Ricky Martin - Martin, Ricky (CD 1999)

Moms aren t supposed to like Ricky Martin. Its a rule, right? So when my teenage sister got my five year old, Amanda, hooked on Livin La Vida Loca I told her to shut her boca. I told my dear sister that no children of mine would be shaking any bon bons in my house. Before having kids, I was more of a Nine Inch Nails kind of gal, certainly not a pop music fan. I managed to avoid Spice Girls fever and was perfectly happy listening to VeggieTales songs in the car with the kids.

No problema, adios Ricky Martin, or so I thought. My dear daughter was constantly humming Livin La Vida Loca around the house. I asked her what she was singing and she said Mommy, its something you don t like, so I don t want to tell you that I like Ricky Martin! She looked so sad. I told her it was okay to like the song and that maybe her Auntie Katie could tape the song for her before I went out to buy an album.

The next time we visited Auntie Katie, we heard several Ricky Martin songs and both my girls were dancing to the latin beat. I kept thinking the novelty would wear off quickly, who in their right mind could like an ex-Menudo member???

Bargain hunter and freebie finder that I am, I received a coupon to Espanol.com and ordered the CD for my children. Okay, I ordered it for me too. I have to admit, the tunes were kind of catchy. The man is certainly easy on the eyes too. I did get the CD for free, so it was okay, right? Was mamacita beginning to quiero Ricky Martin?

Dios mio!

Who can resist a toddler who dances to The Cup of Life? My baby girl who had just started talking was shouting Go go go! Ale ale ale! while dancing in Blue s Clues jammies? Or a sweet voice singing Sheeeeeee s all I ever haaaaaaad from her carseat. My 19 month old, Emily, is forever pointing to the stereo pleading Bon bon?

Amanda enjoys hearing the Spanish versions of Livin La Vida Loca and Bella while the three of us enjoy dancing around the living room to the Spanglish Maria quite often. Yes, I admit it, I now enjoy Ricky Martin. I have been known to (gasp) sing along to many of the songs and even belt out a mean Shake Your Bon Bon in the shower. We haven t been able to win Daddy over completely, though I swear I ve caught him shaking his bon bon when he thought I wasn t looking.

So there you have it, this mother of two who s last pre-motherhood concert was Metallica back when Aqua Net was my friend, has openly admitted being loca for Ricky Martin. I guess it beats listening to polka? And the free CD didn t make me broka ..... Ok....bad joka.



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