Year #3 for the Talent Show

For the third year in a row, Lia insisted on signing up for her school's talent show.  However, this year the talent show was run by a new music teacher who required the students to really try out for the show...meaning that they could be cut from the list.  This was due to the fact that the talent show ran waaaay too long the past two years when the former, music teacher was in charge.  So, I dragged the kiddos down to her school one afternoon in early March for Lia to try out.  Since it was an optional try-out day on a half day, we were the only ones there which was actually quite nice.  Lia summoned all of her courage and sat down and played a lovely rendition of "Alouette."  Her music teacher then informed us that she would let us know if Lia had made the talent show after all of the try-outs had been held.  We then waited for several weeks until Lia came home from school one day and burst into tears because two of her friends in her class had received slips of paper that day informing them that they were in the talent show.  Lia apparently had not been chosen to participate which was really sad for both of us.  It really hurt my heart to see her so devastated about this.  And for the next week or two, I had to have many pep talks with Lia about the realities of not getting everything we want in life and the importance of not giving up even when we don't get our way.  Many tears were shed over this disappointment.
Fast forward to two days ago when I called the mother of one of Lia's friends to ask her a question about something.  This mother then asked why Lia hadn't been at the talent show dress rehearsal the night before.  After asking her what on earth she was talking about, she explained to me that Lia's name had been on the list of performances.  I was so confused.  I immediately hung up the phone and called Lia's school.  Luckily, I was able to get a hold of the music teacher right after she finished her last class of the day, but before she left school.  She explained to me that Lia had made the talent show, but that there must have been some mistake as Lia was never informed of this!  Part of me was totally annoyed that I had been forced to deal with so much drama and heartache over the past several weeks for nothing, but most of me was just so relieved that Lia was in the show after all!  We had also found out just in the nick of time as the talent show was two days later.  Luckily, Lia was able to participate even though she had never had the chance to attend a dress rehearsal.  And, so the kids and I accompanied Lia to the school tonight to see her play the piano in front of several hundreds of people.  For the second year in a row, Ron unfortunately had to work and missed the entire thing.  Fortunately, Logan and Ella were so fascinated by all of the performances that they did a decent job staying in their seats and calmly watching the show...and, like always, we left during intermission since there was no way we would last through the entire talent show.  Lia did a fabulous job playing the piano and I am always amazed at her confidence and willingness to perform in front of such a large group of people.  Good job, Lia!

Lia first sitting down at the piano.

Playing away!

Standing up and bowing to the audience.

Lia picking up her music and walking away!