In the Wiggles World...all the time

When Gabby was about 6 months old, I stumbled across this children's tv show called "The Wiggles." I had heard of The Wiggles before, but I was a childless 20-something-year-old high school teacher, so I was fairly out of touch with tv shows for those under the age of 14 (especially those featuring 4 strange australian men singing to children). After just a few episodes, both Gabby and I were hooked. Being a choral music teacher, I loved the fact that The Wiggles sang real songs in actual harmony - no fake voices, no cartoon sounds, just plain music. Now that she is 2, Gabby recognizes all of the songs and can sing many of the lyrics as well. The Wiggles have not only become a car ride must-have, they have somewhat become a way of life in our household. I am a little embarrassed to admit that I actually like some of their tunes and will find myself humming them long after the cd has been turned off. Now, if they could somehow kill off the Captain Feathersword character, you would have a seriously happy hoosier mama.

As Gabby gets older, she has been exploring new tv shows and musical groups. You know, kind of like when I moved on to Vanilla Ice from NKOTB (New Kids on the Block for those of you not familiar with 80's rock groups). Recently, she has been watching the Little Einsteins a lot. I find the theme songs to almost all of the Playhouse Disney shows to be extremely catchy. At any point during the day, Gabby and I will be walking around singing the theme song to Little Einsteins, Feelin' Good with Jo-Jo, Emily Young/Daniel Cook, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, or My Friends Tigger and Poo. I am so thankful that she loves to sing and we can share our love of music together.

For the past 2 years, we have perfected all of the basic nursery tunes - Twinkle Twinkle, Row Row Row Your Boat, I'm a Little Teapot, you name it. Heck, if my friends hadn't taught me the tune "clean up, clean up, everybody everywhere...clean up, clean up, everybody do your share" I don't think my daughter would EVER clean up her toys. I decided last week that I need to step up the game a little and move on to more showtunes - Do Re Mi, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, and yes...maybe a little...ugh...I hate to say it...here it goes - Annie. AHHHH! Yes, that little red-haired girl and her music will live on for many years in the hearts of many new little girls. I'm fairly notorious for not knowing the lyrics to any songs (contrasting my husband who knows the lyrics to every song), so Gabby better start praying now that she has learned these songs I have taught her accurately. Otherwise, once she gets to kindergarten, she might find that she is the only kid who sings "How Much is the Piggie in the Window" instead of doggie. Poor kid. I wish my memory were bettter. But hey, she was the one that came up with "like a mommy in the sky" instead of "like a diamond in the sky."

Whether it's Sesame Street, The Wiggles, Playhouse Disney, or (gulp) Annie, no matter what music I expose Gabby to, I just hope that in the future she simply continues to make lots of music and have fun doing it.

“This post was written for Parent Bloggers Network as an entry for a contest sponsored by Bush's Beans.”