Okay, in order to even write this entry I need to come clean to all of you about a secret of mine. It's completely personal. It's something I try to hide. It's also something my husband would rather keep under wraps and bad enough that he distances himself from me whenever I slip and display this side of my personality. But today I will come clean. Are you ready? Here it is:
My name is Jenny, and I have the musical taste of a 12 year old girl.
Whew, that felt good! There is freedom in the truth! I'm not saying that I kinda like Taylor Swift's top 40 hits. I'm more saying that I know most words to all of her albums! And I only started with Taylor Swift to ease you into my confession. I listen to Bruno Mars on YouTube, I think the musical choices on Glee are genius, and worst of all.....I think that Beiber kid can sing. Admit it, it's catchy stuff! Am I going to buy concert tickets anytime soon? Ummmm.....no! But if a boy-band slips into Pandora que once in awhile I might give them a quick thumbs up.
Anyway, I had to be honest about that because this morning I was listening to a little Boy band mix that included the Beiber. I only have permission to do this while my husband isn't home and it's a Friday, so why not? What's difficult about listening to his music in particular, is that it creates internal conflict. I think the songs are innocent, cute, and idealistic but......he doesn't even look old enough to sneak into an 8th grade dance, so I'm not sure why he's singing about lifelong love in the first place? I bet my mom thought the same thing about the members and songs of N'Sync back when they were my (at the time "age appropriate") idols. I mean, truly....if that kid wasn't a pop star, he'd be stuffed in a Senior's locker....guaranteed! I've lost perspective over time though, do they all start that young? It's kind of like when you watch a movie you haven't watched for 10 years and all of a sudden everyone that used to be older than you in it is younger than you, and also you finally get all the jokes that used to go over your head. Have you done that? Yes people...we're old now! But I digress....
You see, we've had a Beiber backfire that I am going to have to explain to my husband as soon as he gets home and I'm not looking forward to it! It all started when I had a few songs playing in the background on my computer.
Emery: "Mommy....what's a "Shorty?"
Me: "Ummm.....sometimes boys calls girls "Shorty." (Sidenote - this is a weird one for me because that was a derogatory term that I was VERY familiar with growing up and now it's a term of affection? I was born 20 years too early!!)
Emery: "Does dad call you shorty?"
Me: "No, daddy's not a thug."
Emery: "Can I call Lulu Shorty?"
Me: "Sure, kid....sure. "
But it didn't stop at his sister Lulu. Emery is now fully believes he has permission to call every female he encounters "Shorty." I don't know if it's going to be a long phase, or a short one, but the timing could not be worse! You see, he's finally making the jump from size 3T to size 4T. If you're a parent of a toddler boy then you know this; when you move into a new size your little angel looks like he takes fashion directives from X-games all stars who have enough room in their sagging pants to keep an extra skateboard or two. This is also made worse by the fact that my favorite shoes for Emery are white on white Nike Air Force 1's because they match everything! Does it get more pop-cliche than that? So while daddy isn't a thug, I'm now the proud mom to a sagging 4T wearing, pop culture shoe sporting, "Shorty" calling, mini wanna-be player. He'd have mad game except the girls in his class are a solid 6 inches taller and don't want to play lightsaber. What can you do? You have to have common interests, right?
In any case, there are worse things he could be calling his little sister so I will mark today a victory by default!
Have a great weekend!