No really, never work with children.

This morning we had a school matinee performance of A Christmas Story. My 7-year-old actor playing Randy, the little brother of the main character, was late for an entrance. It went something like this:

Scene change where several things happen at once in a blue-out.

My realization- I didn't see Randy get behind the couch, but it's possible that I missed it in the scene change.

Mother's line "Randy, are you back there?"

Randy is not back there. Randy is entering the stage, from the wings. Sweatervest half on, suspenders dangling.

Mother has no idea that Randy is not back there, as she cannot see where he is supposed to be hiding, until he walks in the front door of the house like he's coming home.

Before Mother can attempt to cover this situation, he looks out at the sold-out audience of school children, says "I'm late," gives an apologetic shrug, and dives behind the couch.

Mother continues the scene, talking to the now-unseen Randy behind the couch.

I am thinking, at this point, "For the love of God, kid, just put your vest on before you come out from behind that couch."

Randy comes out from behind the couch. Randy has put on his vest. Backwards. Suspenders still dangling.

This kid is a hot mess, but he is so freaking adorable that it almost doesn't matter. Almost.