Hillary's story

At our school when you are in kindergarten one of the official skills you learn is how to stand up and tell a story to the class. For most kids this is a breeze - they choose a story they already kind of know and just get up and tell it. Hillary has a problem speaking in front of a group though. It doesn't matter how well she knows her story or part - she has trouble doing it. She has yet to give her line or scripture in the sacrament program. Even if someone stands there to tell her what to say - she is just too shy I guess - or too scared. Anyway - she had her story down pat. She chose 5 little monkeys. You know - the ones who get eaten by the alligator. We made the monkeys and alligator and everything. She practiced for a couple weeks every day and could do it without any trouble. We even went out and bought a brand new outfit so she'd be super cute.

When Pat and I arrived to watch she was already in tears. Her teacher said she had gotten poked with a pin (Hillary says stabbed with a needle...) and was inconsolable. She was doing that hiccupy crying thing they do when they're super upset. I finally got her calmed down enough to stop crying and get the microphone on. But then she stood behind me and wouldn't come out. So we took a little break and her teacher read a story and we tried again. She got through it with the promise of McDonalds for lunch - and only almost cried again once. Poor thing, you can tell she's not thrilled to be up there.

But she was super cute in her new clothes. And she let Daddy do her hair instead of leaving it straight down.

She did a great job despite her fears. And we were so proud. Sadly, like me, she'll probably battle this fear her whole life.

She got an extra special treat from her teacher that no one else did - a candy cane. She had to hide it from the kids. But her teacher saw how hard it had been for her and was proud too.