DC Urban Dad

It's almost the end of the week, so let's rock out.....

Howdy folks and happy Monday happy Thursday and almost end of the week to you.  We are kicking the week off ending the week with some kick butt music for your kids that doesn't suck.  This week I was lucky enough to get the local fan faves Rocknocerous to stop by.  Tell me you heard of these guys?  If not, here's a bit of background.

The Rocknoceros trio met and grew up in Northern Virginia.  Boogie and Coach met when they were four years old have best buds since.  They met Williebob in high school and started makoing music.  But it wasn't until Coach Cotton was raising his own children that the idea and inspiration for Rocknoceros came together.

Their 4th album, Colonel Purple Turtle, which dropped last week,  recounts tales of a mythical reptilian Colonel and his friends in their make-believe home of Soggy Bog.  The album focuses on  entirely friendship, a subject near and dear to the trio.  Colonel Purple Turtle reflects their abiding trust in each other and their desire to share their message of camaraderie through song and story.  The message is likewise expressed throughout the album’s beautifully illustrated companion storybook, Colonel Purple Turtle’s Purple Turtle Journal, which depicts, in gorgeous colors, all of the whimsical characters celebrated on the CD.

You will not be sorry if you buy it.  You will find yourself bobbing your head and singing along.  I promise you.

The trio was kind enough to sit down with me and answer 10 of my toughest questions.  Enjoy the interview and afterwards don't forget to go check them out...

How did you end up where you are, what led you to this career?

Coach Cotton :My kids lead me to this career.  And my love of music.  I took my boys, when they were 1 and 3 years old respectively, to see a local children's performer.  It looked like fun and I happened to have two life-long friends whom I thought might be interested in starting a band that would perform specifically for families.  We started performing and writing songs shortly thereafter, and, well, here we are!

Talk to me about your creative process. How does it all come together?

Coach Cotton: The process varies, but usually starts with a simple lyrical or musical idea.  Most of our songs are completely collaborative, but on occasion one band member will bring a complete song to the table.

Williebob: Some songs are written in full by one of us.  Other songs start as a lyric or musical phrase, and are developed by the band.  Whatever works!

Boogie Woogie Bennie:There is not a set process for Rocknoceros.  It varies from song to song.

What's the best thing about performing?

Coach Cotton: Every gig is different from the one that preceded it, and presents its own challenges and rewards.

Williebob: Seeing children dancing, listening, having a wonderful time.

Boogie Woogie Bennie:Seeing kids have fun is always fun.  Seeing parents sing the words to a song you wrote is rewarding.  And playing music itself is fun.

Whats your favorite song to perform?

Coach Cotton: "Boogie Woogie Bennie" theme song is a long-standing favorite of mine, but "Playground" also ranks high.

Williebob: Currently my favorite is Harry Elefante.

Boogie Woogie Bennie:Right now, it might be Colonel Purple Turtle!

What's your least?

Coach Cotton: "Did the Moon See You?" presents some syncopation obstacles for me, and it's new so I'm not comfortable with it yet.  Soon, though, it'll be fun! 

Williebob: My least favorite is probably Did the Moon See You?, because I am still learning how to play it!

Boogie Woogie Bennie: At the moment, "What's Your Favorite Animal" is the least comfortable, but that doesn't mean I don't like to play it.  It's still very new in our set, and it has some funny syncopations that I need to maintain.  I bet in a few weeks it will start feeling pretty good.

What are you listening to on your iPod?

Coach Cotton: I really like Devon Sproule's new album called I Love You, Go Easy.  Man Man has a new record out (NOT for kids) and I spin it often, as well as new releases by Paul Simon, Mirah and Thao, Laura Cantrell, Fleet Foxes,  Old 97's...

Williebob: iPod?  I was born in the 1970s, man!  I listen on a "stereo" at home.  Lately, it's been The Fall and Wayne Shorter.

Boogie Woogie Bennie:I am in the midst of a serious Beatles feast.  Today I listened to Rubber Soul twice, and Magical Mystery Tour, plus I listened to Big Echo by The Morning Benders.

If you could hang out with any artist alive or deceased who would it be and why?

Coach Cotton: David Byrne

Williebob: Frank Zappa.  I would have loved to ask him nerdy questions about how he recorded and arranged his music.

Boogie Woogie Bennie: Given my current diet of Beatles, I'd pick Paul McCartney.

What's the best advice you have ever received?

Coach Cotton: "Don't spend time getting good at what you don't want to do."

Williebob: "My worst day playing music beats my best day at any other job."  A friend of mine said that.  Not advice exactly, but I treat it as such.

What's your favorite time of the day?

Coach Cotton: I like 10pm, and 8am.

Williebob: Any time I can kick back with a good book.

Boogie Woogie Bennie: On days when I don't have any engagements, I like mornings.

Describe your work in 3 words.

Coach Cotton: Family friendly fun.

Williebob: Music. Laughter. Freedom.

Boogie Woogie Bennie: I write songs.

Hello blog it's me Matt

Well hello blog, nice to see you again.  It's been awhile.  Did you miss me?  I missed you.

Let me catch up......

Started a new job.

Power went out.

Earthquake hit.

Hurricane cruised into town.

I dialed 911 at said new job and police showed up.

Daughter started her second year of pre-k.

And son, just won't stop growing.

What's new with you?

Top 5 places you don't want to be when an earthquake hits

Unless you have been livng under a rock, you know that almost all of the east coast from Charlotte to Toronto has felt the affects of a 5.9 earthquake that struck Mineral, Virginia around 2 pm today.  Now most of us here in DC were either in work or in school, in fact this was the second day at my new job (We lost power on my first day, now an earthquake, to be hones I'm a bit concerned about my 3rd). 

Luckily, the wife, kids and I are all accounted for and safe, but that got us thinking, where are the worst places to be caught during an earthquake.  So here's our top five.....

#5.....The fine china section of any department store

#4.....The produce section of Whole Foods or anywhere that stacks fruit in nice neatly organized pyramids.

#3.....The wood and timber of section of Home Depot

#2.....Any chandelier factory

and finally.....

#1.....Buy Buy Baby (serisouly this place is stacked to the heavans with brightly colored, over priced, unecessary products and to top that off it fell on you good luck finding someone to explain the product much less pull it off you)

Now that I think about, this is also a list of the top places you wouldn't want to be stuck with a toddler.

Now that's a happy baby

Now I know why couple's end up with 3 children (and no we are not pregnant)

Let me preface this post by first saying:

#1 No we are not pregnant.

# 2 No we are not planning on getting pregnant again anytime soon.

and #3 No we are not pregnant.

Fact is we've always talked about having 2 kids.  Even though both my wife and I come from families of three kids, the thought of having 2 always seemed like the right fit for us.  To be honest I prefer man to man defense over zone any day.  Not to mention the cost savings associated with stoping procreation at 2, sheeeeesh.  Still after having our 2nd I can now see why couples with 2 end up with a third and then couples with 3 sometimes shoot for the 4th (not sure about couples with 5 or more).

We were blessed with the arrival of the Mini-Kamp.  Our first years cutting our teeth were awesome and scary all wrapped into one.  Time seemed to fly by with the firsts (first roll-over, first sit up, first sleeping through the nigh,t first teeth, first steps, first words).  Throughout those first there were also the worries - were we doing this right, was she getting enough sleep, enough to eat, what was that cough, is she sleeping on her back, is she breathing, is she tied in tight enough, is she gonna fall.  The list goes on and on (most of it is the reason my hair is turing grey)

With the Haver-Boy, time has still flown by and those worries have still been there to a degree, but at least for us we have had more time to actually stop and cherish all those moments.....

The smiles.....

The cute edible body parts.....

The first bites of food.....

The rolling over.....

The sleepy moments.....

The playing in the bath moments.....

The time with big sis.....

And a few weeks ago, all those moments came together during bath time when my wife and I both looked at each other thinking the same exact thing - I see how couples try for a 3rd.  You begin to appreciate and fully take in the miracle and the joy of seeing this life come to being.  To seeing your kids relate, connect and learn with one another.  It's amazing and it makes you want to only add to it.

But right now we are content.  We are blessed with 2 healthy kids.  Our family is complete.   Still who knows what the future holds.  I guess we will just have to wait and see.

The 11 Best Things About Being Married to My Wife

11 years ago I said the smartest thing I've ever said in my whole life: "I do".

So in honor of our 11th anniversary, I present to you the 11 Best Things About Being Married to Mrs. DC Urban Dad.....

11) She calls me out and just won't accept my bullshit.

10) She makes me want to be a better man, a better husband, a better father.

9) Girlfriend's got moves and can seriously cut a rug; I'm jealous of those hips.

8) She has made our house more than a house but a home.

7) The way her skin smells and feels is intoxicating and makes me forget what I was thinking about.

6) She laughs, not only at jokes but at herself as well.

5) She can and loves to watch sports.  She even knows the difference between a tight end and a defensive end.  She's a baller.

4) She let’s me tell her the same old stories over and over while pretending they are brand new.

3) She's lets me spoon with her regardless of the fact that my body temp is at least 20 to 30 degrees more than her.

2) She made these 2 little creatures and continues to be the best mom.

 

1) Seriously this woman is a fox and I am damn lucky to have her in my life.

This little dude has moves

Grooving from DC Urban Dad on Vimeo.

Hey parents, need some non-sucky kid's music?

Howdy folks and happy Monday to you.  We are kicking the week off with some kick butt music for your kids that doesn't suck.  This music is courtesy of Daddy A Go Go.  It's a definite winner with catchy tracks like "Your Not the Bossa Nova Me" and "I Wanna Be an Action Figure".  Within minutes you'll find yourself rocking out and bobbing your head.

Daddy A Go Go is the creation of Oklahoma native, John Boydston.  Boyston a hardcore Sooner writes, records, plays and produces all his own music.  Prior to his rockstar life, John spent a number of years as a TV News producer.  In the early ’90s, however, John left that life behind to become a stay-at-home dad.

The genesis of Daddy a Go Go came out of that hands-on parenting experience and the realization that we parents have that our kids like to rock out to music.  John grabbed a guitar, 3 chords, one microphone, an old beat-up set of Slingerland drums, a little multi-track recorder and began playing.  Over time the Daddy a Go Go-style began to take shape.  12 years later, his sons are teenagers and John is still rocking out.

John was kind enough to sit down with me and answer 10 of my toughest questions.  Enjoy the interview and afterwards don't forget to check him out.....

How did you end up where you are, what led you to this career?

I ended up doing this Daddy a Go Go thing completely by accident - I graduated with a Masters in Journalism and spent 10-years in the TV news business, when I got married and we had a child with another on the way, and my wife suggested I try staying home with them. I thought THAT would be a meaningful way to spend time, so I did and it was. Along the way as a stay-at-home dad I started my home recording hobby and that led to doing songs that sprang from every aspect of our family life, From "Daddy's Diaper Blues," to "The Sports Song" (their little league sports and my coaching), to "Get Off The Computer" (one of my kids said that to me one day, and he was right, about spending too much time there). Our family life is all there in the songs and I think there are pretty universal family moments.

Talk to me about your creative process. How does it all come together?

No hard rules, but generally I have a piece of music I think would make a good song, and then I try and match with it with an idea floating around my head that I think would be a good subject to write about. I can't write lyrics without a music bed so I guess that does come first. But sometimes the idea is first - like the title. "Eat Every Bean and Pea On Your Plate" was a phrase my y mother in-law used to say that to my wife when she was a kid, and it got repeated to me and with a title like the song was half-way home before you start. But usually music first. "You're Not The Bossa Nova Me" started as an instrumental, but I liked the title (and this was pre-Malcolm in the Middle) and melded the two. The hard part of bringing it all together is the moment when you realize this can be a good song, I hear an inkling, but you realize you've got a LOT of work to do before you get there.

What's the best thing about performing?

Nothing better than a receptive, enthusiastic audience, so the actual performing is best. The heavy lifting before and after, not so much.

Whats your favorite song to perform? "I Don't Wanna Go To School Today," because my son and I sing that pretty well together. He goes high and I go low. Plus "Eat Every Bean and Pea On Your Plate" because we each take a guitar solo back to back, and he goes first and he likes to mess with me by playing what he knew I was going to play. Sometimes he does that, sometimes not, but I never know so it keeps me on my toes.

What's your least?

A lot of my songs have a lot of words that are hard to sing in a live setting - so those I've dropped. Like "Snoopy Vs The Red Baron." Probably my fault for speeding up the tempo on my cover of it.

What are you listening to on your iPod?

All over the place these days, but My Morning Jacket; Beatles, I just loaded up a Chuck Berry Box Set I found used in a store and realizing how many songs of his I don't know; and believe it or not, I have the Ultra-Lounge Capitol Records CD's (all 15 or so) going all the time in our house, because they are amusig and require no effort. Its like living in a department store.

If you could hang out with any artist alive or deceased who would it be and why?

Of course, The Beatles. I have never wished I could have been a Beatle but I have always thought it would have been fun to be either Mal and Neil (their 2 roadies from the beginning onwards). Bring you some tea? Sure thing. New guitars for you and George? Be right back.

What's the best advice you have ever received?

It's not the mistakes you make, but how you react to them that counts the most.

What's your favorite time of the day?

6am. I love being up early. Nothing like being awake just before the sun starts coming up.

Describe your work in 3 words.

ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS

I'm a failure

Mini-Kamp and Haver-Boy,

You don't know this but your father is in the process of training for his first half marathon; it's one of his resolutions for 2011.   So on Oct 2nd, I will put my money where my mouth is and try to finish the Wilson Bridge Half Marathon.  Today was my day to run 7 miles.  Really honestly not that much since I 've been running 5 and 6 miles at a time and even before this I was running 8, 9 and t0 miles at a time.  But today, today I chose to run outside.

Yup, outside in the DC swamp (check out that sweat).

 I started off great.  Maybe too good actually.

Then I started to slow down.  It wasn't so much as the heat as it was the humidity.  The oxygen or rather the ability to pull in oxygen seemed to get harder and harder with every step I took.  Needless to say just after the 5 mile mark I was done.  I couldn't go on because well I feared that if I did I might pass out and no one wants that.

So I failed.

And that's okay.

In fact it's a good thing.

Your mom and I have failed many times in our lives (probably me more than you mom).  We have tried things, have worked and have failed.  And you know what that is okay.  More times than not you will learn more in your failures than with your successes.

Just take note.  Adapt and make changes.  Use that failure to find what works.  Do what you can to not repeat that failure.  And don't be afraid to ask for help.

Please just don't be scared of failure.  Don't sit on the sidelines and wait, get in.  Don't be scared when you can't do something (even if you suck).  We always have your back.

A few years ago on my 100th post I came up with a new category - The 100 things for my Mini-Kamp.  It is the 100 things my Mini-Kamp (and now my Haver-Boy) need to know before she  and he leave the roost.  Now I figure I've got 15 to 17 years and some change before they bolt for freedom, but hey, why not get started early right.

Last night we did something we have never done

Last night we did something we had never done before as parents.  Something we had tried with the Mini-Kamp but it just never worked (she's too damn stubborn and would never give in).  We had hoped it wouldn't come to this so soon.  We had a moment where we thought we wouldn't but that moment was fast to fizzle.  So last night we did it.....

We walked out of the Haver-Boy's room and let him cry himself to sleep.

Sleep training is one of those painful things that creeps up on you as a parent.  One of those things that you just never think about and that you take for granted.  I mean really who doesn't like to sleep.  Sleep is easy, just close your eyes, think good thoughts and drift off to dreamland.  And as we all know sleep is  one of those things that you need as a parent in order to survive.  And the only way to do that is get your kids to go, you know what to sleep.

But it ain't easy.  For some kids and parents yes, for some no.  With the Mini-Kamp we were lucky early on.  She would nurse, fall asleep and was knocked out cold.  We had some regression and it was always timed with a growth spurt or developmental milestone.  Was like clockwork really.

At around 8 months, it got harder, we tried to leave the room and let her cry, but girlfriend would never give up.  She would cry so much she would make herself sick  (I think that determination will serve her well in the future).  So we bought a few books and ended up doing the sleep laddy shuffle where we gradually moved our body out of the room.

With the Haver-Boy, we had a window where we thought he would just "get-it".  That evaporated when the little dude had a growth spurt.  Then last night we finally decided to stick to our guns.  I gave him 3 to 5 minutes of shhhhhhhh and then walked out.  I was going to come back in 10 if he was still freaking out so I got the video monitor, sat on my bed, checked email and watched.  By minute 7 he was out (big sis came out once to make sure he was okay, filled my heart)

He slepted all the way till 1 when he woke up again.  I checked him and he was fine, I comforted him, gave him Sophie the giraffe and walked out.  He was down in 5 minutes of crying.  Then at 3, but once again down in close to 10.  Finally he woke up at 6 ate and was down again.

Sure it was the first night.  And sure this is not a sprint but rather a marathon.  Still I have resolve and hope that since he got it one night he could and can do it again.  I guess we will know more tomorrow.

So tell me how did you sleep train your kids?