Meet me at the manger

That was the title of Eli’s school Christmas concert.

I was pleasantly surprised by the content of the concert which very much had a “Christ”mas theme!   I was surprised because a great deal of the families that attend Eli’s school are either Hindu or Jain….so I expected some random meld of various world religions.

Anyhow, Eli had been eagerly anticipating this concert for a good month and a half.  He would come home and give us snippets of songs and choreographed hand motions.

On the day of the concert, as Eli and I were driving alone on the way to his school for his “early” drop off, Eli said this to me, “Mom, make sure you look nice and pretty ok?  Cause you look really nice in that, black-black, like that”.  I stifled a laugh, but had to give the boy credit for wanting his mom to look nice.  He is often aware of my appearance and makes sure to point out when my hair looks beautiful, or soft, or my outfit is nice.   I made a mental note to spice up my makeup and hair a little just for Eli.

I dropped him, drove home, picked up the rest of the family, Megan, and her volunteer friend, and back to the school we went.  With spiced up make up and outfits.

They had transformed the auditorium into a festive venue

Here are a few shots of Eli at his school concert.

He was “that” kid.  You know, the one who is kind of the center of attention, without meaning to be….because they are doing something silly and VERY 4-yearish.

Eli did it all.

Random gazing around while all of the other kids’ eyes are pasted forward and their hands were glued to their sides.  He was mesmerized by the stage lights for a good song or two.

Robotic hand motions when the song appeared to call for glued to the side hand motions.

Batting at the cute little girls braided and beaded pigtail next to him.  Apparently pleased with the enormous swing he got out of it.

Trying to put his arm around the boy next to him…and hugging….in the middle of another hands glued to the side song.

Playing with the tinsel hung on the bench.

Dancing and hugging girls.

Anyhow, it was a wonderful time.  I don’t think that Ian, Megan or I have laughed that hard in a long time.  We seemed to be the only adults laughing, but apparently the Kenyans (black and indian) are much more reserved and were laughing “on the inside”.  This proved by the fact that several parents come up to me afterward to comment on Eli’s exuberance.   Wait, how did they know that was my kid?  Oh yeah, we match.

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