Austin's First Rock Concert

Last night, we took Austin to see a concert featuring Chief Big Way, fronted by none other than Joey Belladonna. "Joey who?", you may ask? Joey is the driving force behind such songs as "I Am the Law", "Efilnikufesin (N.F.L.)", and "Caught in a Mosh". Still lost? These were all songs performed initially in the mid-80s by the thrash metal band Anthrax, whom Joey was the lead vocalist for from 1985-1992, and again this last year as the band's lineup from the mid-to-late eighties has reunited.


Now before you freak out and wonder what we would be doing taking Austin to see such a performance, it needs to be said that Joey (as Austin affectionately took to calling him) is originally from Central New York and (surprisingly, to us) still has a little bar/cover band that he plays classic rock hits with when he is not out on the road doing more "commercial" stuff. So...in this instance, Chief Big Way performed at the Gazebo in the center of Sherrill, NY from 7:00 to 9:30. We thought this would be the perfect time and place to bring our boy out for some music.

We arrived 30 minutes early (meeting Kevin and Peggy) and set up our chairs right in front of the gazebo...something that we thought might be a bad idea, but we decided to give it a try. We assumed that the music would be too loud so close, but we also wanted Austin to get an opportunity to see the musicians up close should he want to, and we wouldn't be able to move up closer later...so we got dibs up front. Austin ate his dinner while he patiently waited, then he joined Daddy in his chair when the music was set to begin.

Covering Rush's Tom Sawyer

The music was indeed loud...but Austin really enjoyed it...until the guitar solo, when the sound became a little too aggressive for his little ears. So, after the first song, Austin told Keith that the music was too loud and that he wanted to move back where it was quieter (we had already prepped him and told him we could move back to where it was quieter if he wanted). We moved back farther in the lawn where the view was a bit more distant, but the volume more suited to Austin's ears...and he really enjoyed himself. Don't mistake us, he was still 2 years old...he didn't pay attention throughout the duration of every song (although he did cheer after each), he ran around a little bit, and didn't stop talking (to us or strangers). But there were moments where his attention was transfixed on stage, and those moments were pretty cool.

The highlights of the night, other than the music, varied. If you were Austin, the highlights were likely your first popsicle and the glow-sticks that Aunt Peggy and Uncle Kevin brought. If you were Keith/Christine, the highlight would probably be that Austin didn't have an accident at the concert, peed twice in his potty seat in the lawn, and pooped in the ladies room with Mommy (woo-hoo, his first use of public facilities). If you were Kevin and Peggy...well, you'd have to ask them.



In the end, we got to listen to some good music, and Austin had a blast! On our way home last night (not yet a mile away from the concert) Austin said, "I want to go to the concert again tomorrow with Aunt Peggy and Uncle Kevin." We are not sure if he wanted to listen to music, or just get more glow sticks, but either way, he seemed to have a very nice time, and so did we.

Potty Training- So Far, So Good

Austin is doing fantastic with his potty training...we literally couldn't have expected him to do any better. He is so incredibly proud of himself every time that he goes potty on his potty seat (#1) or on the toilet (#2); it is just a wonder to watch him grow up like he is...not to mention how proud we are of him as well!

In case you are keeping score...a few little accidents on Monday, one accident both Tuesday and Wednesday, and no accidents since then! He is wearing diapers to sleep only...and is wearing underwear when he leaves the house.

What was cool today was that he showed us he could hold it. You see, at home, he runs to the potty every time he has an urge...so he is peeing 2 or 3 times every hour. But today, while at a birthday party wearing underwear, our boy didn't go the bathroom for a full 3 hours (that's right, 3 hours with no accident) and then finally went only after prompting from Christine before they left to go home...and rumor has it the boy had been holding back quite the quantity as well.

So...all in all it has been a very nice week indeed, and it isn't over yet. Tomorrow, Austin goes to his first "rock concert"...should be cool!

The Madison County Fair

On Saturday, we thought it would be a nice idea to go to the local county fair. Admittedly, it is in the middle of nowhere...so if you think Chittenango is rural, you ain't seen nothin' yet! We traveled to Brookfield, NY (population 2,200) with no expectations, but had a suprisingly nice time...although, admittedly, it may not have been worth the 50+ minute drive to get there.


View Madison County Fair in a larger map

When we arrived (and paid our whopping $2 entry fee) there was a very cheesy kid-tastic puppet show that Austin sat and enjoyed for about 15 minutes prior to the main event of the fair: the demolition derby.

Now granted, a demotion derby was going to be a unique experience even for Keith, but we wanted to see if Austin would enjoy the event. When we arrived, about 10 minutes early for the event, the Grandstand was packed and people were eagerly awaiting their heroic neighbors in their beat up cars that they had seen on the street probably only one year before. The highlight for Austin, as it would turn out, was watching the local fire departments spray down the field with water from the firehoses to prevent too much dust from being thrown into the air.

Once the cars came out, the Austin became somewhat apprehensive...you see, in demolition derby, there is a perception that the louder your car is the bigger your...well, lets just say that every guy out there wanted to be the loudest car. And then, once these big loud cars (no Japanese imports here...we are talking old fashioned American made wagons and Caprice Classics) got moving and crashing...you can imagine how loud it must have been...and Austin wanted no part of it. So, with the noise being to overwhelming/fearful for him, we exited the Grandstand.

This was probably the smartest thing to to, because with all the fair-goers watching the demolition derby...the rides were empty in the "midway". Austin had a blast on going from ride, to ride, to ride and being the only one on each (literally). He got to choose whatever he wanted to ride, whenever he wanted to ride it, and had a blast doing so.

So, in the end, we had a nice time and Austin has a great time on the rides. Ironically enough, since Saturday, Austin is asking to watch demotion derby daily on Youtube...apparently he is fascinated, but simply not ready for the noise associated with the event in person, which is fine with us.

ALBUM: 2010-07