Gabi in Concert

Ladies and Gentlemen--

We welcome you to tonight's performance. With such a positive response to Gabi's music video, we are proud to present Gabi's first rock opera:

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Act I: Oktoberfest
In which Gabi, with almost two months of big sister experience, entertains Baby Bella.


Scene 1: The ABC Two-Step -- Gabi solo
This is Gabi girl's favorite song to sing to her little sister. I am not sure where she got the idea to have a hoe-down in the kitchen while singing this song, but you cannot deny how cute this little dance is. And she loves to sing that last part fast... and then tell us that she sang that last part fast!

Scene 2: Class of 2027 -- Mommy intro, Gabi solo
Before the season started, we were having dinner with a Notre Dame mom and her son, and we were showing off Gabi's "Go Irish" cheer. ND mom challenged us to teach her the fight song (the Victory March) by season's end. Well, it was a tough season, but after using this as a lullaby at least 64% of the bedtimes (a reasonable completion percentage), we have reached our goal.

Scene 3: Baby... ABC?... Beluga -- Gabi and Asha duet
Gabi loves her Baby Beluga board book and can sing the entire song almost by herself. Distracted by her baby doll Asha's "singing," she momentarily defaults back to singing the Alphabet Song before realizing that wasn't what she was singing a few seconds ago. Thank goodness for mommies.

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Act II: Christmas, Part VI
In which titular Roman numerals abound and Gabi really gets into the holiday mood.


Scene 1: Baby, close your eyes -- Gabi solo
Daddy sang Joseph's Lullaby, by Mercy Me at mass for the feast of the Holy Family (one week after Christmas). Prior to that, he was often heard singing the song around the house. It even found a seasonal spot on Gabi's lullaby rotation. Gabi and Mommy were busy trying to get out the door, and in the hour that took, were unable to make it to the mass where Daddy performed this, but Gabi surprised Mommy (without prompting) by spontaneously singing the song all by herself.

Scene 2: Annabelle's Approval -- Bella and Daddy duet
Annabelle has been more forthcoming with her smiles as of late (more on this later -- foreshadowing). A few weeks ago, Gabi and Daddy discovered that our baby likes to clap and cheer. Bella also loves to watch her big sister do everything. She thinks big sister is funny.

Scene 3: The Frosty Snow -- Gabi solo
This was Gabi's favorite part of singing Frosty the Snowman. She would "jumpity-jump-jump" all day long if we let her. (And yes, we know she ought to be "thumpity-thump"ing, but she doesn't know that. She doesn't even know what thumping is. But jumping is something with which she is well acquainted.)

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Act III: Bailamos!
In which Gabi busts several moves and shakes her groove thing, yeah-yeah.


Scene 1: You make me happy -- Gabi solo, Mommy and Bella backup dancers
Happy, by Ayiesha Woods is Gabi's absolute favorite song. Fortunately, Daddy has it on his iPod, which is currently proudly displayed in the kitchen atop his new iPod speakers. Again, I have no idea where Gabi learned those dance moves, but, personally, I can't stop laughing.*

Scene 2: Pokey of the Hokey variety -- Gabi's Doll Dance Ensemble
Gabi and Lolo show baby dolls Asha and Ella "what it's all about." Gabi continually forgets to take out whatever she put in, though those elbows are taken out quite regularly. However, shaking it all about and (with some grandfatherly prompting), turning oneself around, are always in order.

Scene 3: Rosie Encircled -- Gabi's Doll Dance Ensemble
In our finale, Gabi, Lolo, Asha, and Ella perform Gabi's favorite dance. Initially, our cautious little lady had some difficulty committing to the "all fall down" bit, but with time, it's become her favorite part of the song. I lost count of the number of times that Lolo had to dance this with Gabi girl, but any family member who has come to visit us at our house in the past few months should have had their turn. If not, you're missing out.

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*Costume note for this scene: Mommy and Gabi woke Daddy up that morning to ask whether he liked Gabi's outfit (pink sweater with tight brown pants). Half-asleep, Daddy said, "It's... hideous." Mommy then informed Daddy that Gabi had picked this outfit out herself, and insisted on these particular clothes. Well, if anyone can pull this look off, our pretty little girl can.

Good night everybody, and thanks for coming to our show!