Bit O'Braggin

The Baxter side of my family is very creative and talented. For decades at my Grandma's Christmas party my Aunts and Cousins have displayed their amazing abilities at singing and dancing. My sister, brother and I have never had anything to share at these occasions.

Until this last Christmas.

My oldest son, Cole, too was blessed with a lack of entertaining abilities. This past Christmas he wanted to perform his Poi. This is a Polynesian dance done with lighted balls on the ends of strings that the dancer twirls around his head and body. I had never seen Cole do this and I was VERY scared to have him do this in front of the family. Things had to be dark so we waited until after we had eaten dinner and Santa had come....then...we turned the lights off, turned on the techno music and Cole did his thing.

May I take just a moment to relive...

After he was done the whole place erupted in applause. Mine was loudest. I couldn't believe that this was someone who I had given birth to. It was completely cool and totally amazing.

For my birthday Cole brought out his fire balls and we all went into the backyard so he could light them and give us an amazing show. At the end of the performance there was much cheering and only a few scorched hairs. (His of course!) I tried to record this but I couldn't figure it out. So here are some still shots of his Poi Fire Dance.

He now is performing and getting paid. Next year he will do the Poi Fire Dance at the Christmas Party. I can hardly wait!