peskypippi.comBecause I have a lot to say…

Got road trips?

Here’s a nifty little idea for you non-crafter parents that you can create in, oh, about 8 minutes. You may call it a jar of rice with toys in it. I call it Pippi’s Traveling Treasure Trove that you shake and take with you in the car to entertain the kids.

What prompted this was:

1. My kids have an overload of miniature toys they don’t play with because the toys are hiding at the bottom of toy bins
2. My kids need something to do in our long (10 minute) car trips.
3. Reuse and recycle, baby!

Here’s all you need:

1. A big plastic container with a lid. Ours was a tub with peanut butter-filled pretzels.
2. A crapload of miniature toys.
3. A 5 lb. bag of rice.
4. Mix together.
5. Screw lid on tightly.
6. Presto! Now you can bring Pippi’s Traveling Treasure Trove virtually anywhere! And your kids can shake it and search for all the hidden treasures. What’s old is new again. And maybe you’ll have some quiet while driving.

And just think. When you’re done with this clever toy, you’ll have rice for dinner.

Want to know what’s playin’ in Pippi’s ride? You don’t? Well, I’m gonna tell you anyway. And, oh by the way, what are you listening to?

Remember the mixtape? You don’t? I do. I played those suckers until the tape would start to unravel. And then when it started to unravel, I’d pull it all the way out and let it curl on the floor. Just for fun.

The other day, I was the lucky recipient of a personalized audio mix CD with all my favorite songs—carefully selected by my husband–just because. And that sucker is packed. And eclectic. Just like me. He knows this.

A mix CD? Way better than a bouquet of flowers.

And now I can rock out in my car when I’m not listening to Free to Be You and Me (see related post).

Check out what I’m listening to:

• Adele
• The Rolling Stones
• Alison Krauss
• UB40
• Black Eyed Peas
• Madeline Peyroux
• M.I.A.
• Red Hot Chili Peppers
• Michael Franti
• Cake
• Pitbull
• Beastie Boys
• Jack Johnson
• AC/DC
• Soundgarden
• Lily Allen
• Jem
• Norah Jones
• MC Hammer
• Lenka
• Ke$ha
• Wayne Wonder
• Neko Case
• Jimmy Buffet
• Radiohead
• Ludacris

I would rather have a mix CD, with songs I love, than an ol’ bouquet of flowers…any day.

Because I can buy myself flowers.

Sometimes we mothers just need a good cry. An overwhelmed-I’m-losing-it-and-feeling-down-and-discouraged-and-maybe-even-having-a-little-pity-party cry.

This usually happens to me in the car. Boo hooing loudly. With tears streaming down my face. And when I look in the mirror, my mascara is running down my cheeks. And my eyes are all bloodshot. And my lips are quivering.

This reminds me of the lyrics from the song, “It’s Alright to Cry” from the CD Free to Be You and Me (see related post about that kick-ass CD).

It’s all right to cry
Crying gets the sad out of you
It’s all right to cry
It might make you feel better

But after a few minutes, you’ve gotten it all out. And you can wipe away the tears and the mascara. And take a deep breath. And you can get on with your day.

Don’t shun the Internet with your children. There is a lot of good and fun out there. Partake with them.

You might be surprised at how many funny things you will seek out. And, yeah, I am a fan of slightly inappropriate material–as long as it’s funny. (See related post on how families should let loose.) If it will spur giggles and conversations with my children, then I am there.

Raising children is pretty funny, isn’t it?

And often, these little moments can turn into fun memories. As in, “Remember that funny video we watched where the Granny is shaking her boobs?” Ah, yes, I know that one! And here it is:

You just might find yourself singing along…with your kids…in the car…at the top of your lungs. Go Granny go!

If I am driving in traffic. Or shuttling my kids. And they are already bickering in the back seat. The last thing I want is to hear Barney singing.

I know that Barney delivers a positive message. He is kind and loving and teaches kids to share. But I am actually a Barney hater.

But here are four children’s CDs I love to play in the car with the kids. Over and over.

• Free to Be You and Me is a classic. I loved it as a child, growing up in feminism-power times, and still love it. My kids and I love to sing this song in particular, at the top of our lungs: “Parents Are People.” The messages are still powerful: be yourself, gender equality, and breaking through stereotypes. Although some of the lyrics are a little dated about job equality because today, women are Secretary of State and men work at the MAC make-up counter. Talk about role reversal.

• Really Rosie is another classic from my childhood. Even though it was a vinyl record then. (Nostalgia, right?) The song we love love love to sing loudly is “Alligators All Around.” It’s snappy and it teaches the alphabet. I still clearly remember that  “H” is for “Having Headaches.” Maybe from listening to this song so many times. Play it. Over and over. And trust me, your young children will learn their letters and get an intro to phonics.

• Picnic Playground is by Putumayo and has upbeat songs in different languages. It exposes children to global traditions. And maybe your kids will pick up a few new words in other languages. I like the “Arroz con Pollo” song. Who doesn’t like chicken and rice for dinner? And the South African song “Beautiful Day” is simply beautiful and happy.

• Animal Playground, another CD in the global children’s collection by Putumayo. Every song is a winner. From “The Littlest Birds” to “Don’t Ever Step on a Snake.” And my favorite one that always gets a little tear from me is “Eagles.” About how Mothers need to let their children fly (roots and wings).

But until my children are ready to leave the nest, we will sing these songs at the top of our lungs as we fly down the freeway, late for something.