Rocknocerous

Today we went to the Rocknocerous concert at our local public library (http://www.rocknoceros.com/ ). What's that you say? You've never heard of Rocknocerous? Well then you're clearly not affiliated with the 5 and under crowd in the D.C. metropolitan area. For that demographic, this was like Cold Play or U2 showing up to play for free at the library. There's been serious buzz about this thing for weeks!

People started lining up in the children's section an hour before the show. 30 minutes before the show, you could sign in and get your hand stamped for entry. Only 75 lucky children gained admittance, and everyone else had to watch from outside of the performance room with their faces pressed against the glass. There were kids there that would qualify as groupies. They wore the band t-shirt; they knew all of the songs. Max, I'm afraid, would not qualify as a groupie. He did not sing along with old standards like "We go Potty" or newer works like "Wash Your Hands" from the album The Dark Side of the Moonbounce. He stood back against a brick pillar and eyed the whole proceeding with suspicion and some level of disdain. This may have been, in part, related to an unfortunate incident that took place before the concert. Max had a fit when the kindly children's librarian tried to stamp his hand. Perhaps the whole experience was too reminiscent of our recent trip to the pediatrician. At this point, when strange people approach his arm with foreign objects, his default response is hysterical panic.

Henry seemed more enthusiastic about the whole thing. He perched on my front, snug in his Moby wrap, drooling and waving his arms and legs around-- "infantese" for "You guys rock my world! When are you going to play 'Mama's Boy'?!" Our friends Amelia, Susannah, and Baby Isaac also seemed to have a good time. Amelia has got some mean dance moves. Miley Cyrus watch out!

As for Max, I don't think he'll be attending any other rock concerts anytime soon. Stringent entry rules and raucous crowds are apparently not his scene. Give him ten or fifteen years, however, and he may be singing a different tune (though I doubt it will be the lyrics to Rocknocerous's "Col. Purple Turtle").