Lauren's 1st Christmas Program

Dustin had to miss this one as well. :-( He was not happy about it but we were both expecting her to collapse and cry through the whole thing so we honestly didn't think he'd be missing much other than a fit in front of one hundred strangers.

She had been talking about it each and every day for weeks and you know we heard each and every one of her songs about a thousand times. Hand gestures and all. I went out and got her a new dress this weekend in the hopes that a new dress would help give her the courage to stand up and sing loudly. She loved the dress...and looked adorable in it. And she was more than happy to tell everyone how cute she looked all night, too. I wish I had half this child's self-esteem. ;-)



We went and found a seat in the church and waited for the program to unfold. My first hurdle was to have her walk past me without collapsing in the middle of the aisle. As soon as my daycare provider said she saw her heading our way I got all nervous...and then she saw me....



smiled...and kept on going.

Phew!

She was placed in her spot and looked right at me. And smiled again. I was shocked.

Then they started singing and she played shy and hid behind the girl in front of her. Two songs in and she was performing like the little songbird I know and love!

Unfortunately, I was pretty far back and this is the best picture I have...



She made it all the way to the end and I was so proud of her that when it was all over she ran right up to me and I got tears in my eyes! What a big girl she is becoming!! Dustin was devastated. He, of course, was sooooo proud of her, but soooo sad he missed it.

After the program we had a little birthday party for Jesus and celebrated with cupcakes.





And then I told Ella it was over an hour past her bedtime....



and we had to leave.