"Do It Again, And Make IT PERFECT!"

"You heard me! Do it again! And again!"

Yes, ladies and gents, that's how I talk to my kids when they're rehearsing for their talent show.

Joking!

In about an hour we're heading to the school auditorium so that our eardrums can be caressed by the lilting melodies of Hannah Montana, Ally (?) and AJ, and other people whose names I don't know. Their songs have titles such as, "Like, Whoa," and "Fabulous." We do, however, have one kid doing a White Stripes song, one singing "Money, Money, Money" by ABBA (she throws off a dowdy bathrobe to reveal...a black dress with gold accents!!), and one singing an obscure Styx song. She stands perfectly still, that one, and is endearingly earnest.

Risa, Vida, and Lea are singing Natasha Bedingfield's "Unwritten," which they have been obsessed with now for the better part of a year. Lea is also in another act with two Kindergarten friends. They'll be singing "Upside Down" which is Jack Johnson's tribute to Curious George. And...I found Curious George t-shirts for them to wear! Makes you want to throw up just a little, doesn't it?