Stage Fright

Today was a special and scary day for Monkey, it was his very first school program. His adorable little Pre-K class stood on the stage in the gymnasium and sung seven cute songs. Well, the rest of his class did.

Hubby came home from work to go with me and Pumpkin. Grandma and Grandad drove in and brought Cousin L. with them. Cousin L. was born six weeks before Monkey and they are very close. She’s as shy as Monkey is outgoing, but somehow always ends up the one who gives the orders when they play. Pumpkin managed to keep her dress on long enough to get through the program. She likes to wear pretty dresses, for about 2 hours and then they start to bother her and must come off! Now! Of course, we always have to maintain a bit of an edge, so she wore her pink high-top Chuck Taylors with her flowery dress.

Well, maybe it was the crowd or just standing up on that stage, but Monkey started crying during the very first song. First, he had that deer-in-headlights look, then he started wiping his face with his hands, and then his frown got bigger and his little chin started to quiver. It was all I could do not to run up to the stage and gather him in my arms and head for the hills. But he was a trooper, he pulled himself together and went on with the program. Of course, I didn’t see his lips move very much, but he did his best to keep up with the hand motions and dance moves.

After the songs, the teacher showed pictures from throughout the school year and everybody “oohed and awed” about them. When that part was over, Monkey ran to his daddy, wrapped his arms around him, and I didn’t know if we’d be able to pry them apart. You know, ol’ Mama’s there for everything, but having Daddy there is something special! Well, Hubby had to get back to work so he missed out on cookies and punch.

We didn’t think to take a camera, because you know, we’re dumb. But luckily the iPhone takes pretty nice pictures and I have some grainy shots taken with my cell phone. One picture I got was Monkey with his “buddy.” The school offers a type of mentoring program where classes of older students partner with the Pre-K classes and have “Buddies Days.” I finally got to meet Larry, Monkey’s buddy. I have heard about that kid since the beginning of the year and I was so happy to meet him. Larry is such a nice boy, and he seems to genuinely like Monkey. Tomorrow is Ice Cream Social Day with the Buddies. And the last day of school will be Pizza Party with the Buddies Day.

Later, after we got home, we talked about what happened. Monkey said he got scared at first, but then he got better. But all in all he had fun. And next year he starts Kindergarten. When did all this growing up happen?