Band On The Diaper Run

New Orleans

2009-11-07T18:36:00Z

Halloween is long gone by now except for the bag of candy that will surely last until February. Instead of trick or treating around the neighborhood, we brough the kids to New Orleans.

Our nanny Julia, matched our little witches.

The VooDoo Festival had a kid portion, called VooBoo. It offers a safe alternative for the youth in New Orleans who might not normally have a great Halloween experience going door to door in their neighborhood. They have their own kid stage, games, etc.

Magnolia making the first tshirt of the day.

We were the first ones there. It was great except, I was this annoying mom asking where all the candy was. The face-painting, screen-printing, balloon decorating stations were totally cool. But, there wasn't really a place to trick or treat. The only reason I even cared (because I really don't like my kids chowing on sugar all day and then transitioning into freak out mode by bedtime) is because we, being the assuring parents that we are, prematurely promised there would be trick or treating at the festival. Oops. Plan B...

We convinced the girls to walk around the whole festival and spot booths with bowls on their table because bowls meant candy. Then we'd carry them across the mud (it rained the night before and rain doesn't seem to have anywhere to go in New Orleans once it hits the ground which is technically below sea level-remember?)So we'd carry them across mud puddles and they'd say "Trick or Treat" to the planned parenthood or hippie gear selling booth and get their treats that way.

It worked! We just looped around and hit the same booths a few times and everyone played along when the girls came back for seconds and thirds.

They even got their fair share of beads to play with (June's favorite)

People in New Orleans really are super nice and chill. And, with what has happened their over the past few years, I'm really astounded that there is so much positivity and personality-literally everywhere you go. Our waiter at the hotel restaurant became our instant friend; we talked about our kids, shared photos and talked school together. The people make the place. Anyway, the kids had their Halloween, we had our show (dressed as a Captain and Tenille) and we were back on the plane Sunday morning. Mission accomplished.

I'm Scared

2009-10-06T02:20:00Z

June's new favorite saying, "I'm scared." She is suddenly terrified of the most random things. She sees "eyes" in everything (kind of creepy when she points at the corner of the room and says "Eyes, scary.")

The first weird "eye" sighting happened when she put down her rice crispy treat and said, 'I'm scared. Guy." It took me a while to figure out what she was talking about.

She said, "Eyes, cookie, I'm scared." I picked up the treat. Yep, I could see some "eyes" too. So after a good laugh, I ate the eyes and gave her back the rest.

She's also scared of the drain in the bathtub, the rocking chair in her room and vacuums.

I got to take Mags on a special trip (with just me and Gramma) to California to dance on Yo Gabba Gabba. On the extra day that we worked into the trip, we went to Disneyland.

She sprinted to the Haunted Mansion first thing upon entering the park at 9am. But when the doors closed to the Nightmare before Christmasy room, she desperately wanted out. She calmed down when "that creepy voice" stopped.

When kids get scared, whether it's over candy eyes or a scary voice, I feel for them. I was (and am) a total baby when it comes to getting spooked. I mean, remember when that bat got into our house and I locked myself in Magnolia's playroom and screamed bloody hell? Yep, kind of like to freak myself out over stuff.

But getting scared is also fun in a way. Mags and I bonded over the fact that you laugh so hard after the scary thing is over (assuming it's a costume or a ride or...a rice crispy treat.)

Disney was great as to be expected (especially when it was just me, Mags and my mom). We literally had the best mini vacation.

(three generations of complete and total tourists)

The next day, Mags got to dance (meaning she jumped in place and swung her arms around every now and then) on her favorite show.

Anyway, nothing too SCARY for Halloween this year-just a dog and a friendly looking witch. And, Jason and I have to come up with something good since we're playing New Orleans on Halloween. Can't really go without a costume in that context.

A Rollercoaster Ride

2009-09-23T00:33:00Z

Kindergarten. She loves it. She loves it not...She loves it?

I spend bedtime these days discussing why people go to school. I let her talk. I listen. Sometimes the conversation ends in a point blank reason why people go to school. Always, except for last night when Jason put her to bed, she says the day is too long at school. I agree with that. But, I think it's just new and she's adjusting. So am I.

Here's the latest goodnight talk:

"Why do I have to go to school?"

"You learn at school."

"Why do I have to learn?"

"Don't you think learning at school is fun?"

"Yah, but why do I have to go to school?"

"You learn at school so you can do things by yourself and eventually get a job someday after all the learning

"Is there any job you don't have to go to school for."

"Let me think...I don't think so."

"Well I will just stop going to school and play music then."

Yes, I told her that musicians go to school too. I've found as long as I talk to her every day about whatever she needs to talk about, she has no problem separating at the school door in the morning. I do worry that the day is long. I do worry that her number one advocate (me) is not there when the going gets tough at school. I do worry that she is afraid, at least for now, of speaking up.

But in less than two weeks of school she has better handwriting than me, can give math lessons to the younger kids and she is reading her first "chapter" book (coincidentally "Pig Can Jig" was Jason's first real book in Kindergarten too). So, the learning is happening. She is a rule follower like I was in school; she'll do anything not to get sent to the "peace chair."

Ultimately, I want her to love school I want her to get excited about the next day. So, we will give it some time and hope for the best. Btw, I loved school. Perfect attendance even. But then, my rock and roll dreams came later. At least Mags has a five year old fallback plan to rock.

As always, when it's hard (or boring) at home, we are escapists. We spent a weekend in Maine for a dear friend's wedding. It was exactly what we all needed. Clean crisp air, hiking, fireplaces and camping (in a cabin-in 30 degree weather-with a space heater, of course). On Monday, after school, Mags asked me, 'When can I come back to school?" She had a look on her face that told me she was just trying to make me happy. But, I'll take it.

And this week, Jason and I went to Palm Springs to play a wedding. It was a 2 day vacation, really. And, when I got back she's back to the whole school rollercoaster again. People have been telling me to wait until December... I'm impatient. I'm working on feeling less guilt about the whole thing. This is a common theme in my life as a mom. But that is the gift no one tells you about before you have kids, guilty mom syndrome. Next week, Austin. Avocado Magaritas here I come.

Bite Me

2009-09-09T17:37:00Z

The last thing Mags said to me when I put her to bed two nights ago: "Bite me, Mom."

But, before you jump to conclusions of any kind you should know we were joking around earlier in the day about biting people. I "pretend" bit her on the arm. Then she thought that was extremely hillarious. I vowed that there will be no more biting (even pretend) because not only does it just seem not that funny to me all the time, but also, June would have a real hayday with that one if she caught wind of the game.

I did however get a good laugh out of our parting words. "Bite me, Mom." "No, you bite me, Mags." Actually, we were both laughing, but I think we found the "bite me" comments humorous for different reasons. (Had this conversation happened today after our little post-school, fatigue-induced arguement over being nice to her sister, it might have carried even more laughable weight).

First day!

She had a great first couple of days at school, as a kindergartener, and as a new Montessori kid. So far, she has told me about every person who had to sit in the peace chair, a couple of the jobs she did and then, "That's all, Mom. The rest is a school secret."

I remember my mom pulling information out of me after school. I didn't always want to give it up but then other days, I'd spout off about everybody in my class. So, I guess I'll be patient for the days she is in the sharing mood.

June and I got to enjoy some mother daughter coffee time while Mags was as school-it's kind of like it's her turn now to hang solo with the folks for a few years. She's seriously the happiest kid. Her new thing: "Mom, watch this!!" (it doesn't matter what she's doing) Love it.

And to all lovers of this uber connected era, if you want to follow me, here's my twitter. If you want to follow Jason click here. (I find out more about him on Twitter than in the same house sometimes) Should I start a separate one for "band on the diaper run?" No. It would be redundant. (Although isn't that what the tech world is becomming anyway?)

On a more serious, more important note: A woman in Tibet sent us this video she made. I love when people find this kind of connection through music Also, you can show it to people who know something bad happened in Tibet but they aren't really sure what and they don't want to ask because they feel stupid or whatever...this pretty much sums it up.

Peace out.

Last Shows of Summer

2009-09-02T01:24:00Z

We played a few amazing festivals this summer. Wanderlust (a festival of yoga and music) was held at the top of Squaw Valley. We actualy took gondolas to the stage. The kids didn't make it to that festival but had they come, i think they would have hated the cross country plane ride even despite seeing music and swimming at the top of a mountain.

This past weekend we played in Toronto and Maryland at the Virgin Fests. We brought the kids. We took a van. (I miss the bus) We traveled many hours. I had many moments of, Wow, we're pulling out everything we can think of to keep people in this van sane: Sugar in many forms, dueling dvd players, bribery, threats, etc. We all hated the inside of that van after the fourth day but we got to stop at Niagra Falls and also hung with other kids (and their parents).

She remembered that Canada=Kindereggs. Van time occupied by these-about one hour.

We did the whole "National Lampoon's Vacation" tourist stop. Got out of the car, looked at the falls, got back in the car.

Well, we did spend enough time there for Mags to swipe a discarded poncho from the bathroom.

The actual show days were great for the whole family (complete with a carnival next door to the Toronto show). Usually you'll see maybe a baby or two backstage at festival band trailers. This time, I think almost every band brought their kids. And the festival directors set up a kiddie pool in front our our trailer. We realized you get to know the other bands easily if you have the kid party at your house. We had Weezer kids, Franz Ferdinand kids and more stopping by for a dip in the pool.

I should point out the real reasons we loved the addtion of more green room kids; We finally didn't feel so alone (and our kids had playmates that we didn't have to call and beg to come down to the show and stay all day while we were in town)

Our kids love playing with other kids especially after being trapped in the van for hours (at one point Mags asked me if I wanted to play "who can stay quiet the longest" thanks). When meeting new people with children I do have to occasionally warn parents of our daughter's need to compete on pretty much every level.

She meets new friends like this. "'I'm Maggie. How old are you?" and then, "Oh, I'm older than you." I think she feels she has won some giant contest when she finds out she's older than everyone. I hope people realize we haven't taught her to greet new friends in this manner.

Although, I would love to start doing that...."Hi, I'm Kori. How old are you?" "Oh...Ha, that's too bad for you, I'm older!" Seriously, when does it change into a big let down when you find out you are the oldest in the room? We should all be proud when we're the oldest one at the party, right? Mags would be stoked if she won the age contest everywhere she went.

Anyway, the girls were troopers despite them seriously breaking in a new nanny and having a few melt downs at gas stations.

To sum it all up here's a little piece we call, "A Van Named Life."

The Final Countdown

2009-08-20T22:21:00Z

Summer is fun. The past couple months have been full of firsts for Mags and some for Junebug too...first time being flower girls, first time camping, first time riding a bike with no training wheels, first time going off the diving board at the pool, first time riding a horse, first time picking an onion from Grampa's gardnen in Minnesota, first night on a top bunk and first sleepover, first time going down a huge water slide (30 times in a row)...

Some of these firsts were crammed into last week:

She has just popped out of the water after going down the slide.

Gardening

Exploring her great grandfathers barn with cousins-another first.

With all the fun it's surprising that Mags has been asking me daily, "How much longer til school?" Although, I have to admit, I occasionally think the same thing. Today while she was hanging on my leg whining, "I'm going to stay on you like this for the rest of the day," a vision of school might have breezed through my mind.

I hope her impatience means she's gonna love her new school (especially after the agonizing decision making process I went through choosing the perfect place for her, and us). I will definitely be wondering what she's doing at every hour at school and if she's smiling while she's there. I'll miss her but as long as she's happy, I'm not gonna lie, I'm going to enjoy some more free time.

To make the anticipation fun we started a school countdown chart and she crosses off each summer day after the other.

Until then we will take the time to appreciate new beginnings.

Campfires are Shows

2009-08-09T12:38:00Z

Now that summer is getting comfortable, the four of us have been hiking. We went on our first official camping trip this week.

Except for all the tree roots that June tripped over a few times, it was tear-free and fun.

We even fit our pack and play into the tent.

It's odd that while I spend so much time on the road with my family I find myself always wanting to be home again. Then when we're home I just want to go somewhere. Not sure what that says about my personality but it think it's normal to want stability and a litte excitement mixed-instead of one or the other.

The last thing I'd want to do in the middle of a tour is sleep in a tent. Jason and I used to do that on our tours 10 years ago even before kids. I thought it was fun then too but also very draining-unless you could come home to your own bed the next day (and that doesn't happen much)

But, I loved camping this week. It was much needed. And, I'm pretty sure everyone enjoyed the outdoors...

Lunch.

All you have to do is say "backpack" and June jumps up and down.

Skipping rocks and looking for little frogs.

Jason is very proud of his fire making skills. We watched the fire until it turned into embers. And, we were all mesmerized watching. Maggie's friend, Josie said, "It's like a show." It was.

June sings her own campfire songs.

The great pile-on. Everyone gets tired hiking sometimes.

The aftermath of s'mores-matching chocolate cheeks.

Staying up late with sparkers.

We're going to go again before the summer runs out.

Next week, off to Minnesota.

Happy Birthday Magnolia

2009-07-30T12:26:00Z

Last week, our almost 5 year old:

5 years ago today...

Time flies.

Found Jr.

2009-07-23T02:23:00Z

Me-always losing everything. Mags-expert finder.

I've always loved Found Magazine. If you don't know about it, buy a copy-there are 6 issues and some books too. The basic concept is that it's a collection of found things-mostly funny grocery lists, weird love letters or random polaroids that are found all over the world and sent to the people who make this publication (who now tour on this whole found concept).

We got the chance to play a show with Davy Rothbart, the "point guard" of Found. And after meeting him and driving him home he asked if we'd be into contributing to a book he was working on. It's a collection of stories from people like Seth Rogen to Dave Eggers to Kimya Dawson talking about their own findings. The book, "Requiem for a Paper Bag" is out now and it's great.

Anyway, when the book came in the mail today, I told Mags what it was all about and her eyes got wide.."Well, read me some!"

OMG I can't believe I never realized the connection before. She finds things every day and stashes them in her closet, in drawers, in jars, etc. The idea of a magazine or book about things people found was like her stumbling across a real pot of gold on a backyard treasure hunt. (granted, the magazine itself is for adults but we're talking concept only here)

So I started with my story. I won't ruin it but at the end of the short tale, she exclaimed, "Let me see the crystal!!" So I showed it to her and then she went and got her little glass baby food jar of found crystals (from somewhere in the house that only she knew about) and she too gave me a crystal.

I love finding things and hearing about what other people have lost and found...and so does she. Although at some point as a parent of a finder, you start wondering where all the stuff will end up-can we get rid of it, ever? (Especially since she remembers where she got every single grain of sand and knows where each box of rocks and jar of buttons are kept in the house)

Maybe she will start Found Jr. someday.

Anyway, she totally got it.

Now, on a complete 180 degree turn here, I wish I could find a cure for her chronic hives. It's like we have to hide indoors or give her benedryl every day. I'm all ears for people who have dealt with this before... random.

See you all at Wanderlust and in Oklahoma next weekend!

Next time-Mags and June debut as flower girls and...my deep thoughts on being a wedding band.

Freakin

2009-07-02T01:55:00Z

Magnolia does this thing now where she tells stories while she draws them out. Today she was drawing stories about houses. In one picture all the lines in the drawing were wavy to convey a haunted house.. . Then while telling the story to accompany the picture, she said, "It was scary. It was so FREAKIN scary." I don't even say "freakin."

In this one each person in every apartment got a present except for one, he got a lump of coal. And someone broke into the house and stole a few things (the arrow shows how he got in) I think she was thinking about that lame thief who broke into my car and stole my GPS.

Anyway, we're gearing up for my sister's wedding next weekend. Magnolia is stoked for her "performance" as a flower girl. June is thrilled to put on the ballerina-esque dress. In fact she trew another massive tantrum because she had to take the dress off yesterday. It lasted until I carried her kicking and screaming out of the taylor shop. Fun. I hope she's as excited wearing it when she walks down the aisle. I will be so freakin proud!

Your favorite song is good for you

2009-06-25T03:12:00Z

I watched "Music Intent" on PBS. Apparently some scientists watched people's brain activity while they exposed them to certain songs. There was one man whose brain had a tremendous amount of activity (lots of healthy, cranial blood flow) when he heard a song he had a personnal connection to. His friend happened to be singing it and the song really meant something to him. Which means if we connect to a particular song it feels good to hear it AND it's beneficial to the health of our brain. Awesome. It's actually scientific. We knew all this already, right?

As all moms do, I found myself relating everything I watched to my kids...

Magnolia had a dance recital last week (I loved it but I'm one of those weirdos who doesn't ever mind sitting though recitals).

And, ever since she saw Mags perform, June has been demading the exact song that Maggie danced to whenever she's near the computer or stereo. The song is ok but after 5 times in a row, "First Sign of Spring" from Bambi starts to bother everyone else. And just when it comes to an end, June runs to the computer or the stereo and shouts, "Deee" (dance!). She tantrums if we put any other song on. (did I mention she is throwin full blown fits now?)

I think her brain is emotionally connected to the song since she has watched her big sister dance to it. Inside her head there must be some seroius blood flow when it comes on.

So, we hit play again. Whenever you think twice about letting your kids hear that annoying Wiggles song one more time, think about all that brain activity happening when they get to hear the song they really love.

And, yes! Summer is here. I know they keep saying t-stoms but we're all fighting it. We've even been to the beach. My grandmother and my mom always said the beach is the world's best playground.

Now I'm going to go put some headphones on and give my brain some blood flow. Tomorrow, maybe back to the beach. Again.

Everything is changing

2009-06-18T12:16:00Z

Have you read this babble article. I especially love the comment by M about needing legislation for men who sratch themselves in public if we're going to get specific about women breastfeeding in a very vague "as discreet as possible" way.

I think I'm done btw-with nursing that is. And now, on another too much information rant...many women, I'm told, get what I'm experiencing once they quit nursing. It's basiclaly a a huge hormonal imbalance that makes you have headaches, mood swings and other greatness. Anyone else know much about this secret? The funniest part is, I don't really drink much but, I've been loving having a few drinks here and there lately. I was told that a desire for alcohol is a symptom. (I call it a temporary treatment) Don't worry, I'm not an alcoholic, just a mom.

The hormonal deficiency shows up in bloodwork-I have proof (read: excuse).

Anyway, all the pregnant ladies and breastfeeding moms out there, enjoy the body bliss while you have it. Everything changes after that..(for a while, then it all balances out I'm told)

To keep as normal as possible, I'm thinking about the best things the summer brings (or "pretend summer" based on our weather in the northeast)

1. BBQs

2. The beach

3. Fireworks (always going off around here for some reason)

4. Bikerides

5. Swimming (please listen to "The Swimming Song" by Louden Wainwright after reading this-the version from "The Squid and the Whale")

6. Watching people go down the Slip and Slide

7. New York City at dusk

8. Freckles

9. Watermelon

10. Making and eating Strawberry Shortcake

It's so hard to say goodbye

2009-06-11T01:40:00Z

I think I've said this before...I'm horrible with goodbyes. My family has pointed this out to me since I was 8. That might be one of the reasons why I like my job. Touring allows me to see loved ones frequently. The only way to make goodbyes feel better is learning to say "see ya later" instead of "goodbye." I've recently taught this to Mags.

The reason being: My daughter has apparently inherited the heart-wrenching, departure thing I have and it's hard to watch.

Act 1

When Julia, our nanny for this past tour, had to leave a few days early (to do the Australian tour of Yo Gabba Gabba), Mags sobbed and had questions like, "What happens if I miss you??" How will I get my morning surprises??" It got to the point that it made me cry saying goodbye to Julia too.

Act 2

When Jason flew Mags home to Gramma 4 days before the tour ended (so she could get back to school and dance class and a little more normal routine) she was sobbing at 4am having the following hysterically conversation (by hysterical I mean a crying fit)

Mags: Well, how am I gonna eat breakfast today?? (sobbing)

Me: I packed food for you... Dad will get you food in the airport

Mags: How will I talk to you every day?

me: You can call me anytime.

Mags: What if you don't answer, like if you are sleeping?
me: I will wake up to talk to you.

Mags: What if you're soundchecking and you can't answer the phone?
me; I will stop the soundcheck and tell everyone that you are calling and I want to talk to my daughter.

Mags: How am I ever going to fly on a plane all day without you. (sobbing still)
me: you are great at flying and your Dad is going with you, we wouldn't ever send you alone, silly. You have done this before, remember?

The night before she left I had to give her my bracelet so she could hold it and think of me. (heartache)

Then I told her I packed her some gum in her backpack and she could have it in the morning for a special treat. Honestly, I think she was happier at home for 4 days instead of mroe touring. But of course, guilt attack on my part.

ACT 3 Preschool graduation

Now that we're home and living a somewhat normal life for a while, I realized, this is not tour-induced, it's a more like a Gardner family tradition. She INHERITED this fun trait.

Mags cried every night this past week because she was so sad to say goodbye to her teachers that she just couldn't handle it any other way. She doesn't know how she will face the day not seeing them.

She told me she secretly breaks into tears and hides it from her teachers when she's at school.

(oh, p.s. at the 4 year old, graduation ceremony, I cried-shocker. On her last day of school, I cried too. We cried together.)

I swear, I would love not to pass on my emotions to my children but I think it's too late. At least she can turn it into art...I heard her making up songs about it the other day. She even cries when I go jogging for 20 minutes. It's getting a little out of hand. But, I totally understand. Like I said, I'm horrible at departures too.

We played a show recently and since it was during the day we brough the whole family. (Let's just stick together!)

While we played, I noticed a rousing game of ring around the rosie. Mags loves having other kids at concerts.

Speaking of kids at shows. I'm loving the fact that more of our friends are having babies,

and bringing them to concerts.

(Mags cried when it was time to go home.)

Going solo for the first time

2009-05-29T01:57:00Z

I have taken 2 trips over the past 2 weeks. Alone. (no kids, no husband).

I went to hang with my sister and her two new twins and 3 year old. I realized, I really love them all. I also found out (duh) that twins are a lot more work than one. I have a ton of respect for people with double duty. I fell asleep with a twin in my arms every day that I was there. She has a 3 year old too. I'm starting to think she wins in the supermom department.

Then I went to Bermuda with my other sister and some friends. It was insanely beautiful and relaxing.

These trips mark the first time I've ever left June, Magnolia and Jason all at once. I had to call Mags 3 times a day because she's having some pretty heavy separation anxiety. Every time June heard Mags on the phone with me, in the background, she starting shouting, "Mommy!!" I have a hard time with goodbyes ( or "see you laters" as I call them) and I think my daughters have inherited the trait. Mags was sobbing all night the day before I left.

The onlly thing she was excited about when I left was getting her glasses. (I'm still in shock over her needing them). When she first put them on she said, "Wow Dad, your hair has all these little spikes all over it" He must have had some blurry hair before. She also said I look taller now. And, she told me I was pretty. Glasses for your kids can really give you an ego boost, I recommend it. She picked blue frames, but she tells everyone they are mood glasses since they seem to change to purple in the sun.

When she found out at the doctor's office that she'd need glasses, her first question was, "Will I need surgery too?" Happy to report, no surgery necessary, just cute magnified little eyes.

And, if you are in the area, we are playing a free show in Bridgeport on Saturday at 6pm. Come on down.

Hangin with DJ Lance Rock is...Awesome

2009-05-16T01:59:00Z

While in LA, we witnessed Depeche Mode playing in the streets.

But that wasn't the highlight of our day (even though it was nice to hear Personal Jesus at sunset).

Mags got to meet one of her idols (I'm pretty sure her other ones are Gramma, Cinderella and her dance teacher)

She watched out the window for him and kept saying, "Are you sure he's real?"

Yes, he's real! (We informed her he'd be wearing normal clothes-not the Yo Gabba costume.)

She was shy at first. Just staring at him and answering questions quietly. During lunch she whispered in my ear, "Is this really DJ Lance?"

Finally she must have pinched herself and realized just how amazing it was to be hanging out with him. She had some great questions...who was his favorite YGG character, why did such and such happen in a particular episode, etc.

(And I have to admit, I thought DJ Lance was pretty awesome too. We had some great conversations about music)

She gave him a tour of "her" bus.

And he even came back at dinner time and said goodnight.

Mags also met Scott, one of the creators of YGG (and dad to a couple of her new friends in California). She shared a few of her ideas for the show...especially her desire for a treasure hunt episode.

When we got home, I asked Mags what her favorite part of tour was. Without hesitation she said, "Meeting DJ Lance."

Treasures

2009-05-06T02:34:00Z

Mags goes on "treasure hunts" almost daily on tour. She finds beads, money, any little piece of trash that has a slight sparkle. She occasionally finds something really cool like a keychain or a necklace. I swear she has supernatural powers for locating all things shimmery. Oh, also, our amazing nanny, Julia bought a bag of beads before this tour-hoping to up the standards of her normal hunt. When Mags really can't seem to find the real deal on the walks, Julia tosses a few beads down when no one is looking. Mags might have caught on by the end of the tour...we heard her saying, "It's so strange. I keep finding the same kind of beads in Kansas, Minnesota, California..."

Anyway, I have found a few "treasures" on this tour too. I must now plug my favorite finds as a traveling mommy.

1. A friend of mine has a blog called one bored mommy. She gets to try out new kid products and then gives one away to her readers. Great inventions by smart moms are usually the product sources. I won a teething necklace that looks like stone jewelry but is made of teething materia (it's called smart mom jewlery). June and I love it. Have I mentioned that June is the slowest teether in the world, she's been cutting incisors for a month now.

2. SCRAP When we were bored in Portland we went for a walk. Sometimes there is nothing nearby the club, so imagine how excited we were when we found "Scrap" (school and community reuse action project) just a few blocks away. It is an open and inviting, non-profit, warehouse space full of all reusable/recycled materials that people have donated instead of discarded. By the looks of the place it's made for artists-kids and adults, and teachers too. Mags sat down and made a purse for over an hour. The supplies (felt, a zipper, a needle, thread, buttons, a sash, and an "M" patch) came to a total of 85 cents. And June went shopping too.

3. Frozen dinners-bad, right? Not anymore. We were lucky enough to meet some of the folks from who gave us these frozen, all organic, fingerfood, kid dinners and snacks for our bus freezer. I don't think you realize how much bad food we weren't forced to feed our kids on this tour because of this company. Smart mom again...and I think they are getting a national distributor soon.

4. Aromabar I got a massage and the woman who gave the massage owns a product line of all natural therapeutic inhalants. I had a migraine so she gave me one specifically designed for migraines. You just open the jar and smell it for ten minutes.

5. Detachable pockets. Homemade. A nice young woman threw these on stage to us while we played-we actually said, "Thanks but what is this?" and she replied, "Detachable Pockets". (King Missile sometimes pops into my head when I say that...sorry bad joke/reference) It is the perfect addition to Mags' attached pockets because she filled them with rocks and didn't have to have me fill my jacket pockets. Jason wore his for a while too. They just snap on. Etsy site is: loveling.etsy.com It's the fanny pack without the lame factor.

6. Birds in biodomes. (This one was in Montreal). I already mentioned the Please Touch Museum in Philly...I might have to write a touring with kids guidebook one of these days. We scored in so many cities with parks museums, and places like this...

I will probably remember a million more later. But, since this is my 100th blog post, I was thinking that people could add thier own "treasures" to the list. Maybe we can come up with 100.

Tour Low, Tour High

2009-04-26T22:06:00Z

I can't believe we have less than a week left. At the moment we're at some crazy, party hotel in the middle of nowhere. They want us to pay 5 bucks to use the pool meanwhile, the pool looks like it's on it's way to looking like that one in Karate Kid when they move into their new California apartment. Oh, and this is the second pool that has had a techno party while we're swimmin with the kids.

There's this thing we call "tour low." Everyone on a long tour experiences it once. It's usually set off by insignificant details after a string of annoying events (aka: the straw that broke the camel's back). One time my hairdryer broke and I started cring hysterically, on another tour I got an eye infection and turned into a complete lunatic because of my eye patch. The tour low is making it's rounds through our group of people. We're all kind of joking about it. Magnolia hit hers when she threw a screaming fit because she couldn't sit up front with the bus driver one day. (Try doing a time-out on a moving bus with 8 other people.)

One way to get out of it is to watch this.

Anyway, we're all coming out of tour low now. In this trucker town full of Walmart, Subway and hotel pools that replicate 90's hip hop video scenes, the sunset really is beautiful. I'll still say we've really had the best tour ever. I have more to discuss after we return home. I need to write about this amazing group of people-our extended tour family, the best "treasures" found on tour, the best baby products to travel with, Magnolia's special lunch date with her most favorite DJ in the world, playdates with friends across the country and the shows...Stay tuned.

For now, some of my personal tour HIGHS

Sisters chillin in Mags' bunk.

FInding eggs on the bus.

Cousin time.

Mags' crafts for sale-she made a killing and will be donating it to "kids who don't have toys."

Backstage in Toronto. We played Rock Band (Cheap Trick).

Playgrounds. (Even dog parks will do because June likes stealing the slobbery tennis balls)

Hanging with Bette Midler (chicken version) and the rest of the Patzners and friends in Oakland.

More to come.

The Easy Thing about the East Coast

2009-04-11T17:18:00Z

We're back out and loving it.

Although I love me some California, touring the East Coast is easy-there are so many great cities within a few hours of each other.

Higlights so far include:

Philly- The Please Touch Museum

Cruisin city streets.

Locating playgrounds in Boston.

Catching up with old friends in DC (and cute kids)

A stop back home to attend Magnolia's field trip to the garbage museum

(Our favorite was the composting section)

Fun at the merch table with Mike and his roll of tape

(not to mention the inside venue scooter ride which resulted in a collision with a chair)

And after traveling North, Magnolia wants to move to Canada because of one thing...Kindereggs.

Coming back from Canada, in the middle of the night, the border patrol decided to, at random, pick one person to wake up and get off the bus. They pulled Jason's passport. When they came on the bus to check if he was there, they couldn't wake him up. So, finally, they just gave up and said, go ahead, we believe you and we can't get him out of bed. (He is the world's heaviest sleeper)

Coincidentally I was already awake in the back lounge with June because whenever the bus stops moving, she wakes up. Luckily we have a nanny who lets me nap basically all day if I want to.

Anyway, we are having a great tour. The kids have been troupers and the shows have been amazing.

Next up, bus Easter Egg hunts, cousins, candy for breakfast, our amazing bus driver and the midwest.

To sum it all up...here is our new cover song. Gotta love Tom Waits and a tour-relevant song.

We're playing tonight!

2009-03-31T19:52:00Z

Quick warm-up type show tonight! If you live in CT, come see us and Asobi Seksu from Brookyn at Daniel Street Cafe in Milford.

We'll pllay 40 minutes at around 10pm

Oh, and we signed up for the Montessori school. And, I think I got a job teaching music there. They said they's be flexible with our tour schedule, etc. What do you know, we both are going to be at the school. I'm totally psyched.

Anyone ever been to Unicorn Island?

2009-03-25T00:52:00Z

If you really want to know what is going on inside young brains, I suggest recording one of their stream of consciousness songs.

(This was one out of 4 that Magnolia did the other night)

I'm trying not to overanalyze this but it's kind of fun to interpret. I realize she would like to visit "Unicorn Island" but apparently there are bad things there too.

Could Unicorn Island be Kindergarten?

I wonder what a psychologist would tell us that her lyrics say about our parenting. Either way, her next song called "Cinderella Bingerella" included the lovely lyric, "Hannah Montana is my friend." What? No.

We're gearing up for tour. Practicing some old songs, some new. Mags and June go to bed and we wait until they are asleep, then go down to the basement and play and..they sleep through it. It's amazing. That means after tour, now that June is sleeping as well as Mags, we will be able to play music every night and that is so magic. You have no idea how long it's been since we have been able to do that.

Anyway, I think Unicorn Island is a great band name. It sounds like an art/noise band. Unicorns are way better than wolves, btw.

Monster Trucks

2009-03-15T22:47:00Z

Forget about education. Monster trucks, ice cream and more ice cream...that's what what Mags and Jason did this weekend.

Also we found this from their Dad/daughter outing last weekend. I'm starting to get jealous.

In other at-home news, June threw her first tantrum. We kind of thought it was funny (after the fact).

I hope she doesn't get frustrated with bunk beds and small living spaces because pretty soon, it'll be bus living for a month.

Check out Jason's DJ sets at SXSW. I'm not going to DJ (but I'm sure he'll play the same jams I would-maybe even a little Yellow Submarine. It's all in time with our upcomming re-mix records. Re-mixes are sometimes better than the original.

School news-Mags has an "interview" at the Montessori school. I hope I get to listen in. I'm imagining a job-type interview for some reason. I can hear the teacher saying "So, what are your best traits, Magnolia?" And Mags answering, "I loove eating sugary things, pretending I'm a fairy and Yo Gabba Gabba"

Coming soon, a decision on school.

Let the Language Linger

2009-03-10T16:15:00Z

I just realized today that I'm guilty of thinking my child's pronounciation of words is too cute to correct. She wanted to play the "Fanking" game (try to tag each other by spanking and then running away-totally in fun of course-no real spanking at our house) Then I heard myself saying "prenzel" when she wanted to eat a pretzel.

And my favorite, "I want the flower girl dress with Farkles on it!" (that's sparkles-in case you can't translate)

I remember thinking it was annoying when Mags was a baby and people would do baby talk words to her when she was old enough to say the real word-or adding on an additional repeating word to make them, I don't know, more comprehensibe to a one year old? (ie. Do you want your "dink-dink" for "drink")

I guess I'm guilty of not educating her to the fullest...Sometimes, I just don't want her to grow up. But, this week she learned how to finger knit and sew. In some cases, I'm so proud to see her to grow up and become independent and at other times, I want her to keep talking like a little girl so I can savor her preschool years. I'm sure eventually I will start working with her slight lisp and her consonant blends but for today, nope.

We registered for Kindergarten (even though she still might go to a private school-we have to register just in case) Sitting there with my health forms and paperwork waiting to be a part of the system (maybe), I realized that in less than 2 months we will be returning from tour to see our little girl graduate from preschool. And, yes, I'm pretty sure we will be crying behind our video camera. After her preschool conference we were even more confident that we are proud and fragile parents-just like all those parents that hover on the playground or worry about their kid crying the second they leave them the first day of school...the kind that the non-parent people make fun of...that's us.

My little sister, who coincidentally is the best baby talking impersonator I know, is having twins on Thursday. I can't even imagine how that would feel. It's exciting and I'm sure very exhausting. Any twin advice out there? She will have three boys total this time on Thursday. She's a boy maker and I'm the girl maker. I can't wait to see her with 3 kids.

Good luck!!

School Research Update

2009-03-01T14:41:00Z

Since so many people replied to my post on the school dilemma thing, Im assuimg you don't mind my continuous obsession with figuring it out.

We have to decide by the time we leave for our April tour.

In the meantime, Magnolia is so excited for tour, but not because of the shows and the music. She is looking forward to selling her crafts at the shows (at least the early ones.) She's gonna give the money to a charity. Any suggestions? So far she's got rock people (there was an old post on her rock people) and dolphins.

As I write this, she is talking to them and naming them. I heard her say, "What would it be like if we were the same age, little one?" to the blue dolphin.

School Update:

Fell in love with the closest Waldorf school but its a 40 minute drive for a half day of kindergarten. Mags was into the school and the people were amazing. But, 80 minutes of driving twice a day?

Public Arts Magnet: Liked it, the kindergarteners were learing about Frida Kahlo. But it's public-same issues with our lifestyle. The principal said it didn't matter for Kindergarten which leads to...

Got an email back from the superindendent of schools and she said that it would adversely affect my child if I took her out 7+ days at a time from school-even a couple times a year. But, I could talk to the principal and see if I wanted to anyway. Mags could do a year of kindergarten public (because most people think kindergarten doesn't matter.) But, we'll be probably putting out a record the following year, so-more touring, when it does "start to matter," and then we might have to consider moving schools. That might be hard on Mags if she has a bunch of new friends in public school.

Still thinking strongly about Montessori but there seems to be very little art and music at this particular school (yes she gets that from home but I'm an advocate of learning socially even with the arts) The director said bringing outside art teachers for group art projects would be against the Montessori model. And, I'm not sure I have that strong gut feeling that my little creative, imaginative child would be happy there...former Montessori kids could help chime in on this one. Did everyone seeem happy, esp the creative ones, at your Montessori schools? I'd have to get her in some outside arts things, and I could always pull her out if she hated it. On the flip side, Jason is sold. He is a science/math kid at heart even with all the music stuff. He probably would have loved Montessori school. Anyway, Jason and I have vowed to enhance the Montessori school with art and music if she goes there, in a Montessori way, and if they let us.

Looked at that half home/half school model that would fit our lifestyle-none in our state.

And in conclusion, Mags keeps saying. "I already know where I want to go. I liked knitting and having indoor shoes." (result of visiting the Montessori school-the only one that had her visit without parents)

I'm very close to being finished talking about this, I promise.

Art Help Us

2009-02-23T18:37:00Z

We've been experiencing some cabin fever and some decision-making stress. So we filled up our weekend calendar with a child-centered visit to the Met, an Elizabeth Mitchell concert, and then to a hockey game.

Trying to find the right school environment for Mags has our minds in a blur.

Thanks to art, music and entertainment we don't drive ourselves crazy.

Madonna and child.

Gettin ready to pound it out in the Sound Tigers' locker room at half time.

You can't even see Mags because she, like her parents (at least at our first 500 concerts), weaseled her way up to front and center.

Oh, the school thing...People have been asking me for years what I'm going to do once school starts. And, I just put off thinking about it. Until now. Maybe you all can offer advice instead of my frantic google searches. Anyone start their kids at Montessori at age 5 (after traditional preschool)?

And, any public school official out there know if I can take Mags on tour and still make her teacher and school happy? Decisions have to be made based on Mags but also based on our crazy lifestyle. I know there are attendance policies in public school. I really just want her to be happy and have the school accept our traveling. Jason and I went to public school-and we turned out ok.

Mags visited the Montessori school and at first she cried, then she learned to knit and was happy, then she cried because she was afraid she wouldn't have time to make something else the other kids got to do, then she pointed out Finland on a globe to me at home with pride. I just want her to be happy really. I hope the tears are just because it's a new place and that she'd get through the transition and love it. Anyway, I'm obsessed with thinking about it. So, advice is welcomed from parents who have been there.

In the meantime. Music, art, games...that's what's getting us through.

Happy Heart Day

2009-02-15T00:27:00Z

Valentine's Day is one of those small. less pressure holidays. But, I actually enjoy it. I got a new pair of pajamas and Jason got some chocolate. But, to a 4 year old, it seems just as big as the big holidays for some reason. So we celebrated, a little.

In honor of our hearts, we went out for a big, greasy, diner breakfast.

June ate the most but I have to say, it's been a while since I ate that poorly and I feel like one large french fry (hours later).

But, we indulged and had a great Saturday. Also, it was Jason's b-day this month. Mags made him breakfast in bed on the special day (a sandwhich, and a cupcake..then she ate the cupcake)

We've been writing a ton of music so being home is really starting to get us motivated and excited with all the extra time. On the way, new sounds, new songs, maybe even a mother/daughter duet about rainbows and unicorns (Mags is writing her own lyrics for one verse and aside from the randomness, it's pretty, dare I say, Mary Timony-esque...lots of winged horse and fairy imagery).

The girls got some (cheap) gifts for V-day. Mags named her new Valentine's stuffed animal "Lover." Since she sleeps with all of her stuffed animals and then told me today that Dad is really my stuffed animal since I sleep with him every night, we think calling one of her fluffy friends "Lover" is totally and innocently appropriate and, cute.