Pure imagination

Have you seen the commercial for AT&T that plays “Pure Imagination” while giant paper and crayon characters play in a city? I love that commercial.

You might think, as much as I love – and watch – TV, that I’d have DVR and skip right over commercials. But here’s what you don’t know: I like watching commercials.

There. I said it. I like commercials.

Blame it on my short career in advertising. Or the “see who can count the most billboards” game my mom made up for my brother and me during trips into the city. But whatever the reason, I’m a fan of advertising.

I even subscribe to a few advertising newsletters and blogs.

It’s not like I think all commercials and ads are good. No, they’re mostly garbage. But every once in a while, I see a great commercial and I can’t help but admire the art of advertising.

[I know. I’m weird.]

I had no idea, until I started doing my research for this post, that the song used in the AT&T commercial is from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Probably I didn’t know because I can’t stand that movie.

I think it’s creepy. And yes, I’m even talking about the original, not the Tim Burton version. (I think it goes without saying that anything involving Tim Burton is likely to be on the creepy scale.)

But, there it is. “Pure Imagination” is featured in Willy Wonka and sung – so beautifully – by Gene Wilder.

And speaking of my research . . . I actually found an article that described the exact reaction I have – pretty much exactly how I was going to describe it – to this commercial. Since telling you now would be plagiarism, I’ll just share with you what the article said (emphasis mine).

That's what the AT&T “Rethink” commercial does for me. I can be doing a million other things, but when Gene Wilder's voice starts singing "Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, I stop whatever I'm doing, look at the TV, and become mesmerized by those child-like drawings springing to life in a busy city. That's exactly what AT&T wants me to do, and it's working, so props to them. (TV Squad)

That says it so well. There’s just something so captivating about this tune, those words and the characters. My favorite part is the pause before he sings “imagination” and “explanation.” Here, watch it:



Click here if you can’t see the embedded video.

This post will be linked to Things I Love Thursday at The Diaper Diaries, Friday Favorites at The Other Mama and Show Us Your Life at Kelly's Korner.

Do you like commercials? What do you think is the best commercial on TV right now?

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I knew the moment she ripped out her feeding tube.

Have I mentioned lately that Annalyn was born seven weeks early? No? Because she was. And I kind of talk about it a lot.

You know why? Because it was a miracle.

And not just the fact that she was healthy, but it was also amazing that she was able to come home so quickly.

Every time I hear about a family living in the NICU with their premature baby for weeks, I’m thankful all over again that Annalyn only had to stay in the hospital for nine days longer than I did.

But part of the strong will that kept her warm and strong and breathing well when she was a teeny tiny baby? Um, yeah. It’s the same darned will that’s driving me crazy two and a half years later!

I am not exaggerating. When Annalyn was less than two weeks old – still weighing barely more than four pounds – she ripped out her own feeding tube.

The NICU nurse said that they wouldn’t put it back in unless she needed it; she said they’d try to give her a bottle. But, she warned me, babies never took the bottle that early. They had to be at least 36 weeks (or in Annalyn’s case, three weeks); something in their little tiny brains just clicked at that point.

Every time, she said. That’s how they all were.

Except my tiny baby. Annalyn started eating from a bottle and never looked back.

That strong will was a good thing back then. A real good thing. And, as a friend recently reminded me, it will be a great thing when she’s 16 and dating.

But right now? At age 2 ½? That strong will drives me cuh-razy!!!

A few weeks ago, I had to take her to choir practice with me. She was great. Except for when she said, “No, Mommy! You no hush me! I no hush!”

Yeahhhh.

I know, I know. Some of it’s typical two-year-old stuff. (And don’t even tell me about how the threes are more terrible than the twos. I may have heard it already. Just a time or twenty.)

But you have to admit. The thought of that tiny baby who pulled her feeding tube out – as a teenager? Kind of scary, right?

Over the next several weeks, the March of Dimes will be holding a walk in a city near you. (Or in your city, you know, if you live in a city.) March for Babies gives hope to the 500,000+ babies born early every year. The money raised by these walks supports programs that help mothers have healthy, full-term pregnancies.

As I’ve mentioned before, this is a cause that’s close to my heart. So when I heard (because they told me) that Famous Footwear is supporting the March of Dimes with a special shoe, I was impressed.

For every pair of Dr. Scholl's "Inferno 2" walking shoes for women purchased, Famous Footwear will donate $5 (up to $500,000).

For a, ahem, related discount and a giveaway, visit my other site.

Have you ever walked in a charity walk? What’s your favorite cause to support?

P.S. I love the March of Dimes and this shoe campaign. Therefore, I'm linking up to Things I Love Thursday and Friday Favorites.

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Meet the Rizers!

Why is it so hard to find good [not annoying] kids’ music?

I’ve mentioned before that Annalyn is sometimes less than awesome when it comes to car rides. Right? Thankfully, I’ve found that making a big deal about playing “her music” while we’re driving makes a difference.

[Sometimes.]

And that means I get the opportunity to listen to kids music – or, even better, kids singing kids music – a LOT.

So when I heard about The Rizers, I was pretty excited. Fun music and Scripture memorization? Yes, please!

The Rizers are a cartoon (ahem, animated) band that sings scripture verses in upbeat, kid-friendly songs. Their mission is to instill in kids a love for Jesus Christ and his Word through scripture memorization and worship.

Never mind my 2-year-old; I need this myself! (KIDDING. We can listen TOGETHER. In the car. All the time. Over and OVER.)

That’s just it, though. You can listen to it over and over. Your kids will love the cute characters, and you can connect with the band on Facebook. (There’s really something for everyone with this group, isn’t there?!)

 You can buy their album, Meet The Rizers, on Amazon, as well as iTunes.

This post will be linked to Things I Love Thursday and Friday Favorites.

Have you heard of The Rizers? What’s your favorite (I mean, your kids’ favorite – no, I mean your favorite!) kids’ music?

Disclosure: I received a preview of The Rizer's album from their publicity firm.

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