Bye Mom!
A few weeks ago we had Stake Conference as a Regional Conference by broadcast with many other stakes. My husband helped usher, so he took a few of our children to save a soft bench for us in the chapel instead of the hard fold-up chairs we usually get in the gym. I had brought several healthy snacks for the kids, water, a few Sunday appropriate books, finger puppets, and coloring books with crayons. We sat surrounded by adults without young children.
If I’d put a little more thought into it, I would have realized that sitting in the chapel with a broadcast wasn’t the brightest idea. The kids were fine coloring in their books before the broadcast began, and then…the lights went out. Um, yeah, coloring in the dark won’t work. We didn’t have that problem in the gym because of the natural light from the upper windows in the gym. Some of it came into the chapel, but it was overcast and darker due to the wet weather we were having.
I’m so grateful for the snacks and the finger puppets! They kept the kids busy enough to listen for about the first hour. The second hour, however, was more difficult. Several needed to use the restroom, and my 2yo son didn’t want to stay with me when some of the other children got to leave. The snacks kept the kids happy until they were gone. Several times I stopped the children from pushing, kicking, tickling, and loudly giggling. Another bathroom break for my 5yo, Wendy, and the 2yo, Peter, would not stay. (Why is it they choose to go to the bathroom when they’re bored?) He fussed until dad picked him up and started walking out of the chapel. Peter simply said, “By mom!” as they left. I couldn’t help but snicker. The lady in front of me told me after the conference that his comment was one of her favorite parts. I have to admit, it was one of mine too.
(This photo is from a summer activity, not the conference.)
