Tuesday, June 9, 2009

The Unbridled Joy of A 5 Year Old

Today my son Alexander Peter Sommer turned 5 years old. He is quite proud that he is becoming a "big boy." Last night, Jen and I decided that he needed one more present. Alex is a big music nut and loves all kinds of tunes. So we burned a CD of a lot of his favorites. He has very eclectic taste for a 5 year old.From Tristan Prettyman, to the Jerry Garcia led Grateful Dead, along with Kidz Bop for good measure.

When I got home from training a client this morning, I popped the disc into a player without announcing a thing to "the boy," as we call him. First song is a subDudes song called "Papa Dukie and the Mud People." Alex absolutely loves this one and he starts dancing in the kitchen. I had purposefully followed this up with "Hotdog!" from They Might Be Giants. This song is the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse theme. Again, it's one of his favorites but he doesn't question it. Next up is "All Star" from Kidz Bop. Now he is wondering what is going on. Finally, when "Bare Necessities" cues up he can't contain himself any longer and demands to know the source of this near miracle play list. I had been on the verge of cracking up but as soon as I told him that we had created it just for him his face lit up with unbridled joy. His mom and I got an even better reaction than we anticipated.

The next thing he asked was could I do this for him when he is "6 and 7 and 8 and 9 and 10." My plan is to do it for a long time!

I share this with you because the simplest things can bring great joy. Don't forget to share. Do it everyday. The rewards are great. I just hope he appreciates his Spiderman bicycle as much as the CD. Amazingly, I'm guessing that by the time he is 10 he won't remember this bike but he will remember the music!

Sandy Sommer, RKC

8 Comments:

At June 9, 2009 at 7:05 AM , Blogger Sarah said...

Sandy- I love that idea!! Fantastic. You are so right - every gift doesn't have to cost a ton of money, or even any money! I'm stealing this idea for sure. Good job!

 
At June 9, 2009 at 7:55 AM , Blogger Laura said...

What a great idea, Sandy! You're right: I think this is the gift he'll always remember. Lots of kids have Spiderman bikes, but the playlist you put together is unique to him, and it's something that could only have come from Mom and Dad, and that makes it special.

 
At June 9, 2009 at 8:18 AM , Blogger that70sgrl said...

Awww! :) That's soooo cute! And what a great gift idea. Your son will litterally have a soundtrack to each year of his life :o) Very stealable idea Sandy! LOL Happy Birthday to Alex!

 
At June 9, 2009 at 10:12 AM , Blogger daniel_hautjobb said...

children have such eye for wonder. it's amazing how as adults, we forget the little things. sometimes, we just have to stop and take a look around just like sandy did. great stuff. family is so important.

 
At June 9, 2009 at 11:29 AM , Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great post, Sandy!
Sounds like Alex is a lucky guy!
Taking the time and effort to do that for him says a lot about his Dad, as well.

(By the way, love Tristan Prettyman! You're only the second person I know who has ever heard of her!)

Great image of your son dancing around to "Bare Necessities"...
(now you've got ME humming it!)

 
At June 9, 2009 at 5:19 PM , Blogger Greenteagirl said...

What a wonderful idea! 5 years goes by in a flash doesn't it? Happy Birthday to Alex!

 
At June 10, 2009 at 6:34 AM , Blogger EPower said...

Cool post. What I'd like to know is, when is Alex getting his first kettlebell? ;)

(this is @edrin from twitter btw)

 
At June 10, 2009 at 6:49 AM , Blogger Sandy Sommer, RKC said...

Ed,

He wants one when he is six:)

 

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