practice makes perfect

today we went to Hiawatha by way of Bonner Springs, Basehor-Linwood, Lansing, Leavenworth & Atchison... We went to support my sister's fiance's family as they lost one of their children this last month and were having a funeral for her (she was buried in Massachusetts, but family was from here in KS.) So we have a 7month old and a 3yr old. Both have been sick this past week, but really were feeling pretty good today. Sitting still for an hour (after sitting in a car for 2 hours) in a "have to be" quiet environment like it is at church must be absolute torture for a child...frankly i can't imagine anything worse...sitting still and being quiet...i mean could there be any more opposite of a living breathing child?! Really Noah did pretty good... pretty good...thank god we had James the red engine with us...that entertained us for a good hour... but here was some of our conversation amidst the ceremony -->

Noah: momma can i have a snack?

me: no noah i don't have any snacks.

Noah: momma can i PLEASE have a snack, pretzels?

me: no noah please be quiet, shhhh

Noah: momma can i check, i can get it for myself, do you have any raisins in the little box?

me: NO! (still whispering however)

Noah: does mee-maw have any snacks? could i have some of hers?

me: No Noah, no snacks, just sit there please and play with James

So the service proceeds... My mom is holding Mark by this time...he's cooing away...enjoying his private time with Grandma... My dad is obviously getting frustrated by Noah...keeps asking him if he wants to sit on his lap...Noah says no...which leads to the next conversation:

Noah: momma where is annie? can i go see her?

me: No Noah, shhhh

Noah: momma i want to see annie, please can i go see what she is doing?

me: Noah no, please be quiet...

Noah: what about Cody? Can i go see him?

me: NO! (now by this time i am thinking 'well played my son' to ask for someone i don't even know if you remember meeting?, but anything to get you out of this pew and on to better things! and i am a sucky parent....during everyone of these conversations i am either laughing, smiling or about to do both...so Noah can't tell that I really am frustrated and want him to be quiet because laughing = game playing and fun right?

Finally! the priest is winding down - i hear the 'Our Father' - thank goodness for the Our Father.... service almost over in any branch of the church...perhaps one more song and then we are outta there right? Yes...and we survived...all of us! Even poor Cody!

I told my parents I couldn't remember not sitting still at church....i didn't remember climbing all around and talking...my mom said we did, but we learned how to behave... so i guess practice does make perfect....where else is a kid expected/forced to sit still and be quiet...not at the grocery store, no restaurant i know of, not the park...nope church = still silence... we will keep practicing, WE WILL! it is one thing that i can comfortably do and always have been able to - sit still and be quiet :) and my kids will be able to do that as well.... so help me!