hum along

If you have a memory as bad as mine, you never remember lyrics anyway.  It is much easier to make them up.  Most of the kids' bedtime songs have made-up lyrics.  I remember them so much easier.

In the car tonight the boys started picking on each other and Pook told Bug, "You'd better be good."  I added "because Santa Claus is coming to town."  Pook then began to sing the song, but he'd started with his phrase, "You'd better be good" instead of "You'd better watch out."  Recognizing that he had the tune right but not the words, he was undeterred.  (You'll absolutely have to hum along or none of this will make any sense.)  "You'd better be good.You'd better be good. You'd better be good. You'd better be good.  You-ou-ou-ou had better... be good."  I was about to call the song quits after he'd sung it four or five times and Bug had joined in, but then he decided on a new tune.  Not new words, just a new tune.

(Begin to hum "We wish you a merry Christmas" now, in preparation for this new, exciting song.)  "You'd better be good. You'd better be good. You'd better be good.You'd better be good." And then I gave in and joined them.  Let me tell you, a three part harmony-ish-like-thing of "Carol of the Bells" with the exciting lyrics, "You'd better be good" was pretty awesome.  

Bug decided we should be singing a Thanksgiving song because (I have him so brainwashed) it is too early for Christmas songs. That led to "We're thank-a-ank-ful, We're thank-a-ank-ful." (Pick a tune.)

Then Bug did something in the back seat that annoyed his brother into saying,  "Don't be a jerk." (You know where this is going, right?)  "Don't be a jerk. Don't be a jerk. Don't be a jerk. Don't be a jerk...."  It took the rub off the calling-of-names.  Bug joined in, so I did too.  That had Bug in gales of giggles, Mama singing  "Don't be a jerk." to the tune I think of Jingle Bells.  He was unable to giggle and sing at the same time, so Pook returned to the oldie but goodie, "You'd better be good."

I tell you, our Carol of the Bells was good.