My childhood memento is a green elf hat with big white daisies on it. I wore it when I was just four years old. It was a part of my costume for my first dance recital. My group and I danced and sang "Ellie the Elf." (Well, actually, I don't think much dancing was going on; it was more like we sang and shuffled our feet.)

I remember thinking that being on stage with all of the lights and clapping audience was the coolest thing ever! My mom, dad, and grandparents came to watch me dance and get my first trophy.

My mom took tons of pictures and we still have them. It's fun to look back at old pictures. I can still remember some of the words to the song...it's funny how things stick with you, no matter how long ago the event occurred.