When Adeline was mere days old, I started singing to her. I sang her gentle, quiet, peaceful songs to try to encourage her to sleep. It didn’t work, but I kept at it. I sang her Swing Low, Where Have all the Flowers Gone, Close Your Eyes, Michael Row Your Boat Ashore, and a motley collection of other spirituals and folk songs. In time, she really came to love them.

Then she went to music class and school and various other activities and started learning the traditional kids’ songs. Like Old McDonald, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and The Itsy Bitsy Spider. And holy crap, she may love my folk songs, but girl is OBSESSED with these kids’ songs. We sing three songs before bed, and sometimes she demands Old McDonald three times in a row. Come ON.

There must really be something about these songs that kids love. I’m guessing it’s because they’re a bit more upbeat and also really simple. So simple, in fact, that a not-quite-two year old can sing them:

You’re welcome for that.

Seriously, though, when is she going to start liking the spirituals and folk songs again? Because I don’t know how many more times I can sing Old McDonald. Her saving grace is that she does often ask for Flowers (Where Have all the Flowers Gone). Thank the gods!