piano recital last night was adorable!
annie was all ready and set to do it but when her teacher called her name
she fell to the floor flat on her stomach in fear. (this is normal annie shy-ness)
i scooped her up and we whispered together and decided instead of first (which she'd chosen)
that she'd go last.
so it came to be her turn and she smiled but then buried her head in my lap.
i took her to the piano and she went limp…trying to slide off the bench.
she started to cry but didn't try to leave.
then she began to sob and shake but was trying to be quiet about it.
i was blocking her view of the parents there (there were only about 10)
i whispered "you can do it honey."
she looked up at me with huge scared eyes full of tears and shakily said "can you just play it?"
i whispered "i don't know your song sweet heart."
she sloooowly put her shaky hands on the piano and played her 13 note version on old mcdonald.
as soon as she hit the last note i shouted "WOO HOO!" and put my arms in the air.
the room exploded in applause.
it was so great.
the other three kids did fabulous also.
talby was visibly nervous but never said so…..which is new.
she told me later that night,
"i was REALLY nervous but i decided i am going to be mature now and not make a big deal."
🙂
miss jill is awesome.
i love how she interacts with my kids and that she comes to my house.
it is no fun dragging five kids all over town for lessons….or sitting and waiting on kids at lessons.
thank you jill!
S - I’m not even a mom and this made me tear up.
I love, love, love your pictures, but this post was perfect without them…simply imagining the moments.
Kelly - this is such a great story! You are such a great mom! Kelly
Jacque in Colorado - What memories. We had five daughters all of whom took piano lessons and were basket cases at some point before or during a recital. Our fourth daughter, who hadn’t started lessons yet, whispered to me at one event, “Mama, my heart is pounding and I’m not even playing!”
Blending Families - You are one great mum. She is very lucky to have you as her strength. I also love how others supported by cheering. Recitals can really be scary to little kids. Congratulations on what you did for you and your daughter.
tess s. - i just had a horrible flashabck of my first play. i knew every line by heart hours after hearing them. it was preschool…
but as soon as i stepped on stage i was terrified. i’ve since grown out it. so proud of annie for going through with it.
way to go talby for being “mature”. you have great kids, meg!
Christina - That is a great story!! I love how everyone cheered. And that she did it! Yay, Annie! And Talby, too. Conquering fears is such a huge deal.
jeanne - I love that you cheered LOUD at the end! You are the best mom!!! Truly.
Kirsten P - Meg, I found your blog through Jody’s blog about the team that went to Africa. Your march 19th blog about the church service with all those precious children was incredible – your words and photos of kids singing and dancing and listening and falling asleep and being thrilled to get an egg and being prayed over. Oh, my! I’ll never forget it.
Your blog today brought similar feelings. I love how you helped Annie through her fears and tears. Your WOO HOO at the end and the audience exploding in applause – loved it, loved it.
Jonelle - love the big woo hoo at the end!
Jill - All of your kids did an excellent job last night, and I was so proud that Annie went through with it! I love teaching your kids! They each have distinct personalities; it challenges me to teach them each in a little different way – which is fun! Thanks for the opportunity; and thanks for the way you handled last night. You are definitely their best cheerleader. 😉
Robyn - OH MY GOODNESS!!!!! that is the sweetest story ever… on so many counts.
Rachel / cREaTe - that made me cry, too. 🙂 soooo sweet. i took piano for 13 years … i’ve been there. you’re such a wonderful, supportive mom. hopefully she’ll remember that forever! and i hope you got the recital [especially annie & you] on video tape … because these quickly become the family favorites. 🙂 ha ha 13 notes. bless her heart. 🙂
Michelle - I’m 39 and can VIVIDLY remember a piano recital I did at an Old Folks Home when I was about 8. I had to play the national anthem. I sat, I cried, I said I couldn’t do it but my Dad was there as support and he came up and told me I could so I did. I can still remember the fear I felt on that day. Isn’t it funny what stays with us??
Thanks for your wonderful blog Meg. I may live in Australia but I still enjoy my morning dose of ‘Whatever!’. Cheerio from the other side of the planet!
kathy eller - Man you handled that well!
kristin - oh, annie played it for me at my house the last time she was here.
i didn’t realize she was taking lessons!
how sweet.
Sandy - That made me cry. I’m so proud of Talby for being mature and proud of Annie for getting through it. Brave girls!!
Sarah - Awesome story! I love reading all of your posts, but Annie…how precious!!! What a doll baby!
Rebecca - This brought tears to me eyes. I admire the way you handled it. I will remember this as we are a mere 2 weeks away from our son’s first piano recital. I don’t know who is more nervous about what…him about playing or me about him being too nervous to play. 🙂
Jenn Thomas - Reading this post just brings back memories of my first recital. I know exactly how Annie feels – I’ve been there – my hearts starts racing just the thought of it. I remember every recital my hands just shaking and shaking. I am so proud of her – good for her. Megan – they way you handle it – what a good role model for us with little children.I will remember how you handled this situation with Annie and put that into action if ever needed with London.
Online Consultation - I’m sure your great in little things that you do. Savor the small good moment and feel good about it.
Gemma - So adorable! Poor little annie but what an accomplishment for such a young girl : D Any size audience can be daunting!
If any of you get a chance please visit my blog http://musings-of-a-gem.blogspot.com/ for exclusive offers in my Etsy & Folksy Shop : )
Love Gemma X
Robin - Oooo piano recitals.. How I hated those!! But I am so grateful for the 14 years of lessons I took! Way to go Annie and Talby!
Kate @ Songs Kate Sang - Meg. You. Rock.
Becky @ Farmgirl Paints - You’re a good mama Meg. Teaching bravery and supporting your babes is huge! They’ll always remember that:)
tara pollard pakosta - that’s just awesome!
way to go Annie!!!
tara
RLG - I can’t believe I’m crying. Yeah, Annie!
xoxo
amy - oh you are such a good mommy.
your story made me feel proud of annie!
WOO HOO!
Lisa - Totally bawling. That’s precious! What a good mama!
Courtney Walsh - awww, I feel for her!! But she did it!! Go Annie!! 🙂 How adorable!!
jeana - this made me cry too. and i needed this today. way to go… all of you!!
the inadvertent farmer - Oh that made me 8 again and at one of my own piano recitals…poor baby. Good for her to carry on…better than I did when I ran out of the room in tears. Kim
se7en - Oh the sweet baby, that made me cry!!! Well done guys!!! Our music teacher also visits us – so makes music fun for me!!!
Kimberlee J. - Victory is sweet—at the free throw line AND at the piano.
Staci - Awwww 🙂 Way to go Annie…..and Talby!!!! And yay you!!! I love those moments 🙂
Susan - Sounds familiar. When my step daughter Courtnay was little, she had a piano recital when her mom was out of town and it fell to hubby and I. We tried to coax her onto the stage and almost had it made when her maternal grandparents stepped in and told her she didn’t have too. So pat your self on the back for encouraging her to stick it out. I’m proud of you both! By the way, my step daughter is 31 now and the most insecure human being on the face of the earth because she has never been strongly encouraged (forced) to face her fears…Go! Meg!
Tasha - Oh, what a memory….my son has his first recital in a few weeks….I wonder-I wonder 🙂
Courtney - I am a piano teacher and I appreciate this story 🙂 Even to this day though, I would MUCH rather sing than play the piano for a group!
Sarah@Clover Lane - that is the sweetest story ever.
i feel like i could fall to the floor and lay on my stomach when faced with a huge task too.
i loved it.
Sharla - I played piano for many years and understand the nerves that come with it! Loved this story and the way you handled it.
myrnie - Oh, you made me cry. My piano studio’s recital is next week, and I adore watching these fantastic kids get ready, get nervous, and do their best. Ah, such wonderful times 🙂 Good job for Annie!!!
Nicole Q. - I cried reading this post!! You are a great MOM!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a special mom/daughter moment!!!! If only we could get them through all the other fears in life they’ll have this way and then get to shout WOO HOO after they see success!!
Emily@remodelingthislife - okay that made me cry. i thought you might appreciate knowing another cry-er 🙂
Marie - AWESOME Mommy moment! Thanks so much for sharing! (made me cry, too)
Melanie - Did you take pictures? I played the piano for 9 years and I always got nervous before playing so I know that Annie, being all of 5, was really nervous. Good for her.
angela - Oh I’m so proud of her!!! And like the above commenter said…you did a great job of handling it. I would do that NOW, but when mine were small, I was too worried about what other people think.
Alysa - very, very touching. made me cry and i just put my mascara on. rats. =)
Mary Beth - ack! piano recitals …I love how you handled this one and let her come around in her own time! Good job mama!