GPS

So one of the complaints at our church with hundreds (have we reached 1000 yet?) of young children is that we did not have a children's choir.  Many of our youth participate in the orchestra, and we have a teen girls' ensemble that travels, but the children's choir fell apart about 4 or 5 years ago, and we've  really missed it.  We sent our daughter to a small country church near our last house for a few years, so she could have that musical theater experience.  She definitely needs an outlet for all her innate theatrics.  Then a dear children's Sunday school teacher at our church stepped up to lead a program.  Glory, Hallelujah!   She's awesome. All her sisters are too.

So the practices began.  Our shy son is like his mama in that he does not like to be perform on stage with lots of people looking at him.  I have no problem giving commencement addresses at graduation ceremonies, speaking to a group of women, or teaching a large room full of manufacturing team leaders who are mostly older than I am.  But to sing or play a role other than myself...on stage...in front of people....that I cannot do.   And I think my son feels the same way.  He has a beautiful singing voice and is quite musical.  I love to watch him bob up and down and tap his toes when he plays the piano or listens to music.  But he initially resisted children's choir and this musical with some passion.  Eventually, he complied and even smiled throughout the performance (a first!).  He nailed all the lyrics and hand motions and also served as a 10 Commandments poster boy.  Great job, Son.  You gave an awesome performance!

Our daughter, on the other hand, lives for the stage.  She is happiest when the spotlight is on her, and she is the quintessential drama queen.  She wanted a lead role in the musical and got a rather large part after auditions only to learn later that the most important practice which was required to keep the part was being held the same weekend as her state gymnastics meet out of town.  We thought she would have to choose, but we eventually worked out a compromise in which we cut our trip very short (postponing our reservations at the Great Wolf Lodge), and she would only miss part of the rehearsals that weekend.

She played the part of Grace, a preteen girl with a crush on a pop star, who learns that such swooning is a form of idolatry.  She had several lines throughout the program and a little solo.

My husband is the singer in the family, not me. So instead of singing lullabies to my babies, I often rapped them instead, even including my vocal beat box at times.  So, I find it amusing that out of all the little solos in the musical this year, hers was in the style of a rap.  I don't think anyone could have delivered a better performance.

Nana and Pops are always so supportive, so they drove up to see the kids in their musical.  Here are some photos taken at the reception following the show.  Our daughter's crazy accessories were part of her costume, although you might find something similar in her closet.