April 10 is Kindness Ninja Day!

Planning this outfit was easy. We already had the materials. 

Charlotte hasn't participated in martial arts for awhile, but she might want to try it again. If not, that's okay. She earned the shirt and belt she wore today.

I was hoping for an action pose, but there were quite a few people in the hallway. I'm lucky that she would take a moment for an embarrassing picture for Dad.

I think that was her first act of kindness for today.

The 3rd Grade Wax Museum

Charlotte has been talking about the Wax Museum for several weeks, and last Friday was finally the day of her performance. Char had chosen to be Harriet Tubman, and her morning sign was supportive.

Char had her note card ready to go.

Both Daphne and I took a half personal day so we could be there when the Museum opened, but we had time to eat lunch at Taco Hangover in Ankeny. It was better than eating at school, that's for sure.

The Wax Museum opened at 1:30.

We could see all of the 3rd graders in costume and frozen in their historical figures' poses when we walked into the gym. Each student had a red button taped to the floor in front of them. When you pressed the button, they came to life and told you about themselves. It's a great idea for a research project.

I am going to go on record by saying everyone did a great job. Each student took the Wax Museum very seriously. They stayed in character, thanked you when they were done talking, and then resumed their frozen positions. It was also painfully cute.

The only thing that was a little difficult for me was hearing a child unblinkingly say when they died.

Here's Char as Harriet.

She is hard to hear in this video, but you get the idea.

Of course, Daphne and I pressed Harriet's button more than once. Char didn't break character except to trade an eye wink with me. 

The first 15 minutes or so were dedicated to parents and family. The other grades started to pour in after that. We stayed for almost an hour, and the time flew by. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed myself.

I was very proud of Charlotte, but I felt a twinge of regret when we left. Moments like these are always over too quickly.

Just Fortunate to be Here

We attended Char's music program last night. The theme was based on the book The Day the Crayons Quit.

When Char's class walked onstage, a mother near me commented, "These kids look huge!"

I recorded my favorite part of the program, but for some reason the video is a useless black. I'll have to describe it. While she was singing, Char took one second to look me in the eye and scowl. Then she went right back to singing with an innocent face. It's now our family joke, and she pulled it off flawlessly.

She gave me the same look while singing in church last Sunday. She makes the face right at the end of this short video. You can see it on my phone, but sometimes the blog cuts video clips short.

Each grade performed a 15 minute set. When the second graders began singing "You are my Sunshine," a preschooler sitting behind us sang along note for note. When it was done, she said, "Hmmmpt. That's my song!"

The program ended with the third graders singing "True Colors." Thematically, that's a great song choice. Also, this version is on the Trolls soundtrack that we listen to in my car, so hearing Char sing it felt personal.

This is the last time Charlotte will be part of this program. Next year she'll be in the 4th and 5th grade program. That makes me a little sad. It could be worse. I know parents who are near my age, and they are already starring at an empty nest.

So, my melancholy is brief. Instead of worrying about what we are leaving behind, I focus on looking forward to what is ahead. In reality, I'm just fortunate to be here.

Homecoming '18: Color Day! (3rd Grade Wears Yellow)

Proving her yellow is multi-layered...

Yea, Homecoming!