Archive: The Fine and Right Education of the Young Doctor Benny

On Saturday Benny had his preschool Christmas program. It was highly entertaining -- I wept through the whole thing. We will be putting all our video footage onto a DVD after the holidays are over, but for now here's a page of pictures and commentary on the big event. Also, on Sunday, Benny was a wise man at church -- we're warming up for the big show on the 21st by doing a little each week to acclimatize the children to the process. So, wise man day was Sunday, and I'll get the pictures up soon!

Friday was Benny's violin performance at the Ballentine Home. Students from the Academy of Music provided Christmas entertainment for about 80 retired people who live there. It was an extremely festive occasion, and Benny was in top form. As I said to Dan when we were driving away, "I think we're the parents of That Kid." Benny was totally unselfconscious, totally unconcerned with appearances, completely enjoying the entire experience, and prone to comment. To my relief he did not do much in the way of disrupting, although he did at one point holler out, "HEY MOM, I LIKE YOU" and come bounding toward me over the tops of other children's violins which were on the floor. That was breathtaking. Other highlights... When the teachers launched the first song, Mrs. Ford said to Mrs. Bowcutt... "Who's leading this one; you or me?" and Benny shouted "ME!!!!" After the first song, Benny spied Dan in the back clapping, and pointed eagerly, proclaiming, "DAD! YOU CLAPPING! THAT'S GREAT!" At one point he very pompously and grandly turned back to the group of older children, and said, "Would everyone please stand up now?" Another thing -- he kept calling out to me which number the songs were on the Book I CD, as in "OH MOM! THEY PLAYING NUMBER 8 NOW!" All of these little eruptions, and several others, drew enthusiastic laughter from the audience, so while I'm sure his teachers were partly grinding their teeth in bitter frustration with him, it was also one of those "Hey, he's three" type moments. He really was remarkably good and peaceful, considering how it COULD have been. Here's a picture of him with his violin.



If you'd like to see a million more pictures with more commentary, I have made a little page of bonus material here.