Simone's 1st performance

Today was church and weeks of preparation had gone into a small group of 3 and 4 year olds. For many Sundays now the choir lady would come into the 3's and 4's and work with them on their program. They were to sing Away in a Manger and Go tell it on the Mountain. Simone and I practiced vigilantly every night. We worked on the words and the motions. Today was the big day. Nanny even came to church to watch with us. The kids got all lined up and the music begins. I wait with baited breath to see my precious girl sing what we've been practicing.
Simone decided that she was in awe of the audience. She was so in awe that she didn't sing. She wasn't scared, she just stared. When it was all over, She was crying and saying, "I didn't sing". She said she wanted to go home. There are 2 services at our church and that was the first service. The choir leader asked that the kids stay for both services so there would be many voices. We didn't want the last memory of today being her not singing, so we told her she needed to stay for the 2nd service and sing with her class. We said it was important to try again. Second service came and the group came up and SHE SANG! The kid behind her was evidently singing really loudly 'cause she'd turn around occaisionally and stare at him, but she smiled and sangand did the motions. When it was all done and we were in the hallway to collect her, she had a big grin on her face and she ran to Michael and said, "I did it!" She was so proud of herself and was singing the Christmas songs all the way home. My heart was bursting with pride. Not necessarily because she sang, but that she tried again, even when she wanted so badly to go home, and because she tried again she saw that she really could do it.