Kid Baltimore | Family Activities with Children in Baltimore, Maryland

The Violin

A while ago, I mentioned in passing, to my parents, that my daughter was thinking about playing violin for orchestra in 5th grade. "Oh, we have your grandpa's old violin. We'll give it to you," they said. And then added, "It may need some work."

Grandpa played violin? I missed that. I like to think that I knew him well. I knew he was a brilliant electrical engineer. I knew he grew countless varieties of African violets under fluorescent lights in the basement. I knew he could make anything and everything out of wood, from candlesticks, to dollhouses (that one was for me), to king-size beds. I knew he volunteered at the local hospital. I knew he made amazing pancakes in any shape we wanted. I knew he would let me sit on his lap and twirl his hair into horns without complaining. Okay, maybe he complained a little. I knew he would pretend to bite my fingers when I walked them past his chin, but never actually did. And I knew he always, always offered his arm to Grandma as they walked. He was the funny prankster that balanced my Grandma's strict, but always kind manner.

But violin? Of course, it is just one small thing among many that I missed. After all, he had a whole lifetime of experience before I came along.

Top: Grandpa and his big brother, Minonk, IL 1909
Bottom: Blowing glass in the Purdue University laboratory 1933-1936

So during a recent visit with my parents, I found the violin placed on my bed. The case was tattered and dusty, no problem. I like tattered and dusty. With an Illinois sticker across the surface. That's a little harder. Now it's something he touched, something that mattered.

I opened the case and my heart just sank. This was not a violin. It's what used to be a violin. The strings were a tangle. There was something stuck inside the body that was rattling around. Nothing was really attached.

We took it home and put it aside for a while.

Finally, one night Dave and I took the violin out of its case and dusted it off and untangled the strings. Maybe it wasn't so bad...

 

We decided to take the violin to Menchey Music to see what they could do. Menchy Music has been in the area for decades, and when Dave said that his dad bought his trumpet there (probably 60 years ago) I figured it was worth a shot. All of their violin restorations are done in their Hanover, PA store, so I had to say goodbye to Grandpa's violin. I wasn't too happy about that, but the salesperson assured me they would be in touch with a price quote in a few days and if it was just too much, they would bring it back to me and there would be no charge.

True to their word, a technician called a few days later. He mentioned the "extensive" repair that was needed and I braced for the worst. And then it came.

$200.

That's it?

I asked about the finish (which was a bit cracked and worn, but not in horrible shape) and the technician said that he wouldn't touch the finish. "I like the finish that way," he said. Now I knew I had the right place. Besides, as he pointed out, if the violin was worth something, that would actually damage the value.

I picked the violin up the following week. It was absolutely beautiful. Now, as I hear my daughter play "Hot Cross Buns" for the millionth time, I think Grandpa would be rather amused.

October is Kids' Month

Thanks to The Downtown Partnership of Baltimore, October is chock full of family-friendly activities. There are too, too many activities to list, so go check out the Kids Love Downtown Baltimore website. Many events are free or discounted.

My favorite picks? The Lexington Market Chocolate Festival. Hey, everyone needs a little chocolate. Or the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra's Shaolin Warriors theatrical production.

Maryland Farms Roundup

Since I have had kids in three different preschools for the last eight years, I was pretty sure I had visited every farm known to mankind, or momkind, at least in Maryland. There are the annual pumpkin patch trips (where the temperature magically drops 40 degrees), the petting farm trips (three cheers for hand sanitizer), the apple/peach/whatever picking trips (I need to work on saying "no" to produce), the corn maze (please let me find the way out before my kid loses it).

I can't even blame preschool for many of them. The ugly truth is that I can't pass up a good farm trip. Horse, chicken, flower-picking, potato digging. Those are all my doing.

So when Rob, from Koddler sent over this great list, I was a little surprised to see I haven't even come close. Koddler is great new resources for kids' activities, searchable by location. You can vote on your favorite places, and even submit your own reviews.

Okay, kids. Go get in the car.

Hand Painted Gift Wrap

Sometimes changing format is all you need to bring new life to an old idea. Paint is a standard around here, at least, it is when I feel up to dealing with the mess that comes with it. Fortunately, today I did. The new format? A roll of gift wrap. We stretched the paper across the studio floor and the kids got to work. Yes, it's washable paint.

This is one of those win, win projects. I truly hate most gift wrap anyway. If I do find one I like, it usually comes in dainty little 4 foot sections. But for less than $5, I can get 40 feet of painting fun, and who wouldn't rather get a gift wrapped in kid art?

Campfire Clam Bake

There is already a crispness in the air. Fall is right around the corner, which means winter is right around the corner, which means I'm going to make extra-sure we sit outside and enjoy the backyard. Campfire time.

 

Take a look at our swanky setup: a stone fire ring, two cinder blocks, some metal rods and the grate from the grill balanced on top. Yes, we were improvising a bit, but that's half the fun.

The kids helped fill aluminum foil packets with the following:

15 shellfish (we used clams and mussels)

1/2 ear of corn

a few canned potatoes

1 pat butter

a drizzle of olive oil

salt, pepper and oregano

Then we placed the packets over the wood fire for about 15 minutes, until the shellfish opened. The smoke from the fire gave this a wonderful flavor. Even the broth left over in the bottom of the packets was amazing and we ended up dunking pieces of sourdough bread in it. So good.

 

Of course, no campfire is complete without s'mores. We did that too.

Milkshake's Great Day

Milkshake, the Baltimore-based band, has been playing music for kids since 2002. They've appeared nationally on PBS KIDS, the NOGGIN Channel and DISCOVERY KIDS, but fortunately, they still call Baltimore home.

I have a huge Milkshake fan that sits directly behind me in my minivan. As we drive around town, I hear this sweet little voice singing along with Lisa Matthews and the band. I think my daughter has every last song memorized from the first two CDs.

Milkshake's newest CD, Great Day, has just been released and we were thrilled to get a copy. I haven't decided on my favorite song yet, but "I Want It" made me laugh, just for the refrain that shouts, "Gimmee, gimmee, gimmee, gimmee." I've been talking a lot with my younger kids about the "gimmee, gimmees," so it seemed like the band was reading my mind. I like that there are a few ideas mixed in, without it getting preachy like so many kids' songs do.

To celebrate the Great Day Release, you can join Milkshake at the B&O Railroad Museum for their CD Release Show (part of the KidsFest weekend). The band will have copies of their CD available and play a few of their new favorites.

WHAT: Milkshake’s Great Day CD Release Show!

WHERE: B & O Railroad Museum, 901 W. Pratt St., Baltimore

WHEN: Saturday, September 12, 12:00 noon.

TICKETS: Free, with Museum admission.

INFO:  410-752-2490