Jessica made her stage debut at 16 months old – being carried on stage for the finale of a fundraising concert that we’d organised. We were raising money for the intensive care unit where she had been treated and her entrance just at the key change in “When You Believe” was an emotional one. The song had been very meaningful to me during my pregnancy with Jessica – with its lyrics “there can be miracles when you believe, though hope is frail, it’s hard to kill” – and it had taken weeks of rehearsal for me to be able to sing it without tears.
Fast-forward a couple of years and Jessica has just put on her very first concert for us. Grandma’s front room was her chosen venue and as we made ourselves comfortable on the sofas, she held out her arms dramatically and announced “Ladies and gentlemen! My name is Jessica and I’m going to put on a show!” before launching into her first number – The Wheels on the Bus, complete with actions. Musical accompaniment came from the hand bell she had picked up beforehand from Grandma’s music room, which was enthusiastically waved about.
Her next number – “If You’re Happy and You Know It” was one in which audience participation was actively encouraged and was followed by a gentle rendition of “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.” If we were a little slow to applaud, we were encouraged to do so by her reminder to “clap your hands”. More audience participation was required for “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” which was followed by “Wind the Bobbin Up”. The finale was a reprise of “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” before Jessica announced that the show was “closed now and going to sleep”.
With both parents being performers as well as three out of the four grandparents, perhaps it is not too surprising that Jessica seems to have inherited the perfoming gene. It is lovely to see her sing so confidently and I’m looking forward to watching many more shows in the future.
This is absolutely adorable. Love it. Proper performer you’ve got there. #kidscorner
Thank you – she certainly is! 🙂
How sweet. I love to see how little one’s personalities come alive as they grow. Thanks for sharing her!
Thank you Steph – it is lovely to see her confidence when performing 🙂
That is just gorgeous what a little star ! #SSAmazingAchievements
Thank you Catie 🙂
Aww – that is so lovely! What a clever, confident girl! #SSAmazingAchievements
Thank you – I love seeing her perform so confidently 🙂
I used to love putting on shows for my parents when I was a child. I used to play the recorder and my friend would sing! We used to make tickets and programs and all sorts!! I look forward to seeing her name in lights one day!!
I bet your parents loved your shows and what lovely childhood memories. Am sure Jessica will probably add tickets and programs when she gets older! 🙂
Ah, bless her. I used to put on shows when I was younger, my favourite was to line dance! ha! She looks like a little star!
Becky x
#Kidscorner
Thank you Becky – love the sound of your line dancing shows 🙂
Awww how lovely!! She really is a little miracle 🙂 xx #kid scorner
Thank you – she certainly is! 🙂
Aw kids can be so fun to watch when they get into their performance like that 🙂
Thank you Julie – I loved watching her 🙂
Love this! So nice when they develop their characters and confidence and I love how their little minds work. My little girl has started doing the same thing and put on a puppet show for us the other day. We had to sit in the hallway while she told us a story (made up as she went along) speaking with the puppets and getting us to shout ‘yes’ and ‘no’ at different parts! Who knows where she got it from but I hope it continues! #kidscorner
Oh how lovely that your little girl put on a puppet show – it sounds like it was wonderful to watch 🙂
This is so cute, I love that you have captured it on video. It’s a great confidence to have. I have never known the words to when you believe, probably because it has me in tears and I choose not to listen to it. I can see how you relate to the words. Hugs.
Thanks for linking up with Small Steps Amazing Achievements :0)
x
Thanks Jane – the words always have me in tears too, I can see why you would choose not to listen to it. Lovely to link up again.
Sounds like she’s going to be a star performer! Love hearing them sing 😀
Thank you – I do too 🙂
It’s lovely that we can make movies of our kids isn’t it? Thanks for sharing this. I enjoyed your little video!
Angela xx
Thanks Angela – I was so glad that I could capture it without distracting her 🙂
Oh Louise she is too adorable! Wind the bobbin is a favourite to be performed here too x
Thanks Laura – it’s a good one for little ones isn’t it – my two always love doing the actions 🙂
She is just so adorable!! Love it!! Thanks for sharing in #KidsCorner x
Thank you Katy 🙂