Concert Embarrasment

Saturday we went to a Christmas concert. It was nice. Adam was there. I took Gracie out for the first half and he took her out for the second and whoever was left kept the other two quiet.

Sunday, we were invited to another Christmas concert. The only problem, Adam wasn't going to be able to make it. I thought, no big deal, we handle church OK usually, I can manage alone. Whoops, not happening here.

We arrived at our local Catholic church building dressed in our Christmas best at 2:30 in the afternoon. Although by this time, hairdos are starting to unwind and Gracie is going on only an hours nap. In any case, comments follow us about how cute and adorable all the girls look in their red and black(one of these Sundays soon I'll get a picture of them). Ellie requested a front row seat, in order to see over the large crowd. I agree hesitantly, because my rowdy crowd does not do well in front, but we take our seats.

The program starts and we make it through the first number before Gracie starts getting restless. I quietly take out my toys, but nothing is satisfying her. She would rather try to squeeze out into the isle and trot up and down them. When it became evident that Gracie would have to go out, I turn with my sternest Mommy face to the other two, "You girls be good, I'll be in the back watching you."

So Gracie and I trudge down the long isle to the back of the church, and I am carring my daiper bag, four winter coats because there are no coat racks in this terribly old church, and a wriggling toddler. Within minutes the other girls have left their seats and are amusing themselves in the back of the church with us. They climbed all over the little bench in front of the statue of Mary and tried to get a coin from me so they could light up one of the electric candles in front of her. They were admiring the display of rosary beads. Emma commented to one other mom in the back with us that that necklace had the stick that Jesus Christ died on it. When the woman asked how she knew that( I guess we were looking like regular heathens by that time) Emma replied not that she had learned it from the scriptures or at home or in primary class or in church, but "from a movie."

The woman steps back and back, "I don't think I've seen that movie before." and I don't reply. I just smile and nod and think, "I guess our Living Scripture videos are doing my work." And we leave as soon as we can say a quick goodbye to our performing friend. And that mom is shaking her head as my poor irreverent family walks out of her church.