Never Gets Old

How do you prepare to tell a 5-year-old that he isn't indeed famous anymore and as of Monday will be just an ordinary preschooler once again?  All the fame of Charlotte's web has gone to Axel's head and he's demanding things like "Make sure my cast shirt is clean" and "Mom, you can nail that newspaper to my wall while I'm at school."

Has it all gone too far?  I should say not.  These 6 weeks of rehearsal and performance have, in my opinion, been worth 3 years of preschool combined.  The things he's learned: deadlines, dressing himself, keeping track of his own things, remaining quiet and walking in line, communication, it doesn't matter how big your part is...it's just fun to be a part, the thousand times he's written his name...sorry...autographed his name, I could go on and on.  Hanging around the older kids and being given direction just one time (and then being required to follow it) have created a new kind of confidence in this kid!

Yesterday was his first day back at school after a week's worth of morning performances (for the local school field-trips...over 4200 students saw the play).  When I picked him up he was back to his unsettled self.  "How was school today?" I asked.  "It was a work alone day..again."  The punishment for chatty behavior the day before.  Grrr.  One tiny step backwards.

While school will always be there and the mundane tasks of life will trudge on – and we need to teach our children how to deal with these as well – it's so good to know that every once in a while your kid gets to shine and you can see them under a whole different set of stage-lights!

Above: Green Room where the kids get ready.  Below: Article in this weeks local paper.