November 9, 2008

Tinkerbell is flying around my house. I know this because when I ask her who she is, she says "Teenkabwell" and when I ask her what she's doing, she says "I'm fwying, I'm fwying." The all knowing member of our family is quick to point out that this person flying around my house can't possibly be Tinkerbell since her wings are pink and not green and that she doesn't have a magic wand. She is probably just the Dew Drop Fairy I'm told. As a Princess/Fairy neophyte, I can't argue but I'm going to let the flying pink fairy be Teenkabwell as long as she flies carefully.

My four year old woke up this morning wanting her daddy even though she knew daddy had gone to the airport last night. When I pointed this out she said "but his car is here."

"True, it is. But a car picked him up to take him to the airport, remember?"

She nodded as her eyes welled up with tears, "but I didn't get to give him a hug and a kiss."

"Sure you did," I said. "Right before your nap yesterday, he put you to bed and you kissed him and hugged him."

"No. I didn't. I want daddy."

"Honey, he'll be home tonight. He had to go to Miami on the airplane." I consoled.

"But his car is here." she replied.

Is it too early to start drinking? One episode of Pinky Dinky Doo and promises of a Pop-Tart, and she was fine.

Later that night:

There was a faint knock on the door, heard only by kids under 5 who happened to be waiting for a friend to knock on the door. From the family room I heard a voice say "the show is starting" and then there was a mad rush for shoes, jackets and the appropriate stuffed animals to bring outside. Shouts for Sammie to hurry up were followed by stomping feet and "I coming, I coming." I calmly poured myself a glass of wine and joined my girls on their way outside for the big neighborhood kid show.

Seven chairs were lined up in the street where it meets the driveway. A long piece of masking tape divided our chairs and the stage (i.e., the driveway) with the words "Do Not Cross This Line!!! Performers only!!" Two large sheets hung from the top of the garage to the ground - behind those sheets, also known as backstage, is where my two little girls disappeared. The audience started to fill in and pretty soon it was standing room only. We bundled against the cold and begged for the outdoor lights to be turned on so we could see but we're met with a chorus of "when the show starts, the lights will go on."

Soon enough an eleven year old emerges from the sheets, takes the microphone and introduces the start of the Monthly Neighborhood Kids Show. The first act is five year old Christopher showing us his karate moves to the music of Kung Fu Panda. He starts slow and does a few "hi-yas" with his arms but as the music turns speeds up, Chris is dancing, flailing and kicking his legs all around the stage. The audience is breathless - if you blink, you'll miss a move. Chris' parents are rightfully proud as he takes his bow. Next up is the trio of Alexis, Lauren and Felyssa singing a song about sunshine in your pocket. There's a bit of a power struggle for the microphone but eventually everyone is heard and the audience rewards them with another round of applause. The third act of the night is 2 year old Sammie Freeman who will find the Mickey Mouse stuffed animal inside the suitcase. Sammie comes on stage slowly, a bit apprehensive of the 14 eyes staring at her, she catches my eye and smiles and approaches the suitcase. The audience is on the edge of their seats - will she find the doll? She lifts out a shirt, then an animal and then she finds it! Everyone claps, Sammie takes the microphone and after several prompts, says "Mickey Mouse" and smiles as she scampers behind the seat.

The next few acts include Jacob demonstrating his electric guitar prowess which he is quick to point out, he has taught himself, a fashion show including evening wear, beach wear and a pajama night pillow fight and a magical dance performance by Ryan and Sarah. They were joined on stage by all the performers at the start but it quickly transitioned into just the two of them doing a part break-dance, part ring around the rosie, part jumping from side to side dance while the audience clapped and cheered. The curtains hanging from the garage are starting to sag at this point of the show and between the gaps the audience can peek into the inner workings backstage. What we see is the younger performers (Chris and Sammie) dancing away to their own music and the older performers grabbing the programs trying to figure out what comes next. It looks a bit chaotic but the show runs smoothly. Alexis returns to the microphone to give all the performers their props including Parker Brown who was the co-director, script writer and duct tape remover. Everyone takes their bow, even Sammie who faces backwards as she does it, and the show comes to an end.

Can't wait until next month - I think it will be at our house.