So I was disappointed

Thursday was Ellie's First Grade concert. After her concert last year, I was pretty sure the entire Kindergarten was going to be asked to go on tour or sing in Carnegie Hall or something equally great. Unfortunately, her music teacher left unexpectedly over the summer and I think we got stuck with whoever didn't have a contract for the upcoming year in July.

My first clue that the concert was going to be lack luster was when the sheet with the "songs" and their lyrics came home. I say "songs" because Miss Marry Mack does not necessarily constitute a song to me. I guess it's slightly better than Cici My Playmate, but that would have brought back way better memories at least. Remember the alternative version -- Cici my enemy, come out and fight with me, and bring your dragons three. . . Something about sliding down my razor blade into my dungeon door. Niiiiiiiice.

Second clue should have been when I was singing some of the songs and Ellie had no clue what the words were. One song was Momma's Little Baby Loves Shortenin' Bread. Apparently the kids only learned the chorus and the Ms. Husky, the music teacher, would be singing the verses which include gems like: Three little children, lyin' in bed Two were sick and the other 'most dead
At least she didn't sing the traditional lyrics I ran across when googling the song. For heavens sakes, I think this song should never be sung again. SERIOUSLY! I'm kind of appalled right now.

Third clue: They had to wear their uniform. BLAHHH! They wear their uniforms all stinking day, we can't let them dress up a little bit at night??? They asked them to wear white collared shirts and navy blue uniform pants. Only too bad for whoever "they" are because like half the school doesn't own a pair of navy blue pants and we weren't about to go buy a pair. So they at least had a few navy skirts and some dark jeans. Hooray for indivuality one night of the year. :p

So Thursday night I put Ellie in her white polo and dark jeans, but then Ellie decided that she might need a belt. In a moment of defiance, I agreed and picked out her flower belt which probably has 6-7 colors on them, none of which is red, white or navy blue. Then she picked out her pink boots. Great choice. Why not add a chunky pink necklace while were accessorizing?? After we did her hair she wanted to add a large hot pink flower in the back. Why not! Let's add a few bangles too while we're having fun. By the time we were done, I thought she looked appropriatley individualized.

We headed to the High School where I noticed that very few kids had decided to rebel against the uniform like we had, but I felt confident in my decision when I asked her teacher if Ellie's outfit was appropriate and she said, "It wouldn't be Ellie if she hadn't accessorized."

Finally the concert starts and the kids come marching in -- a sea of blue and white so overwhelming that you could barely tell Ellie was even wearing pink. I was glad she was, though, because at least I could pick her out in the crowd. They had sorely underestimated the amount of risers needed for the kids and you could barely see half the kids in the mosh pit at the front of the stage. Luckily Ellie was on a riser. PHEW! My girlfriend didn't find her son until after 3 songs. Three really booooooooooring songs. He was unfortunately hidden three rows back, behind the music stand, and behind the music teacher who is probably as tall as Dustin.

The 30 minute concert included two solos by employees of the school. Super fun when I came to hear MY kid sing. At least one of them has a decent voice. I have to tell you that the screeching rendition of Shortenin' Bread was almost painful. Now, I know I can't sing, so you'll never find me sticking up my nose when someone's singing off key at church or in a choir, but I also would never willing sign myself up to sing a solo. And that's all I'll say on the subject seeing as how I now think the song shouldn't even exist.

I felt so bad because you could tell even the kids were bored. Some highlights were when they sang, "This Train is Bound for Glory" and Nate sat actually sat still and when Sadie took off running down the aisle trying to find Dustin who was trying to get an angle where he could take a picture of friend's barely visible son. I'm sure the audience enjoyed seeing my haul my pregnant belly after that kid. She is REALLY fast. She's also really cute as you from Ezra trying to put the moves on her.
The best part of the night was when Ellie came up to us and gave us a great big hug and said, "Thank you for coming to my concert Mom and Dad." Man, I'd sit through anything for her. And I'm sure there will be many more boring and long concerts/assemblies to come.

The rest of the weekend was fun: VTing, playgroup, Molly's 30th birthday party eek are we really turning 30 this year, Dustin had Little Philmont, Women's Conference for me, swimming for the kids, a Temple sealing, dinner date with my husband. . . I'm just sad church is in the middle of my nap time because I could really use it today. Here's the view this morning