Anyone who tours in a band knows that the bulk of the trip is inside of a vehicle. You really only make music for 1 or 2 hours a night. The rest is filled with eating, driving, eating, sleeping, loading everything in and out of hotels and in our case, playing with our kids (we played soccer inside the club during soundcheck today).
Mags is old enough now to get it...she doesn't really fall for the whole, "This van ride is gonna be fun and totally different from the last seven drives!" About a half an hour into most van rides, she starts saying she's bored...except today.
Today, she told us she didn't need to watch videos or play games. She just wanted to make up songs and sing ones she already knew and just wanted to watch out the window. Now, that is a sign of a truly seasoned touring kid. She likes to look out the window while driving and just think and sing...what most of us do after years of touring. Let's be honest, after 10 years of this lifestyle most of us put down the books, don't try to get shit done, don't do anything but think (of course this is before kids were around all the time because now we focus all of our energy on them). Learning to just enjoy the romanticism of the open road is a long lesson to master, and here she is ready to take it on. (Or maybe she's just sick of Dora becomes a Mermaid DVD and thinks trees whizzing by are more interesting).
Her repertoire of songs today consisted of, "Kum By Ya" I didn't teach her this but apparently someone did. She only knew the first line of it but it didn't stop her from singing it over and over again. I really love her singing voice but I'm not sure everyone does by the end of her hymn.
We think the song above is perfect for tour. I don't know where she learned it. She also sings one (Jason's favorite) called, "I know a song that gets on everybody's nerves" to the tune of "Glory, Glory Hallelujah" Once again, I didn't teach her that one either but I still enjoy it, even when it does get on everyone's nerves. The funny thing is, I'm pretty sure she doesn't get the irony.
Other ways to pass the time on this tour include:
Climbing walls at gas stations.
Learning and retelling new jokes from Erin, one of the nannies. (So far the favorite is: Do you have holes in your underwear? No? Then how do you get your legs through.")
Calling Gramma
Talking about how Anton (riding in the other van) ate "too much cake" on his birthday and got sick the next day on the drive.
Decorating the van with artwork.
Looking for wild pigs out the window in Texas. She told us she saw a couple today in the woods on the side of the highway.
And my favorite, Peek-a-boo