Moves Like Jagger!

Last night the kids had their preschool Christmas Show and it was so much fun to see each of my little ones get up on stage and dance with their friends. I knew Ashley would love every minute - she's quite the drama queen and loves being the center of attention (hmmm... I wonder where she gets that from?) and I had a feeling that Kyle would be the hit of the show, which he was as he pointed the crowd as they cheered him on. What I wasn't sure about was how well JD would do - or if he would even make it to the stage.

We arrived at the hotel where the event was taking place and it was FILLED with probably 200 kids yelling, running, laughing, crying - it was total chaos. With Monkey Blanket in tow, JD stuck in his thumb and walked bravely through the masses. Just that moment alone was a huge accomplishment because a year ago he would have been totally overwhelmed. I had to leave him "back stage" with his teacher so Jason and I could go get seats. I gave her my cell phone number just in case he decided it was too much to handle... but no call! So far so good!

Finally it was his turn. His class came out and headed on stage. JD was NOT having it at first. But after cheering him along and telling him I was right there (from the first row of course) he went on stage. The music came on and all his little classmates started dancing. He stood in the back, thumb in, holding monkey blanket, just staring at the crowd.

I was so proud of him for getting on stage, but I have to say for a minute there my heart sank as I watched all his friends singing and dancing along to the music as he stood there. To anyone else it probably looked like stage fright, but to me I just saw his autism. As a parent you just want your kids to fit in, to be like the others, and at that moment it was abundantly clear that wasn't the case. I, of course, was probably the only person who noticed. But I was just trying to take in the moment, watching him stand up on stage in front of this HUGE group of parents, with music, clapping, lights, etc. It was a sensory nightmare!! And he's only 3! But then he really surprised me...

Up at the front of the stage was a microphone used to pick up the voices of the children singing. JD walked right up, grabbed the microphone and started pretending to sing! The crowd laughed and cheered him on and he thought it was so funny. I was really surprised, it was like he came out of his shell on stage. Who knew that my little guy had moves like Jagger? ;-) Here's a before shot in case you didn't believe me!...