The Soundtrack to Our Lives...

Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood.

Listen.  That little tiger says things WAY better than this momma.

What usually comes out of my mouth...

"Y'all.  For the love.  Stop fighting."

What Daniel Tiger says...

"Find a way to play together, and find a way to share with each other.

Find a way to play together, and find a way to care for each other."

Listen and learn for yourself here.

(First of several links.)

(Consider yourself warned.)

When Rhys is angry and actually roars...

"Rhys.  Really, Dude?"

Daniel Tiger says...

"When you feel so mad that you wanna ROAR, take a deep breath and count to four.

1, 2, 3, 4..."

Here.

And with Aubrey Kate, for those times when she's crying and I have no idea WHAT IN THE ACTUAL WORLD has caused her to cry...

"Aubrey Kate, what happened, baby?"

Daniel Tiger sings...

"Use your words and say how you feel..."

And here. 

You get the picture.  Or the song.

We've been singing all the Daniel Tiger songs we know on the way to school and on the way home from school.  Most of the time, I encourage it.  Or at least play along.  Although the kids can get kinda testy with each other about the lyrics.  

Aubrey Kate believes she knows all.  All the time.  Even when she doesn't remember a single word, it's fine.  She knows it better than anyone else in the car.  Which is mostly true.  

Rhys likes to ad lib at little.  You know, go off script.  Color outside the lines.  And it gives him a chance to ROAR with permission.

Sometimes, all these preschool songs get old.  They are super cheesy.  And singsongy in a baby-talk voice.  Really, really makes me start searching for a man and a guitar.  Somewhere.  Anywhere.

But mostly, I am grateful to have this adorable little tiger saying things in a much more fun way.  

Because, shhhhh, I'm not actually THAT much fun.

Some.  But not THAT.

And singing them a song has this magical ability to bring a smile to their face.  Even in the middle of a battle over who's going to be the puppy next.  

(I know.  The kids have been pretending to be dogs.)

(It's as weird as you are thinking.)

(Seeing your kid on a plastic pearl necklace leash = BIZARRE)

The days can get a little long around here.  At least Daniel is making it a bit easier these days.  Bless him.  And Mr. Rogers.