A Tale of Two Christmas Programs

The little wise(wo)man had been practicing her church Christmas program songs for weeks in Sunday school class. She sang her songs at home and in the car surprising me with how well she remembered them all. I was looking forward to another year of hilarity and laughs watching the young kiddos show off their songs for the church. On Sunday the 15th around 3:30 I realized that what Hallie was about to display would be anything but hilarious. In fact, I feared for my life waking her up after she'd fallen asleep on the couch at 3:20. Note to organizers of programs involving small children.....please avoid the hours of 1:00 to 5:00. Any of these four hours are eligible for sudden fatigue and naps at the drop of a hat. Now I say this while laughing because on most days she absolutely refuses to stop moving for fear that she just might get some rest and (gasp) fall asleep for a nap. On this particularly important day she was out cold. Luckily I'd dressed her around 3:00 so she was all ready. So was her babydoll who had a matching black and red plaid dress that was to die for adorable. She passed out cuddling her baby on the couch...

 

 

 

 I picked her up and carried her to the car and watched her (and the road) like a hawk in my rearview mirror as we drove to the church. She cried big tears and clung to my leg when we made our way back to meet with her teacher. I pried myself away to find a seat and meet Dad, Meg, Bailey and Spencer at the front of the church. Hal and her little friends lined up with their donkeys and started filing in. Things were off to a great start when she noticed her row of fans and gave us a sweet wave.....

 

Things never really went south. I'd say they just sort of stalled out. Zombie Hal stood up on stage as far away from the group as possible in a trance with her eyes open wide and mouth not moving. A far cry from the performer I know!

 

 

After the little ones finished their songs we had a bit of a challenge trying to keep Hal occupied and she spent most of her time during the program with Nanny or going back and forth between rows looking exhausted and ready to crash . She ended up sneaking a quick visit with Santa during one of her many trips to the back of the church. This momma almost lost her mind when a monumental meltdown took place while we were trying to leave the church. Not. Cool. Spankin' city. More. Tears. But the promise of food at Pizza Hut with Gman and crew had her smiling. She was back to her normal cheerful and rambunctious self once we sat down with the family for dinner. We had a great time and she finished off her meal with a cupcake offered to her by the table next to us. This girl doesn't turn down a cupcake.....

 

See what I mean. Back to herself. 

The very next night we turned around and had a deja vu moment as we drove to the church with a beautiful little girl in her special Christmas dress ready to sing. Or at least we hoped she was ready. 

 

"Like you had any doubts???"

Once she spotted Ms. Gari she lit up and followed her happily to the back of the church to meet with her classmates. Nanny and Papa met us in the sanctuary and we waited for the fun to begin.

I thought it precious that the teachers called out each student's name and had them walk down individuallly. They all looked so proud and it was a great moment to snap a picture of your child alone. Well, unless your child was running so fast he/she looked more like a smiley blur. Hallie Grace lived up to her spirit and was one of two children to sprint down the aisle when her name was called......

I will cherish this moment. It was just so Hal. Full of energy and rarin' to go. We all had a big laugh! The program was precious, precious, and more precious. I kept wishing I'd invited my family to Free Spirit evening instead of the church program. All of the kiddos performed so well and showed off all of the songs they'd been singing this year. Not only did they sing Christmas music but also some of their daily songs that they sing each morning to start their day at school. She makes us so proud! 

She sang her heart out and then rushed out as fast as she made her way in....

There was a special guest waiting on the kids after their performance. In the fellowship hall we found cookies and punch and.........SANTA!!!!!!! They had 21 little chairs in a half circle around Santa's chair by the Christmas tree. They all waited patiently (seriously, it was pretty impressive how still they all were) and watched eachother take a turn on the big guy's lap. Nanny came over for some kisses for her girl....

Hal's friend Kadence made her a special purple cookie that she held onto....

I found it precious beyond words that my girl was looking like Santa's little mini-me minus the beard. From the boots to the fur....precious, precious, precious. 

He must've been a sweet Santa because Hal was smitten....

Sweet Kadence wasn't so sure about Mr. Clause so Lauren stood behind the chair for a picture....

We really tried to get a good family picture but it must've been the cookies...or Santa...or playing chase with her friends....but she was one squirmy gal. :)

Nanny and Papa managed to get a big smile out of her though.....

So like the title says, it was a tale of two Christmas programs. Zombie Hal turned Performer Hal overnight. Either way, no matter what she does on stage, I just can't get enough. Yes, I'm that mom with the ridiculous drooly grin on my face waving everytime she looks our direction. Making a child feel loved, appreciated and special is one of the greatest joys in life.