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