The Unbridled Joy of A 5 Year Old
By Sandy Sommer RKC on in Sandy's Journal
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!
8 Comment(s)
By Sarah on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
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!
By Laura on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
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.
By that70sgrl on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
Awww!
That's soooo cute! And what a great gift idea. Your son will litterally have a soundtrack to each year of his life 
) Very stealable idea Sandy! LOL Happy Birthday to Alex!
By daniel_hautjobb on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
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.
By Fred on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
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!)
By Greenteagirl on Jun 9, 2009 | Reply
What a wonderful idea! 5 years goes by in a flash doesn't it? Happy Birthday to Alex!
By EPower on Jun 10, 2009 | Reply
Cool post. What I'd like to know is, when is Alex getting his first kettlebell?
(this is @edrin from twitter btw)
By Sandy Sommer, RKC on Jun 10, 2009 | Reply
Ed,
He wants one when he is six:)