I walked into the preschool, camera and videocamera packed, a bundle of nerves. I wondered how Evan was faring, just minutes before he would accompany his classroom to sing two songs for the preschool's spring program. Once inside the hall where the show was to take place, I saw a crowd of what had to be at least 200 people. Oh dear God, what is Evan, my sometimes timid little boy, going to do when he sees so many faces staring up at him?

Sitting with a couple of moms, we all copped to a fear that we would be the parent of the child who starts crying inconsolably on stage. And we all pretty much had decided that $45 was a bit too much to spend for chicken and a few songs.

The program started. We sat through the presentations of two other classrooms (yeah, yeah, you're cute -- move along) before the songs of Classroom No. 7 began. There he was. He had an expression on his face that I'd never seen before. Not fear, not exactly confidence. A look that told me that if it weren't for the fact that none of his other classmates seemed scared, he might have been the kid who cried. That probably wasn't obvious to anyone but me, and I gave him a casual thumbs-up when he caught my eye.

The two songs ("Farmer in the Dell" and a little-known ditty called "The Tractor Goes Chug Chug Chug") were over in a flash. Evan sang every word, loudly I might add, and though he forgot a couple of some of the arm motions most of the kids was doing, he did GREAT. The whole thing was ridiculously adorable. Got it on video, of course.

I left before lunch was served, and picked Evan up a little early from his classroom. Gave him a big hug, told him how proud I was. He seemed rather nonchalant by then, but I could tell he was tickled. Made me almost forget that the darn thing cost me $45.

Almost.

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