Consequences

We have been going through a period of transition. Ever since Stephen was called into the Bishopric, I am trying to figure out how to manage the three girls by myself during sacrament meeting. I wish I found it easier--but for some reason, my girls do not find it easy to sit still and quiet for an hour. And I am outnumbered. I tried different seating arrangements. I tried a point system. I tried bribery. I tried gimmicks and activity boards. Nothing works consistently.

One Sunday I set the girls down for a talk before the meeting. I asked them to be good examples and to practice being very reverent. I warned them that anyone caught not being reverent would lose their Sunday dessert. Well....I guess they tried to be obedient for a while....and then...

Dessie: Ouch. Don't!
Lauren: Ella, stop touching your sister.
Dessie: She's touching me. Stop touching me.
Ella: giggling quietly.
Lauren: Ella, STOP (loud whisper!)
Dessie: ELLA TOUCHED MY BUM-BUM. (really loud).

At this point, Ella, Kayla and Dessie erupt into laughter and since Dessie has realized that she has said something funny. She continues to say it: "Bum-Bum, Bum-Bum, Bum-Bum." Now the three rows in front and behind us are giggling. Meanwhile, I am frozen to my seat and trying to cough down the giggles myself. I can take Dessie out, but then my other two giggling children will be left in the meeting themselves. It was a pickle. Luckily, somebody else swooped in with a toy to distract the toddler and things quieted down.

Needless to say, no one received a treat that day except for me. I now treasure the letter Ella wrote (pictured above) to try to beg for the treat back. I'll use it some day to discuss the word: consequences.