Mommy Mondays: Kiddie Concerts

As I mentioned last month, I love going to outdoor concerts with my kids during the summer.  At one of the concerts, the couple sitting beside us leaned over and said "boy you guys are pros at this thing." Which made me laugh, because I didn't realize there was any sort of skill involved in attending summer concerts.  But I figured I would share our methods, in case anyone else out there wanted to step up their game.

1) Know your venue.

Summer concerts are held in all sorts of places.  Parks, pavilions, museums, here in San Diego, we even have them on the deck of an aircraft carrier!  We plan our arrival time based on what else there is to do.  Something like a museum, we arrive early enough to set up a blanket and let the kids run around playing.  Other venues, like a closed off lot with a stage, we arrive closer to the start of the concert.

2) What to bring?
A lot of people bring lawn chairs to concerts.  We do this for movies in the park, but during the concerts the kids spend more time on their feet than sitting, and often we're away from our spots, so it's easier for us to just bring a large, waterproof blanket.  Machine washable is a must, because it inevitably gets something on it.  I bring a separate bag filled with dinner and snacks, and that's really it.

3) What's to eat?

We've been to concerts where nothing is available to eat, where food trucks are present, or recently a concert that was catered by a restaurant with a small menu of premade food to purchase.  But if you have kids, you know you're better off bringing your own, just in case.   Our "just in case" always involves cheese and crackers.  Right now Thatkid is a huge fan of "goat cheese sandwiches" or goat cheese between two crackers.  Thatbaby is all about the gouda.

One of my favorite things to bring is sandwiches, and I love love love a couple of local grocery stores that have prepacked "kids meals" which come with a sandwich, drink, and snack (or two or three).

And of course, there must always be fruit.  Which Thatbaby somehow always seems to take possession of.

4) What to expect.  I've noticed a lot of parents try to get their kids to eat before the concert.  Which is definitely one option.  My kids need a little warming up to the music, so we start eating when the concert starts.  This gives them time to watch and take it all in while eating.

Often by the time they're finished, they're ready to go up and join in the fun.  Thatkid will take breaks from eating to run up and sing and dance to a song he knows.  Thatbaby waits until he's all done, then wants one of us to go up close to the stage with him.  Which is why we don't bring chairs.

The great thing about summer concerts for kids is that they're really geared toward them.  There's usually at least one song that every kid knows, like Old MacDonald.  And just as you love it when a song you know and love comes on the radio, kids get really excited when a band or singer is singing a song THEY KNOW.

5) The aftermath.  In our neck of the wood, these concerts begin and end fairly early.  Which means they extend the bedtimes of my children, but not by too much.  And what really helps is bringing pajamas with us.  We change the kids before heading home, so that when we get home, they can march right to bed.  With a song in their heart.

Crave Wednesday: Classic Italian Panini with Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella

I love summer concerts.  Outside, in a park, it's one of my favorite family time activities.

Typically we hit up the Botanical Garden for their summer concert series.  And I had every intention of doing it again this year, when I noticed that one of our favorite entertainers was performing a little closer to home.

Thatkid loves Hullabaloo, so that's the band we usually see during the summer concert series.  They're ubiquitous with kids concerts here in San Diego.  So it really wasn't terribly surprising to find out they were performing at the Children's Discovery Museum's Summer Concert Series too.  Since we already are huge fans of the Children's Discovery Museum, the idea of getting to play, picnic, and listen to music seemed like a really great way to spend a Friday night.

The museum has extended hours the nights of the concerts.  We tried to get there a little early for the boys to play.  Thatkid made a beeline for the outdoor area and we set Thatbaby up with the water and legos.

In addition to extended hours, the museum had food and beverages for the concert goers.  There was a food truck with organic meals.

Wine and beer for $5 a glass, and Italian Ice for dessert.

We settled in for dinner while we waited for the music to begin.  Thatboy had lamb and brussels sprouts, while the boys and I had macaroni and cheese.  Mine was a little more grown up with lobster in it.

When the music started, the kids rushed the stage.

Thatbaby got into the action.





As did Thatkid.



When Hullabaloo took a break we enjoyed some Italian Ice.

This was the first time Thatbaby was really able to enjoy the museum. He went down the slide, played with magnets and compressed air, and especially the little air hose!



There's one more concert, this Friday, August 5.  I highly recommend it if you don't have plans and you're in the area.  They allow you to bring your own food if you're not so into the food truck.  And since sandwiches are my favorite summer picnic food, let me recommend one of those too.

A panini is the ultimate comfort food sandwich, with warm, melty cheese and crunchy bread.  Making it on a grill pan makes it seem like a great summer alternative to anything requiring an oven.  And grilling is so summery, right?  This one, with mozarella, tomato, basil, and prosciutto seems like a bright Italian day, sitting in a piazza and listening to a local musician serenade you.  Bring that same feeling to a summer concert near you!

Classic Italian Panini with Prosciutto and Fresh Mozzarella (From Cooking Light)

1 loaf french bread, cut in half horizontally

1/4 cup reduced fat mayonnaise

1 cup shredded fresh mozzarella cheese, divided

2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil

2 oz very thinly sliced prosciutto

2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced

cooking spray

1. Hollow out top and bottom halves of bread, leaving a 1/2 inch thick shell, reserve torn bread for another use. Spread 2 Tbsp mayonnaise cut side of each bread half.
2. Sprinkle 1/2 cup cheese and basil on bottom half of loaf.
3. Top evenly with tomato slices, prosciutto and 1/2 cup cheese.
4. Cover with top half of loaf.  Cut filled loaf crosswise into 4 equal pieces.
5. Heat a grill pan over medium heat.  Coat pan with cooking spray.  Add sandwiches to pan.  Place a cast iron or other heavy skillet on top of sandwiches; press gently to flatten sandwiches.  Cook 3 minutes on each side or until bread is toasted.  Remove from heat and serve immediately.

This is Halloween: Sausage and Turnip Skillet

Yesterday it happened peoples - rain!  The first of the season!  The skies were dark and cloudy, and the wind whipped the leaves from the tree.  Lightening flashed, and the thunder rolled.  Which I actually don't mind in October.  It adds to the dark and moody atmosphere of the month leading up to my favorite holiday - Halloween!

I am so ready for Halloween.  I've already dug into my pumpkin spice m&ms  and switched over my music to my Halloween playlist.

Halloween music is vastly underrated.  It doesn't get the attention that Christmas music does  (and seriously - I was in Hallmark this weekend and the were already playing Christmas music!  It was October 5!)  But Halloween music is just as fun.  There's a ton out there, so rather than list every spooky song out there, I thought I would share with you my top 10 Halloween songs!

1.  This is Halloween


Pretty much THE anthem of Halloween.  I love Nightmare before Christmas, and this song can't help but get you in the mood.

2.  Jump in the Line (Shake Senora)


 Technically there's nothing about this song that screams Halloween on its face, but for me it is forever linked to Beetlejuice.  One could make a similar argument for The Banana Boat Song, but my vote goes to Jump in the Line.  Because I can picture singing Day-O without hands jumping from a table, but I can't picture singing Shake Senora without seeing Winona floating through the air.


3. I put a spell on you


 You guys - I just found out this weekend that Thatboy has never seen Hocus Pocus!  We'll be rectifying that very soon, but until we do, I leave you with the three witch sisters singing the classic Halloween hit.

4. Bad Things


As you may have noticed, most of my favorite Halloween songs come from movies.  And this one is my dark favorite from True Blood.  Vampires, Werewolves, Witches.  How very Halloweeny.

5. Love Me Dead

 "And when her edge is softened, her body is my coffin" Need I say more?

6. Thriller
I remember when this came out and it was like its own little horror movie. Creepy, but with a good beat. Which is how all horror movies should be.

7. Dead Man's Party

So much cooler than the Monster Mash

8. Wearwolves of London

I grew up listening to Warren Zevon. And realistically, the entire "Excitable Boy" album fits very well into the Halloween spirit, with songs about headless warriors and a boy who kills his prom date. But this is the most famous of the bunch.

9. Ghostbusters
You know you're a child of the 80s when you answer the phrase "Who you gonna call?" with "Ghostbusters." We can't help it. It's ingrained in our cultural memories.

10. Black Magic Woman
Spooky guitar done by a master. (I love Santana)


And I've moved from summer salads to hearty fall meals.  Because when it's raining outside, you need something that sticks to your ribs a little.  Which to me usually means throw some root veggies in there. This is one of those one dish meals that comes together really easily, and gives you more time for curling on the couch with some apple cider.

Sausage and Turnip Skillet

1 lb turnip, chopped

1/4 cup olive oil

2 chicken sausage links, sliced

2 cloves garlic

red pepper flakes

1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil.  Boil turnip for 5 minutes, until tender.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat.  Add the boiled turnips.  Cover and cook for about 5 minutes.
3. Add the sausage and continue to cook until browned.
4. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes, toss and cook until fragrant.

Music to my ears!

So my inlaws came out to visit for Thatbaby's birthday.  And they stayed for OVER A WEEK.  Does my absence from blogging suddenly make sense to everyone else? 

I needed to figure out some things to keep all of us occupied, and Museum Appreciation Day just happened to fall while they were here.  Thatbaby LOVES music, so I decided to get us tickets to The Museum of Making Music.

He enjoyed every minute - that he was awake.  The best part of the museum is how hands on it is.  There are instruments to try out all along the way.  Thatbaby tried his hand at a mandolin.

But really found his groove with the drums.  Thatboy is already dreading when Thatbaby can talk and ask for a drumset.

The rest of the family tried their hand at a variety of unusual instruments.

Thatbaby fell asleep halfway through the museum.  But we didn't let that stop us!

We really enjoyed this museum and I can definitely see us heading back - without the inlaws in tow so we can spend more time playing and exploring.

Since Thatbaby missed out on some of the museum, we made it up to him with one of his favorite foods - pork!  This one is another easy roast pork dish.  Stuffed with prunes, which Thatbaby loves.  And served with green beans - which are some of his favorite vegetables.  He was singing after this meal.  Because in our house, music lasts all day long.

Roast Pork with Prunes

1 pork loin (3-4 lbs)

16 prunes, halved and pitted

salt and pepper

1/4 tsp ginger

3 Tbsp flour

1/4 cup prune juice

2 3/4 cup water

1 tsp red currant jelly

1. Preheat oven to 325.  Cut slits in pork loin and insert prune halves. 
2.  Rub the pork with the salt, pepper, and ginger. 
3. Place in a roasting pan and cook for 1.5 hours. 
4. Remove the pork from the roasting pan and place the pan on the stovetop. Heat pan drippings
5. Stir in the flour, then add the prune juice, water, salt and pepper to taste and cook until thickened. 
6. Stir in the jelly and serve the gravy over the sliced pork.

Pump up the Jams

I mentioned that last weekend San Diego was a-buzzin' with activity. On Sunday we headed to the Adam's Avenue Roots Festival - a two day music festival featuring a variety of musical styles. One of the performers I really wanted to see played on Saturday, but we still got to see some really great artists. And Thatboy fell in love.

Adams Avenue spans three areas - Kensington, Normal Heights, and University Heights. While your average tourist doesn't usually get over to this area, it could truly be called the "heart" of San Diego city. If you live in a city like New York, Chicago, or San Francisco, you can go for years without having to drive. Everything you need is right in "the neighborhood." Most of San Diego isn't like that, except for this area, which is home to stores, markets, fabulous local bars and some of the best restaurants in the county. And it also houses some pretty great street festivals.

The Roots Festival is no exception. Adams Avenue itself is closed off for several streets with several stages to showcase the performers.

There are food and crafts all along the street, and in addition to the stages, there were "street buskers" who played on the corners.

I used the opportunity as an excuse to play with the video camera part of my camera. I've had this camera for about 18 months and I've NEVER played with video function. I warn you - it's pretty shaky and might give you motion sickness. So when you click on the video, maybe do something else and just listen. After all, it's the music that matters.

First up we got to see Sarah Watkins.

Halfway through her set, Thatboy turned to me and said "I have a crush on Sarah Watkins." He spent the rest of the performance giving her meaningful glances and trying to get her to look his way. I have a bitty crush on her too - that girl plays a mean fiddle.

Next we heard Orquesta Primo, but the inlaws didn't want to venture to watch them perform. It's amazing how small minded people can be. TFIL put up with the fiddling, but there was no way he was going to stand and watch salsa/folklorico. But the music sounded very high energy and fun.

Also vetoed were The Devastators and Robin Henkel who were also deemed "not music" by the inlaws.

We settled on Joanie Mendenhall who played her music at what was determined to be an acceptable volume.

She describes her style as "acoustic pop/alternative" but to me, she sounded like a throwback to older times. We just watched An Education a couple weeks ago (jeepers I love Nick Hornby) and it reminded me of the music of that era. Especially with the French influence the music in the movie had.

After Joanie, we stuck around for Gregory Page.

He was a huge hit with the inlaws, beginning his set with "I'm going to sit right down and write myself a letter" which had TFIL (who was complaining that his legs were cramping from all the walking we'd been doing) grabbing TMIL and bringing her out to dance.

Sometimes I'm like a spoiled kid at Christmas - especially with music. I didn't want to leave and I wished we could have been there on Saturday too. It's just never enough with me. Luckily I don't have to wait till next year, because there'll be another street festival in September!

With all the inlaw meals I've been blogging, I forgot to add one fairly unimportant entry - the salad. TFIL likes a salad with every dinner he has, whether eating in or eating out. What has always struck me as interesting, is that he serves the salad course first. Not incredibly unusual, except for the fact that TFIL believes the Europeans are the only people who know how to cook. period. end of story. He refuses to eat barbecue, or Mexican food, or various Asian cuisines other than a certain Chinese restaurant by his house. Well, you'll never guess what culture eats their salads AFTER the meal.....that's right! Europeans. Just a little trivia for y'all because I love you so very much. So here is one of the many nightly salads we consumed with some of my favorite ingredients - fruit and nuts!

Apple Walnut Salad
1/2 cup canola oil
1/4 cup maple syrup
1/4 cup greek yogurt
3 Tbsp vinegar (I have an assortment I alternate through depending on my mood)
2 tsp sugar
4 cups of your favorite greens
2 red apples, cored and chopped
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped and toasted

1) Whisk together the syrup, yogurt, vinegar, and sugar.
2) Whisk in oil gradually until you have a nice thick dressing. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3) Toss greens, apples, cranberries, and walnuts in a bowl. Toss with dressing.