5 Christmas performances in 5 days.  We were lucky nothing overlapped!

First up, Saturday December 10th, Jax had his first piano recital.  He loves to perform!  It was cute and simple, but I think he really enjoyed it all.  He played two songs, ‘O Christmas Tree’ and ‘Jingle Bells.’  His piano teacher, Caroline Hausman, provided accompaniment for each song, so they played in a duet.  I was a little skeptical Jax would keep up the correct timing, but he played flawlessly and we were all very proud.  He’s come a long way since he began in September.  He looks forward to his piano lessons each week and rarely complains about practicing.  I hope his enthusiasm continues.  His teacher is sweet and calm – perfect for Jax.  They seem to both like each other quite a bit.  That is always important.

Second, a few girls at school were asked to perform their Christmas concert at a retirement home one Sunday afternoon.  Sadie received an invitation, and since Jax is in chorus and a sibling they let him join in, too.  I had church meetings so Ben took the kids.

Third performance, Sadie’s Singer’s Company Christmas concert.  This is a highlight of the year for me!   Sadie grins from ear to ear the whole show.  Also, they always have the cutest songs, costumes, and moves. I love that it’s laid back and imperfect!

Fourth was McKay’s school Christmas performance. He was a shepherd. I wasn’t sure how he would do. He hates to perform and often tells me he “doesn’t know how to sing.” For reasons I don’t understand he often yawns when he sings, too. The morning of the performance he was so excited though! Ben wasn’t planning to come, but McKay wanted an audience, so I talked Ben and my Mom into coming last minute. So happy I did! He was so excited and surprised to see Mimi. I thought extra people would make him more nervous but he lit up every time he looked our direction. He also loved showing us his classroom afterwards and eating cookies with Mimi and me after the show. He was the cutest little shepherd I’ve ever seen!

Lastly, we had the real School Christmas Chorus Concert for Sadie and Jax.  They had a special dance part in one of the songs and were assigned to dress as elves.  They were ridiculously festive and cute. Jax got nervous towards the end of the show and walked off stage, because he thought they sat in the wrong seats after their dance demonstration. They were on the top row of the risers and they were supposed to have sat on the bottom row. He insists he doesn’t want to do the chorus performances anymore.  I hope he doesn’t mean it.  It’s a big production.  I think there are 350 kids in chorus so I’m guessing there are 1,000 people in the audience.  This was his first time in front of that many people and it must have overwhelmed him a little.