Emmett Otter

Gave Emily "Emmett Otter's Jugband Christmas" as an early Christmas present. Was surprised to find it and bought it as a gift, then realized we wouldn't want to watch it as much after Christmas, so she opened it early and we watched it tonight.

For us, it was just as good as ever. Smart, sweet, great voices and songs, pretty amazing puppetry too.

Kate was into it because I'm not sure I can show her anything on TV she isn't fascinated by. She always likes the girl characters best. I think she identifies with them, all of them. "I like the lady singing."

With Jack, we saw the difference in a kid growing up in a faster-paced, South Park/Phineas and Ferb world, for lack of a better term. (There's probably a better term.) He watched it, but it was clear he thought it was ... slow. Simple. Which it is! But that's the beauty of the thing.

But he kept watching, and at the Talent Show, where Emmett's Mom sings, followed by Emmett's Jugband, followed by the rock'n'roll Riverbottom Nightmare Band, Jack weighed in on that final loud, rude act.

"I have to say that this is the best," he said.

Emily and I laughed for a while, which was confusing to Jack and Kate. Kate's opinion on the band: "They sure have a long song."

So anyway, it's official, we're old, and our son thinks our music is too slow and lame.