We share the goddamn blame for this one
After dinner, Liam and Nate are watching the stellar kids’ music DVD, Here Come the ABCs by They Might Be Giants (Thanks Uncle Kevin and Aunt Jess!) TMBG must be up to their mic stands in some deadly black magic to have created a product that appeals to both the under 5 and the over 30 demographic. I highly recommend it to those of you choking on the purple swill that is Barney.
“Here Come the ABCs” is, obviously, about letters and the alphabet and features maddeningly clever songs paired with charming animation. In one song, a tin man reminiscent robot sings the alphabet in a gravely, synthesized voice as letters drift up slowly from his silver toaster head. As he is wont to do, Liam tries to take possession of the unpossessable. He informs Nate, “Those are Weem’s letters!” and thrusts his pointer at a ‘J’ as it puffs out of the robot’s head. He waits for the fight to begin, but Nate, who turns into our short-circuited little robot when in front of a TV, cannot process Liam’s transmission. Liam tries again. “Nate! NATE! Those are WEEM’S LETTERS!!” Nate continues his tree bark impersonation. Frustrated by his inability to goad his little brother into a duel, Liam leans across the table and positions his face two inches from Nate’s and says very calmly, “Those are Weem’s goddamn letters, Nate.”
Weem’s sentence structure appears quite good. He conveys his message concisely, clearly and quite to the point.
His verb, pronoun, noun and adjective usage all seem to be in order.
So, what’s the goddamn problem?
Well, at least he didn’t drop the F bomb! : )
Your kids should hang around mine. They could practice their sentence enhancers on each other.
..I agree, he used the word correctly..let’s give him props.
And please tell; did you laugh out loud..snicker or have to run from the room..I would have died..
I so wish I had that when my stepson was little..I love TMBG! Everything I know about the Sun..and Constantinople I learned from them (kinda)
MP,
…it’s a brand new record, for 1990, ‘They Might be Giants’ brand new album Flooooood!
Back in the day, “Birdhouse in Your Soul” was my go-to. I used to sing it aloud in times of distress, and it always helped. Or at least disconcerted those around me to the point that they stopped distressing me.
I still know the lryics by heart.
There’s a picture opposite me,
of my primitive ancestry,
which stood on rocky shores and kept the beaches
shipwreck-free.
Though I respect that a lot,
I’d be fired if that were my job,
after killing Jason off
and countless screaming Argonauts!
If you still love them, you should check it out. One song is sung entirely in sentences using only letters… yet it still makes sense!
MP,
I’d be lying if I said that was the first time he used that particular adjective. The two or three other times it has happened, I’ve been able to choke back laughter and just completely ignore it. Not an easy task. This time, however, I laughed so hard I was wheezing for air. He was so sincere in his delivery.
For me, language development in babies and toddlers is *amazing* to watch. It’s one of the things I was most looking forward to when I was pregnant and thinking about the future and them growing up. It has not disappointed. Words come bubbling up out of them like magic. I’m kind of proud that Liam was able to use it correctly and in context! Goddamn kid’s a genius! ;o)
Your kids should hang out with my kids and they could say dammit all day long.
I feel ashamed..I didn’t even have any TMBG on my iPod..for shame (hangs head and downloads)
Sarah,
That sounds great! Then, when they bust out their new skills in public…which they will…I can look horrified and be like, “That Goon Squad is a terrible influence on you boys! No more playdates with them, by golly!” You can totally do the same thing if you want. Scapegoat parenting!
i have heard about these blogs but have not been fortunate enough to remember to read them while i sit at home during the day and just look up random stuff online. But this is so much better then spending hours glancing over many websites searching for things i wish to buy. Bill and jill you guys are hilarious, great writers, and photographers. i wish my parents would have documented such great and sometimes not so great things about me so i could look back now and see how i grew up. I mean there are pictures somewhere, but words to go along with them…. i guess i’ll just have to make them up.
on another note i remembered i had pics from after christmas when we went to the park. not sure if this will show up but here are my two favorite. (and the two in focus the best)
The TMBG ABC and 123 albums are fantastic. I think all of the videos are on youtube. Can’t wait to visit and sing with the boys!!
(music playing) “They Might Be Giants…..here come the goddamn 1..2.. 3’s….1 2 3!!!” or “I live up in apartment 4, I’m on the very next floor, the number’s right on the goddamn dooooooooor….”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjto-u3odt4
only I didn’t say FUDGE…..
I just got around to looking at your blog after you commented on the goats. How funny! This is yet another reminder that Jordan and I have to clean up our act before Suzi gets much older. I’ll have to pick up a copy of that DVD later for Suzi, because I love TMBG. When I was pregnant I bought the book/CD set Bed, Bed, Bed, and then I got the NO! CD and a collection I think is called Dial-a-Song. I listen to this stuff when Suzi’s not even in the car. And it’s not like she cares right now. She’ll sing along to whatever we play.