Elaina's first school program

In August, my baby got her first cubby.

Tonight, she had her first Christmas program.

She has been been looking forward to this night for nearly a year, since last December when we sat in the same sanctuary and tried to stave off her tears because Arcadia was in the program and she wasn't.

For weeks, she's asking how much longer til her program. For the past two or three, she has entertained us at supper with lively renditions of Five Little Reindeer and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer and the Reindeer Pokey (sense a theme?). We bought her dress on a Christmas shopping trip, and she picked out red shoes to go with it. She told her teachers Gramma and Pampah were coming and was thrilled to learn she would be allowed to show them her room. Last night as we were preparing to say her prayers, she asked, "Mama, are you nervous for tomorrow?" And I said, "No, baby. I'm not nervous. I'm just so excited because I know you'll do great." And when Josh went in to sing a song and read a story, she asked, "Daddy, to you think I'll all the words?" He reassured her that she would.

Tonight was her night.

Gramma and Pampah were here when we got home. We had pizza for supper, and then she sat while I curled her hair and Mom and I got her dressed. We did the same for Ellie. When I dropped her off in her classroom, she twirled like a ballerina to show her teachers her lovely dress and her snappy shoes. When the program started, she walked in holding Mrs. Underwood's hand, which seemed so appropriate because she strives to be the teacher's pet. She spotted us and waved excitedly, and stopped to give Ellie a kiss.

Her performance was worthy of a Tony, as everyone in our row will attest. And thankfully, she was in the top row, so we were able to see her. When it was all over, we went downstairs and had cookies, and then she finally got to show Gramma and Pampah her classroom.

The whole night, all I could think of was the last line of Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes: "She blushed. She beamed. She bloomed."

Way to go, Lou-Lou. You were absolutely perfect.

She posed this way all by herself

Kissing Ellie's hand

Not emotive at all, that one.

A girl and her Pampah are not soon parted