Vacation vs. Practice: Vacation Wins!

Monday was a last-minute concert by the first grade. (Whose bright idea was that? Is there no end to the torture?) The idea was to celebrate the end of the year, so there was the short concert and then families and first graders could adjourn to the cafeteria (was supposed to be outside but rain threatened) for snacks.

It was not optional like the evening concert was for DB.

But. We were gone last week. So DB missed the practice. The previous week, when his school team found out we'd be gone, they tried valiantly to convince us he really, really should come to school on Wednesday for the practice, if Grandma and BonePa would bring him, partly for the practice and partly just so he wouldn't miss a whole week of school. We didn't think it seemed so swell to make him come to school for his most-hated thing of all -- concert practice -- even if he was going to be able to stay for the part of the day he likes most, which is recess.

We left it in the hands of the grands. They seemed interested in driving him in, but when the day came, Grandma said, "He cried! I can't take him somewhere that makes him cry!" So they stayed home.

And you know what? He had a great week, and he did great at the concert! He stood as still as any 6-year-old, for all 4 songs. He didn't yell at the camera flashes like he did at the winter concert. He walked offstage once (he was front row, side) but came right back. Turns out the social worker was in the wings in case he needed her; seems as though he tried it out, then was able to return.

Did he sing? Nope. Lip synch? Nope. Do I care? Nope! I'm thrilled he was able to do what he did.

I'm also thrilled that he's taller than the 4 little front-row girls he was standing next to. Next year the team might need a Plan B; for this event, having him stand on the floor (not the riser) worked, but next year he may be too tall. Maybe they can put more kids on that floor-row with him...

Whatever. For now, a big success, hooray!