I'm So Happy

What better way to start off the weekend. Our latest fave song from our fave show Yo Gabba Gabba. Really...it's good, it's not just for kids!

"I'm So Happy" by The Salteens



Yo Gabba Gabba is kind of like the Banana Splits for this generation. They usually have a different indie band on the show doing kid songs. The Salteens are a band out of Vancouver B.C. Unfortunately, you can't download this song off iTunes, since the show owns it and they haven't released it yet.

Raising Literary Connoiseurs

Must my children love the BoohBahs? Of all of the books they could choose, why is it one based on a TV show? Alright, I'm a snob, but I had higher literary hopes, even at this stage.

"Scrunch up, stretch out, BoohBah's shaking all about..."

Complaints aside, whispering this simple phrase instantly stops my son's fussing. I don't even need the book anymore, as long as I can quote it verbatim (which I do, I'm no fool), he stops crying, looks up...."Do I hear BoohBahs?" and smiles. It works nearly as well as breastfeeding, which is handy, since mine aren't used for feeding anymore.

When I was pregnant, I dreamed of the books I would read my children: the Caldecott medal winners, the Polar Express's, the Cat in the Hat's. My fantasy didn't include these bald, staring creatures dancing around like a wild public service announcement for circumcision. Look again, you'll see the male anatomical resemblance.

I know what you're thinking, "lighten up Mommy Dearest, they're babies". I know I'm going a tad overboard here, but I'm learning an important lesson in Parenting 101: they'll like what they like, in spite of what I think. So I'll buck up and change my attitude. (I must say, it's a colorful public service announcement!).

So we'll continue to grow our library of books prized for their early literacy building power, and the BoohBahs will sit quietly staring on the shelf. So smug. Damn them.

Teletubbies Obsession

Tinky Winky, Dipsy, La La, Po.

Two years when I first watched the Teletubbies with my nephew, I couldn't keep the names straight. Now I can rattle them off in my sleep --I even have a favorite! (sick, I know...it's La La.) Tubbies have a way of working themselves into your brain, and nesting. Maybe it's because they play everything twice ("again, again!") and when you've seen those episodes again, again that adds up to...well, you get the idea.

It started out innocently, I let my children watch Teletubbies just to see their reactions. They responded immediately to the baby face sun, the giggles & shrieks with shrieks & giggles of their own (it was so cute, I wanted more). The Tubbies couldn't be TOO bad, I rationalized...it's public television, and they'll learn British phrases like "dollop" and "well done".

I confess, now I've come to depend on the Tubbies when Mum needs a break. The music starts, Tubbies prance out and I, at the kitchen counter, sponge in hand, get to pondering about the real Teletubbies...

Tubbie drama: "Dammit La La, you knew that was my scene!"

Tubbie pay: Is there a guild?
Read between the lines here...

Tubbie status: "Oh god, there's Byron Kerley, he brought such depth to Po."

Tubbie scripts: "We want edgy-- but how 'bout giving Tinky a purse?"

better yet, Tubbie auditions: move over, American Idol Rewind

Tubbies on DVD: Can you get director's commentary?
...grab my outstretched hand....

"Get a life!" you say, to which I reply....
"The sun is setting in the sky...Teletubbies say goodbye!"

Tinky Winky: "Bye bye"
Dipsy: "Buh bye"
La La: "Bye bye"
Po: "Byyyyeee Byyyee"
Camera pans back as each Tubbie waves and pops down into the rabbit hole. Baby sun sinks behind the horizon, credits roll. Fade to black.

...hear my desperate cry for help!