Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Peace, Love & Montessori

Tonight the children performed in their much-anticipated 'pwogwam.' Because we attend a school that is very culturally diverse, in lieu of a holiday program we had a 60s-70s showcase...complete with tie dye.

It was a crowded stage, so most of my pictures involve peaking around other children. One of K's songs was "Here Comes the Sun." She is such a little sunbeam! I loved when our eyes would meet and she would wave. Precious girl!

P never cracked a smile, but sang his songs with gusto. Not bad for a guy who just went back to school after 5 days of a tummy bug. I adore that precious man.
And R, who so confidently sang Little St. Nick solo for my video camera in the privacy of our home...is not such a fan of being on stage. As my friend Melinda put it, he looks like a 14 year old who is too cool for pwogwams.(He does have a potential career as a director or stage manager, as he was all about putting people in their places and reminding them of their cues!)

He actually told my mother-in-law that he was "not allowed to smile and wave to gwanmudders" when on stage.

Meanwhile, our sweet Daddy, who rearranged his day so he could make the program was called in to take care of a traumatic gunshot wound just as the children were taking the stage.He didn't get to see or hear a note. The good news is that the lights were down and they knew he was there before it started. On the way home I explained honestly why he had to leave (not when) and Daddy got hero points. This is the reality of his call.

I have to confess a bit of initial frustration with our p.c. 'holiday program' but there are definitely worse things to sing than songs about peace and love. When I think about the lyrics they could be singing, I am thankful these are the ones in the heads and hearts. I also really appreciate that instead of watering down the reason for the season they chose instead to just go a different direction and not even pretend it was about 'holidays.'

And you can bet your sweet September than we discussed The Source of eternal peace and unconditional love on the way home.

6 comments:

Bailey's Leaf said...

Sounds like a great program, though not Christ centered. Ours is scheduled for tomorrow at 12:15 PM. Sadly, my husband is unable to attend, but I'm planning on being dork mom in the audience with the video camera in one hand and the camera in the other. Oh, can I balance them both?!

Thank you for sharing about the pwogwam. Thankfully, P feels better!

Phyllis said...

Oh how I wish I could have seen that program!!! I know they were precious as always!!! Thank you so much for sharing them!!! Merry Christmas to all of you from Texas!!!
Phyllis

k and c's mom said...

My elementary school's pc Holiday Program included "Blowing in the Wind". Nothing says holiday cheer like the lyrics "How many deaths will it take till we know, that too many people have died?" sung by six year olds. The kids excitement and sparkling eyes mask the reality of the songs, but I do miss the Real Reason for the Season at these programs.

elizabeth said...

"Gwanmudders"...so cute. You are so good with coming up with the phonetic spellings of words like this! So, so cute.

Ashley said...

from a Christian second grade teacher in a public school...

making sure all of our holiday celebrations are "politically correct" is an issue in our school. i want to share the real reason for the season with my students, but of course i can't. however, i LOVE those precious moments when my 7 and 8-year-olds who are raised in Christian homes do the sharing for me! there's nothing like a little one raising a hand to let the class know that "Christmas is really all about baby Jesus being born and not about presents." i hope the kids notice that i don't make any corrections to that statement! i'm sure your little ones will speak truth in their classrooms as well!

:)

Malu said...

They look so cute and happy, I loved because they are wearing the colors from my country, Brazil and needless to say that look great in green,yellow and blue. FELIZ NATAL!that means merry xstmas in portuguese, the language of Brasil.