Life's A Beach

I feel like I've used that title before. Maybe?  Maybe not?  Well, there are worse things than a recycled post title. 

So we are coming off of a long weekend, Memorial Day!  We always go out and this year it was much needed since it has been a crazy/rough/long year. Plus, we haven't taken the camper out since New Years so we were long overdue for a trip out. 

This year, as we often do, we headed to Galveston. Now I know it's not white sands and clear water, but a beach is a beach and any true Texan is just fine with a trip to the Gulf of Mexico.  After last year's disastrous camping trip to the bay side of Galveston State Park (recall that's when we were attacked by a million mosquitos and Stella ended up with a staph infection), we were so excited to be staying on the ocean side of the park!  The drive out was fairly uneventful, with the exception of Mickey, who seems to get severely carsick everytime we take him out, always resulting in an unpleasant bought of intestinal distress in his kennel. Other than that though it was good. Thanks to Amy who was riding in the back and somehow managed to clean it up without the need for a stop on the side of the road!  

The stay at Galveston was wonderful. Friday night was an easy setup night followed by our usual hot dogs and s'mores meal. Saturday was spent at the beach enjoying the beautiful weather. Sure the winds were crazy strong, but that's often the case at the beach. Sunday morning brought a bad rainstorm so we spent the first part of the day stuck inside the camper. Luckily Amy and I had just installed our new TV, so we got to give that a go. The afternoon brought about a clearing and we ventured out to the Railroad Museum, which everyone (remarkably) enjoyed. We hitched up early Monday and headed home to avoid the impending weather.  Luckily we made it home by lunch, long before the storms began. I'm sure you've heard of how bad it was/is here in Texas. Crazy rains and floods. We have managed to come through it unscathed (prayers of thanks) but many are dealing with power outages and property damage.  We even had school canceled today due to the flooding, bringing about an added vacation day and some further rest and relaxation.  It seems (fingers crossed) as though the worst is behind us. More rains possible tomorrow, but we shall see. 

Summer is quickly approaching. The kids and I have only two days left, Amy with three as she goes through the end of the week!  Then it's week of meetings before summer begins!  And we have big plans for this summer!  Not Disney big, but tons of fun and adventure nonetheless. But that's a post for another time. Until then I will leave you with some pictures of our fun Memorial Day beach vacation!  Time to prep for the return to school tomorrow!

All is well, beachy keen and safe & dry, here in Drosche Land. 

Ever since they were little, the boys have loved to run in and out of the water. Like a kid-friendly Baywatch opening!

She was pleased as punch to wear her new Hello Kitty bathing suit all day long. This girls loves the water!

Who would have guessed that all three would be enthralled by the Railroad Museum!

We saw the Weinermobile at Wal Mart!  Yes they got whistles. Yes, I did too!

Sleepover

So I'm still here.  Just the usual slow May fresh off of daily posts in April.  #endofyear. Such is life when you teach. But I'm here and I'm posting. 

Sleepovers. Did you have them as a kid?  Host them?  Go to them?  I didn't. I was not the sleepover type of kid. I wasn't antosocial, just more of a homebody I guess. Luckily the same cannot be said for my kids. This year alone, between the boys, they have had more sleepovers than I did in my entire life. Granted that was just one, but still you get the point. 

I credit this newfound fondness for sleepovers to two things. 1 - they are growing up. I'm guessing this is the age when sleepovers begin. It's fun. It's cool to have your friends over for the night and/or go to their house. 2 - St. Mark. It is such an awesome environment. We are so blessed to have it as our church home, my job, and the school for all 3 kids. It's just been so amazing these past 2 years. Sleepovers are big. Especially in Jackson's class. A pair of my students is literally having a sleepover nearly every weekend. They rotate. Sometimes in twos and sometimes larger groups. They're always together in some grouping. It's awesome!  Definitively lends to the familial relationship my class has with each other. 

This year marked the first sleepovers for both Braeden and Jackson. They've each hosted and been a guest. Braeden was the first earlier this year when a friend invited him over for his birthday. Braeden had never been before. He was nervous. He's a lot like me at that age. Just thinner and more athletic. Despite the nerves we encouraged him and he had a blast!  He invited the same friend over to our house last week to celebrate his birthday. It was a lot of fun. 

Jackson followed suit this spring. He hosted first, inviting two friends over. It was a new experience for us having that many people over. I mean we'd hosted the cousins but they're family. This was different. It went very well and was also a ton of fun. Just this past weekend one of the boys invited him over and he was ecstatic and eager to go, not nervous at all. I was though. See, you'll remember, Jackson is the one who wakes up frequently and comes to our room. Randomly. In the middle of the night and often around 9:00-9:30. I'm also not 100% convinced that he isn't sleepwalking at times. But who knows. So I was nervous about that. No parent enjoys being woken up in the middle of th enlighten, much less by some kid that's not their own. We shared this with Jackson and he must have understood because the sleepover went without incident. 

So, it's not a ton of sleepovers but, in Drosche Land, it's a big deal. A milestone of sorts. They're growing up. They're coming into their own and developing and building friendships. Both boys are already planning the next sleepovers so I am confident that this will become a regular occurrence.  And I'm ok with that. It's fun. Different having other kids who aren't your own at your house, but fun. I can on,y imagine how Stella will be.  I shudder to think. Having multiple boys over is one thing, were used to that. But several little girls, that's a whole other kind of craziness. Luckily we have a few years before that begins.  Time to prep. Time to buy earplugs. Girls are loud!

All is well, sleepovers included, in Drosche Land. 

Zombie & Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah

1. Zombie - The Cranberries. Confession. This song isn't in my collection. Somewhere I know I have the CD, stored away like some ancient artifact. But it comes to mind for the topic and it fits so it gets included. Surely you remember this song from the 90's?  I loved it then and I still love it now. So much going on. The words, the political message behind it, Dolores O'Riordan's voice.  It's one of those songs that, although I haven't heard it in forever, I still remember the words and will sing along whenever it comes on. I have to stop trying to remember when it came out though, it ages me and makes me feel very old. So I'll stick with "back then" and be happy with it. 

2. Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah - James Baskett. Ok. Everyone knows of this song. I mean it's Disney. It's a classic. It's global. I'm sure you're singing it in your head right now too. Sorry though, it'll likely be stuck there for a while.  Who doesn't love this song. Sadly my kids have never seen Song of the South and it's difficult to come by, what with how times have changed and all. But it's still a classic and if you go to a Disney theme park you're sure to hear it. It's also just a fun, positive, happy-go-lucky song. Puts you in a good mood and makes you smile. Well, the first couple of times at least. After that, maybe not so much. 

Well, that's it. Just like that April is over and the challenge has come to an end. Fun. But this is a "Z" post and I will look back later and post about it then. 

All is well, Z down and finished, in Drosche Land. 

Your Song & You and I

Your Song - Elton John. Classic. I love this song. It's a simple romantic song and has been covered many times. But again, the original is the best. I mean, it's Elton John. Having said that though, I do like the rendition from Moulin Rouge. But I like Baz Luhrmann and his movies. But I digress. This song. It's great. Makes me want to put on some oversized ostentatious glasses and relax. 

You and I - Lady Gaga. Yes. Her again. You know I love her, so she had to make this list several times. This is one of my all-time faves from her (I'm sure I've said that before) because it's tied to a special memory. A few years ago when Amy bought me tickets to go see her she played this song. But it was for her then upcoming, unreleased album and hadn't been fully tweaked and finished. She just sang it straight out at the piano.  No frills. No fuss. Just awesomeness. So, when the album came out and the finished song was present Amy and I reminisced and enjoyed it. So it makes me smile whenever I hear it. That and it's just awesome. So it was a natural for "Y". 

All is well, Y down, in Drosche Land. 

X?

Once again here we are. That time of year in the countdown when the letter "X" comes up. X. Poor letter. Misunderstood. Rarely used.  Especially as the initial letter in a word. Not totally useless. I mean we wouldn't have foxes or boxes without it. Nor would we be able to fax someone or refer to our saxophones by their shortened diminutives. But to begin a work with "X"?  Well, that's just downright rare. And even when it's present it uses the sound from the letter "Z". Poor X.

Clearly I have no song in my collection beginning with this underutilized letter. A quick trip to Google returned a few examples. Xanadu by Olivia Newton John.  XO by Beyoncé. A few others. Yet I am unfamiliar with them. Sure I have heard of the two I just mentioned but they made no impact. So I cannot comment on them or provide you with guidance in finding a song beginning with "X". So I'll simply dedicate this post to the poor letter itself. For now unused in this month's posts. But, there's always next year!

All is well, X down, in Drosche Land. 

The Way I Am & Wrecking Ball

1.  The Way I Am - Ingrid Michaelson.  OMG.  I love this song.  It is so sweet and fun.  It makes me think of Amy every time I hear it.  I think it is the perfect little song for a couple to have.  Nothing sweeping or overly romantic about it.  Not a ballad.  No huge musical score.  Just something simple and easy to show love for someone, no matter what.  A personal fave of mine.  Plus, she works the word Rogaine into the song, kudos to her!

2.  Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus.  Yes.  I know.  It's Miley Cyrus.  On a wrecking ball.  Licking a sledgehammer.  There are so many things wrong with that.  But that's the video.  Taking the song away from the video I think it becomes something totally different.  A sad lament for love lost.  A double entrendre for the term wrecking ball.  I like it, aside from the video of course.  That's just crazy.  But listen to it and try, your best, not to picture the video.  The song in itself is pretty good.  At least I think so.

All is well, W down, in Drosche Land.  

Violin & Video Games

1.  Violin - Amos Lee.  Another singer/songwriter.  Amos Lee has an awesome folksy/rock/soulful sound that is addictive.  I have no clue where I heard this, so it is like to be via iTunes, but I was instantly taken.  There is just something about his voice and the music that just calms and soothes.  Puts me in such a great mood.  His music has also been used extensively in commercials (Sweet Pea) and TV shows.  I guess because it also makes for great background music; relaxing and soft.  If you have not heard of him, or this song, I highly recommend it.  You will not be sorry.

2.  Video Games - Lana Del Rey.  Her voice.  Haunting and seeming like a throwback to 1940's/1950's.  Her first album, Born to Die, is awesome and every song on it is epic and I can listen to it straight through over and over.  Sometimes you just need a slow song with a slightly melancholy feel.  One to just veg out to.  You know what I mean right?  Lana Del Rey is just that.  Enjoy.

All is well, U down, in Drosche Land.     

Underneath & Uprising

1.  Underneath - Alanis Morissette.  I have loved Alanis since she first came around, way back in the 90's.  I was in high school back then and her first album, Jagged Little Pill, was one of my favorite CDs back in the day.  I have always bought all of her albums when they've come out and listened to them on repeat, memorizing them.  While she has somewhat faded from mainstream radio and airplay, she remains one of my all-time favorite artists.  This song is from one of her later albums and is all about changing yourself and being happy with yourself before you can change the world and others.  A good message, everyone should have a strong sense of self-worth and confidence.  Plus it's got a great hook and I just love Alanis.  Oh, and remember, she was an original character on You Can't Do That on Television (see last year's "Y" post here) so that is awesome too!

2.  Uprising - Muse.  Love this!  The beat is wicked.  Throw in the fact that it was used to promote the reboot of the series V (not as great as the original but still pretty cool) and it's a winner.  One that is great to crank up loud so you can feel the bass vibrate through you.  Surely I'm not the only one who does this with a good song?  Anywho, this song kicks and I'm listening to it now as I post.  It's also great to play when you need to be pumped up and ready to take on a big task or event, I mean the whole thing is about being victorious.  Win!

All is well, U down, in Drosche Land.  

These Dreams & Thrift Shop

1. These Dreams - Heart. It's Heart!  Honestly, this isn't my favorite Heart song. That would be Barracuda but "B" was full so here they are with my 2nd favorite. Who doesn't love a good 80's power ballad by a girl group?  Well, look no further. Here is a great one from Heart. This song marked a comeback from the group after dwindling popularity after the late 70's. It's been covered and used in numerous TV shows and movies so I'm sure you've heard it, a snippet, or a version thereof. Somewhere along the way. But the original is the best, as it usually always is. 

2. Thrift Shop - Macklemore. Ok. So you have to know this song. I mean, how could you have escaped it?  Did you know what "pippin' tags" meant before this?  I doubt many people did. It's catchy. It's mainstream hip-hop. And yes, I have no shame in stating that I can recite/sing/dare I say rap every word. The boys love this one too and it's always one to please when it comes on. Causing us all to stop and jam for a couple of minutes.  Maybe even on the way to Goodwill to score some great second-hand deals?

All is well, T down, in Drosche Land. 

St. Elmo's Fire & Secret

1. St. Elmo's Fire - John Parr. Who doesn't love a great Brat Pack movie?  Well, if you weren't born in the 80's then maybe you, but that would just be one of the many things you've missed out on. This is one of the main movies from that era. I haven't seen it in forever but it's a great one. And this song. The theme song from the movie. It's such an awesome and typical 80's song.  From the instruments to the wording to the way it's composed. Just a great throwback. I'll play it and turn it up loud. I think it's slowly growing on the kids!  Up next, the movie!

2. Secret - The Pierces. Maybe you've heard of this and maybe not. If you have a penchant for teenage soap operaesque drama then you'll instantly recognize it as the theme song from Pretty Little Liars. I've mentioned before my addiction to this show. I just can't get enough. I'm caught up via Netflix and am awaiting the addition of the most recent season!  Loving the show and the song I had to download it. It's a great song. Kind of a gothic feel to the music and tone of their voices. I also just love the words and song itself.  Just awesome. But I don't know who "A" is, so don't spoilt it for me?!  :)

All is well, S down, in Drosche Land. 

Redneck Crazy & Royals

1. Redneck Crazy - Tyler Farr. On my, this is Braeden's all-time favorite song. He will request it no matter what. It just gets to him. I love it too. It's a great country song. A little bit of heartbreak and a little bit of revenge all wrapped up with a great chorus and a twang. It doesn't hurt that Willie Robertson is in the video. We love us some Duck Dynasty here in Drosche Land. This is another go-to song for feeling good and singing out loud. Whenever and wherever. 

2. Royals - Lorde. She makes a second appearance this month. The song that introduced the world to Lorde and made her famous. Love it. The beat. The chorus. That voice. They all work together to just make it awesome. I will admit though that it makes me feel slightly ancient to know that she is only 18. Seriously?!  Oh well. I guess it's a good thing I'm young at heart.  

All is well, R down, in Drosche Land. 

The Queen & Que Sera Sera

1. The Queen - Lady Gaga. She makes another appearance on this list with this track. Not released as a single, that I know of. To be honest it's not one of my faves. I love all her music but this one has fallen off of my radar. Admittedly it partially makes the list because it is the only song in my collections beginning with the letter "Q" so it was this or nothing. I'm sure there are many mor earrings beginning with this letter, just none I am too familiar with or own. Sad. But it's Lady Gaga so it's worth a listen. 

2. Que Sera Sera - Doris Day. Ok, so it's not in my collection but I do love this song. Sure you've heard of it before. Whatever will be, will be. You know it?  Right?  Used in the Alfred Hitchcock movie The Man Who Knew Too Much. I love a good Hitchcock movie but I haven't seen this one in years. But the song became well known and Doris Day's signature song after being used in her tv show. There's son trivia for you thanks to some quick research and Wikipedia. You're welcome. So, not in my collection but came to mind and I love it. Maybe I'll add it now?  Heading to iTunes after publishing. 

All is well, Q down, in Drosche Land. 

Paint It Black & Push Me To the Floor

1.  Paint It Black - The Rolling Stones.  What music-themed list would be complete without The Rolling Stones?  I mean, they're like 178 years old but still awesome!  This is my favorite of all of their songs though.  Not quite sure why, just is.  It's a classic though, how can you not love it.  My kids, not so much.  Hard to believe it is nearly 50 years old.  But, like The Rolling Stones themselves, still kicking!

2.  Push Me To the Floor - The Parlotones.  Again, not quite sure how I came about this one but I'm glad I did.  It has a fun and quirky video so that also helps this song to be pretty great.  It has a fun alternative/indie feel that I like.  To be honest, I haven't heard this song in quite a while though, but I know the words and can hear it in my head if I think about it.  Maybe I'll go look up the video on YouTube.  Bring it back to the top of the playlist?

All is well, P down, in Drosche Land.  

Oh Louise & Ocean Front Property

1.  Oh Louise - Korey Dane.  Ok, I honestly cannot remember how I found out about this song.  Maybe a freebie on iTunes?  A commercial?  I have no clue.  It is likely an iTunes freebie and I love those.  Most of the time I like them, only occasionally are there ones that I think are totally crap.  This, though, is not one of them.  I love this song.  It may be one that falls to the bottom of the list and the back of my mind, but whenever it comes back on I am in love with it all over again.  Like an old friend that you haven't seen or spoken to in forever and then you meet up again and it's just like old times.  It's kind of like that.  Give it a try.  Plus it somewhat falls into the singer/songwriter genre and I am a total sucker for that kind of music.

2.  Ocean Front Property - George Strait.  The King appear again.  Love this.  I know all the words and shamelessly sing out loud the entire song whenever it comes on.  I mean, it's George Strait.  Need I say more?  This is another of my all-time faves of his and it never gets old and never ceases to please.  Timeless.

All is well, O down, in Drosche Land.  

Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien & New Soul

1. Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien - Edith Piaf. LOVE this. I cannot express to you how much. I don't know when I first heard it but you may know it from the commercial a few years back where the lady drops her engagement ring down the drain. Or maybe you are like me and have a thing for French pop music?  I also love Edith Piaf's other works, she is amazing. I highly recommend La Vie en Rose, the movie about her life. Marion Cotillard is phenomenal, and I just like saying her name.  Sadly, no one else in my family shares my love for this wonderful song so I rarely listen to it, mostly when I'm driving alone, which is also rare. But I do so love this song. 

2. New Soul - Yael Naïm. One, I do love this song. Two, I enjoy typing her name because I get to make that fun "i". It's the little things people. Anywho. You may have never heard this song before. I found it a few years ago when Apple used it in one of their commercials, I love the music they choose. So, I headed over to iTunes and downloaded it. I've been enjoying ever since. I suggest you give it a listen if you've never heard of it. Something new. Something different.  I'll admit though, I don't have any of her other music so I can comment on her entire library. Maybe I'll check it out?

All is well, N down, in Drosche Land. 

The Man & Make It To Me

1. The Man - Aloe Blacc. One of Braeden's favorite songs. One he always requests when we are taking turns listening to music from my iPhone in the car. For me it's another one of those go-to, feel good songs. I'm sure that on more than one occasion a complete stranger has caught me belting this song out at the top of my lungs. Yes, I'm that person!  I do enjoy this song so much that I've debated making it my ringtone; I just can't part with The Walking Dead theme.  Am I the man?  Maybe I am. This song sure makes me feel like I could be!

2. Make It To Me - Sam Smith. Here he is again on my list. His songs are so bittersweet and melancholy. But the words and his voice make them so addictive.  I love the fact that the song is about someone's unrequited love for a friend who is oblivious. Have you seen the video?  It totally plays off on that theme. I'm sure Amy is laughing reading this as we have been in that exact position. She was Sam Smith and I was the clueless love interest. Luckily I came around and realized she was my soulmate. And we all lived happily ever after. So stay strong Sam Smith, there's still hope!

All is well, M down, in Drosche Land. 

Let It Go & Livin' On a Prayer

1. Let It Go - Idina Menzel. Yes, I know. But I do have a 2 1/2 year old daughter. She is so intro Frozen it's not even funny. She adores it. We've seen the movie more times than I can remember. She's got dolls. She's got books.  She loved the Frozen Fever short before the movie Cinderella. Whenever the song comes on she sings and spins around "like a princess". So naturally this song brings my little girl to my mind. And I smile. Now, I'll also go one step further and admit that I do love the song. I do. I love the movie. I do.  I've not tired of either of them and I'm not ashamed to admit it. There. I've said it. I love Frozen. I love Let It Go. I love the running gag with John Travolta and his ineptitude and inability to say her name correctly. I love it all. 

2. Livin' On A Prayer - Bon Jovi. Come one. It's Bon Jovi. A total nod to my 80's childhood and love of hair band rock and ballads.  I know more than a few of you out there will belt this sound out at the top of your lungs when it comes on. Maybe you are now, or at least in your head. I know I am. So many awesome Bon Jovi songs, but this one is my favorite. I can't refer to myself or anyone else being halfway anywhere without breaking into the chorus. So good. Timeless really. Another song that I can play and it's sure to put me in a good mood.  I think I'll play it right now in fact. Rock on. 

All is well, L down, in Drosche Land. 

Knee Deep & Kiss the Rain

1.  Knee Deep - Zac Brown Band.  Love them.  This is my favorite non-ballad Zac Brown band song, I just couldn't narrow it down to one for them.  It's a great feel-good song about having fun.  Kind of this generation's Margaritaville.  It never ceases to put me in a good mood and get me singing along whenever it is on.  Also, having seen them perform live at The Rodeo, they do a killer job live.  Amazing.  This is just one of those songs that can pump you up and make you smile, whenever it comes on.  Definitely a go-to.

2.  Kiss the Rain - Billie Myers.  I'm not sure exactly what it is about this song.  The song itself?  Her voice?  The words and meaning?  I just like it.  Do you have one of those songs?  I may not always seek it out, but when it comes on (either on the radio or when my iPhone is shuffling through my library) I enjoy it and don't skip it.  I don't have much to say other than that.  Plus, there aren't a ton of songs, at least in my collection, that begin with the letter "K".

All is well, K down, in Drosche Land.  

Jump In the Line & Judas

1. Jump In the Line - Harry Belafonte. Yes, the song from Beetlejuice, likely where I first heard it. An awesome movie, but this post is about the song.  Calypso.  It's just a fun song. Also, it's hard not to sing it without emulating his Caribbean accent. Try it, I dare you. This is also one of Jackson's all-time favorite songs. He can get down when it comes on and will belt it out with me at the top of his lungs. It's awesome to experience, trust me. So, that's also a major reason why I love it so much. 

2. Judas - Lady Gaga. She makes her 2nd appearance this month. This song is also a favorite of Jackson's and he will often request it, being (like me) a huge Lady Gaga fan. It is also one of her more interesting videos with all of the religious imagery and references used in conjunction with a biker gang. Definitely a unique way to sing about betrayal.  She's nothing if she's not interesting. But I do love it so and, again, will listen to it endlessly. 

All is well, J down, in Drosche Land. 

Habits & Here I Go Again

1. Habits - Tove Lo.  So this one is fairly new. One, I love her name. Two, this song is awesome.  It is one that I can play on repeat countless times. It's got. A great beat, hook, chorus, everything.  Then it's also a bittersweet song. About loss and what it does to you. But not to get too deep and analytical about it, I just love it. This is also one of those songs that I heard and immediately thought it was going to be big. Then bam, it's everywhere. So yeah, it's like I discovered it. Sort of. Right?  Maybe I just got in on the ground floor. Either way, Tove Lo is everywhere and has released subsequent awesome songs. And it all started with this one. 

2. Here I Go Again - Whitesnake. Some songs just want to make you rock out and dance on top of a sports car. Well, at least if you're Tawny Kitaen. I mean, how can you not love this song. A classics 80's hair band ballad. It has everything. A great chorus, head banging potential, a great video.  As a child of the 80's I had to include this one to honor all of its awesomeness. Again, one I can (and am currently) listen to on repeat endless times. Throw in the fact that the boys will rock out with me and it's golden!  I also can't say the words, "Here I go" without finishing out the line from the song. Timeless. 

All is well, H down, in Drosche Land.