We're getting there

The kids are in bed and I'm having a glass of wine before Mr. Sloth gets home from CCD. This is when I convince myself I'll clean the kitchen, fold the laundry, and pay the bills as soon as I'm done, but in reality I will probably just spend the rest of the evening sitting here.

Today was our second attempt at a Children's Theater Field Trip. Why? You ask. Because I can't sit around my house forever and practice makes perfect or at least tolerable. I didn't tell Demand where we were going today but she did know we were going somewhere. Today was Wednesday which happens to be my day for morning Mass, but it's a later Mass, 8:30am and doesn't end until around 9:15am. I ended up leaving a hair early since I had to leave the house by 9:15am to get there. Arriving home at 9:12am I found the children without socks, coats, hats, or gloves, and rather fussy. Apparently they gave Mr. Sloth a hard time in the hour I was gone. The Sloths dashed around the house getting ready to leave. Chasing toddlers, shoving babies into snowsuits, and asking four year-olds for the tenth time to put their boots on while they sat there and stared at you.

Finally we were on our way. This time I had previsions. Last time I didn't know we could have snacks in the theater and I didn't think to have Happy run around before the show to get some energy out. We were running late but I finally decided half way to the theatre (a 20+ minute drive) that I wouldn't stress about it but just let it go and whatever happens, happens. Oh, yes, I forgot to mention that I didn't actually have tickets to the show. You see you can buy lap passes the day of the show and my friend convinced me to go and buy four lap passes and then she would give me two tickets and take two lap passes since she had little ones too. Since I was running late and the group wasn't expecting us so they would go in without us if we were late.

Anyway, I accepted that we were running late and went with the flow. Just as we got in the lobby doors (which was empty by the way...a bad sign. Our group leader was just leaving the ticket counter, saw me and turned around to tell the cashier that I was with them and could have any of the seven tickets that weren't claimed. Sweet, free tickets!

When we joined the rest of the group upstairs gathered outside the theater entrance. I was calm, unstressed and flexible. Much different than last time. I let Happy explore and romp, only having to fetch him twice. Now in general over the past two months he's gotten a lot more mature which makes things easier, but I've learned a lot too. I was a little nervous when we were seated third row center seats (as opposed to the end for quick exits) but again I went with the flow. I kept waiting for them to seat the rest of the audience but I figured they were waiting until just until the start. Happy decided to explore the stairs, which was fine, get the energy out now. Then the show started. Last time the theater was packed, this time it was only eight rows or so and 95% of them were homeschoolers. This was getting easier by the minute.

I forgot to mention the play, it was "Babe". Being live action and about farm animals Happy was engaged the entire time. He didn't leave his seat the entire first act. He loved it! In fact when they first brought out the sheep character, all was quiet until Happy declared "Ship!" (Sheep). It was so cute. Pax was almost asleep just as the first act ended which was a little frustrating but again, going with the flow. A lovely twelve year old fellow homeschooler offered to take and watch Happy during intermission. I was SO grateful! She took him out to the lobby and let him run around while I tried to get Pax to sleep. Finally I just decided to change Pax's diaper (false alarm) and met up with Happy. By the time we got back to our seats the show started again. Happy made it a good way into to the show before leaving his seat but he only climbed down and up onto his seat, no big deal, and he started to munch on some snacks. Finally, Pax had had enough, he desperately wanted to nap but his many attempts to nurse to sleep only left him over fed not sleeping. So I headed to the cry room before it got out of hand. Happy followed me. After five minutes in the cry room we headed back to our seats for the last few minutes of the show and that was it, we survived!

Now where was Demand you ask? Well she was there, sitting next to me but also next to friends. While she liked hanging out with her friends she was only partially into the show. I never really saw her get into the show and she did ask to go home a few times. Later she told me she didn't want to go back again. She thinks it was scary. Well then I guess that settles our plans for the next one. Pax was asleep before we got the van, and Happy fell asleep on the drive home.

It was actually quite enjoyable. The Sloths are making progress! Friday we have a playdate at an indoor playground. Happy will LOVE that! Should be fun.