Angus, the largest snowman on record

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Take 9,000,000 pounds of snow, two 4 foot wreathes to use as eyes, 6 feet of chicken wire and muslin for the carrot nose, 6 automobile tires as the mouth, a 20 foot fleece hat, a 120 foot fleece scarf, 3 more tires for the buttons and two 10 foot trees for the arms, assemble, and you have the world's largest snowman.

The snowman went by the name of Angus and was built in Bethel, Maine in 1999. He officially melted on June 10, 1999.

Angus was a mountain of a snowman, measuring 113 feet 7 inches tall.

Since half the country seems to be getting hammered, once again, I started to wonder if anyone was doing anything creative with the frozen powder. I came across Angus, along with some pretty naughty snow people. I'll have to let you do your own search on that one (use your imagination!).

I made the mistake of showing my three boys and the plotting has begun. While I'm not sure we can beat Angus, I know we'll have fun trying!

Tune In: Q & A with Laura Doherty!

We were totally psyched to snag this Q&A with Laura Doherty before she takes the stage at the February Concert for Kids at Subterranean this Saturday at 3pm! If you are lucky enough to live in Chicago, you may have met Laura at the Old Town School of Folk, where she teaches Wiggleworms and adult guitar classes. You've heard her lovely voice wafting from a CD made with Ralph Covert, or may have caught her on a nationwide tour! With two bands, her guitar and catchy melodies, Laura rocks! Before y'all get down and boogie with Laura at her concert, here's our Q&A with the lady who is about to "Acoustically Rock Your Kids World!"

PB: What is your stage name, the name of your band and your recordings?
LD: Laura Doherty - Award-winning Chicago children's artist. I play catchy folk-pop music for the whole family! When I've got the full band with me, it's a couple of acoustic guitars, upright bass, drums, and lots of great harmonies! I have 3 folk-rock recordings for grown-ups and last year released my first kids CD "Kids in the City" which was rated a top 10 CD of 2009 by Time Out NY Kids Magazine.

PB: What was your first instrument, Laura?
LD: My very first instrument I played was the clarinet, in 5th grade. I've been drawn to music all my life and that was the first opportunity I had to play an instrument, when it was offered in school. Then I took piano lessons at 12, and started on guitar at age 16. Guitar is the one that
stuck, it's my main instrument and has brought so much joy to my life. I also play electric bass from time to time.

PB: What was the first song you ever wrote?
LD: I wrote my first song around age 20, called Travelin' Girl, a little bluesy-rock number about all the places in the world I wanted to visit. The first children's song I wrote came to me while riding on the EL, 3 years ago. I was stuck on the train running late for a gig downtown and my
nervous energy caused me to sing a little song in my head about the El, called "El Train". My first kids song was born somewhere around the Grand Ave. stop downtown! From there, more songs came and the CD took shape with a Chicago theme and a city theme.

PB: Where did you play your first gig?
LD: My very first gig, on a stage with a microphone, was in college, at a coffeehouse on campus called the "Monk's Inn". My parents were there visiting and I remember being so nervous! I played lots of covers from the 70s!

PB: Where is the weirdest place you have ever played?
LD: Last summer I played on a coach bus in downtown Chicago for a bachelor party. I set up my little sound system in one of the overhead compartments and set up the microphone between the seats. It was tricky to sing and play guitar standing up when the bus was busy turning on all the city streets! I sang Sweet Home Chicago and the bus driver chimed in with harmonies on the over head loudspeaker. It was a hoot!

PB: What's your favorite song to sing and why is it so cool and crazy?
LD: One of my favorites to sing is my "Hot Dog" song. It's very interactive for the kids, and catchy too. And who doesn't love a Chicago-style hot dog?!!

PB: What are your "desert island" albums?
LD: Anything by the Indigo Girls, they are my favorite! I also love Ari Hest, Shelby Lynne and the Weepies.

PB: We have to ask- what was your most embarrassing stage moment?
LD: Completely blanking on the lyrics to a song...it happens on occasion...especially the older I get!

PB: What musical accomplishment are you most proud of?
LD: Simply, I am very proud to be able to make a living doing what I love...music! And also writing songs that touch people's hearts and make them happy.

PB: Do you have any pre-performance rituals? Any "no brown M&M rules???
LD: I don't have any pre-performance rituals.

PB: Please describe yourself in 3 adjectives
LD: creative, musical, easy-going

PB: Please describe your music in 3 adjectives
LD: breezy, fun, harmonious

Thanks so much, Laura- this was whole lotta fun! You can book Laura for a Chicagoland party by emailing Jenna at jmurfin@oldtownschool.org. To buy tickets for Sub-T and Psychobaby present Laura Doherty, Saturday, February 27 at 3pm, go here! We'll see ya at the show with rockin' surprises for everyone!

Celebri-Teenie Style Match: Gaga vs Swift

Images above: ladygaga.com & chicagonow.com

Being a fan of both of these trend setters, I wondered what they would have worn when they were five. 

I think Miss Gaga (Aka Stefani) would have worn her superstar tee displaying her dreams for the world to see! Mixed up with a rockin' tutu, a pair of classic vans and the beginning of her little monster following with Manhattan Toys Blanche Kreecher pillow.

Little Taylor on the other hand, has a sweeter side. I envision Taylor expressing herself in a flowy dress like this one from Truly Me by Sara Sara. Always one to have her style pulled together from top to bottom, Taylor wouldn't dream of leaving the house for a playdate without  a Pretty Purse by Melissa and Doug Toys and her classic maryjane socks by Me in Mind. A true southern bell!

Schubas Family Series presents... Boogers

Boogers are just a slimy fact of life! For those of us that might puke if we hear another purple dinosaur tune, you'll love our new found find! Psychobaby is in love with Boogers! Check em out this weekend as Shubas!!

Kids 2 & under get in FREE!

The Boogers are the brainchild of musician and developmental psychologist Paul Crowe aka Crusty Booger.

Paul spent the late 80's-90's playing, writing and touring the U.S. as a bassist with a number of Chicago-based punk and post-punk bands. During this time, Paul was lucky enough to share the stage with two of his rock n' roll idols: -- Dee Dee Ramone (& the Chinese Dragons), and Marky Ramone (& the Intruders). His musical talents are not constrained to one genre...Paul also played for five years with the Loyola University Jazz Band.

Somehow, across 6 albums and hundreds of shows, Paul completed a Ph.D in Developmental Psychology at Loyola University, found the love of his life and became the proud father of three sons.

What came next was a natural evolution -- he married his passion for classic punk to his knowledge of child and language development through music to create, play and record his hyped-up, irreverent music for his sons and friends' kids. Children's music that brings the chord-driven rock -- and isn't lame!

Saturday 02/20/2010 4:00 PM All Ages $5.00

Schubas Tavern
• 3159 N. Southport
• Chicago, IL 60657
• TEL: 773-525-2508
• FAX: 773-525-4573
  

Condom truck tips, spills load

Tee hee hee! Cool, more psychobabies on the way!

Let's Make Out!!

Personalize funny videos and birthday eCards at JibJab!

Drink Up! A Valentines Day Message from Psychobaby

Al Green, check. Sitter? Check. Champagne, check. Granny pants retired for the night? Check. Carve out some time for "loooove". As far as we're concerned, more love means more babies and more babies means more love.

(Personally, I'm getting my love at a Chinese restaurant with my hubby and three boys. I feel hot already!)

Introducing Birthday Tees from the Psychobaby Custom Shop!

We know once that half-birthday nears the only talk you'll hear in your house will be Birthday Party Talk! While you field requests for a ferris wheel and a pony - let us do you a favor with our cool line of Custom Birthday Party Tees! Choose from a wide selection of hip themes, tell us the number of guests, and then check the whole goodie-bag scenario right off your list! Each tee comes wrapped in a take-out box for a wicked cool birthday present-ation that'll make you the Hostess with the Mostess and will delight every Pirate in Training or mini Pinkalicious in attendance! Without breaking a sweat, you'll be all set to party with a few clicks of that mouse!

In honor of the launch of our cool custom Birthday Tees, we're having a Big Birthday Contest on Facebook! Become a Fan of Psychobaby, and then go to discussions and let us know what birthday party theme you'd like to see next on our custom tees!

Each month leading up to our birthday (March and April), we will randomly choose a winner who'll receive 20 themed Birthday Tees for their party! Then, every fan who has suggested a theme will get entered in our Big Birthday Raffle. The lucky winner's theme will be added to our line of Custom Birthday Tees, they will receive a $250 gift card, and, as always, Supreme Bragging Rights!

Beauty & the Bottle Shopping Event

In support of the upcoming holiday – Valentine’s Day – and Big Love Little Hearts Foundation, The Fashion Journal and Beauty and the Bottle are hosting a charity shopping event to raise money for Big Love and to share a toast to love and happiness this season.
The event will be held at the Red Canary Lounge on Milwaukee – http://www.theredcanarychicago.com/ – next Wednesday, February 10th from 6-9pm. The first 100 guests will receive goody bags and there is a $10 suggested donation at the door, (which will go to Big Love.) Shop for yourself, or for your loved ones among the designers: Dawn+Relentless, Zamrie, Fabi, TZEN Boutique, The 3 Hearts Boutique and Eclectica. Mary Kay will also be providing FREE make up and facial trials.
Jazz singer, Lisa Roti will be performing, there will be appetizer and drink specials and a charity auction at the end of the night. You’ll be able to bid on products such as handbags, Parisian perfume, gift certificates to Connect Chicago and more, with all proceeds going directly to Big Love Little Hearts Foundation.
The best part is that parties of 4 or more women will receive a FREE bottle of champagne and FREE chocolate covered strawberries. All you have to do is RSVP at http://www.beautyandthebottle.com/events

See if you can figure out this acronym......

C.H.I.L.D.

Cute. Horrible. Irresistible. Loutish. Darling.
The fact is, acronyms are a lot of fun. (look up FUBAR or SNAFU). Psychobaby's latest custom tees prove it once again.
Got a critter that's indescribable in just one word? Head over to Psychobaby's Custom Shop and let their preschool teacher know what she's in for

No backstage pass required!

Rowdy Sprout's most highly anticipated season has arrived!
With the addition of my all time favorite, The Grateful Dead, these rockin' tees, onesies and amazing dresses will have your Psychobaby noodle dancing in the park with delight.
Neil Young next please! Scope out all of Rowdy Sprouts' new arrivals.