I am now certain I’m learning much more at kindergarten than Frank is. Obviously it was going to be a new experience for both of us, I just didn’t think my learning curve would be as steep if not steeper than his. Feel free to peruse some of the back issues to see my transition to kindergarten. There’s some stuff in there about Frank to, I think, but mostly stuff about the lessons I’ve learned so far. Today’s kindergarten life lesson comes courtesy of the Turkey Trot and that lesson is endurance.

We were not directly aware of the upcoming Thanksgiving program at Frank’s school, but there were indications. You had to be tuned in to catch them. The first red flag was Frank wanting to take a shower. He is a bath kid, but one day he wanted to take a shower. I’m all in on that because my involvement for showers drops to almost nothing. Baths, sure I’m on site the entire time. But showers, ha, I’ll adjust the water but after that don’t call me until you’re ready for bed.

Whilst folding the laundry in the bedroom I could hear singing coming from somewhere. Turns out Frank was singing in the shower. Hard to make out the song, something about a turkey. The next day we heard him singing in the bathroom. Loudly. Same deal, a turkey something or other. Then I heard it, “Let’s do the Turkey Trot, come do the Turkey Trot…” Catchy tune. Tracy finally got him to sing the whole thing. Apparently he needs to be in close proximity to porcelain and water in order to sing above a whisper. Still, he got through the whole song and we got the run down on the Turkey Trot Thanksgiving program. Undoubtedly there were notices sent home but only the Lord knows where those bits of paper ended up.

I was instantly gripped with pride and fear. His preschool was such a small, seemingly protected community. Maybe as many parents as there were kids showed up for the Christmas program. Now he was in a big public school with 120 kids in kindergarten alone. He would be up on stage singing in front of all these people. I taught public speaking for ten years in the Air Force and still I was having palpitations. Or maybe it was the ten years of teaching public speaking that brought on the anxiety. Either way it was going to be a first for Frank and me.

The day of said Trot, the parking lot was jammed. The grass area that served as an impromptu parking area was covered up. I found the last spot. Frank’s Grammy came a few minutes after, ending up two blocks away. No matter, we both were in standing room only at the back of the gym. Huh, back of the room, just like church. Anyway, we actually were in a great spot to see the kids march in as the procession came in the back of the gym. Frank’s class came in last. Plenty of time to get my camera ready. Annnnd I missed him.

At first I thought he must have gotten in trouble and was banned from all Trot activities. Nope. He walked right past me and I didn’t recognize him. Now in my defense he was wearing an indian head dress that was supposed to be turkey feathers, I think, and a huge turkey wing like jacket made from brown paper bags and cardboard. Plus he was dancing and singing. How the heck was I supposed to recognize him?

Since he walked in last his class was front and center on the stage. Pride was overtaking the nerves. What a weird/warm feeling to see him up there, big smile, doing the moves and singing the songs. Unlike pre-school the kids were not fidgeting in the first five minutes. My first thought was, yeah he’s getting older. Still not sure how I feel about that.

What I was sure about, these kids were well prepared. Grammy stepped to me and said what I was thinking. They were on their 8th or 9th song with no end in sight. Still most of the kids, Frank included, were doing the moves and singing the songs. Then we got a kid assisted interpretive reading of the first thanksgiving. One of the things I absolutely love about living in the South, the reading, done by a father who volunteers a lot and is a local artist, was about as un-politically correct as it could be. Sad thing is, it was a breath of fresh air. This is just our history as a 5 year old would know it and tell it. As it should be.

Then the songs started again. Don’t get me wrong, they were great, the kids were great. I was just marveling about how many songs there were and how well the kids did with the words and movements. I think Grammy and I counted about 16 songs in total. Gang, that’s a lot for anyone but for a kindergarten class I thought it was amazing. They were all so well behaved. Once the program finished they marched out the way they marched in. Singing the Turkey Trot song.

That took some serious stamina. For them, not me. Oh hey, I was good for 20 more songs at least, you kidding. That Turkey Trot song was may favorite. I still get it stuck in my head some 4 weeks after the program. And you are in for a treat. Making his singing debut at Frank’s Place, I give you Frank singing the Thanksgiving Program theme song and international blockbuster, The Turkey Trot!

No reason it shouldn’t be stuck in your head too. Your welcome.

Just like another crooner named Frank!

Only cost me one fudge graham cracker, at 9am. He gave me the repeat for free. He also started doing the movements during the second stanza. But he did it all on the first shot.

First Take Frank, that’s what they call him.

He’s also available for Bar Mitzvahs after the 25th.