Let me listen in peace!

We're watching Backyardigans right now. It's the Riding the Range episode. I just love the "echo in the canyon" song. (I don't know what it's called) but it's the Buffalo Girls song at the end that always sticks in my head after this episode is over.

The problem is, all summer they've had that stupid activity meter from Lazy Town popping up during other shows. That's not an issue during Dora or Blues Clues, I'm sure, but here on The Backyardigans it keeps coming on in the middle of a song! There I am, with my children, all of us singing along with the music, the girls maybe dancing around the living room, and all of a sudden this noise interrupts. Very annoying. The kids always complain about it. I hope that thing goes away at the end of the summer.

Cowgirls, cowboys won't you come out tonight,
come out tonight, come out tonight,
Cowgirls, cowboys won't you come out tonight
and dance by the light of the moon?

Uniqua

So just what is Uniqua? That seems to be the big question and no-one agrees on what the answer is. "A ladybug," says one mother. "Are you an idiot?" another fan inquires sweetly. "Can't you tell she's an ant?" "No, no," says another. "She's a pig!"

Whatever the answer, Nick Jr. isn't saying. When the discussion gets intense, though, the answer that usually shouts the rest down is that Uniqua is exactly what her name implies: unique. She's one of a kind, not meant to be any particular species.

That makes sense to me.

Facts about Uniqua:
Light pink, with dark pink spots and light pink antennae, Uniqua wears overalls that are the reverse of her coloring. One of the smallest of the Backyardigans, she is very confident and daring, full of ideas and energy. Backyardigans creator Janice Burgess says that Uniqua is the Backyardigan she wishes she was like as a child.

Uniqua is voiced by LeShawn Jeffries, sung by Jamia Simone Nash and danced by Hattie Mae Williams.

UPDATE: According to the Nick Jr. FAQ on Backyardigans, Uniqua is "unique, just like her name!"

Backyardigans Birthday Party

If you're looking to buy official Backyardigans party invitations, cards, decorations and the like, you'll have found they're just not available yet. Nick Jr, however, does have items you can print out for a "Riding the Range" party. They've got directions for making a Pablo Cake, printouts for cards, badges, nametags, decorations, and a poster.

Most of the stuff they have is fairly generic Western party stuff, but there are printable placemats featuring Tyrone, Tasha, Uniqua and Pablo. Other Backyardigans specific printables include song sheets from "Riding the Range", invitations and thank you notes. The only Backyardigans recipe is the cake, but the other recipes look pretty good. Forget waiting for a party, I'm thinking I'll make the Southwestern Style Cornbread Pizza for dinner tomorrow night!

Netflix has the Backyardigans

I just checked and sure enough, Netflix has Backyardigans: It's Great to Be a Ghost! Amazon doesn't have details about what's on this DVD, but according to Netflix it has four episodes. While Netflix doesn't specify which episodes, from the description it sounds like they are:

• It's Great to Be a Ghost
• Pirate Treasure
• The Key to the Nile
• Monster Detectives

Monster Detectives hasn't been shown on Nickelodeon Jr. as of this date, so if you move fast you might be able to see a new episode right away!

Backyardigans Forum

Just ran across this great site where you can go to get information and talk about Backyardigans stuff.

BackyardiganFans.com

Clothing at Kohl's

Speaking of birthday's, I was very happy to find that Kohl's is now carrying Backyardigans clothing. I went ahead and ordered the nightgown and the sweatshirt for my little fan. (Although, why is the sweatshirt labeled "boys" clothing? Because it has Pablo, Tyrone and Austin on it? Oh, puh-lease!)

I just typed "Backyardigans" into their search box. Besides the nightgown and sweatshirt, they carry pajamas, shoes, and underwear.

Anyone know anywhere else to buy Backyardigan's clothing?

I want my river back - or at least the song.

My oldest daughter's birthday is coming up, and I've been thinking about getting her the Backyardigans CD. One of the things I really like about their music is that I can listen to it without going crazy. In fact, I'll find myself starting sing bits and pieces of Backyardigans music when the kids aren't even around! So I think I can handle listening to this over and over again.

The only problem is that they don't have some of my favorite songs on there. Although, as one reviewer at Amazon mentioned, they have enough music between the various episodes to make two CDs. The reviewer thinks that would be overkill; I'm not so sure!

Imaginary Friends

Ever since we started watching Backyardigans, my daughter has been just crazy for the show. She had loved music since she was a tiny baby. (It was the only way I could reliably get her to sleep when she was a newborn!) I think that's what appeals to her the most about this show.

She was just starting into imaginary friends when we started watching. It didn't take long before she started playing with not just one, but five imaginary friends! Months later, she still plays with Pablo, Uniqua, Tyrone, Austin, and Tasha almost every day. She even tries to bring them playdates. And you should see the problem it causes when we get in the car or sit down to eat! Luckily we have a minivan (I tell her they're sitting in the back seat), but our table isn't big enough for five extra guests.

Talk about making life complicated ...

Why I'm here

As the mommy of two small children, I've had ample opportunity to become familiar with The Backyardigans and I'll admit it. I'm hooked!

I know I'm not the only parent out there who enjoys the music and humor of The Backyardigans. Neither am I the only parent searching for places to buy Backyardigans merchandise for my children. I thought I'd set up this blog, therefore, so all of us can share our thoughts and ideas on where to find the as-yet scarce merchandise.

Come on in! Let's talk.