Silly Song Switch-Up Saturday: Wash, Wash, Wash Your Hands

To keep Leo scrubbing when it's time to wash his hands we sing this ditty set to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat." Considering how slowly he seems to do everything else (don't get caught walking up a flight of stairs behind us), it's surprising that he thinks hand washing is complete as soon as they get wet.

To ensure he has clean hands - particularly after a trip to the potty or before eating I employ this song as a makeshift timer. I usually wet his (our) hands, pump soap onto my own hand and rub it over his, then we each scrub our own hands together while we sing two rounds of this song before the grand finale of rinsing.  It's not brain surgery - but taking the time to really wash his hands was not something that came naturally to him.

Wash, Wash, Wash Your Hands

Sung to the tune of Row, Row, Row Your Boat

Wash, wash, wash your hands
Get them nice and clean
Then we'll rinse off all the dirt
Under the faucet's stream

Wash, wash, wash your hands
Scrub each little finger
Be sure not to miss a spot
So the germs don't linger

Silly Song Switch-Up Saturday: Someone Has A Stinky Butt

This gem is sung to the tune of "London Bridge" and has been in rotation at our house since Leo was Zoe's age.  Usually in our house the acceptable terms for one's posterior are limited to bum, dupa, or nalga - but for the sake of poetry we allow this song to include the word "butt."

One might also object to the manipulation of the word "wipe" - but we all make concessions for our art.  Plus, we will do just about anything to get through a diaper change without any tears.  (I did mention that many of our songs are in the diaper genre.)

Silly Song Switch-Up Saturday: If I Had A Diaper

We love to sing in our house.  Kids songs, popular songs, classic songs - and most importantly, songs we make up.  We have a song for just about everything.  Usually, we take an established favorite and change up the lyrics to fit the task/occasion/feeling.

I thought I'd share some of these songs and their lyrics.  Also - this might be good to have on record for when Leo and Zoe hear a song on the radio twenty years down the line and are very confused about the lyrics - "Wait, are you sure this song isn't about Mr. Potato Head?"

What's cool is that Leo is starting to do it on his own.  Perhaps he isn't yet the most poetic lyricist, but it's pretty hilarious.  "Old McDonald had a SANDWICH! E-I-E-I Mayonnaise!"

I'll begin with sharing a song that we sing often - especially when changing diapers (A LOT of our songs are about diapers) or eating a snack.

If I Had A Diaper

Sung to the tune of:  If I Had A Hammer As Performed by Peter Paul and Mary

If I had a diaper
I'd change it in the morning
I'd change it in the evening
All over this house
First I'd change Leo
Then I'd change Zoe
Then I'd watch the love between a brother and a sister
All over this house

If I had a toy
I'd play in the morning
I'd play in the evening
All over this house
I'd play with blocks
I'd play with the xylophone
Then I'd share it with my brother or my sister
All over this house

If I had a snack
I'd eat it in the morning
I'd eat it in the evening
All over this house
I'd eat some cheddar bunnies
I'd eat some carrot sticks
Then I'd offer some to my brother or my sister
All over this house

Well I've got a diaper
And I've got a toy
And I've got a SNACK (clap) TO (clap) EAT (clap)
All over this house
We'll read about justice!
We'll dance for freedom!
Then we'll sing a song about the love between a brother and a sister
All over this house

We get pretty into it.  Adding the "Hoooooooooooouse....Ooooooooooooooh" cadence.  And when we get to the "snack-to-eat" part we really break it down.