Of Sheep & Soldiers…
It was May, 2006. The email from the music teacher at our homeschool co-op had requested “patriotic attire” for the 1st & 2nd grade classes in our spring Colonial-themed musical. What could be more patriotic than a red & white shirt with navy blue pants, right? As I struggled to corral an overtired, potty-training two-year old in the ladies’ restroom, a breathless teen informed me that my then six-year old son was in the rehearsal area crying. One glance around the room quickly identified the source of the problem: his entire class had been transformed into uniformed Revolutionary War soldiers, complete with quite the arsenal of weapons! As tears continued to well in his eyes, a resourceful 3rd grader solved my immediate dilemma by producing a spare rifle from his weapon bag. He happily displayed his rifle for all to see, no longer concerned with his lack of uniform. But mom was left quite scarred by the moment!
Fast forward to November, 2008 when the same child, now eight, is cast as both sheep and shepherd (different scenes) in the Christmas musical. Shepherd, I could handle. Dark shirt, dark pants, and supplied headgear. The four year old’s angel costume was a cinch once I called the preschool director at church and begged. But a sheep???
It didn’t help when the costume coordinator rattled off something to the effect of “You just …. and then you… and it’ll look great!” Excuse me? I think I missed something in there??!! But something miraculous happened this afternoon. This craft-impaired mom spent a couple hours with a long-sleeved white t-shirt, cotton batting and a hot glue gun, and Voila! A sheep is born! Said son is ecstatic and can’t wait til tomorrow’s dress rehearsal. And mom is struggling with a teensy bit of pride, but after the last time, I think it’s okay.
