Hone the Kiwi Bird

Lazlo's school focuses a lot on the environment, and this year they adopted a kiwi bird which they named "Hone". Lazlo is his grade's "Green Team" representative, so he got to go to a nature reserve and see Hone released into the bush, which was pretty darned cool because most New Zealanders have only seen kiwi birds indoors in wildlife sanctuaries. To follow up on this theme, the lower grades of Lazlo's school put on a musical called "Hone the Kiwi Bird" and Lazlo was cast as Hone.

I have to admit I was a little anxious about it. Most of the kids sang one song on stage, but Lazlo had lines throughout the entire 45 minute production. Rehearsal at home didn't go too well (can't blame him, he is worn out by 4pm) so I was relieved they practiced at school. Not surprisingly, rehearsal improved once he started getting attention for it from the teachers and big kids.

Although he is no Macauley Caulkin (Brad's words, not mine), Laz did a terrific job. He remembered all of his lines and even helped out others on stage who had forgotten theirs. Some of the kids were unintelligible, but Lazlo spoke clearly and occasionally with some expression. Watching him on stage was my favorite part of the show, of course. But a close second was watching the boy, front and center, who became mesmerized by the band aid on his arm in the middle of his song. While everyone sang and danced around him he went into his own little band aid world, unsticking and resticking the band aid on various parts of his arm, until the song was over.

We'll post the video soon, but here are some pictures.