The childhood milestones are coming at me faster than I’m ready for. It feels like we had this long lull of babyhood and pre-school and now it’s parent/teacher conferences, field trip permission slips, and the winter concert.

We were in the lunchroom, which was just like the lunchroom in my elementary school, and I mean just like, I’m sure they haven’t renovated in thirty years. It was crowded, and I was mostly worried about keeping David from dumping cups of water on the floor or yelling loudly, but some of the magic crept in—baby Addie in her maroon velvet dress, the boy who jumped up and down as he sang, and, of course, Rose in her elegant white flower girl dress singing with a big smile on her face. I particularly liked all the hand motions on “I’m going to mail myself to you.”

The program was a mix of international children’s music, old rock, and old folk. The kids sang with heart, and we all joined in on “This Land is Your Land.”

Part of me misses the silly Christmas songs like “Up on the roof tops click, click, click. Down through the chimney with old St. Nick” and the sublime carols like “Oh Come All Ye Faithful” and “Hark the Herald Angels Sing,” but I value more the separation of church and state.

Still, a local church is having a community sing next week. I’m going to go, join in their tradition, and have a wonderful time.