The Country Mice

Our school’s Peace Concert last night.

A beautiful tribute to teachers and students collaborating, creating, co-operating.

One of the special aspects of a tiny country school.

Homeboy here got to exercise his inner Bill Wyman with Mr. P’s School of Rock.

Some clarifications required: Geeky plaid shorts because his class had an Australian theme (well, that takes care of the shorts; Homeboy is geeky all on his own). Black leather tap shoes because Homeboy later evolves into an east-coast step-dancin’ machine.

The Princess pops into the photoshoot in swim trunks and bare feet. Outside it’s minus-seven with a minus-20 windchill.

The show begins at precisely 7 p.m. with an entourage of 3-5 year olds taking the stage. Mrs. M repeatedly whispers, somewhat greater than sotto voce for the can-can dancer to drop her skirt. Nah. Not when she’s in full spotlight.

The enthusiasm and joy are pure and unadulterated. The children garble away en francais, not a clue to what they’re reciting in La Neige but it’s perfect in its innocence.

The ninth day of Christmas.

The Princess played a recorder duet — Oh Come All Ye Faithful. More like Oh Come All Ye Who Practised. And that narrowed it to two.

The Big Lugs came out on stage later with their tenor saxaphones, trumpets, clarinets, flutes and drum kits, minus the cute red-and-white dresses and sweater vests.

Parents of the younger children were several times reminded that *this* was in their future. Not sure how many took the message seriously.

Embrace every minute.

That’s what I say.