Esther's (Partial) Debut

Yesterday at church the children did a musical. When they started practicing several months ago, we were told that it was (understandably) optional for the three-year-olds. We asked Esther if she wanted to do it, and she did. She went to all the practices after church, attended a 1-1/2 hour rehearsal on Saturday, and knew most of the words to the songs. She's been talking about it for weeks and invited all her grandparents and aunts and uncles to attend.

Sunday morning she woke up and told me that she didn't want to be in the musical anymore. We have no idea what triggered this, but we weren't going to push it. We talked about it a little, still dressed her in the t-shirt that all the children were supposed to wear, and she and Casey went to church early for the final run-through. He couldn't get her up on stage for that, so we just figured she wouldn't be participating.

When it was time for all the kids to go up, I told her that I would go up with her and sit in the front if she wanted to go. She decided she did, so she went up on the risers and I sat in the front pew. Things started out great and she sang her heart out for a few songs. Then all of a sudden she started to look upset. She started reaching toward me as if she wanted me to come get her and she was mouthing, "Mommy" with a sad face. I tried to give her a thumbs up and a smile to tell her it was ok. She went back and forth between singing and being sad for a while, and eventually came down by me. We watched the rest of the musical together and that was just fine. We were so proud of her for even doing part of it, especially since she was the only three-year-old up there! Maybe next year she'll make it through the whole thing.

After church we had Mother's Day dinner at my parents' house with my parents, sister, and aunt. Casey's parents and brother joined us as well. I'm so blessed to have such an amazing mom and mother-in-law, as well as being a mom to 3 wonderful children.