The Elementary School Spring Musical is just that to everyone else in the world. But to me, it’s Broadway.
Better than Broadway!
From the very moment it was announced that this year’s musical would be Peter Pan, Jefferson had his heart set on the prize… to be Peter himself.
Grant wanted to be anyone with a speaking part.
Grant’s audition went really well. He walked out of the auditorium with confidence and a huge smile on his face. Jefferson almost collapsed into my arms and was in tears all the way home. He sobbed over how awful he had done and how he should have done this different, and that different. It was traumatic. He was sick to his stomach and wouldn’t go to school to see the results of the casting. He begged Grant to check for him. Yes, I made him go to school.
They both ended up getting what their little hearts desired. Grant, who evidently “Rocked his audition!”, was cast as one of the Lost Boys (the Raccoon Twin). And Jefferson was Peter Pan.
The next 4 months were packed with memorizing lines, creating movements, and learning songs.
I have every line and song from the play permanently imbedded in my brain. Luckily the songs were tolerable… I actually listened to them when I was alone in the car. Kennedy even sung along, in a baby sort-of way. We watched every version of Peter Pan movie and play every made! We watched youtube videos of Disneyland Peter Pan’s, and practiced crowing… and crowing… and crowing. We are all proficient in crowing now, it’s an invaluable talent! Jefferson practiced flying (yes flying)…. Mrs. Bunn’s (the chorus teacher) idea was to have him use Heely’s to skate across the floor. He’s never used skates before… it took quite a bit of practice! And I worked on Jefferson’s costume (he didn’t make a single comment about wearing tights, what a good sport!). We even started reading the book by J.M. Barrie.
We were literally submerged into Neverland and anything Peter Pan.
Notice how I said “we”? It was definitely a family affair.
But these are the stars… Shawn and I just live vicariously through them
Jefferson’s smile is taking over his face! Settle down.
Can you tell they’re a tiny-bit excited? 
My mom flew out here to watch the boys in their (basically) Broadway performance.
I am going to show you WAY too many pictures and videos, and narrate you through a story you’re already an expert on.
Because I can’t help myself.
Here are the Fairies and Peter Pan outside the window of the Darling’s nursery. This is the moment right before Jefferson comes through the window and begins his lines. This is also the moment that my heart was pounding through my chest and I literally stopped breathing. 
He found his shadow
”Now I just need to attach it back. Get me some….. soap!” 
Here is a video of him trying to teach everyone how to fly
”All it takes is faith and trust…. oh, and something I forgot, dust”
One of my favorite lines
“Come on…. Neverland is just past the 2nd star to the right, and straight on ‘til morning”
Here is Jefferson flying and pointing the way to Neverland
There were 3 year old twins sitting behind us during the show, and their reactions to Peter Pan were almost as good as the show itself. I think they believed Jefferson was the real Peter Pan. They commented on everything he did, and they asked, “Where is Peter Pan?” whenever he was off stage. It was adorable.
When Wendy flew into Neverland, the Lost Boys thought she was a bird, and shot her down.
Here is Grant aiming his imaginary bow and arrow. 
Peter was not too happy with Tinkerbell, who had told the boys to shoot Wendy.
”Tinker Bell, I hereby banish you forever! Okay, then banished for one week. But scram!”
The Lost Boys, aren’t they the cutest? Especially that short raccoon…. 
Here’s a video of the Lost Boys and Indians
Peter, Wendy, and the Lost boys sitting around the fire at the Indian camp 
And where was old Hook this whole time?
Concocting an evil plan to bait Peter Pan
The two of them had several fights… which Peter always won, of course
In this picture Hook has captured the Lost Boys.
Peter finds a present wrapped for him 
Counting down the seconds until he can eat his pie
”12 seconds. 11 seconds. Gosh, I want to eat it now!”
The Fairies come to steal the pie from Peter, and save him from blowing up.
”Hey, give me back my pie”
Then Peter seeks revenge on Captain Hook
”Oh Wendy, is that all you have to say? Everyone else thinks I’m wonderful” 
Everyone on and around the stage for the final song 
My cute little raccoon. I enjoyed watching Grant have so much fun on stage.
It was an amazing show! All that practice paid off, so much so that Jefferson told me, “Mom, you know how Peter Pan is conceited? well, I’ve been pretending to be him so long, I’m actually becoming conceited. I can’t help myself. I just think I’m Peter Pan and that I am the best at everything.”
I’m still not sure how I feel about his revelation. Hopefully he can shake it off and come back to reality. But for the time being, he played the part well.
Even if he was suffering from bad allergies
Peter with Wendy, and Tinker Bell 
Captain Hook and the Crocodile 
The boys with Mrs. Bunn. I don’t know how this woman does everything. She is unreal! And I love her for it. She has lit a spark in my boys. Not to sound overly dramatic, but people like her can change the course of lives. I’m serious here. I wish all schools were filled with Mrs. Bunn’s.
Our family. Minus Kennedy. There is no way she would have sat through a 1+ hour show for 2 nights. Luckily, I have amazing friends who watched her for me. Thank you! 
I was (and am still) so proud of these boys. They worked their butts off… and they shined!
To be honest, I miss the show. I miss helping them practice. I miss the planning and sewing. I miss the pep talks and all the nerves I had to calm.
But the music is still in the cd player of my car… and you can bet I still play it, daily.
I’m a tad obsessed.
I guess I can replace it when I get next year’s cd.
