Almost Party Time

This picture shows the horse center piece Shayla made for her birthday party tomorrow. You cannot imagine how much she has reminded me of Christi lately with all of her homemade art project creations and reading, wild! Currently, she's cutting out horse tails for the "Pin the Tail on the Horse" game we'll play tomorrow at her birthday party. I’m still not ready for her to be the same age Christi was for her final year of life, but…it’s one more thing that’s not up to me.

Speaking of God, much to our surprise, Shayla informed us on Fat Tuesday that she was giving up television for lent. (40 days, no TV – yikes!) I have to admit that I tried to get her to just give up the Disney Channel (her favorite) but she said no TV, period. We talked about the sacrifice Jesus made for all of us and I still think Shayla’s was a pretty big one. So far so good! On a humorous note, I gave up my favorite food (popcorn) for lent. Twenty four hours after I made my announcement, a huge box from “The Popcorn Factory” with MY name on the shipping label arrived. I was certain it was a gift for Shayla’s birthday (it was) and she asked me who it was from. I responded, “I think it’s from God. He’s testing me.” Her eyes were huge as she inquired, “Really?” What a hoot! Finally, I told her it was from a sweet “Christi Fan” who wanted her to have a sweet treat for her
birthday. Inside was a huge Ohio State tin filled with popcorn!! (Thanks so much to a sweet blogger in Tennessee!!) Shayla said that she’d take it to her party this
weekend to share with everyone (except those who gave up popcorn for lent - ME!). Perhaps God will send a big screen TV to test Shayla next, hee hee! (As Christi said to me, “You can always hope.”)

Now for that super exciting and unbelievable Shayla news! After school on Thursday Shayla bounced into my classroom and said, “I know you’re busy grading papers, but I think you’ll want to stop to read this orange paper!” I read it and tears of joy streamed down my face. I then gave her the longest hug until finally she broke away and said, “I’m really sorry about interrupting you, but I thought you’d like this news too!” I got out my cell phone so she could call and tell her daddy.

The paper stated she was being asked by the school’s music teacher to audition for a part in the high school musical, “Oklahoma!” (They need ten children in grades k-7 to be in three song and dance numbers. Right up Shayla’s alley, eh?!) Yes, that would be the very first school musical on our school’s amazing new stage!! Now we have no idea if she’ll get picked or not, but we have had fun talking to her about being in the 3rd grade and being in a “high school musical” (since she loves
that movie so much). We’ve also spoken with her about not getting a part and about not talking about this at school, or to her classmates so that no one’s feelings will be hurt. Meanwhile, it's been "career changing" (smile). She now wants to be an actress instead of an animal trainer.

We still haven’t bought a birthday present for Shayla yet, but when we asked her what she wanted she said, “I don’t want anything except to get picked to be in “Oklahoma!” Auditions are next week. I think she'll be fine if she doesn't get it. She's a well-adjusted, reasonable little one.