Baby you amaze me

Jax is in a day treatment program Monday thru Friday where he has school and therapy daily.

One of the therapeutic classes they give is 

"music and movement arts".

Friday was their Olympic talent show.

Each child had the opportunity to express themselves and present their wonderfulness through dance, song....... 

and in Jax's case, jump rope.

I could see that Jax was very nervous and a bit withdrawn that morning before the production.

I asked him what he was specifically nervous about?  

Being in front of a crowd?

Scared he might mess up?

Feels like he doesn't know his routine?

BINGO!!!!!

DING!DING!DING!

He says, "Yeah mom!  I don't know my routine! 

And neither does the other guys in my group.  

The teacher didn't give us enough time to practice! ARGH"  

then his head hung low.

I said, "Well, haven't you been practicing everyday for the last 4 weeks?"

Jax said, "Yeah, but I really needed a month!"

let that sentence set in for a min.......

I said, "Jax, 4 weeks IS a month."

He said, "Oh......well then I could have used two months!!!  

I'm scared I'm not ready."

I said, "It's going to be ok bud.  

Me and dad and grandma and your teachers and your therapist will be in the audience watching.  

We all are so proud of you!  

Go out there and just be yourself.

Have fun and you will get everyone else having fun.

You're fun is contagious!"

I totally over-vamped the enthusiasm!  

Jax could see through it.

It even made me cringe from the happy-happy-goody-two-shoes attitude.  

But I didn't know what else to do!

He said, "ok mom......I will try." with his eyes still looking at the floor and little confidence in his voice.

I would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous for him.

I could totally understand his pain!

I am not a person that enjoys being center stage.

Maybe it's because my talents fall very short and I just want to pee and cry and my entire body breaks out into a hot sweat.

But put a tambourine in my hand to shake behind the band, and 

H E L L O!!!!

I shine :)

[How does everything relate back to me??? 

this is a post about my kid.

God I'm so absorbs sometimes!]

The show started with a flag ceremony and children dancing to different country's anthems.

My water works immediately flowed.

I watched these kids present a side of them that was so pure, happy and free;

which are three things that are not the norm in their every day minds.

The teacher informed the audience that there was no choreography in place.  

The children were instructed to move to the way their bodies told them to move.  

To make their own routine.  

To feel the music, 

feel the ribbons in their hands, 

and to feel the joy 

between their body and mind as it merged.

It was beautiful beyond words.

These kids are special......

and I am fortunate to be privy to see this side of them.

Jax and a group of 4 other boys were the closing ceremony.

He had told me previously that he would be jump roping for the talent show, but didn't want to practice at home because he wanted it to be a surprise.

And yes, I was completely surprised by the talent!

They jumped to the song "Party Rock" by LMFAO.

They started with the long rope.

Jax and his best friend were the main attraction by jumping with fast footwork, turns, and rhythm.

The audience was cheering, which livened Jax's entertaining instinct.

He then danced around the stage with his arms pumping to the sky to get everyone clapping and moving in their seats.  

After a few signature moves, like the running man and some fancy Usher glides, Jax had his solo jump rope show in the games' finale.

The song has a fast thump at the end.

Jax singly jumped to the beat faster than I've ever seen his feet go!!!!

BAM

BAM 

BAM

BAM

BAM

I yelled, "GO JAX GO!!!!!!!!"

There were other voices in the crowd cheering him on, 

which only expanded his presence.

[I couldn't take pictures or video of his performance due to the privacy of the other children]

Our boy......

Our Jumpin Jax Flash made his mom and dad very proud!

These are the rewards that a parent waits for.....

we have all earned the pride it gives.

Life is good :)

Just one more brag if I may.......

Jax painted this mother and baby elephant.

Do you see the detail, yet simpleness of the color enhanced dimension? 


baby......you amaze me!