christmas concert

Tonight we had some of Mom and Dad's neighbors over to make some soup for a local women's shelter. When the cooking was done we settled into the living room for a little variety show. As she likes to do, Lauren volunteered to go first. She stood up on a bench in front of the crowd of about 20 people and sang her own a capella version of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, her favorite song of the season this year. As her mom, I can tell you that no one could possibly sing it more adorably. My favorite parts are when she sings, "They never let poor Rudolph join in any reindeer games -- like Punopula!" and, "Santa came to say, 'Ho . . . ho . . . ho.'" Just as confidently as her sister, Ella climbed up and sang her version of Jingle Bells, and very happily jingled all the way. Of course, they both got a very generous applause and I was so proud of them, my little Christmas carollers.