The Beat Goes On...

Every spring the Home School Assistance Program has a Family Showcase. For most people, it's a talent show where students play an instrument or sing. But, since the name is FAMILY showcase, I always get this idea that we should do something as a family. Last year, Miles had just learned "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" on the piano and there was a duet part, so he and I played while Ray and Maria sang. We got the audience to join along and it was a lot of fun.

This year Ray didn't have time to put into a lot of practicing, so we weren't sure if he would be able to participate. But, we've been learning patriotic songs and at the end of the year the Armed Services themes were featured. The week before the Showcase I remembered that Ray and I sang in a community choir a few years ago near July 4th that had a great Armed Services medley. He agreed to do it, we borrowed the CD, and the kids and I practiced a lot in the car. Like most small tasks, this "simple" act grew to include props and coordinated attire, consuming more time and money than I had expected.

The night before the performance, we were preparing for our final family rehearsal. That's when we heard Maria clearly proclaiming "From the malls of Montezuma...."

To the best of our knowledge, the words were right at the performance -- or at least not obviously wrong -- and the crowd really enjoyed clapping and singing along.

By then I was sick of this medley, but the kids the continued singing it non-stop, so a few days later I suggested we share it at the local nursing home we visit monthly. They agreed, then declined when we pulled into the parking lot. (We were saved from making a decision because that day we helped plant flowers instead of performing.) Finally, they started singing other songs. Then Ray came home and told me he thought we should perform it as a tribute at church Memorial Day weekend. Guess we'll all have those 5 tunes running through our heads for a while longer!

Ray has made it clear that he doesn't really care to be involved in Family Showcase again next year, but the wheels in my brain are turning for the idea that he can't refuse....unless I can convince the school to rename it so I don't feel the pressure for family participation!