Jonathan finds his groove

My Jonathan is a funny, clever, and creative kid. He's the one who has Big Ideas. Remember his Cuban Racing Monkeys?

But Jon is also kind of shy. He's still trying out his personality and testing to see what's going to get a laugh and what's not appropriate and all that. Some of it is his age, but a lot has to do with finding his personal power.

It's no secret that I'm really proud of all four of my kids.

I think they're all pretty great people anyway, so when they accomplish something for me to be proud of, well, it's just gravy.

So, last week we found out that Lucy will be playing Puck (the lead!) in her high school production of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream. She tested her chops last year when she played Gertrude McFuzz and found that she could act. I could barely sit through her songs without some tears sneaking out.

I sat there being an obnoxiously stereotypical Proud Parent - "That's my daughter," I'd say it to anyone within earshot. It's just that I saw the transformation that happened to my little girl when she found she had a voice. I credit that positive experience with giving her the confidence to stretch herself in other areas.

More news this last week: Jonathan will be playing Willy Wonka (the lead!) in his junior high production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Rehearsals start for both this week. Ay Dios Mio!

Back in January, Jon played the part of Ryan in High School Musical. He struggled through the rehearsals trying to sing, dance and act at the same time. And when I say struggled....

Poor guy. He wanted so badly to do well, but he was so self-conscious. We kept advising him to just relax and be have fun with it.

Here he is taking center stage with his friend, Ashley (a Cuban girl - how ironic!), in the climactic scene. Yep, you can see the moment he quits being Jon and totally finds his groove. Listen to the audience reacting to him. It's awesome.

Oh yeah. He found his groove alright. (sniff, sniff). Can you pass Mom the kleenex now, please?