Dan Zanes in concert

Last Sunday, we took the kids to their first real concert. We went to see Dan Zanes at the Somerville Theatre (on the list of 1000 Places). Dan Zanes is a kid/family musician whose music doesn't make us want to plug our ears, so we were all very excited to go. We actually listen to Dan Zanes almost every day in our house, and we owned our first album of his prior to having kids.

His music ranges from folk to bluegrass to latin, and watching him is like seeing a Steve Martin SNL skit.

Avonlea Jane was patient for the show to start. This was actually the only time we spent with her at the concert, because by the second number, she had joined the giant mosh pit of 3 to 6 year olds in front of the stage.

Will spent most of the concert waving, clapping, and dancing in David's lap.

This video doesn't have the best sound quality, but it gives a good impression of how wild the kids (and some parents) were.



What Dan Zanes actually sounds like:

"Excuse me, Mr. Dan Zanes, would you please sign my t-shirt with you on it?"

Happy Chinese New Year

We celebrated the Chinese New Year by heading to the Peabody-Essex Museum for their day of programs.

Watching a dance troupe perform

Coloring a Chinese Door God

Learning how to use one of the dancer's props

Avonlea Jane made a dancing dragon.

Trying on a dragon hat

Relaxing in their PJs with Baby Jack at Megan and Geoff's that evening

Friday in Gloucester

One of our New Year's resolutions was to go to at least two places a month on the list of 1000 Places to See in Massachusetts. With our schedules in January and David being in Portland for so long, we kind of cheated last month by visiting places we had already been.

For February, we wanted to make sure we were going to new places, so I decided to take the kids to the Cape Ann Museum last Friday before art class. Unfortunately, once we arrived, there was a sign posted that said the museum was regularly closed during the month of February. This was information that would have been helpful to find at the top of their webpage.

Avonlea Jane was really excited to go, so we'll have to return when they re-open in March. Fortunately, just across the street is the Gloucester City Hall, which is also on the list.

As we had a few free hours to then occupy before art class, we walked to the Gloucester library to read some books about winter.

Sitting at the just-their-size kids' table

The first thing Avonlea Jane did in art class was to make a spiral page on the pottery wheel.

I pack a travel high chair, and Will always enjoys drawing with his magic paint or AquaDoodle books.

Making a stamped poster

Outside of the Cape Ann Art Haven

Holding up her miniature gravy boat she was able to pick up this week after it was fired.

Phoenix School

The Phoenix School in Salem has been doing a program once a month where their older students put on around the world workshops for 3 to 5 year olds. Last month, Avonlea Jane explored the Arctic, and this month, she went on a safari. The first thing she made was zebra camouflage.

Modeling her elephant ears

Bush baby eyes

Someone loves pasta!

12 Days of Christmas

After we got home, Avonlea Jane said she was done with ponytails and wanted short hair.

Not too short but much shorter

Time for Will's first haircut!

He wasn't thrilled with it.

After our trip to the kiddie salon, we went on a surprise visit to the Wenham Museum.

Every Friday, Avonlea Jane goes to an art studio in Gloucester. She's working on a collage.

Will loves to paint with a brush and water.

On Twelfth Night, we bundled up and headed to Dead Horse Beach for Salem's Christmas tree bonfire.

Coming home

Will enjoying looking at the big kids in a McDonald's play area during our drive home from Indiana.

Messy eclair face after stopping off at the Blue Colony Diner in Connecticut, famous for their baked goods

Our princess at home

Indianapolis Children's Museum

We're still behind on posting, so we're catching up with the rest of December.

On Will's first birthday, we celebrated by going to the Indianapolis Children's Museum with both families.

Avonlea Jane in front of the water clock

Will in the babies' section

Avonlea Jane said the sand play area was her favorite part of the museum.

Being a baby dinosaur

Looking for tree frogs

Dancing in a disco

Uncle Dillon knows how to handle a tantrum.

Our Chinese warriors

Looking up at the Chihuly exhibit

This was Will's favorite exhibit. He loved pulling out the glass knobs.

After the museum, we went to Mawmaw's house before going out to dinner with Mawmaw, Nick, and B.b. Will joined a long line of kids who have been in the bear chair.