Dads and ditties

Music is important around this house. My husband has an ever expanding instrument collection. Need an expensive guitar? No problem. An old horn from the middle school years? Yep. A shaker in the shape of an orange or avocado? Ditto. Karis is following suit quite nicely. She stands on a stool in the kitchen while I cook and directs imaginary masses of musicians. She dances to the first hint of a melody being played.

As I was making plans for her third birthday party this year, I asked myself one thing: What does she like? Music came to mind readily. So a backyard music party it was. A lawn full of friends, a bouquet of balloons blowing above a table full of summer fare, and a special music guest to sing to Karis and her friends, instruments in each hand. It was fun and hot and oh-so-memorable, at least for Karis who has continued to reference her party on a daily basis.

Lately, I've been putting Karis to bed to Andrew Peterson and Randall Goodgame's Slugs and Bugs and Lullabies cd. Last night I laid in bed with her for a few minutes and listened to the songs she's been falling asleep to. Tracks 16 and 17 are beautiful love songs from a father to his daughter, and Karis really resonates with those two, knowing a good bit of the words. I played them for Matt later so he would know them and be able to sing them with her when she references them.

I have to admit, I felt a little jealous thinking about all of the great father/daughter songs out there. There's John Mayer's "Daughters" and Loudon Wainwright III's "Daughter". Both so sweet. There is something special about that connection. It's different than mother/daughter relationships which haven't inspired quite as much poetry. And don't get me started on how many Disney movies portray loving fathers and absent or mean mothers. (Has anybody else noticed?)

But then again, who wouldn't love a father who comes home from work, slaves over the hot grill on a hot day, and then moves seamlessly to the guitar and harmonica to entertain a group of excited toddlers? He deserves a few good songs.

All photos courtesy of my talented brother-in-law Ande.