Roadtrip

So, all I can say about the Advent Wreath experience is that it was exactly what you might have imagined. I am too tired for a full narrative, but here are a few high/lowlights. Approximately 5 minutes before the service, R tumbled over a low fence and landed squarely on his face on the sidewalk outside the sanctuary. He had a huge goose-egg, an abrasion the size of a quarter and a headache as we headed inside.

The wreath lighting was 25 minutes into the service---Twenty-five minutes of sitting on the front pew of our formal Presbyterian church's sanctuary with 3 toddlers who have never been to "big church." The children were angelic for the first 22 minutes. It started getting dicey just in time for us to stand before the congregation.

Have I mentioned that R & I had to hold 3 squirming toddlers, a lighter, a Bible, a script, and a microphone--AND we had to make coherent sentences? Needless to say, that was impossible. P hopped across the front of a church doing his best impression of a frog. K rolled around on the floor doing her best impression of a pig in a fresh mudpuddle. R buried his head in Daddy's neck for the duration, undoubtably still recovering from his nasty fall. There is nothing quite like a control freak mother with 3 out of control toddlers in front of an audience talking about God's Love. :-)

We kept our sense of humor. I mean, they are 2 1/2, what can you expect? I decided the positive outcome was that people got a very real glimpse into the level of activity in our family these days--and maybe we'll have a few more prayers sent our way!

After church we went for a quick outdoor lunch with my in-laws in honor of Grandmother Carol's birthday. We then caravanned to Atlanta (while the children napped in the car) to take the children to ride on the Pink Pig. This is a great Atlanta tradition that Daddy enjoyed as a child.

This evening we celebrated Carol's birthday with a fabulous dessert party at Nana's. Nana is Daddy's 88 year old paternal Grandmother. Despite using a walker to get around and limited vision, Nana prepared a dozen different dessert offerings--from scratch. Homemade strawberry shortcakes, 3 cakes (carrot, coconut & vanilla), cheesecake, 2 pies (pecan and chess), 2 types of brownies (fudge and caramel) and an assortment of cookies. All served elegantly on silver and china by candlelight. She told us she had been cooking for 2 weeks. She did all of this for 5 adults and 3 toddlers!!!

Needless to say, the children were in sugar high heaven. K kept saying, "I LIKE dis dinner, Mama." Meanwhile, R and I scrambled to play defense to three small chocolate-covered children on intense sugar highs, close to bedtime in a beautifully furnished home that is FAR from child-proofed.

It was a great day, full of fun memories, but we are all pooped and I am off to bed.