Summer in Minnesota: Concert Series

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Hands down, the thing I missed most this winter was outdoor concerts. Skyler and I loved going to concerts last summer and I was excited to find many kid-friendly concert series in our area. These are the three that we have enjoyed going to, though I am sure there are many more. Not that it is any surprise, but I took a lot of pictures of Skyler last summer. Here are some pictures from the concerts we went to in these series, mostly from last summer, and a few from today :)

Centennial Lakes kiddie concerts every Tuesday and Thursday at noon. The concerts take place at a cute little amphitheater and there is some space right near the performers to put up blankets in the shade. I don't think Skyler and I missed a week last summer, sometimes we went both days. The genres of music are varied and last summer we even saw an animal show that was the most packed I have ever seen it. It can get really hot with little one's if you can't get into the shade, but my absolute favorite thing about this location is getting there a little early and taking advantage of the beautiful lake for a walk! The full summer concert schedule can be found here.

The concert we went to today was the first Centennial Lakes concert of the summer for us. The performer was Red Yarn and it was a lot of fun. The nice thing about this time is that we bring a picnic lunch and Skyler either falls asleep for nap in the car or I put him down right when we get home. It was funny because at one point Skyler said "I see the Okee Dokee Brothers" and I told him that we weren't seeing them today, but after the show Red Yarn said that one of the Okee Dokee Brothers was in attendance. I noticed Skyler staring behind us a couple of times, and he must have recognized him :)

                              My brave boy even went right up to the front when one of the puppets was brought out!

Staring Lake Kidstock concerts Tuesday's at 10:30am. We went to many of the concerts in this series last year, usually with our ECFE class (and unless we were spending our Tuesday at Centennial Lakes). The amphitheater is right next to Staring Lake Park, so it is fun to head to the park and play after the concert is over. There is very little shade at this location and it can get extremely hot, but it is fun to meet up with friends and have a snack while listening to some live music. The event calendar that includes all of the Kidstock concert information can be found on the City of Eden Prairie website here.

Klein Bank concert series on Thursday's at 7:00pm. These concerts are not part of a kid series (though we did see the Okee Dokee Brothers last summer), but all of the concerts were a lot of fun and Skyler enjoyed all of the genres of music. I enjoy this later concert, even though it is right at Skyler's bed time. The weather was always beautiful and my husband came along to all of the shows last year. We put Skyler in his jammies and we were ready to go home right after and read some books before bed. I always made sure to bring some books, toys, and a snack just in case the music style didn't really appeal to Skyler. The list of performers can be found on the City of Chanhassen website here.

We have gone to a few concerts at Lake Harriet, but haven't taken enough advantage. There are always fun things going on at our favorite place!

There are also a lot of concerts at the Landscape Arboretum, though we have not gone to any.

If you live in the area and have or know any children that would enjoy some live music in the beautiful summery Minnesota weather, I highly encourage you to try out these three concert series. I am so looking forward to a full and fun summer of music with my boy!

The Okee Dokee Brothers and a Giveaway!

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I have mentioned our favorite children's band, the Minnesota based Okee Dokee Brothers on more than one occasion. Skyler received their Grammy winning CD/DVD Can You Canoe? for Christmas last year, when he was just six months old. I've never been into bluegrass, and was especially skeptical of a children's bluegrass band (working in childcare and teaching for years, I have heard my share of awful children's music). I have always been a ska/punk music kind of person, but after getting that CD, we went from my music and the occasional Baby Einstein lullaby CD, to bluegrass music every day. It was the perfect CD for when we were playing in Skyler's room and was calming enough that I remember walking around his room, bouncing him before sleep to The Bullfrog Opera and Small and Simple. It was a bonding experience for us and I still love listening to those songs and remembering that one on one time with my tiny baby boy. 

Last summer the Okee Dokee Brothers toured all over Minnesota. We could have seen them every day if we wanted, they were always so close to where we live. We didn't see them every day, but we did go to three shows (two were in the same week). Skyler had just turned one at the first show we saw and even though he was so little, he got very excited when he heard the songs he recognized and bounced up and down where I held him up. We got a picture with the guys after the show. I think my husband was kind of horrified that I wanted to wait and get a picture with them, but Skyler was so much younger than the other kids there and I wanted him to see that picture from our first family concert. I love that he will always have that. They are just as friendly as they look in the picture!

The Okee Dokee Brothers playing at our local library and two local outdoor concert series last summer.

Since those three shows (we also saw them at Rock the Cradle a few months back), we usually listen to Can You Canoe? when we are playing in Skyler's room and Take it Outside in the car, plus you can't forget about The Okee Dokee Brothers Pandora station, which plays pretty much every where else in the house. We have heard most of the songs from their other albums that we don't own yet through that station. (We don't have their first album, Kids with Beards, or their awesome Spanish album, Excelente Fabuloso! They are on my must get list!) I excitedly pre-ordered their new adventure album, Through the Woods to add some new tunes to our day!!

When we got our CD in the mail, I put it on in Skyler's room, thinking we would just listen while we played. His reaction when the music started was not at all what I expected. I am so happy I thought to grab my camera and take a video.

He was so emotional about the music, after every song he would say "new song!" and then quietly listen on his own, or would sit on my lap. He didn't want to play or do anything, just listen to the music and soak in all of the new songs. He danced to Walking Through Spring and Echo because he had heard them before. The next morning, the first thing he said to me was "New Dokee Brothers?" I put on the CD and laid down on his floor. He laid on my chest and we listened to all of the songs, completely silent. More moments that I will treasure, because of these beautiful songs.

I cannot say enough great things about this amazing band and the music they make. We love the new CD. I expected to do more of a review about the songs, but basically they are just really wonderful. The lyrics are witty, the band is exceptional, the topics are interesting, and I often forget I am listening to "children's" music. It is music I feel really good about letting Skyler listen to. There are fun upbeat songs and some slower songs too - every song is great to dance to, listen to in the car, or use as background noise during play time! Skyler even asked about the DVD, remembering the one from the last album. We sat on the couch together and he actually watched the entire thing - a big commitment of time for a not quite two-year-old! The DVD is just as awesome as the album it accompanies. The Okee Dokee Brothers, and especially their adventure albums, are so so special.

We went to their album release party for Through the Woods yesterday. Here are some pictures from the event. My dad came with me and Skyler, and the three of us had such a fun time!

The first full band show we have seen! Also, we ended up sitting behind their families.

Baby boy was so patient waiting for the show to start!

If you've read the blog for awhile, you have probably noticed Skyler's SUPER serious face. It is the most obvious when he is focusing, and throughout the concert he was completely fixated on the stage, watching them play. No clapping, so singing, no dancing. It was so cute. He excitedly waited after the show to meet the guys, and clammed up when we got to the table :)

The entire way to the car and during our drive home, Skyler was talking about the concert. "See Okee Dokee Brothers! Sitting with Okee Dokee Brothers on a bench! hear a banjo!! Lotsa people...dancing!" It was sweet. Minnesota locals, the Okee Dokee Brothers are playing at the MN Zoo on Father's Day. We won't be there, but it will be such a fun show! Check out their tour schedule to see if they are playing a show near you this summer!

We love the Okee Dokee Brothers and their new adventure album, and I am so excited to be doing a giveaway with this great band. One reader is going to receive their new CD and DVD! You can enter below until Friday and I will email the winner directly. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Homemade Duct Tape Drum

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I got an email last week from the teacher from our Kindermusik class asking us to make a drum with our kids. She sent several links to DIY drums, and I did a combination of this duct tape drum from fellow KBN mama blog Frugal Fun 4 Boys and this drum using an oatmeal container.

Skyler and I went to pick out some duct tape and these are the three that he chose. I originally showed him the bright chevron and a white, light blue, and navy chevron and he said "PINK ONE!!!" so pink it was, and he chose orange and green to accompany the fun chevron.

Just like the tutorial at Frugal Fun 4 Boys, I placed strips of duct tape around the opening hole of the container. I cut the duct tape in half and alternated colors until I had done about three layers of tape. Skyler picked bright tapes, so my goal was to make this as colorful and fun as possible :)

Once the top was done, I made the stripes along the outside of the container. Starting at the same spot so the seam ended at the same place, I did a stripe of chevron, one each of the orange and green, and another stripe of chevron at the bottom. That is one bright drum!

I didn't want Skyler's only part in the drum to be choosing the tape, so I cut up some pieces of the chevron tape and let him use the "stickers" on the drum. He had so much fun and kept asking for more stickers in between jam sessions with his drum!

He is drinking. I am pretty sure he is "drinkin' oahnge juice!" The boy loves orange juice.

Here is Skyler's finished drum!

But not quite finished, because I had to give the top a little monogram! I think the various tapes were used to their full potential ;)

Skyler had a lot of fun helping with this drum from choosing his own tape to decorating it, and definitely playing it! I know he will be proud to bring it to class tomorrow. We love making instruments at home, and I am excited we can add this drum to our collection!

 

Musical Percussion Tubes

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It is officially spring tomorrow and I am feeling the need to celebrate - these super simple homemade musical instruments have been perfect for Skyler to cheerfully welcome the warmer seasons and they are a fun reminder of one of our favorite times of the week!

In our Kindermusik class, the little one's have had the opportunity in the past few weeks to try a ton of new instruments. Skyler's favorite was a set of plastic percussion tubes (if you Google that you can find the name they go by). This version used recycled materials we had on hand and they sound just as good as the ones you can buy - and are much more budget friendly!

All you need to create this incredibly entertaining musical instrument is two paper towel rolls and some tape. I used masking tape with bright spring-like colors and geometric shapes. You could use any variety of color or patterned tape to create these beautiful instruments.

To make the tubes, I laid the paper towel roll down and pulled out a piece of tape long enough to cover the length of the roll. Then I stretched the tape tight and placed it down in one piece when it was as straight as possible. I tucked the end pieces into the tube and when I had gone all around the roll I cut a piece big enough for the inside so that it was one continuous piece of tape instead of all the different length ends showing.

I tried doing some horizontal pieces of tape along the tube, but ended up liking the look of just the vertical stripes instead! Doing all horizontal, checkered with vertical and horizontal, or even diagonal stripes with the tape would look great as well, it would just take longer to match up the tape straight.

Making our musical percussion tubes only took me about five minutes, including the tape I ended up taking off. They are quite easy once you figure out how to keep the roll from spinning as you press down the tape. When I was done, I tried them out and they sounded great. I actually hit them pretty hard against the table and they didn't lose their shape at all - quite toddler proof! I was really excited to have Skyler play with these.

Skyler saw them and when I banged them together once, he knew what they were and was so ready to play! I had planned on getting some pictures in the morning, but he was so eager to play his new instruments and was using them very creatively, so I grabbed the camera just minutes before bedtime - poor lighting, pajamas, and everything - so I must apologize for the not-so-beautiful pictures! Between the darkness and movement I had to use a flash.

You know what screams spring? That would be fleece Santa Claus pajamas of course! ;) Skyler insisted on his "Santa jammies!" and you better believe they will be in his nightwear rotation until he outgrows them or it gets too warm for fleece. Anyone else still rocking the Christmas pajamas?

The picture above shows the best way to make noise with the percussion tubes. When you hit them together with the full length it makes a nice loud bang! They can also be clacked together or used to drum on other things (banging on tummies, knees, and toes are popular with my little one! They are so light that it doesn't hurt if used as head drumsticks, which Skyler finds so funny!)

I thought this was too funny. Skyler using a tube as a harmonica - sound effects and all!

Of course, Skyler tried banging his instruments on all the surfaces in his room. We talked about what made loud noises and what made quiet noises.

We were playing with them while listening to a CD from our music class and it is all about vehicles. Skyler is using the two tubes to make a train in this picture! "Choo Choo!"

These musical percussion tubes are simple and fun to make, and are a great way to use the empty paper towel rolls we always seem to have laying around. I am sure we will make a few more sets of these fun instruments to play with!

Rock the Cradle

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We are almost through our final weekend without hubby/daddy and I could not be more excited!! Skyler doesn't really know it yet, but he is excited too ;) Our paper heart garland is looking quite bare, watching it shrink every day was great for both me and Skyler!

We had a fairly low-key weekend of cleaning and crafting, but this afternoon we went to the Minneapolis Institute of Arts/Children's Theatre Company to attend Rock the Cradle, a new-to-me, free music event hosted by The Current, a local radio station, and Children's Hospitals and Clinics of Minnesota. It was so fun! Since I didn't post on Friday, I thought I would post some pictures from the event.

I was lucky to have my mom and step dad agree to come with me and Skyler. They advised against strollers, so it was wonderful to have some extra hands and eyes to help with the little one, and my step dad drove, saving me from driving in Minneapolis (ugh, I hate it!!)

What I didn't know was that our favorite children's band, the Okee Dokee Brothers (an awesome duo from MN that won the Grammy last year for best children's album) were performing there! We saw them a bunch last summer at several free concert series in our area (I want to say we saw them three times) and they are always great! Last summer, Skyler really enjoyed them, but was still so little. Now he sings and dances to the songs and has favorites, so he had a blast seeing them live now that he is a bit older! Taking Skyler to fun outdoor concerts is what I miss most about last summer, and what I look forward to most when the weather gets nicer (and not having to put a coat on before taking him out of the car, and going for nice long walks, and bike rides - there are lots of favorites!)

We saw the band before them as well, Koo Koo Kangaroo, and they were really funny. Skyler was slightly overwhelmed by the hyped up show, but the older children were obviously having a blast! We had to walk through the museum to get to the music (and then back to our car), there were crafts, vendors, and story time with the DJs from The Current along the way, and of course checking out all of the art (Skyler's favorite was the massive dog sculpture pictured below) - such a great event!

If you live in the area and have never been, Rock the Cradle is a wonderful event for children of all ages. We will definitely be back next year!

See Through Shakers

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It has been an interesting couple of days in our house. We got daddy back on Saturday night after a week away for work. It has been so nice having him home, we even went on a date on Saturday - coffee and a walk, dinner, dessert and drinks, and then a movie. I honestly do not remember the last time we did that, usually it is a quick dinner when we do go out! This week he has the overnight shift for the first time with his job. It is quite the adjustment, but at least he is home!

Then tonight, Skyler got sick. First, he walked into the kitchen where I was making dinner and all of a sudden the floor was covered and baby boy was crying. We went straight up to the bath and he seemed a lot happier (It is so sad right after a little one gets sick and they have no idea what happened and just start crying - I wanted to cry with him it was so hard to see him upset!) I made him a piece of toast and he started eating, he ate about half of the toast and got sick again. So many tears (I couldn't keep mine in that time...) We walked upstairs, put on some new jammies, read a few books, and into bed he went. I am hoping he feels better tomorrow. Although, it does explain why he slept until almost 10:00 this morning, woke up screaming from his nap, and refused to eat two of his favorite snacks.

Before Skyler got sick, we did this fun activity.

Skyler's six Easter eggs are filled with spaghetti, macaroni, rice, quinoa, oatmeal, and puffs

For Easter last year, I made Skyler some shakers with plastic Easter eggs. Skyler loved them at 9 months, and he loved them at 18 months (though I did put them in storage in his closet for the time being when I rotated his toys). Even though Skyler still played with them often, I decided it would be fun to have him make some new ones. When I started thinking of ways to repurpose egg cartons, I knew I wanted to make some see through shakers with him. He has been saying so many words, including many of the fillers that were inside his Easter eggs. Not only did he love filling up these shakers, but it is great because he can see what is inside the shaker, name what he is seeing, and understand what is creating the noise.

For these shakers, we used pasta and rice (two words Skyler learned from playing with his sensory bins!), oatmeal (a favorite breakfast around here), and coffee beans (one of Skyler's first words, no joke! Mama and Daddy like their coffee)

Skyler worked so hard to fill up the little individual egg cartons! He carefully spooned in the different fillers and surprisingly did not mix them. When he got a spoon full of a new filler, I put out a new cup and by the end, we had filled cups for all four shakers! Of course we had some spills, so Skyler ran over to his high chair to get his little broom and sweep up - always helpful :)

I started putting the tops on the shakers and taping them up, but decided at the last minute to go a different route. Because of the small size, when I started taping the egg cartons together, not much of the clear plastic was showing. I grabbed some saved plastic fruit cups and used those instead. The size is bigger and more fun to shake, and it is easy to see what filler is in each shaker. 

Skyler had a lot of fun playing with these and telling me and Joe what was in his shakers! The four fillers we used make very different noises, which is also a lot of fun to talk about! We liked shaking them, drumming them on the ground, and clacking them together. So many ways to play, and I know these will continue to be popular in our house!