My Shining Star

"Mom! Friday is pajama day for the second graders and we can bring a blanket, a stuffed animal, a pillow, and a board game!!"

And...Olivia has been planning on what PJs, what blanket, what stuffed animal, what pillow, and what board game to bring all week long.

She was perfectly happy to carry all of this on the bus this morning. I hope it all makes it home with her.

Last night was Olivia's Second Grade Performance at her school. When they were handing out parts she was really disappointed because she didn't get a special part in the program. She was "just" a part of the choir. She loved learning all the songs though and would tell us every so often that she was a little sad that she didn't have a part.

We sat as a family and watched the kids all walk in and take their places with patriotic music playing. Olivia marches in with the biggest smile on her face. The smile stuck through the whole performance. As I watched her "give it her all" I smiled and teared up a little. She just looked so incredibly happy. This little girl has so much confidence in herself. In spite of not getting a part, she was so into her performance and never let up. I was looking around at the other kids and I AM NOT KIDDING she was the only one with exaggerated hand motions, a little bob of her head to the beat and a smile that sparkled. When the kids were all leaving the stage at the the end they were to march off. The first few kids were marching and then everyone kind of stopped. Most kids were hunched over and bumbing into each other. Not Olivia. She carried her performance right out the door. Chin up. Big Grin to the audience. Arms marching to her sides. Knees up. March, march, march.

I told her that I was so proud of her for doing her best. "You were the only kid up there who was smiling so much. You looked like you were having so much fun."

Olivia said, "Mom, you're just saying that because you're my mom."

But I really wasn't just saying that. I really do think she did a great job and she definitely shined. And she was so disappointed about not having a part, but she made herself something special.