The Christmas Show

For at least two weeks now, Tessie has been serenading us with “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” every night at dinner, in the tub, on the way to school, and in the middle of the super market.  She has been preparing for, and very excited about, her preschool’s Christmas party and her classes performance.  I will give you one guess at the song they would be preforming.  Her excitement was catching, and I couldn’t wait to see her.  So armed with the video camera, since Nick had to work, we got ready to sing some carols!  Then life happened.

Christian had pool therapy this morning, and I had a few other errands to run.  No problem, I thought.  I’ll have plenty of time.  My plan was to go to the pool, stop by the shop, deliver my last special order sign, come home to change the kids into party clothes, grab the food I made the night before, and then head over to the school to meet Tessie’s class at 11:45.  That doesn’t sound completely insane, does it?  I think I really went off the deep end this time. 

So of course we got behind schedule before even leaving the house this morning.  We rushed to the pool, late as usual.  After swimming I didn’t account for enough time to dry off and get both kids, oh yeah, and me too, dressed and back in the car.  So we were late arriving at the shop, then even later delivering the sign.  By this point, both kids had fallen asleep in the car.  I went back to the shop to drop off something else I had forgotten the first time, then raced back to the house.  It was now 11:36.  I left the kids in the warm car, and ran in, gathering Christmas dresses, shoes, panty hoes, gifts for teachers, and of course the food, which was cold in the pot, with no way to be reheated.  Oh well, I like to fly by the seat of my pants.

I got back in the car and rushed, in a very responsible and at the speed limit kind of way, to the school.  I didn’t get there in time to meet at Tessie’s classroom, so we had to go directly to the party.  Tessie hadn’t gotten changed yet, so I opened the back of the car, and did the fastest costume change possible in the parking lot.  Tessie, having just woken up, was definitely not okay with this.  There were tears, snot, and cries for Daddy.  Sorry baby.  I tried to calm her down as we walked into the party, pushing Christian, who was thankfully in a fantastic mood, in his stroller.  I made it in, and got Tes to her class just in time to have her nose painted red, and her antlers attached.  The food was still in the car.  Oh well.  I went back to where I had left Christian with a friend, looking back at Tessie, and sensing encroaching doom.  Well I’m usually right about these things.

As her class walked onto the stage, I positioned myself, camera set to video mode.  Tessie did not look excited.  As the music started to play, I watched her attempt to keep up with the teacher’s lead, then her face started to crumple, and the wailing began.  I was at the side of the stage in a flash, and her teacher handed her down to me, in full on meltdown.  All that practicing and anticipation, and my baby just cracked under the pressure.  I scooped her up, and we made a speedy escape into the hallway.  It took forever, but I finally calmed her down.  She still clung to me as we reentered the party.

Christian was having a great time, and was being passed from one set of snuggly arms to the next.  His sister’s behavior couldn’t have been any more different.   She wouldn’t leave my side, and tears kept threatening to reappear.  But any suggestion by me that we leave, was vehemently denied.  I finally managed to get her some cookies, and she came around.  Within twenty minutes, she was back up on the stage, dancing with her friends.  She was even trying to sing into the microphone.  The Tes I knew and loved was back.  By the time we were loaded in the car to leave, Tessie was singing, and life was beautiful again.  What a day.

Back on stage, post melt down.

My little reindeer.