Church Response

On Wednesday, we went to Holy Day Mass (Ascension Thursday, technically). It was a 7pm mass, which is a really hard time with 3 kids, who normally go to bed between 7:30-8pm. We sat in the cry room, but we still want our kids to attempt to be quiet during "church time." They don't have to be perfect, but we did have to stop some rigorous high-step dancing and circling the room from Gabriel.

Of course, ANY loud noise is fascinating and funny to the two year old. So, anytime he found something that was loud, he tried to do it over and over. He kept trying to push a screechy chair across the floor. He scratched his hands along the wall. He continued to jump. He slammed the book box lid. He rattled a lock.

Finally, he sat still long enough to hear us respond, "Thanks be to God." What repeatedly followed was an enthusiastic barrage of, "THANKS BE TO GOD," responses.

A "THANKS BE TO GOD," with a jump and fist in the air.

A "THANKS BE TO GOD," followed by a little laugh and grin.

A "THANKS BE TO GOD. THANKS BE TO GOD. THANKS BE TO GOD," during the Our Father.

It's really hard to stop a toddler who is so excited about thanking the Lord, especially when you are trying to suppress your own laughter.