Stage fright

It would seem Ashley is NOT destined for Broadway.

Her Christmas caroling performance at the retirement home could have gone better today. I mean it's not like she passed out or puked up her guts on stage. But if you count shaking like a leaf and crying crocodile tears, then yeah, it could have gone better.

The thing that baffles me is that just last night she was standing on the dining room chair, belting out her tunes and even entertaining us with the hand motions. But fast forward 18 hours and it was NO DICE.

Her teacher asked her to at least do the first song, and then if she was still feeling nervous, she could leave. Midget was apprehensive but knows the "you have to try it at least once" rule of the Enos House, so she reluctantly went to the front and sang along with the first song.

Between her tears and hiccups.

At the conclusion of the first song she politely removed herself from the staging area and curled herself tightly into my lap. As the concert went on, I tried time and time again to get her back up there, but she refused. At one point I think I even heard Jake bribing her with cash money.

And she STILL refused.

That one blew my mind.

As the singers prepared for their second-to-last song the got to put red stickers on their noses. As they sang through Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, I could see Ashley's eager apprehension to be up in front performing. I asked her if she'd like to join the carolers and she said yes if I promised to stand behind her.

So up we went.

And sing she did!

It seemed she was actually enjoying herself so I wondered if she'd hold out for the grand finale of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas".

Didn't happen.

So what today has taught me is this: children are unpredictable creatures. You absolutely cannot push Ashley to do what she doesn't want to do. Do I think she'll outgrow it? Who knows. But I'm going to keep encouraging her along the way.

Here's a short clip (click here) from their first song. If upset children upset you, then you'll likely want to skip the video.

PS I have actual pictures to share, but those will come another day.