Raising JamMasters

I always grew up thinking that when I finally got around to having my own kids, they'd be brought up with music being an important part of their life.  Should be a no-brainer, honestly - me and my brothers were brought up around music, and all of us grew up learning how to play multiple instruments.  I've always wanted the same for my kids.

Of course, when you're in your twenties, saying things like 'I'm gonna get my kids into punk rock when they're toddlers' is 100% understandable.  When you're in your twenties, you're an idiot.  There's no way a little kid's going to prefer abstract music genres like punk over dumbed-down pop music.  Pop music is designed to appeal to and ensnare the masses; it's truly the Michael Bay of music genres, so of course it's going to attract young listeners who haven't developed sound musical tastes.

This is even more true when it comes to little girls, believe me.  Try as I may, my daughters prefer Alvin and the Chipmunks' covers of current pop songs to the Ramones or the Stones.

 It's like being stabbed in the heart with a flint knife every single day.

Still, there's a glimmer of hope that I've been clinging to over the course of the last year or so.  Alayna listens to '80s girl rock once and awhile - I made her a playlist on her iPod Touch featuring a 'greatest hits' compilation from girl groups like Cyndi Lauper, the Bangles, the Go-Gos, Heart, Pat Benatar, Joan Jett, etc.  It's definitely a step up from the bullshit female 'musicians' are pumping out these days.

In addition, Alayna's really picking up the violin lately.  Because she's going to Daisies again (think miniature Girl Scouts) every other Tuesday, we changed violin lessons from the usual every Tuesday thing to an every other Tuesday thing in order to make room for her "den meetings" (or whatever the female equivalent of that is called.)  Music lessons every two weeks seems to be a lot easier on her, and she's progressing a lot faster.  This is awesome, because now when she practices the violin it doesn't sound so much like a cat being skinned in our house, and I'm very appreciative of this.

Roommate jam session (note: no one in this picture is actually playing their instrument correctly.)

Abby, in the meantime, has started expressing interest in learning an instrument as well.  We tried piano once or twice, but, like her older sister before her, she was attentive for a minute or two before losing her attention span completely.  The keyboard's many different song tracks and instrument settings aren't the best features to engage a four-year-old.  I need to buy a real piano.

Ukin'

C (sort of)

The ukulele, however, seems to be much more her style.  Alayna can play C, F, G, A and D chords now, and is working on alternating between them.  Abby just learned C the other day (the easiest major chord you can play), and was pretty stoked about it.  I'm hoping she keeps up this enthusiasm for music, like her sister has.  Then maybe I can buy a drum set and we can start a family band, like the Partridge Family.

Rock and roll.

- Brian 

April Showers Bring May Flowers... But Mostly Weeds

Seriously.  My yard looks like a hobo's butthole.

I could easily devote a whole post complaining about my yard, as it always looks like total crap this time of year, but I figure that'd be pretty boring for you guys.

Somewhat less boring, is looking at pictures.  So here you go:

The go-to backyard activity around here.

Some lady Kris knows had these free Antique Portrait sessions at her church (or they were only $10, or something. . . I don't know), so after a full day of swimming and hanging out in the backyard we threw the kids in the van and headed over to this random church.

. . . and as you can see, we didn't even bother changing the girls out of their swimsuits.  Screw it.

There was a line of people waiting for their session with the photographer, but fortunately they had a playroom full of creepy, vintage children's toys to keep the girls occupied.

As it turns out, this whole portrait thing was kinda lame.  The dresses were all of the same material/style, and the accessories were minimal.  They wouldn't let you take pictures inside the 'studio,' but I'll be sure to post the final result once we get the picture back (we'll see how it turns out.)

Patiently awaiting their photo shoot. . .

These are some pretty bizarre murals for a church.

I've failed as a teacher.

Yes, our dog now plays for the Detroit Lions.  He's not going to make them any worse, that's for sure. 

The Cannonball has taken to reading sheet music pretty well.  I'm interested to see how she does with the bow.

Another family outing at Azteca de Oro - our favorite Mexican restaurant.

Abby, posing 'nicely' with her mom.

Bunny Ears are HILARIOUS. 

So long as she doesn't grow up to do this for a living, I'm cool with it.  Of course, those calendars usually feature cooler cars than a Ford Focus.

Keeping a weather eye out for Kris, Abby and Watson.

Family spotted.

We ended up splurging on Watson's new dog bed, purchasing a deluxe model from Doctors Fosters & Smith.  Our rationale was that since sleeping is Watson's favorite thing in the world (besides chasing lizards and digging pit traps in the backyard), we might as well get him something he'll get good use out of.

Six hours before the Blood Moon.  I didn't feel like staying up on a school night - sue me.

- Brian

Family Picture Attempts, etc.

As you may or may not recall, during this fall's great Back to School exodus, Abby was forced back into a classroom full time.  As such, she's been required to participate in more of the everyday hooplah that goes on there throughout the day.  Earlier in the week, when picking her up, one of her teachers told me that they needed a family picture for something they were going to be doing in class.

I passed on this request to Kris, who, upon going through her iPhoto library, discovered that we hadn't had a family picture taken since June (remember this?).  So, in order to save face in front of a bunch of people we hardly know, we set aside some time in the afternoon to take a Hough Family Portrait.  Check it out below.

Oh yeah, and there's some other crap that happened this week, too.

Enjoy. . .

More Ukulele lessons.  The Cannonball's got the 'C' chord down. 'Smile for the Camera' face?  Not so much.

Alayna wanted a picture taken with her and her newly-constructed pyramid. . .

What's bizarre about this is that she told us she was going to build an Egyptian pyramid, then proceeded to do so.  I was impressed . . . but didn't have the heart to tell her it looked more Mayan than Egyptian.

The Houghs.  Celebrating Mediocrity Since 2008.

Abby's new favorite thing to do is scream at passing cars and pedestrians from my Study window.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star - the kid's personal favorite.

Abby prepares to call down the wrath of Ragnarok.

Throwback couple picture likened to those from that short period of time before we were controlled by miniature people.

Pedicure time.

Kris' turn.

Weird faces.

Kris gets an earful. . .

- Brian