There are only two days a year where all my kids get up bright and early: Christmas and our Oktoberfest.

It’s 830 AM and Peter, who normally avoids getting dressed before noon, is all set for the party which doesn’t begin until late afternoon.

Last night I put together a playlist of German fest music. I also threw in some American songs – mostly country – because, well, they actually play that music, too, and because it’s my party and I can play whatever music I want to.

Then I decided to add some Sousa – not German, not typically played at a German beer hall, but fun and peppy music.

My boys have spent the last half hour arguing with me: why didn’t I include Bach or Beethoven or Mozart? They’re German, after all.

Yes, they are, and fantastic composers too. But…nope. They don’t make the cut.