Christmas Concerts, Fire Lanes and Margaritas

Last night, Albert and I went to watch Brandon's fifth grade band Christmas Concert. We always attend these types of functions with a slight amount of dread...truth be told. Okay, so I know it isn't really PC and all to say something like that. But let's be honest...the prospect of listening to fifth graders play instruments (Squeak!)for a prolonged period of time sort of makes me feel like, well, like I'm going to need a margarita afterwards. On the other hand, I love how excited the kids get for their parents to see what they've been learning and I love seeing them all dressed up.

So last night, Drew graciously agreed to watch the babies while Albert and I went. And yes, I left Mia, because no one wants to hear her "happy sounds" while listening to their kid play "Jingle Bells" on the flute.

We got ready quickly and headed to the school. Parking was non-existent out front, until my husband pulled into the fire lane. As I admonished him for it, he told me that it was actually a bus lane, not a fire lane and that no buses were going to be happening by. Maybe he didn't realize that the entire fire/bus lane was empty and that every single other person had parked elsewhere. He breezed into "the lane" and turned off the ignition and hopped right out. Because no one will know that that's OUR van, right? I'm sure plenty of other people in Mascoutah drive a beat up fifteen passenger van filled to the brim with car seats, blankets, toys and McDonald's bags...
ours will blend right in. No one will ever know who the jackasses that parked in the fire/bus lane are.

We were thrilled to see that Brandon was first chair in the band, with his hand me down clarinet. Either that or seating is random...and it may be the latter, because I've never actually SEEN him practice on his clarinet. Actually, I've never seen any evidence that he does indeed practice at all. Oh well, maybe he's a musical genius with God given talent. Maybe....

However he came by his first chair seating, his little face lit up like a Christmas tree when he saw us walk in. He was probably thankful we weren't late, as we normally are to most events. The concert was really pretty good! I was very impressed! Very minimal squeaking and you could actually identify the songs without referring to the program. After it was over, we took Brandon to Dairy Queen to celebrate his first concert. Heck, the concert was only thirty minutes long and he looked too darn handsome NOT to take him somewhere. I did lower my eyes somewhat when we got back to our van to leave. Maybe no one saw us, parked both against the curb at the very front of the school, and against the rules.

Brandon was so proud of himself. And we were so proud of him. And I felt a bit guilty for somewhat dreading the concert to begin with. I didn't really need a margarita, so I settled for a Coke and some buffalo chicken strips. It was a good night. And today school is letting out for the holidays. I'm getting so excited! Maybe a margarita could be fun...just because!

For added laughs, I should tell you that later on in the night, we discovered that Brandon had hidden away the Pooh and Tigger costume in fear that we would show up to the concert wearing them! Ahhh, It's always fun to keep our kids guessing.