We just got home from Allex's first school performance. The two preschool classes of about 40 kids were the first to go up. Together, they sang 5 songs on stage in front of about 200 people! They were all dressed up and wore little antlers on their heads for the first song...too cute!

Allex looked for me in the audience and I kept trying to get his attention, but he never found me. Even still, he was well behaved and knew all the words and gestures for the songs. He sang loud enough I heard him over the other kids several times.

After their part was over, we met the kids in the back and brought them to the seats with us. Allex sat quietly with me in the audience while we watched the older students perform their Christmas play. After it was over, we all gathered in the back for cookies and punch.

On the way home, the stars shined brightly in crystal clear air. And the constellation of Orion was straight ahead and in full view. It's always been a special one to me and tonight it grabbed my attention. So, half way home, once we were past the city lights, I pulled over and pointed it out to Allex for the first time. I opened the sun roof and let him stand up through it. He was able to find the stars for Orion and thought it was pretty cool. We took a minute and listened to the crickets and the breeze on the grass. Then we got cold (41 degrees), buckled back up and headed home while listening to Coldplay :).

It was a special evening. Allex, at age 4, is maturing so nicely (as my friend Donna told me the other day). I enjoy so many moments with him. But, it's nights like this when I feel especially proud of him! Stuart would have been so proud!!