No I’m not talking about the Metropolitan Opera, I’m talking about preschool holiday shows. Sure, some schools don’t bother, but darnit I’m glad my kid’s school does. The season kicks off with the big Halloween show, which was yesterday, and ends with the semi-nondenominational holiday show sometime in December. I love all the performances the way that only a parent who loves their kid without condition can.

Last year some of you may remember that my boy was less than enthused by the prospect of performing in front of other humans. This year, however, the season is starting off beautifully. He actually sang every ghoulish song, only got briefly flustered once, and had a genuine good time. Had I not witnessed my son’s progression first hand over the last several months I may have suspected alien intervention a la Invasion of the Body Snatchers. He was on yesterday as were all of the little terrors.

There are few things more adorable than a bunch of three and four year olds proudly donning their festive little costumes singing their little hearts out for their parents. (Devin was of course the only genuine bus driver in the bunch. It was a nightmare trying to get him out of his uniform and into pajamas. And an even bigger nightmare having to tell him that he couldn’t wear it to his grandmother’s house today. I think he may have convinced himself that he drives a bus for a living.)? I beamed from start to finish. They practiced for so long with their teachers and music instructor and the result was something to see.

I know, I’m getting sappy in my old age, but I don’t care. I can’t wait for the next show, and not because it’s a fantastic reason for me to leave work early, which it coincidently is.