Arboretum, Peacocks and CalPhil Symphony

Grant and dad at the table
Grant and dad in front of CalPhil Symphony orchestra
Grant playing his instruments

Grant making the drum
making his banjo
dad singing to Grant while they play their instruments
Look, Mom there's a peacock behind me!
mom and Grant

Peacock with a death-wish...chasing cars
Scott and Grant
Fantasy Island house
coloring
More peacock!

Grandma told us about a free family night at the Arboretum with the CalPhil symphony. It was great! Since it was postponed from last week, they did not have the usual turnout (which was great for us because who wants to wait in line?).

When we first arrived we watched the peacocks chasing cars. We later found out that they do that because they are chasing their reflection from the car. That makes sense. Okay, then we were inside and went on a tram ride that toured the arboretum (well, not all of it but we got a basic idea of the different areas and the Fantasy Island house).

We went to put our stuff down at a front row table and then headed for the musical booths. Grant colored a picture and was supposed to give it to the lady to enter a contest, but well he couldn't part with his masterpiece. Then, we went to make some instruments (a drum and a banjo). He colored some pictures. We offered him a chance at playing all kinds of instruments that they had, but the peacocks in the field caught his eye...and well, off he went chasing the peacocks. He had a great time doing this and rolling down a grassy hill.

The music was 45 minutes long (which was the perfect amount of time, if you know what I mean). The orchestra was rehearsing their season finale and that really cool, plus they geared all the tunes for little kids. They played an excerpt from Star Wars, Sinbad, Pirates of the Caribbean, etc. They did a fabulous job and Victor Venor was there as the director (he is the director of the CalPhil and super funny). We had a great time.

Our little one was worn out by the end of the night, but the thing that cracked him up most was when we got home. He put his banjo on the coffee table in the living room and Willie started plucking at the rubberbands. Grant was laughing and yelling, "Wheewie make the muzik." We took a quick shower and off to bed...not a word from him.