Day 159: Pip, Pip, Cheerios

So, if you have been reading… you will know that Grayson has an obsession… pillow fights. Pillow fights and chocolate. Two obsessions: Pillow fights, chocolate… and naked time. Three obsessions: Pillow fights, chocolate, naked time… and the Backyardigans. Four obsessions!

But the sake of this story… there we need only to focus on the forth: "The Backyardigans"

For those of you wondering, "what the heck is the Backyardigans" I will allow IMDB to fill you in with the details:

"THE BACKYARDIGANS is Nick Jr.'s animated musical adventure series about five high-spirited young (probably early elementary school age) friends, who rely on their vivid imaginations to embark on amazing, epic adventures. In every episode, the backyard transforms into a new fantastic, photo-real landscape that serves as the backdrop for completely original, story-driven musicals. Broadway-caliber music spanning a variety of genres and cutting-edge 3D dance choreography propel the stories forward. The series will inspire children to sing and dance along with these lovable characters and stretch their imaginations as they climb up mountains, slide down glaciers and sail across oceans."

Sounds fun huh? It's actually a pretty darn good show… and for TV really promotes imaginative play. Which leads me to my Grayson story:

The other day after work, Gray and I were hanging out… and out of no where he started calling me "father". "Father, would you like to play pillow fight with me." "How are you today Father?" "Hip, Trip, Cheerios Father." "Would you like a cup of tea Father." And yes, he pretty much all of those things back to back. And I don't know what it was that he said… because he was a little hard to understand… and then it dawned on me… "Grayson, are you speaking in a British accent?"

Now, personally, I don't think Grayson knows what a British Accent is… but he said yes and quickly offered me "a spot of tea". Some how he had gotten the lingo down and was pretending to be British. That's my boy!

So, of course, I throw my accent on and Gray and I have a wonderful time making each other laugh while pretending to be British… all the while, I am wondering how we even started this game… and most importantly… how Grayson ended up being the one who started it.

Well, that question was answered a little later. After dinner Grayson asked to watch "The Backyardigans"… as he always does… and there are four episodes on each disc… so if you are not careful, after one ends, another episode will start right away… and at the start of each episode they tell you the name of the backyard adventure you are about to watch. To my dismay… and Serena's… we here a character call out the title of the episode, "The Great Tea Party"… and then see Grayson cheer, just up and down on the couch, and start shouting, "Hip, Trip, Cheerios"… or rather that was what we through he was saying… Grayson thought he was saying "Pip, Pip, Cheerio."

And after his excitement of the episode was over, Grayson turned to me and said, "Thank you Father."

BTW: Santa could not resist. That sweet little boy was surprised to stuffed animals to all five Bandyardigan characters. And yes, that “Santa Claus” is more than happy to pack all five of them into a backpack whenever the family leaves the house… because that sweet little boy doesn’t want to leave his best friends behind.