Karaoke

Scott had some work to do tonight so I decided to put Justus in the stroller and take a long walk with the kids over to the new Flying Burrito restaurant at the entrance of our neighborhood. We feasted on chips & salsa, quesadillas, and chicken taco salad. Then it wasn't too difficult for the kids to talk me into getting some ice cream from Shake's next door. It just opened and it is SO yummy. Vanilla with hot fudge and roasted pecans--my favorite!
I couldn't get Justus to look at the camera. He was too busy trying to get more of Titus' ice cream!

We had such a fun, relaxing evening. On our way home, we heard some music as we walked by Buffalo Wild Wings. It sounded like a live band and the singer had an impressive voice. The kids were curious and I love live music, so I let them peek through the gate. The people inside waved the kids in and I looked in to see what was going on. It wasn't a live band--it was karaoke!!! You can imagine what happened next.

Audra asked, "Mommy, may I please go up there and sing, too? Please, Mommy?" I couldn't resist. I figured she'd be pretty cute up there and I knew she'd love every second.

I didn't realize we were going to be 6th on the list, so we had to hang out until it was Audra's turn. The kids had a blast dancing in the back of the patio while we listened to the music. I quickly realized that there must be a Northwest Arkansas Karaoke Circuit of people who travel around and sing karaoke every night. They definitely all sounded like professional singers whose careers didn't make it for one reason or another. A couple of them brought their whole family and there were two elementary age girls that got up there and sang a Hannah Montana song and Pat Benetar's "Love is a Battlefield." I hope she didn't understand the lyrics.

When it was finally Audra's turn, they asked me which track she wanted to sing. I knew that she wouldn't know any of the songs they had, so I just told her she could any song she wanted (and that she didn't have to have the background music).

She walked up to that giant microphone stand and belted out...

"Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah
Praise ye the Lord!
Hallelu, hallelu, hallelu, hallelujah
Praise ye the Lord!

Praise ye the Lord,
Hallelujah!
Praise ye the Lord,
Hallelujah!
Praise ye the Lord,
Hallelujah!
PRAISE YE THE LORD!" She won the hearts of that rough crowd. I sat there with teary eyes admiring her sweet innocence and passion for life. As soon as she sang her last note, she sat the microphone on the ground and raced over to bury her head in my lap. I'm proud to be your mama, Audra Joy! May you spend your life singing to Him with all your heart!