Preschool performance

Tobey had his first preschool performance today for Christmas. It was hardly what we had hoped or anticipated and Principal Matthews did say you never know what to expect from a preschool performance, especially the 3-year olds.

The Pre-3's started with Santa Claus Is Coming To Town in Chinese. Tobey didn't sing but seeing that 1) he doesn't know Chinese, still and 2) we didn't know he was singing that song so we never practiced with him, I guess I wasn't surprised. But then, despite our best efforts to cram "Frosty the Snowman" practice over the last 2 days, Tobey also stood stone faced in the sea of 3-year olds singing. At least he stood still. He was "well-behaved" -- that's our positive spin. At least he wasn't the girl crying or some kid who picks his nose or makes faces in the front row. But that doesn't negate the fact that I was watching some of the other kids with envy, the ones that were "guai guai" (obediently) singing the song and doing hand motions. Shoot, the kid next to him was acting it all out, couldn't Tobey have just followed along?

Well, Dr. Moore would say that he likes Tobey's kind anyway, not the kind who would just go with the crowd. And I guess Tobey's just a perfectionist, not really wanting to dive in unless he's more confident of the activity. When I asked him later in the car how come he didn't sing, he said it was too loud.

So then, at least he looked cute, right? Wrong. The holiday sweater he looks so dapper in was covered up by his preschool apron AND his jacket! Why his teachers didn't take off his jacket, I don't know. But I guess I'm glad he had his apron on at school. I noticed later there was a big paint stain on it from their playtime before the performance. At least that didn't end up on the holiday sweater.

So many "at leasts". That's how well it went.

Oh well. At least there's always Chinese New Year.