Killer Queen

The phone rang this morning. It was the principal of Rachel's new school. She wanted to let us know Rachel seems to have adjusted well to her new surroundings, was having a good time and was making friends.

I didn't really think she would have any problems, but being a parent, any unneeded worry can be replaced by a new one. My new worry is Queen. The rock band.

Thankfully, Rachel has begun to enjoy a little of the music mom and dad like to listen to in the car. Queen is one of her favorites. It provides us a welcome break from the Little People, Wiggles and Silly Songs cd's.

However, since we live in Atlanta, we spend a lot of time in traffic. Occasionally, it doesn't move at all. To combat the anger and tension when that occurs, my wife has self-appointed herself as Debbie Allen/Tony Basil/Paula Abdul.

She has created exaggerated hand gestures and facial mugging/tics to go with the lyrics on the Queen cd. Rachel enjoys mimicking her mom. Their Bicycle Race is particularly good.

The other day, I was in the car with them. Thanks to two separate school orientations and my overnight shift, I had only slept six hours in 36 hours. I was wiped out. However, when Rebecca started her choreography to Bicycle Race and Killer Queen and Rachel joined her from the back seat, I dissolved into uncontrollable, slap happy spasms of laughter, enough that my stomach hurt.

So here's why I am worried. I envision another phone call from the Principal of the Davis Academy Lower School. Ms. Hunt tells us that Rachel has become a disruption at the school and refuses to obey demands to reform her behavior. When I ask what she's doing, I am told that Rachel won't stop singing Fat Bottomed Girls, They Make The Rocking World Go Round at the top of her lungs while acting out the accompanying choreography.

It's going to keep my lying awake at night. I just know it!