Symphony Concert in the Park

Last summer we decided to brave keeping the boys up past their bedtimes for the first time ever. We were nervous. In the months after starting to sleep through the night, their routine was very precious to us. Now that we'd had a taste of sleeping normally again, we were reluctant to try anything that might screw that up. But with some prompting from friends, we risked it. We took the boys to their first ever concert in the park held by the Austin Symphony Orchestra just south of downtown.

And they loved it.

That same summer series kicked off again a few weeks ago. Last night the woodwinds played, and we were there to enjoy it.

Joseph immediately ran up to the stage with his buddies Connor, Dorian & Roman.

Hi, Mom!

Luke hung back with Ethan and got a few snuggles from Nina while he took in the scene at his own pace.





Joseph's best dance move, jumping.



My attempt at getting a cute shot of Luke with the Austin skyline. Ha! Grapes took priority.

Me, hanging out with my handsome, hungry men

I love this man. Happy Father's Day, Greg.

Hugfest on the dance floor. Joseph cozied up to the little blond girl in the pink dress, this kid and his father.



Luke did a little dancing, but he was much more interested in running up and down the hill that makes up the concert park. And tossing balls with Daddy.


Joseph thinks there needs to be less ball-throwing...


...and more dancing!

It worked. Briefly.

The floor has lighted tiles. Joseph was enthralled.




Charlie thought it was pretty cool too.



A bunch of the kids felt like the middle of the dance floor was a good place to lie down and take a leisurely break. I stood by the side, resisting my helicopter parenting urges, just hoping that no one would fall on him. Amazingly, I didn't see one kiddo get clobbered or cry the entire night.


Ah, the symphony. Where the mosh pit is so much more considerate.

This was as good a time as any to take a quick pretzel break for Joseph and a sitting break for Mommy. The temperature wasn't bad once the sun set, but look at poor Joseph's flushed cheeks! He was partying hard out there and loving every minute of it.


And then right back into the action!


It was a great Father's Day weekend, action-packed and full of fun. As challenging and exhausting as daddy-hood can be sometimes, days like this really make you appreciate the awesomeness that is parenthood. Hope you had a great one too!

The boys are 2 and 2 weeks.