I believe that July is one of those months were God allows Satan to fart on the state of Oklahoma. There are no redeeming qualities about this month. It's hot, brown, and I have to see my neighbors' butt-crack sweat.
It was in this most heinous of months that my mother gave birth to me 34 years ago. She frequently reminds me that she didn't plan it that way and I was supposed to be born in the spring. Never quite know what to do with that one. Um...sorry? This year, my b-day landed right after VBS.
I think most people shudder and drag their heels when they think of it. I'm usually leading that crew--thinking which toenail I'd rather rip out first than be subjected to "Booster, Booster!" But now that I have kids, I figure why not? I'll admit, I was nervous for Ethan. Last year he was in the 2s and 3s, so he was confined to a classroom with crayons, Play-Doh, blocks and other thing he loves. This year, RELEASE THE HOUND! He'd be moving from place to place. Cynthia may or may not be with him. B was acting and I was helping in the 2 and 3s, so if he were freak--everybody would be on their own. Here's how it went down:
Monday did not bode well. Ethan hated to the prophet song and all the noise. He was confused by the costumes and overwhelmed by all the kids. He was also annoyed at having to sit still on a pew. FREAK OUT! Thankfully, Cynthia was working another part of VBS, and she was retrieved (and the angels sang), and she worked him through. By the end of the week, Ethan was loving VBS, sitting with his classmates at snack-time, and even playing with Tony Rose during outdoor time. (Instead of heading for the hills). In other words, he was attending a typical event with typical kids!
Livi was in my class, and there was much playing with Play-Doh, coloring, puzzles, etc. She seemed okay as long as I was near. Livi DID NOT like Ezekiels' "dry bones." They had a sketch performed where they turned off the light, and these "skeletons" came to life (black light shining on their costumes.) I thought it looked cool, but Livi freaked. "No! No! Mommy!" Luckily she calmed down. She was even the only kid brave enough to give Elisha's "bear" a high 5. However, Livi's shining point was when she lead her class astray. In the outdoor area, there's a small walkway or alley. Livi, having tired from normal play, decided to explore. She found a bucket of sand down the alleyway and quickly began flinging it around. Ben Rice and Talla Jurney quickly followed, and then Livi and Ben though it'd be a good idea to dump sand in each other's hair. (Earlier, they had both found that Play-Doh is much more fun when it's in a ball form and can be thrown).
I watched and thought, "As a responsible adult, I should probably be stopping this." Then I remembered that it's 1,326 degrees out, and the kids were happy. So I'm sure some parents retrieved their kids later, wondering what on earth was embedded in their hair.
The best part of VBS for me was, not only were my kids able to attend a "normal" function with "typical" kids and have FUN, but others got to know, understand, and even love Ethan. That made this past week probably my favorite week of the whole summer.
It was in this most heinous of months that my mother gave birth to me 34 years ago. She frequently reminds me that she didn't plan it that way and I was supposed to be born in the spring. Never quite know what to do with that one. Um...sorry? This year, my b-day landed right after VBS.
I think most people shudder and drag their heels when they think of it. I'm usually leading that crew--thinking which toenail I'd rather rip out first than be subjected to "Booster, Booster!" But now that I have kids, I figure why not? I'll admit, I was nervous for Ethan. Last year he was in the 2s and 3s, so he was confined to a classroom with crayons, Play-Doh, blocks and other thing he loves. This year, RELEASE THE HOUND! He'd be moving from place to place. Cynthia may or may not be with him. B was acting and I was helping in the 2 and 3s, so if he were freak--everybody would be on their own. Here's how it went down:
Monday did not bode well. Ethan hated to the prophet song and all the noise. He was confused by the costumes and overwhelmed by all the kids. He was also annoyed at having to sit still on a pew. FREAK OUT! Thankfully, Cynthia was working another part of VBS, and she was retrieved (and the angels sang), and she worked him through. By the end of the week, Ethan was loving VBS, sitting with his classmates at snack-time, and even playing with Tony Rose during outdoor time. (Instead of heading for the hills). In other words, he was attending a typical event with typical kids!
Livi was in my class, and there was much playing with Play-Doh, coloring, puzzles, etc. She seemed okay as long as I was near. Livi DID NOT like Ezekiels' "dry bones." They had a sketch performed where they turned off the light, and these "skeletons" came to life (black light shining on their costumes.) I thought it looked cool, but Livi freaked. "No! No! Mommy!" Luckily she calmed down. She was even the only kid brave enough to give Elisha's "bear" a high 5. However, Livi's shining point was when she lead her class astray. In the outdoor area, there's a small walkway or alley. Livi, having tired from normal play, decided to explore. She found a bucket of sand down the alleyway and quickly began flinging it around. Ben Rice and Talla Jurney quickly followed, and then Livi and Ben though it'd be a good idea to dump sand in each other's hair. (Earlier, they had both found that Play-Doh is much more fun when it's in a ball form and can be thrown).
I watched and thought, "As a responsible adult, I should probably be stopping this." Then I remembered that it's 1,326 degrees out, and the kids were happy. So I'm sure some parents retrieved their kids later, wondering what on earth was embedded in their hair.
The best part of VBS for me was, not only were my kids able to attend a "normal" function with "typical" kids and have FUN, but others got to know, understand, and even love Ethan. That made this past week probably my favorite week of the whole summer.
The foot bone's connected to the toe bone....
ReplyDeleteglad VBS went well for all of u - despite a few hiccups : )
ReplyDelete