Christmas Angel Breakfast

What a fun morning our Saturday was!! As a Mommy, I have been looking forward to a moment like this since the day I discovered I was pregnant. It was HC's first opportunity to perform. Here she is after getting dressed. She decided that today she didn't need a bow. She wanted to wear her hair down like mine! (Can you say "AWWWW"!?? I was thrilled to oblige.) Doesn't she look gorgeous?? She decided to tote Gigi around with her and so Gigi had to be photographed too! Then it was my turn to pose with my sweet girl!
Ok, I know! But this was at the party! We HAD to get another shot at the party! HC was eating her pastry. YUMMY.
Enjoying the company of friends!

The beautiful Christmas trees!!
Countdown to go time!
HC looking at the screen (they showed the pics from the book) as Mr. Tim read the story Christmas Angels. I must get this story! I loved it and so did HC!!
HC smiling! She was ready for her big moment! She was one of the first 4 year olds to dash to the risers and get in place. The song they were due to sing... We Wish You a Merry Christmas!! She practiced her song with enthusiasm and was ready for the big day. Then the unthinkable happened. I looked down at my video camera to make sure I had everything set, I looked back up and my child was not in her spot. She had turned around, curious about the stage behind her, and her foot slipped into the gap between the risers and the stage. Did I mention I have been looking forward to my child's first performance since she was in my imagination???? I was devastated and sad that my baby was hurt. I was composed but my heart sank as I realized she would not be consoled in time to sing.

The lady who saw her fall, the one on stage who was supposed to be watching the kids and didn't... she was still there when the 5 year olds began getting set on the risers. I asked her if HC could sing with them. They were singing Go Tell it On the Mountain and Jingle Bells. She knew Jingle Bells and was familiar with Go Tell. She agreed and so here is take 2:
Notice the red eyes?? She is the one on the bottom row. She was such a trooper and did fantastic! She sang along as though she had been to all the 5 year old rehearsals!! :) She even got to sing Jingle Bells WHILE shaking sleigh bells. Who could ask for anything more??? She was thrilled and drained by it all!!! I am so thankful that they let her sneak in!!Here's our lovely table decor! The Preschool team at our Church really did a top-notch job!! Thank you all for all of your hard work!
HC after her big performance! She is such a trooper! I just adore her!! I adore her spunk! I adore her strength!! I adore this little girl like I cannot even say! I love that she is willing to try again! She isn't scared to get back up there and give it a go, even when she isn't familiar with the songs. I tell you that God knew what HE was doing when He chose to give us HC first. If I were telling you this story about JB, I am sad to say I don't think he would have been consolable nor would he have tried to sing with the other group. He gets mad when things go wrong and unless he outgrows this in the next year or so... I dread when something similar happens to him. But HC was a dream. She got back up there and tried her best! On the way home she fell asleep, but after her nap we went on a few errands. I told HC how proud I was of her willingness to try again!! I even made up a song for her:
"My HC will never give up, she never gives up! She always tries her best!" OK, maybe it isn't a song. More like a chant but it is true! I pray JB outgrows the meltdowns when he is in a moment of crisis!! I pray I am wrong about him and I pray he too will keep trying to do things, even when they are a challenge or when conflict arises! (I more than adore JB too, whether he fights the urge to meltdown for another year or many more! He is fantastic too I tell you!! I am way blessed!!!!) I love you HC and I can't say how proud I am of you!! You are truly a ray of sunshine to me and I loved watching you perform. It was an honor to stand there watching my baby girl be so brave (and being so Big)!! Your light is always shining my sweet angel girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (Her name means Gracious and Bright! She is indeed!)