songs for the holidays

Benjamin has begun "singing" — though he doesn't quite know any lyrics. He's babbling musically. But it isn't just babble; it sounds shockingly close sometimes to the words of the songs we sing him regularly, and shockingly close to the tunes, as well.

Last night, during an early and extended bedtime ritual, Benjamin began to sing what sounded very much like the words and music to "La Ronde des Légumes."

Today, during his lunch, Benjamin started doing the same thing with the alphabet song. (We have 2 versions: the standard English version to the tune of "Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star," and a French version to the tune of "Frère Jacques" that his Mamie made up when she was a French teacher.)

Jumping on the opportunity to reinforce the actual alphabet, I joined in, but when I'd sing, he'd stop singing and focus hard on what I was saying. When I'd finish singing, he'd sometimes give it a try himself, sometimes say "mo' BC!"

Apparently "BC" is Benjamin's new word for "the ABCs."

"Mo' BC" means, "Please sing the alphabet song some more."

- papa

PS As I write this, Benjamin is in his crib for his afternoon nap. I can hear him telling himself some musical jokes, which are apparently very funny.

PPS Nathalie wants me to add that at lunch we were singing and laughing together and that she thinks he's replaying that memory to himself as he falls asleep.