When it comes to play groups I have a definite love/hate relationship with them. I faithfully took Jacob and Hannah to a weekly library group from the time they were two until they were four. They learned how to sit and listen (sort of), how to do crafts (at least Hannah did ) and to enjoy books (especially Jacob who would sneak out of circle time to find the bookshelves). However, I was always slightly overwhelmed by simultaneously bundling up two twins in snowsuits, carrying loads of books, diaper bags and younger siblings out to the van in the dead of a Canadian winter: Ha! I laugh in the face of mittens. (And let's not mention library time accompanied by morning sickness or toilet training. (Just picture Jacob arriving at circle time fresh from the washroom wearing nothing but a shirt.)) I am the mother who makes others feel successful.
By the time the twins were ready for school I was playgrouped out.
However, as Benjamin is staying at home this year instead of partaking of our province's latest educational fare, I decided that he just might benefit from something organised. So, for the past two weeks we have been attending ToyBus (which both boys insist is called BusToy).
It was last week that I discovered that my shy and retiring Benjamin is not always so. Circle time was just short of a disaster as Ben decided that he was far too awake to play sleeping bunnies and that the snack was definitely not to his liking. Both boys were also deeply offended by the lack of a drink despite the presence of a bottle of Tropicana on a side table. So, this week I fed them heartily before departure and hoped for the best. Fortunately there were far fewer kids this week and I could work a little bit on trying to get them to 'conform'. Because, at the heart of the issue, I think that all of our boys are non-conformists. (How else will they make it through school with a mother who would have to combine homeschooling with prescription drugs?) While failure to conform actually warms my heart, it also causes some embarrassment. Today, towards the end of circle time, the group leader asked if anyone had a song request. I think she was hoping for something Raffi-esque. Ben put up his hand with his musical selection: Big Green Tractor.
The group leader looked slightly baffled until I mumbled something about country music and Youtube. She then responded that she didn't know all the words so how about Five Green and Speckled Frogs.
And, if that made you laugh, sacramental preparation might as well. Jacob and Hannah are making both their First Communion and First Confession in the spring. Jacob asked me if it was permitted to disguise one's voice when in the confessional. Dear God, I hope that this bodes well for the teenage years.
3 comments:
That comment of Jacob's is the funniest thing I've heard all week. I actually called my husband at work solely to relate that to him.
I asked Fr. Tom last night about disguising one's voice in confession and he said that jacob could if he wanted to! He also told me that he recently had someone who entered the confessional and turned to face the wall even though the screen was between him and the priest.
Ok so perhaps Ben needs a more country and western themed play group and Jacob is the smartest person I know because I never thought to disguise my voice but I guess that would not work because when I sit across from Father he will know my face (ha ha)
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