna let you see everything
But remember that you asked for it
I'm trying to do my best to impress
But its easier
To let you take a guess
If the rest is what you wanna hear
The things in my brain, my heart,
Well you asked for it
For you're perusing,
At times confusing, hopefully amusing
Introducing me


Do-do
Do-do-do-do-do
Do-do
Do-do-do-do-do
Do-do-do-Do


Introducing me
 
Cheers

Owl City

One of my most favorite groups to listen to is Owl City.  Sounds cliche but it is true...I am almost a groupie...

I particularly like the ones that don't make the radio (not that I listen to the radio...but if I did, the ones that take a long time to get there, or don't make it at all) or are not really over played.  That is not to say that when Fireflies or Vanilla Twilight come on I don't crank them too!  :)

Anyway, I have one song I want to share with you.  It is currently my favorite.  It speaks to me.  I feel like I can relate this to my relationship with My Father in Heaven.  I don't know if this is what he meant as he wrote it, but that is how I feel.

Owl City - Meteor Shower

I can finally see,
That you're right there beside me.
I am not my own,
I have been made new.
Please don't let me go,
I desperately need you.

I am not my own,
I have been made new.
Please don't let me go,
I desperately need you.

I can go to his web site and listen for free as well.  (click here)  I own most of his music, have even purchased it! 

Anyway, just thought that I would pass that on to you.

Cheers

Ahmir

While searching out the boys favorite song on video (after the one I had bookmarked disappeared) we found this new group...


I love their sound and thought that I would share 3 of their remixed songs for you.

Favorite Christmas Songs

So one of our Christmas traditions is to listen to Christmas music. I am sure that you have the same tradition. I want to do something a bit different though and list my top 10 favorite Christmas songs. Now, I have so many it was tricky to decide which ones would make my top 10...so here are a few of my favorite ones. (I have links to the ones I could find for you to watch...sorry most of them are on YouTube...not my favorite source, but o well)

10-Pachebel’s Christmas cannon in D (trans Siberian orchestra) - I really enjoy this group and love to listen to them.
9 -Hallelujah (Il Divo) - I posted about how much I love these guys. They are so amazing!
8 - Where are you Christmas (faith hill) - Was not one of my favorite versions of the movie, but this song is amazing!
7 - The angels Cried (Allison krauss & Alan jackson) - not a big country fan, but it seems that country singers seem to produce some pretty reverent Christmas music with wonderful messages!
6 - What Child is this? (sheDaisy) - love this one.
5 - O holy Night (98 Degrees) - these men have amazing voices. I love it. I am so amazed at their treatment of one of my favorite hymns.
4 - Angels among us (Alabama) - this may not really be classified as a Christmas song, but I still love to listen to it at Christmas so here it is as one of my top 10.
3 - Silent Night (Kenny G) - love almost everything of his, have tried other sax players, but really love Kenny G.
2 - Breath of Heaven (Amy grant) - seen with the Nativity movie that the Church put out, this may be #1 if it has to be a mp3, but if not, then it is #2. This one is 5 min long and goes with that movie so superbly. The missionaries used to show it when I was in college, I fell in love with it then.



1 - Away in a manger (Primary song) - I know this is not an mp3, but this is my all time favorite version of this song. I am amazed when the primary children sing it. This is the ultimate song for me at church. I wish that we could sing it in Relief Society! :)

So, here is my question, what are your top 10?

So, I am in Love with Il Divo...

A few of my favorite songs

This post was going to have links to all of these...but alas, it does not...so if you have limewire, or YouTube...I am sure that you can find them.

So, what are your favorite songs? I have been thinking of this as I have not listened to the radio in so long (maybe 3 years?) that I wondered if I should. So I turned it on and was so assaulted (we have very little choice here in the Hat) that I turned it off quickly thereafter.

Well, I sat down and made a list. Here is a part of it...in no ways all inclusive or in any order, but if you would like to share some of yours, please do...I don't listen to the radio so I am behind! :)

My favorites include:

Angles Among Us - Alabama
You Say It Best - Allison Krauss
All I Ask of You - Andrew Lloyd Webber
Totally Miss You - Bad Boys Blue

Breath of Heaven - Amy Grant (listened to with the Nativity movie)
Fix You - Coldplay
A More Excellent Way - EFY 2005
Love Song - Enya

Best Days - Graham Colton
Someones Watching Over Me - Hillary Duff (seriously watch Raise your Voice...you WILL cry!)
Amazing Grace - Il Divo (makes me cry)
Far Away - Ingrid Michaelson

Joseph Smith's First Prayer - InsideOut
I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
Lift me Up - Jerico Road
Sold - John Michael Montgomery

Sky - Joshua Radin/Ingrid Michaelson
Knock Knock - Lenka
Mr Mom - Lonestar
Apologize - One Republic

O Dear...this is getting lengthy...I only have a few more:

Fall For You - Secondhand Serenade
You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift
Dr. Worm - They Might Be Giants
We Believe - Kenneth Cope

There is a few for you to download, I am not even touching kids music...I love so much of it! :)

Hope that you share with me as well, remember I don't listen to the radio so I need your imput! Take care and stay healthy
Cheers

Two Videos

Two VERY different vids...but still love both of the songs! :) Enjoy