Outdoor Concerts and films.

Going to an outdoor concert is considered an outdoor adventure, well at least I think so. An adventure is any type of outing or life event where you can not predict what might happen. And going  alone with a two year old and an infant to a concert is just that. Ogden, is a cool town where every Monday there is a free outdoor film, every Wednesday there is a free concert, and at the nearby ski area there is a free concert on Sundays.  D, my husband, works afternoons and evenings so unless it is one of his rare nights off I take the kids on my own.  On a few occasions I have brought a friend along.  However Ogden is a small enough town I find someone to share a blanket with. I am forever grateful for these friends that help me keep an eye on my child.

 

I pack up snacks, drinks, a blanket, and either the stroller or wagon and head out to the Ogden Amphitheater or up to Snowbasin.

 

 

S, my two year old, loves the concerts and runs and dances and explores all over the place.  He enjoys finding kind strangers to plop down next to and eat their snacks.  Most of the time people think it is cute and love to share with him. I don't know how I feel about this.  I love how much he trusts others and feels the world is a safe place and I want that so much to be what it is for him. But as a mother and a wise woman I know that this is not always true.  Soon he will have to learn about "stranger danger" and he will loose a piece of himself. However, I feel that he has a very keen sense of those he can trust and those he should avoid.  He can sense their energy and auras.

 

There is a playground adjacent to the amphitheater and on movie and concert night it is full of children.  S has such a great time and makes friends very quickly. It brings me joy to see him frolic around with new kids and to see how friendly and helpful other parents are to help.

 

There is also a concession  stand at the amphitheater and I have chosen this as a place where he can learn a little bit about money. I have him pay for his popcorn and he thinks that is the most magical part of the evening. He gives the nice teen girl a green piece of paper and she gives him a hot bag of one of his favorite treat.

 

At the Snowbasin concerts its harder to keep tabs on him. We spent many days there in the winter and he knows his way around the base area. One day I grabbed him just in time before he got on the gondola and whisked away to the top of the mountain. He was able to make it under the gates and past the security and ticket checkers. It is super difficult to keep up with him because he is so fast and also small so he can get through spaces and under things that I can not. Also I am chasing him with his little brother slung around my chest. Another time he made it into the lodge and a friend of mine located him as he was pushing the elevator buttons to head downstairs. Aghhh! Teaching boundaries is such a challenge especially when I really feel its important to instill a sense of wonder and exploration. 

 

On movie night, S, actually stays put in one spot! He loves watching on the big screen and he shouts out "oh no" when things are not going so well for the characters.  His other things he loves to say during movies are . "They ok?"  "Agua" "It raining"  and so on.  He gets very involved in the plot and likes to cuddle up and eat pop corn.

 

As the summer has evolved and the more concerts and movies we have been to the easier it has gotten. I am sure because I have learned what to expect and what is necessary to pack. But, also I have noticed that S has a lengthening attention span.  The first concert we went to he could not hold still for 2 minutes and he had to be up and running around and in everyone's business.  And now he will sit at the blanket and eat his snacks, dance with me a bit, play with his trucks, blow a few bubbles, and then run off.  I can keep him at home base now for about 45 minutes!  That is a huge step for all of us.