Makes my Monday

A few years ago, not just one, but two, sets of relatives gave us these personalized CDs of kids songs. (Thanks, Gransan, Grandad, Aunt Luisa, and Uncle Al--I'm sure you've all but forgotten these, but we haven't!) The CDs have mediocre singers singing these cheesy kids songs that randomly slip your child's name into them. ("Let's pretend . . . JOSEPH!/Let's pretend and play make believe/Let's pretend . . . JOSEPH!/You can be anything you want to be!) The songs are a big hit. But like most kids music, it is an-noy-ing to listen to them over. and over. and over.

So after years, we have finally managed to get the boys to move on. They now prefer artists like Jerry Jeff Walker, Charlie Robison, Jimmy Buffett, and Bruce Springsteen.

But now it's Helen and Will who love the personalized songs. So we're back to where we started.

Still, it's sweet to hear Will repeating the songs from his bedroom before we get him up in the mornings, inserting his favorite family member of the moment.

Hel-en, I think you're spe-cial!

I hope you know you're loved in every way.

Hel-en! I think you're spe-cial!

Your smile can really brighten up my day.

He also thinks Daddy, Mommy, Charlie, and Joe Joe are special. So these long-lasting CDs -- as annoying as they are -- make my Monday.