Every Day’s A Party Day!

Once upon a time, you couldn’t pay me enough money to hear a children’s musician play. Not just the fact that I probably didn’t have kids at the time – I was never impressed by the acts that children clamor over. I never understood Raffi, for example.

Now, almost every rock band will come out with a “children’s album”. Like Lisa Loeb. Or Barenaked Ladies. Or They Might Be Giants. And it all sounds tolerable, even addicting.

So that’s why the family trekked into DC for, of all things, the Laurie Berkner Band. B is a major fan of Laurie Berkner. He picked up on her music thanks to Jack’s Big Music Show on Nick Jr. When he was much younger, his head would perk up to one of her tunes and he would immediately start dancing. And when we were in EI – her music helped him on his language development.

After listening it for so long – I have become a fan as well. What can I say – the songs are catchy. Then a good friend told me that she was coming to DC (they are promoting a new Holiday CD) I knew it would be perfect for me him. At first I figured I would just take him – but after consulting with Husband, we decided that Mayita could come along too.

When we got to the concert, the usher escorted us to our seats. They were great seats -down front, a few rows back from the stage.

Mayita and B on the stage

We were thatclose to Laurie

As it turns out, the seats may have been a little too close for B’s comfort level. When the concert started, B didn’t switch into his “jiggly wiggly” self. This time he stayed in his seat or on one of our laps.  I think the acoustics were a bit much for him. I never thought about bringing headphones or anything like that.

I tried not to compare him to all the other kids that jumping and shaking their heads. I asked him if he was having fun and he said yes, but not in his typical enthusiastic manner. I have to keep reminding myself to stop worrying because he had never been to a concert before, let alone so close to the action.

Mayita, on the other hand, LOVED the concert. She couldn’t get enough of it. She was hilarious – clapping her hands and giggling to the beat. She even “participated” in the Blast Off song (thanks to Husband’s arms). If she were older, she so would have been in the kiddie mosh pit in front of the stage.

Laurie performing one of B’s favorite songs, “Pig On Her Head”

I didn’t think he had fun. But he sure surprised me when he walked into school the next morning and calmly informed his teacher that, “I saw the Laurie Berkner, and it was kinda loud, but it was really nice”. And when I put on one of her CDs, he promptly informs me that he saw HER in concert and it was fun.

Looking back, he did what he should have – stayed calm, and took in the music. I was the one so wrapped up in making sure he enjoyed it that I missed all the signs. Well, I learned my lesson.

No THANK YOU Laurie Berkner Band!