Murphy's law and holiday concerts

The month is finally winding down to Christmas. My job has been crazy busy, and it was all I could do to keep up. And then there are all the school activities, including the 4th grade Christmas - sorry, holiday - concert.

My best friend and I always joke about how different we are when it comes to attending our kids' events. She is the mom who shows up at least an hour early, and gets the very best seat in the front row, always snapping those precious close-up pictures and recording those special Kodak moments. On the other hand, I'm the mom who usually comes flying into the auditorium with thirty seconds to spare, cursing under my breath as I wind up standing or sitting in the very back, with pictures that are either dark, out of focus, or catch my girls making some type of weird face. Not my most stellar parenting moments.

This year, I promised myself that it would be different. This is Sweet Pea's last year in elementary school, and our last holiday concert ever in this school. In years past, the annual concert was held at the high school auditorium, with the kids up on stage, comfy seats, and at least an outside chance that I could run up the aisle and snap a picture without getting in someone's way. I told myself, this was the year I would get there early and snag a good seat, relaxed and ready, camera in hand, to enjoy watching my sweet daughter sing yet another medley of Frosty, Jingle Bells, and Let It Snow.

But not this year.

This year, the concert was not at the high school, with the stage and the comfy seats. Nope. This year, the concert was in the elementary school gym, with the kids on risers and the parents on cold metal chairs. Ok, I could handle this. I happened to be at school the day of rehearsal, and saw where Sweet Pea would be standing. I strategically figured out where I would need to sit to get the best view and planned out how early to arrive so as to score said seat. Despite the change of venue setback, I still saw my opportunity for parenting bliss.

Flash ahead to that night. Sweet Pea is ready in plenty of time. She's dressed in a cute sparkly sweater dress, tights and festive shoes. Her hair is pulled back in red barrettes. She is the epitome of a chorus star. All the while, I'm thinking of the pictures would be Facebook posting perfection ....

We pull into the school 30 minutes before she is scheduled to be there. Only a few cars in the parking lot. So far, so good ... I'm almost giddy as we walk into the school. Finally, this year, I'm going to be the parent who gets there with plenty of time!

Then we walked into the gym.

One half of the right section is already filled. Including the exact place where I wanted to sit. And there are only 4 other kids there, including my daughter. Seriously?

Sigh. Ok, Plan B.

My daughters have both inherited my petite stature. Yep, they're short. Which means that this year, as always, Sweet Pea is in the front row. I quickly scan the room, and spot seats that would put us on the aisle, with a clear view of where she's standing. Perfect! I save seats for CT Dad, Princess and my mother-in-law, and relax in the knowledge that while I may not have the exact seating placement I wanted, with enough zoom, I can still get those perfect pictures while watching my daughter sing her little heart out.

The kids file in. There she is, in the front row. Clear view. She spots me and waves. I smile and give her a thumbs up. I turn on my camera, and hold my breath in anticipation. The music teacher comes in, sets up his music stand, turns around ....

And blocks her completely.

I got pictures of her elbow and the music teacher's back.

Happy Holidays.