And that's when he officially went over to the rawker side: Kidzapalooza

I tried hard to talk Kidzapalooza up to Lil E. In part, it was selfish. I had a 3-day pass to Lollapalooza and wanted to get something out of that last day, even though I'd be missing Silversun Pickups and Jane's Addiction. I'd read this great write-up in Chicago mag about how musicians stopped by to hang out and play for kids and it seemed like something fun and different and a perfect way to enjoy our time and city together. Still, he was ambivalent. He came home from a weekend with his dad and only wanted to watch a movie or maybe go to the park. But I kept at, pulling on his shoes for him, spraying him down with sunscreen, letting him choose which size 4T band t-shirt he wanted to wear.

I think it was the fact we'd be taking the train downtown that finally convinced him, and so we went off happily toward the El, singing our favorite Kings of Leon song as we walked (he just likes to sing the line, "you caught me with my pants down" and then erupt into a fit of giggles about being caught in Star Wars undies).

If it wasn't a hundred degrees outside when we entered the gates, it was already getting close. But Lil E rode on my shoulders as we made our way through the crowds over to the kiddie area, where we both got tagged and headed in to the only calm nook in the park.We watched a show, but Lil E hung back. He was shy and taking it all in, and didn't want to participate in any of the activities or special little rocker workshops. We headed to lunch instead, sitting on a blanket and pokey wood chips, taking in the adults rather than the kids.

As soon as we returned, Lil E lit up. He raced to get his hair sprayed green. He laughed and danced and clapped to the hilarious kiddie hip-hop group The Q Brothers.

He played electric guitar at the School of Rock, gleefully held on to an adult instructor during a skateboard demo, and seriously committed his flexible body to the break dancing workshop.

He was thrilled I let him take off his shirt to be "half-nakey" in the heat, and even more happy he got to do a personalized rap at the Q Brothers' tent (they recorded his MC Lil E rap on a CD for us to take home, complete with a "PEACE, Y'ALL!" squeaked out by my own preschooler).

We went and went and went, only breaking for ice cream that melted as soon as we were handed the bowl, and then we went some more. When our clothes were soaked through (seriously), it was time to leave the heat and hotness that was Kidzapalooza and head home.

Lil E was on fire, so happy with himself and saying over and over, "Mommy, I need to come back to this place the next time!"  We hated to leave, but I boosted him on my back and we walked back toward the El. Just like any good rocker worth his Lollapaloozaness, my own passed out on my lap on the train. His bare chest rose and fell, his green hair splayed across my legs, his skeleton socked-feet pressed against the seats.

It was just so, so, so much fun. And I admit, I would have liked to catch those shows, to stand in the crowd with other adults in our own little nook of sweat and music. But the green-haired punk rock preschooler doing a down-rocker break dancing pose with his own rap CD put on a show that was hard to beat.

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One weekend in Lolla-land

[The formatting on this baby is all effed up, so much so that I've delayed and delayed and delayed posting it. I give up and release it to the great interwebs universe. Judge me or just go with it as you will, kittens.]

This dispatch is from Portland, Oregon [we're home now...see what I mean about the delaying?], where Lil E and I are on our first big vacation alone together. It's exciting and exhausting, as much of parenting -- and in particular, single parenting -- is. While we are trying desperately to de-wonkify from the time difference (you'd think we went to China, but really, are just a hop across the country), I'll catch you up on my fabulous few days at Lollapalooza (which possibly/maybe/perhaps/absolutely contributed to the sleep deprivation that's killing me on the west coast).

Day One was full of downpours and humidity, mud and the frenzy of the festival beginning. Day Two was made up of killer shows and extreme heat. So, of course, that meant lots of:

Dirty All Stars, dirty All Stars, dirty All Stars, dirty All Stars, dirty All Stars, dirty All Stars.

Dirty Vans, dirty Vans, dirty Asics, dirty some kind of 80s leather things.

 

Dirty Nike Airs, dirty Keds, dirty some other kind of 80s leather things, totally nasty sandals and matching toe nails.

 

Dirty flats, funky boots that will make her feet sweat and then get very dirty shortly thereafter.

Headbands, headbands, headbands, headbands, headbands, headbands, headbands

and rank-ass sweaty headbands.

And instead of all the boobs, I will just show you this picture of a guy with a fake mustache.

I absolutely loved dancing to Diplo and seeing Thievery Corporation live for the first time (who knew dancing on stage and leaning into the audience whilst braless would get those hipster boys so darn worked up?!) and even taking in some Bloody Beetroots from the sidelines. Bassnectar was absolutely incredible and I think I was the hottest I have ever been at that show (and if you were there, you know I do not mean pretty). 

Kings of Leon made me swoon (even more), I sampled a bit of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs (don't you love this song?) and I even hip-hopped a bit with a legion of 19-year old kids who are valedictorians in their school lives to Atmosphere.

But I think it was Santigold (left) that spoke most to my soul -- that sister and her dancers can turn it out (I hope you heard that in my best valedictorian voice).

I spent Day Three rockifying small-child style with Lil E at Kidzapalooza (more on that later). But I have to say that each tiny moment of the weekend reminded me how much I need music, how amazing it is to feel the beat vibrating in your bones and how many more songs there are out there for me to hear.

I left dirty and exhausted and so ready for next year.

Who is up for a little Lolla next August, right here in my backyard?

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Shhhh...

It's been a bit quiet, but only here on Sassafrass. Lil E and I have been on vacation, being very not-quiet.

We will be back soon, and with lots of good stories and pictures to match. I won't make you wait until we're unpacked to share all of that, I promise.

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