Herding singing cats--oops, I mean, kids...

There is nothing like watching 50 3- and 4-year-olds sing their hearts out. We adults are reserved and subtle in our singing most of the time, but not toddlers. These little stinkers gave it all they had...Jingle Bells, Feliz Navidad, Twinkle Twinkle complete with hand motions, intense facial expressions, and most of all, individual "character." It was hilarious. Every single child was doing something or saying something slightly different at all times--sort of like a giant toddler Cybil.

Take Landon. This mini-blue-tie wearing, adorable 3-year-old was seriously a caricature of himself--every jingle bell hand swing swung higher than the rest, every word was over-enunciated through his lips (I swear I saw his tonsils) for emphasis, and every "get loud, kids!" moment was just that much louder when it came from Landon. At one point the kids had to say the words "eat some turkey" to which Landon yelled, "I LOVE TURKEY!" Funny thing was that his dad was sitting right in front of me and could barely keep it together...he sort of waffled between covering his eyes and laughing, and throwing out a nervous "can you tell he's shy??"

Then there was poor Tyler. Normally an outgoing kid, this preschool holiday event was just too much for the little guy, so rather than sing, he proceeded to sit cross-armed on the end of a bleacher perfectly clad in his "reindeer jumper" (think: a toddler version of Colin Firth in Bridget Jones). He was like our little Xmas scrooge--not even a candy cane bribe worked with poor Tyler.

Then there was nameless wandering child. This crack-us-up kid decided midway through the program to get off the bleachers and walk to the middle of the stage and just stand there, smiling. He'd then wander around a little on stage, sing a line or two, then reappear mid-stage for the chorus. Gotta love it.

Finally, there were my two. Gotta admit, both looked darn cute in their matching red turtlenecks waving at mommy and smiling. Cole sang every word with gusto and full-body movements. Rhys sang most of the words, but seemed to forget he had hands for most of it. The best part, however, was about 5 minutes from the end when both boys decided they'd had enough and turned around on the bleacher and hung over it backwards. There were 48 kids singing and grinning from ear to ear, and my two MIA. We hear their teacher say "RHYS and COLE TURN AROUND!"...and of course, no reaction. Finally when they do sit up, it's with their backs to the crowd. I was laughing so hard my stomach hurt.

I can't believe those amazing teachers practiced with these munchkins for weeks--they're saints! I'd be willing to bet they're all drinking right now...Cheers!
M