| A Mix CD is a simple, fun, and long lasting kid's | | | | period between end of Winter and the dawn of |
| birthday party favor idea. A CD mix of your child's | | | | Springtime)Wilco/Billy Bragg " Hoodoo Voodoo" from |
| favorite songs from the past 12 months easily | | | | "Mermaid Avenue" (a Woody Guthrie song written |
| trumps the dollar-store quality toys, balloons, stickers | | | | for his kids. A ton of fun to listen to as Woody uses |
| and regular party favor material which is forgotten | | | | several hilarious made-up words and phrases in his |
| about or broken shortly after it is received. A mix CD | | | | lyrics. Wilco and Bragg's performance is a blast)Dr. |
| is long lasting, enjoyable, interactive, and a perfect | | | | Dog "The World May Never Know" from "Easy Beat" |
| document of your child's previous year, through | | | | (our daughter's favorite song at one point. it has a |
| music. When compiled yearly it becomes a chronicle | | | | beat so infectious that it is almost impossible not to |
| of your child's interest in music (both the kid and | | | | start dancing, or a the very least swaying back and |
| adult variety) and as far as memories go a collection | | | | forth, with the first note)The Band "Ain't Got No |
| of mix CDs, one for each year of his or her life, will | | | | Home" from "Moondog Matinee" (The Band covered |
| become as treasured as any crayola masterpiece or | | | | Clarence "Frogman" Henry's classic 1956 song and |
| notches on a growth chart.Mix CDs can be put | | | | made it their own. Your kids will love Levon Helm |
| together with relative ease assuming you have | | | | singing like a Frog on one of the early verses. Check |
| access to a PC w/ CD-RW drive, the internet/iTunes, | | | | out Clarence Henry's original version as well)The |
| and a printer.Here is what you will need and how | | | | Beach Boys "Surfin' USA" (a summertime classic. what |
| much it will cost (for a party of 25 kids):1) Music, of | | | | kid or parent can resist singing along with this |
| course! See below for some suggestions. Assuming | | | | super-catchy tune. if your child is like mine he or she |
| you do not own any of the music for this CD (which | | | | will soon be turning the knees-bent and arms-out |
| would be odd, since presumably your child has | | | | surfing motion into their own new dance, creating an |
| already been enjoying his or her favorite songs) | | | | instant classic moment. have your video-camera |
| expect to pay .99 cents each on iTunes (but you | | | | charged and ready!)Softer:M. Ward "Here Comes the |
| only have to buy each song once!)2) CD-Rs.3) Jewel | | | | Sun Again" from "Transistor Radio" (a lovely homage |
| Cases. We would recommend the slim cases for this | | | | to that big ball of heat in the sky from this terrific |
| project. You could be even more creative by making | | | | "old-soul" singer/songwriter)Red House Painters |
| paper sleeves and stamp and/or stencil the album | | | | "Wop-A-Din-Din" from "Old Ramon" (a touching song |
| details on the cover.4) Labels. Most packs include | | | | about a cat. if you and your family have a cat in the |
| easy to use software for designing and printing your | | | | house, this song will became a favorite and if you |
| own labels for the CD, Jewel Case front, back, and | | | | don't you may want to rush out and get one!)Archer |
| spine.Costs1) The Music - 12 songs (a decent length | | | | Prewitt "I'll Be Waiting" from "White Sky" (lyrically |
| for a mix CD): $122) CD-Rs: $15 (for a 50 pack - so | | | | could easily be a love song from parent to child. |
| you will have enough for next year's party!)3) Slim | | | | Archer has one of the finest singing voices of the |
| Jewel Cases: $18 (for a pack of 25)4) Labels and | | | | past decade)The Gilroys "Martin Candy" from their |
| Software: $15 (for 40 complete sets of CD | | | | self-titled CD (kid's should love the instrumentation |
| labels)Total: $60. Or a little more than $2 each for a | | | | and parents with a love of older comedy films should |
| party of 25 kids.Here are some suggestions for | | | | get the funny movie reference in the refrain's lyrics |
| "adult" music that can be downloaded from iTunes | | | | and song title. full disclosure: my old record label |
| (or most other digital download services) and shared | | | | released this song. )Nick Drake "Northern Sky" from |
| with your kids of any age, organized as "Louder" and | | | | "Bryter Layter" (simply one of the prettiest love |
| "Softer" selections. Don't worry, the loud is not ear | | | | songs ever written)Be sure to include a nice blend of |
| shattering and the soft will not put you to | | | | the "adult" songs that your child enjoys as well as |
| sleep.Louder: Bright Eyes "True Blue" from "Motion | | | | their favorite kids tunes. This suggested playlist has |
| Sickness - Live Recordings" (a studio version of "True | | | | been compiled as an iMix on iTunes, titled "OWTK |
| Blue" is available on their "Lua" EP. "Motion Sickness", | | | | Volume 1", for quick and easy downloading.Enjoy the |
| a more recent release, was only made available | | | | music and your child's birthday party!Copyright 2006 |
| through independent record stores. Both versions are | | | | With The Kids is a web blog dedicated to providing |
| quite good, but our daughter prefers the more | | | | unique tips, trips, events, and ideas to families striving |
| raucous live version)Josh Ritter "Snow is Gone" from | | | | to raise healthy, happy, and interesting kids. |
| "Hello Starling" (a terrific song about the magical | | | | |