Sawyer's Preschool Christmas Program (December 18, 2008)

Sawyer, to date, has been extremely shy in public. Her teachers at church and school rarely hear her talk, and when she does, they are usually shocked. She never has any problem at home even with the same kids from church or school come over, but she has not come out of her shell in public.

In her church primary program, she was the only one that didn't say her part in the program ("Jesus Christ loves me") although she practiced it in front of us many times. We knew ahead of time that Sawyer was going to have a problem saying her part, so we tried to give her incentives to say it. We even bought a toy and let it sit unopened on the fridge, promising to give it to her if she said her part. When the time came for her turn to say her part, she got up to the pulpit and just smiled and waved at us. After 20 seconds of silence, her teacher leaned down to the microphone and said Sawyer's lines for her. Sawyer was a little disappointed in herself and did not receive her toy.

She got a second chance at speaking in her pre-school program, but with a little longer part. The conversation leading up to the program went something like this:

Daddy: "I'll give you 20 nickels if you say your part in the program".

Sawyer: "What can I buy with 20 nickels?, Can I buy a Webkin?"

Daddy: "No, you can't buy a whole Webkin, but you'll only need about 180 more nickels until you can buy one"

Sawyer: "How about you buy me a Webkin if I say my part in the program?"

Daddy: "How about a Tinker Bell bag, will you say your part if we get you that?"

Sawyer: (Pause) "Is it purple?"

Daddy: "Yes"

Sawyer" "OK. I'm really gonna do it this time though."

When the time came for Sawyer to say her part, she did so without hesitation. We were actually shocked, since she has been so shy in public for so long. We are very proud of our little girl for showing so much courage and overcoming her fears.


Sawyer's part: "Extra! Extra! the headlines did say; Jesus, our Lord and Savior, was born on Christmas Day"


Ryder and Daddy like to call Sawyer "Curly McHoneysuckle" when her hair is all done up.


Getting ready to go to the preschool program.