So I decided to write something. Sue me.
Our family picked up tickets to the Phoenix Symphony's Family Series which they bill as "...features six Saturday afternoons of fun, learning and music! Each Family concert is specially themed for kids, with pre-concert activities including our popular instrument petting zoo. " To be honest, that doesn't really sell how cool the series is. I learned about this series from my participation in the 501st. Several years ago the Phoenix Symphony contacted us because one of their family concerts was "The Music of John Willliams" and they asked us to show up for the Star Wars portion. They do a wonderful job gearing this for kids. The music is interesting and the concerts are short. Our two kids were pretty upset at having to spend a Saturday afternoon away from the TV and the Wii. They were pretty sure they were going to hate the symphony. About half way through they were clapping and smiling and completely into it.
This particular concert was called "Celtic Fiddlin'" and despite the somewhat goofy name was fantastic. Obviously the music centered around the music of Scotland along with Nova Scotia and other traditions that are spin offs from the Scottish culture. I was surprised at how much I got out of it While they certainly gear the length of concerts and the pace of the music toward keeping kids interested, it's still a a great experience for Trudy and I as well. We got to see Natalie MacMaster perform along with the Symphony. Truthfully I had never heard of her before, but I was in love with the music before the concert was over. When we got home, I immediately looked her up on iTunes and purchased Natalie MacMaster The Collection, a 2-disc set which seems to contain most of her work. Currently I'm enjoying "Get Me Through December" (Sung by Allison Kraus) which is about as beautiful and mournful a song as I've ever heard. "If Ever You Were Mine" is also a piece I can listen to over and over again. Go check out the samples on iTunes and if you like it get it. It's a great album.
When the symphony let out, we had had so much fun together as a family that we didn't really feel like going home. I decided to take Luke to a comic store and buy him some comics but while there we discovered we were right next to Haus Murphy's, a German restaurant/pub that feels as though you really have gone back to Europe when you walk through the door. They've won Best of Phoenix several times. What a great choice for dinner! We had ever imaginable type of German food (a sampler platter recommended by our awesome waiter) and our kids who normally hate anything new tried it all. We talked about traveling back to Europe and having adventures there. We talked about the Alps and foods from around the continent. We laughed and Trudy and the kids enjoyed sharing my bread pudding desert. For those that don't know, bread pudding is served hot so it was hilarious to watch Luke (who normally won't put anything above room temperature in his mouth) stuff heaping gobs of steaming hot bread pudding in his mouth and then squint his eyes and tremble against the heat. In the battle between the pain of a burnt tongue and the sugar hit of bread pudding, the later wins in Luke's case. Right before we left two older gentleman appeared, one with a tuba and the other with an accordion. They commenced playing German folk songs to us as we sat at our table. It was awesome! When finished, the tuba player asked Molly if she'd like to see where the music comes from. He lowered the bell of the tuba into her face and of course she looked into the dark hole. He then produced a resounding low end "blat" that made Molly squeal and the rest of the restaurant laugh. Soon thereafter every little boy in the place was asking to "see where the music comes from". Although scared for life from embarrassment, princess Molly is resting comfortably as we speak as is expected to recover soon :)
When we got home we decided that we hadn't had enough imaginary travel for one day so we moved from Nova Scotia and Scotland to Germany and from Germany to Austria as we popped in The Sound of Music. I'm ashamed to say that I had never seen the movie from start to finish and I'm happy that I finally have. The kids loved it. And for the first time in a long time they told voluntarily thanked us for how much fun they had that day. That was a very new experience and most welcome change. It's nice to know our kids aren't teenagers yet and thus actually enjoy time with us.
That was the end to one of the most rated G and completely memorable and fun days I've had in a long time. It was great.
And to think I was obsessing over Metallica's new Death Magnetic album (which is f*$%ing brilliant I might add) for the last two weeks.
P.S. I'm too tired to figure out why I can no longer add hyperlinks to text. Here are two links you need to click on:
1) Natalie MacMaster:
http://www.amazon.com/Collection-Natalie-MacMaster/dp/B000LP4O2O/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1221981436&sr=8-2
2) Best of New Times for Haus Murphy's
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/bestof/2007/award/best-german-restaurant-26492/