Ali had her Cubbies awards program two weeks ago.
(By the way – did you know it takes approximately fourteen days to transform a traumatic memory into a funny one? Well now you do.)
The idea was to get 25 preschoolers to stand in front of a room full of their parents and cooperatedly say the pledge, a verse, a motto, and then quietly wait for their name to be called to get their award.
Obviously, a situation just begging for one of the kids to use it as their platform to humiliate their parents.
I wanted to let Ali know that I was excited for her, and I wanted to be able to see, so I sat on the front row.
This was not a well-thought-out plan.
Because when they filed in, Ali was also on the front row, which meant that we were approximately 18 inches from each other.
(The Flamingo with her hand in her mouth would be my child.)
Everyone else’s kids behaved. Nathaniel kept his tummy in line, AJ kept Nathaniel in line, and Michelle had so much forethought into her perfect behavior that she wore her blue jeans backwards to help her keep her hands to herself:
But my kid? Notsomuch.
The fact that we were nearly nose-to-nose made her feel free to talk to me.
Constantly.
And loudly, of course, so that I could hear her over the other Cubbies saying all of the things they were supposed to say.
It all started during the pledge of allegiance. Instead of saying a single word of the pledge, she began to loudly question me.
“Mommy, why aren’t the other kids saying the pledge?”
I shhh’ed at her nervously.
“MOMMY. WHY AREN’T THE OTHER KIDS SAYING THE PLEDGE??!!”
I whispered, “YOU’RE not saying the pledge. THEY are!”
Then she decided to amp up my embarrassment.
She singled out another kid in the class, for no apparent reason since he was behaving perfectly well…
“MOMMY!!! WHY ISN’T HEZEKIAH SAYING THE PLEDGE?!?!?!?!?”
Her voice was so loud that it resonated off the back wall. But it didn’t have to – because Hezekiah’s parents were sitting right behind me. I’m sure they noticed my neck turning red.
“Hezekiah IS saying the pledge. Quit talking and say the pledge!”
While still standing on one leg, she accepted my answer and began looking around the classroom. At which time she spotted the birthday chart.
“MOMMY!! WHY ARE THERE CUPCAKES ON THE WALL?”
I looked around the classroom to see if there was an empty chair in the back of the room…or an escape route.
The other parents could smell my fear.
“SHH!!! That’s the birthday chart.”
“WHOSE BIRTHDAY IS IT???”
“SHH!! Just Say The Pledge!!!”
Mercifully, the pledge ended.
Then it was time for their verse and motto.
“MOMMY!! WHEN AM I GOING TO GET MY AWARD??”
I don’t remember what happened after that. But I think it’s safe to assume that I either found her award and threw it at her, or I actually managed to finally melt through the floor.
But the bright side? At least my kid made all of the other parents even prouder of their children that night.
LOL! What cute kids.
Rachel, All I can say is your blog makes me laugh and brings back long ago memories for me. Been there and now I am in the position your momma is in watching our granddaughter doing this to our daughter.
…so you’re enjoying the payback now, huh? :)
Kristina’s preschool is doing their spring program/graduation (for those going to kindergarten in the fall) tonight. Supposedly it involves 30 small children singing songs and performing cutesy skits. With costumes. I anticipate it to be an interesting evening…. Also, 10$ says my kid is the one eating her boogers up on stage.
Ali hasn’t discovered picking her nose yet, for some crazy reason. My time is still yet to come on that one.
That is too funny! I didn’t even hear or notice her saying all that:)
I don’t know how you could have missed it – she was SOOO loud!!
That is too funny! I was making bets with my husband that when Jameson got his awards Monday, he would try to shake with the wrong hand and then do something cheesy. Marty said no, I said yes. He surprised me however, and didn’t start his cheesing until he was already across the stage. So, I guess what I’m trying to say is that eventually she will grow out of it! LOL
The pic of AJ and Nathaniel cracked me up!! Perfect picture timing!
My favorite was Michelle in that pic- SO adorable!
That picture of Nathaniel, AJ, & Michelle is priceless! I think you should frame it for your mom ;)
bwah ha ha!!!
Isn’t it funny how they seem to always get you when you least expect it?? It seems like if I am expecting behavior like this, K is an angel, and if I am expecting it to be no big deal, breezing through, then she starts acting up. I think they just have a keep-your-parents-off-balance sensor. :) I still have posted end of the year Awana pictures even though we’ve been done for 3 weeks already!
So true! I was totally unprepared for that!
My time is coming. My son has one of the loudest kid voices I’ve ever heard and will ask a question over and over until I answer it satisfactorily. :) Now I know to sit in the back (or maybe watch from outside the doorway, peeking around the corner?)
Love the flamingo pose, by the way!
The whole not stopping until you get a satisfactory answer goes to ALL things with Ali – how do you teach them that you don’t have to acknowledge every single word that comes out of their mouth? It eludes me.
So cute. I love the way AJ is looking at Nathan. Michelle with her pants backwards is just great. Ali, aka, flamingo, was very inquiring.
Nathaniel, sorry.
You could just yell very loudly, “SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUT UP!”. Seems to work for me
I might have to try that next time ;)
Hilarious. My favorite two parts are:
‘The Flamingo with her hand in her mouth would be my child’
And the little girl with her jeans on backwards.
Priceless!
Oh my! (shaking my head) LOL That’s what happens when your 4 yr old dresses herself and that shirt is long so no one would see that the pants are backwards until she lifts her shirt to put her hands in the pockets! hahaha. I would think that her pants had to be terribly uncomfortable. Funny girl.
Poor kid…she just wanted to know WHY!?!?!?!?!?!? :D