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Several bad omens loomed as this day - this highly anticipated performance approached. First, we were all sick -then - day of - I wrenched my shoulder - and got in to start van and rearview mirror fell off. Oh well. As a former performer,these things spook me but... I forge on...
A little background. My kids go to a little private Catholic school with a long tradition of the kindergarten class doing this wonderful interpretation of the Christmas story every year. Years, ago, Olivia was one of the soloist angels. It was a surprise. Memories of chills and my mouth dropping open still reign - although now, coming back to me is the fact that I thought my videotape was going to end so missed taping some of the rest of the show - was snapping photos at the same time so they are not great quality, etc. (though she is a ham and we have some big cheesey, right at the camera smiles :-). Anyway - kids look at these highly coveted videos of their class and the Christmas Story for years.
Present day: My shy boy, Enzo, is a soldier in the play (he wanted to be the donkey - oh well). Small part - no big deal - he's excited - it'll be fun - no worries. Right. Harried afternoon of me with kids - mac n cheese - changing into appropriate clothes - readying camera bag - packing snacks, diapers, etc. for little one - gaming stuff for preschooler (gotta have them happy). Get there early - good seats - right up front - packed with people, though - so some filming must be done off to side (church has since been redone - "old" church - all will agree - much better for K Christmas play - though - renovation much better in general ;-). We get almost ALL of Olivia's songs (she was excited about some of the pretty songs the now "queens of the school" 8th grade girls would be doing) - though photos just OK because we are close, but... still making Milo and Lil happy on our laps - difficult to stand, frame shots. Anyway - Kindergarten comes out. Hubby gets great footage of our little guy entering and saying the BIG lines- I get some "fine" photos. So cute - performance going well. We film and snap more photos, knowing Enzo will want to see his friends too (and Olivia will reprimand us if we don't). SUDDENLY - Lilliana starts to shriek. Desperate not to ruin another parent's experience with his / her daughter's soloist angel performance, I run with her. Enzo not on stage so I have time. "Excuse me - excuse me" - I run to back of church (along the way friends and acquaintances, knowing I have a kindergartner, are offering to take her. I don't want to ruin their experience, however, so I keep moving). I find one of my daughter's friends - another Olivia. Lilliana acts like cat - wants to go to her. Olivia B (as we call her) has to get back but can hold Lil while I snap some photos of Enzo, who is about to come back on. I run to front where the teachers have told me he'll be when he comes back out. His back is to me - though I do get to see him enter. I have some nice conversation with our little 4 year old neighbor (yes, Jesus does die and rise again but we're not doing that today). Loved it. She was so sweet and really liked watching her pal, Enzo. I almost snapped a picture of her to capture the moment but... thought the backwards flash would freak people out. So.... gotta go find Olivia B. Back of church. She's gone! So's Lil! I circle -back and forth - back to front. Later - I hear they were getting a drink. I also hear that Olivia B was a runner and was late getting back to her class so.... the whole 8th grade was confused about where to go. I also hear the principal was looking for me. I find Lil with Olivia B's parents. I get back to my seat in time to step on some first grader's toes. Luckily, they didn't have candles this year - just glow sticks - or my hair (or someone else's) would be on fire, for sure - given the fact that I was, basically, blocking the aisle and now part of the show. Find out hubby thinks video camera acting weird - only filming little snippets before turning self off with error msg. This always happens to us - at Disney - at Christmas, etc. - whatever camera we have breaks. Good times.
OK - so I'm still having fun. Sweating - adrenaline release has made my shoulder feel better - a little confused - but... fun. Show ends. We pack screaming toddler Lil into stroller - preschooler Milo wants a glow stick so is also crying. I gather coats, cameras, bags, etc. - like a pack mule (cool - I get to be the donkey) - send hubby to car - and... I'm off. Mission 2 - find Enzo and Olivia - take more pics with pals - navigate massive crowds in school - back to car. We make it. Unbelievable.
Ate big, sloppy take-out meal at home (even those of us still a little sick were so starving, we ate like piggies) - Looked lovingly at the photos of sweet Milo's perfect performance earlier in day (he's been practicing his "little elf" song all week - LOVED it - PLUS, he got to wear the reindeer "ears" he's always seen big brother, Enzo, wear in his preschool shows - and we all got to eat the most fab cranberry, white chocolate oatmeal cookies - thanks to the knitting pal I've mentioned on my blog before, who is also a classroom parent).
Lots of photos to come. I have like millions (ha ha) to download from my camera. And - we certainly created some memories last night. Pheww.....
2 comments:
I had to laugh when I read your son wanted to be a donkey. When I was in first or second grade, I was the donkey, and not happy about it. The first three or four grades at the Catholic school where I went put on the nativty, and all I ever wanted to be was an angel. Instead, I was a donkey, a reader, and I forget what else.
My kid got to be an angel for her play last year, and I cannot tell you how happy I was. My husband was mad that so many others had speaking parts. Me? I could not have cared less. She was living my dream. I wrote about this last year.
Funny post. Murphy's Law, I guess.
Once again, I'm exhausted after reading what you go through! I know there's a lot of fun there, but wow. Looking forward to the pictures.
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