When Rachel was a baby I made a point never to play kids music in the car because it was my only chance to listen and catch-up on the news. Since she didn’t expect music, she didn’t miss it. Instead, she talked non-stop, expecting you to return the favor.

This year I have to drive through a bit of traffic every morning to get her to pre-school, and it’s really hard that early to have to talk and drive. And then to top it off, Rachel and Hanah stars getting really grumpy at a certain point in our drive and I begin to lose my patience.

So, I broke my rule. Now we listen to music happily on our drive and I enjoy hearing Rachel’s sweet little voice singing along with the tunes and Hannah’s deep hum that reminds of the hum my mom makes when she’s trying to sing along but doesn’t know the words.

We’ve been listening almost exclusively to Laurie Berkner’s Victor Vito. There’s this version of Froggy Went a Courtin’ that is so fun, sweet and jazzy it always makes me feel that all is well with the world. The lyrics are a bit different than the original version:

Froggy went a courtin and he did ride Uh-huh (3x)
wore his jacket on the satin side

He went down to Miss Mousie’s den Uh-huh
Said Miss Mousie won’t you let me in

Said Dear Miss Mousie will you Marry me
Way down yonder by the old oak tree

Oh Froggy Dear I’ll marry you
Let’s grow old together cause I love you

(Jazzy Piano solo)

First they told her uncle Rat
Said hey uncle Rat what you think about that

Next they told two little black aunts
Everybody got up and started to dance

(Jazzy piano solo)

I get the same way when I read through Rachel’s big book of nursery rhymes. Some of them are so fun to read. I didn’t appreciate them when I was younger. Are there any lyrics or rhymes that you have rediscovered?