thumbs it up!

my children are huge fans of pandora. their love for this smartphone app has lead to some interesting phraseology around our house. jamin and cora both strive to be the first one to notice when we are listening to a song we haven't heard before. after a few moments of careful consideration one will say, " this is a good one, mama. I'll thumbs it up."

getting to engage the "thumbs up" button on the touchscreen is definitely part of the appeal, but I think there is also an element of being able to have visual recognition of their own opinion and approval. there is something to be said for a platform for expressing what you like and what you don't, what you want more of and what just won't do. I think about it in terms of energy flow, or even just behavior: what we pay attention to is what we get more of.

so I've started saying it back to the kids, only not about musical selections. "jamin, cora is being so gentle with your lego building: thumbs it up!" or "cora, I love it when you use you big voice: thumbs it up!" and then I notice it for myself, too. what am I giving my attention to? what am I thumbsing up? is it really worth a thumbs up after all, or should I turn my attention to something more worthy?

enough metaphorical rambling. to make up for too much waxing philosophical, I offer you the MUDFLOWER SOUNDTRACK TO SUMMER. you are welcome. feel free to have a dance party in your kitchen in our honor.

(ed. note: I didn't watch all these videos all the way through. if you have kids jamming out with you, keep another browser window open just in case. jam on.)

my silver lining- first aid kit (okay, so really only I love this one, but still. totally worth a listen.)
five years time- noah and the whale (I love to clap my hands. it (and any other receptive noise) made my mother crazy, so I always love finding a song with lots of clapping so I have a good excuse to clap along.)
I'm alive- michael franti (the little rap part in the middle is the song we wash our hands to these days. just the right length for plenty of suds making.)
dog days are over- florence and the machine (I feel like I might be too old to like this song as much as I do, but I just can't help it.)
royals- lorde (hearing jamin sing this song while he is splashing in the creek or chasing chickens is hilarious to me. I can't believe I let my children listen to a song about bloodstains and grey goose.)
all arise!- the decemberists (jamin loves this song because he is eager to learn to play the intro on his fiddle. we've agreed to take lessons together in the fall.)
against the grain- city and colour (cora loves this guy. she asks for this song and "the girl" over and over and over when we are in the car.)
ho hey- the lumineers (the kids sing this one to me when they want something. they know it melts me every time.)
no one's gonna love you- band of horses (I have had a crush on tyler ramsey since eric and I saw him at LEAF eight years ago. what can I say? I am a sucker for a good beard.)
all the trees of the field will clap their hands- sufjan stevens (a friend from our summer adventure last year introduced us to sufjan stevens. total trance in the backseat when we play it in the car.)
messages- xavier rudd (there aren't too many xavier rudd songs I don't love. this one just happens to be a household favorite right now.)
west coast-(coconut records) (jamin loves the idea of packing someone you love in your suitcase)
riptide- vance joy (go ahead and roll the windows down. just do it.)

what are we missing? what songs do we need to add to our set list? what makes summer groovy in your house?