Not enough hands

We showed up at church this morning to find that there was no children's program and that the boys would have to be in church with us. We actually turned to LEAVE, but then found out that there was care for Cub and Bear; only Monkey would have to be in church with us. So, we stayed, but it reminded me of what happened last year around this time, when I had all three with me in church BY MYSELF- a 6 month old, a 2.5 year old, and a 4 year old. So, I thought I'd repost it for your amusement.

I usually know my limitations- what I'll be able to handle with the boys on my own and what I can't. But, my niece was going to be an angel in her church's children's program and I really wanted to be there, even though their church does not have children's classes during the regular service, so I'd have to have all three boys with me. Oh, and without Hubs because he had to work.

I did realize this would be really hard and had thought about bringing the stroller, at least for Bear. Put him in the stroller, hold Cub, and keep Monkey entertained with the children's program and come coloring books.

But, it was really snowy and wet. We had to park down a hill that would be near impossible for me to get the stroller up. I guess I could have done it if I had taken the stroller in first and then come back for the kids. But, Grammy and Papa were supposed to be there and I took Cub inside in his car seat, so I thought maybe we'd be okay.

The three boys and I sat in the last pew. Grammy and Papa showed up, too, and sat in the pew in front of us. Bear went and sat with Grammy for a while. They were all pretty good for the first 45 minutes of the service- really, I was thinking that I don't give them enough credit. Bear was clapping for all the songs and he was making up his own words to sing. Monkey wanted to know why we didn't have angels and kings and sheep at our church. He did stand up on the pew to be able to see, but I let him do that. Better to have him be able to see and have his feet on the pew than to have him get bored.

Then they started to melt down. So, I figured I'd take them home. I handed Cub to Grammy and got Bear's coat on. Then I went to put on Monkey's coat...and Bear crawled underneath the pews. Papa didn't even make an attempt to grab him...my older brother was walking up the aisle, saw Bear, laughed but he didn't grab him, either. THANKS SO FREAKING MUCH, GUYS!!!!

Meanwhile, I'm trying to get him, and Monkey is going down the side aisle, doing a running commentary on exactly how far Bear is getting.

This was all during communion, just the organ playing and people in line to take communion.

Bear made it all the way to the front of the church, behind the prayer rails, to stand beside the pastor while she was giving out communion. NICE. She was telling him that the communion wafers were sort of like cheerios.

The congregation thought this was all pretty funny and were laughing about it. One of the ladies told me when I was on my way out not to worry about it, that all of their kids make it to the front of the church during the service at one point or another.

I would have thought this was hilarious, had it been someone else's child who had done this. Since it was mine, I was just embarrassed.

Some days, I simply don't have enough hands.