Rockstar in the Making

Yes, I think it's time we face the facts and start planning a realistic future for Daniel.

He is destined to be a rock star.

Daniel's first ever "progress report" from school identified him as "Word Bright" and "Music Bright", citing his strong alphabet, love of books and musical interest. His teachers said he is always the first on his feet when it's time to dance or sing - that he shows a definite musical inclination.

And it's true, at home he has taken a recent interest in singing... something he didn't seem interested in for a long time. He sings all the time - Old McDonald is the newest favorite. But Happy Birthday is holding steady in a close second place. He holds the microphone from our Rock Band Beatles game and carries it throughout the house, singing to no one in particular (with the cord trailing behind him room to room). My favorite are the songs he makes up on the spot: 'Daniel, sing the I Love Mommy song!' And he does.

Last week, we attended Daniel's first performance - his stage career began as a tiny angel in his preschool production. During "Jingle Bells", mass chaos ensued. But during "Go Tell It On the Mountain", Daniel came to the front of the stage, and with the most focused look I have ever seen, sang every word and did every motion... it was beyond adorable.

We continued my family's proud tradition of technology at school functions (my parents' friends used to joke that "ABC, NBC and CBS had arrived" when my family came to dance recitals). Daniel's TK, Mema and Papa attended the event as well, also packing cameras, tripods and gear of every sort.

Daniel was beyond thrilled to see us in the audience, almost running off the stage a few times to come hug us. He yelled "That's my Mommy! My Daddy! Look - that's my MommyDaddy!" He and Ava looked adorable as angels, and stood together during the first song, jingling in unison.

After the show, we visited Daniel's new classroom for a quick "cookies & lemonade" party and had fun taking a few photos and letting Daniel show us his favorite parts of the room, including the fireplace/hearth area. (Which is apparently very romantic for little Christmas angels. We weren't trying for a kiss picture... but when Daniel went to kiss Ava's cheek, she kind of turned her head. That excuse will only last another year or two.)

Christmas is days away... but thanks to Daniel's little vocal chords (and rousing yet constantly changing renditions of "Rudolph") the Christmas spirit is already in full swing!