Life, it happens. Even on Easter Sunday.

We had a wonderful Easter Sunday, despite all that I’m about to tell you.

We started by piling the kids up on our bed and giving them their Easter baskets. Of course that was exciting; they’re always thrilled with cheap toys and candy. (And I really don’t want to know the combined sugar intake for today. Ahem.)

Drew immediately ran outside and tested out the new sidewalk chalk, jammies and all. And then after I got the two of them ready, Andy whisked ‘em off to Sunday School. Ahh, peaceful bliss. And coffee.

Instead of chasing Adelaide around while I tried to get my own self ready, I plopped her in the tub with a few inches of water and the bath toys. She was happy to splash around and I was happy to have her so contained.

Except, after a few minutes, I peeked around at her and the bath water was brown.

Never a good sign.

She had had herself a little bath Poop Fest ’08. I’ll spare you the remaining details. Suffice it to say, I was very late to church. And surprised to find that Andy and the kids weren’t sitting in our usual pew.

The organist resigned a few weeks ago and so Andy had been asked to lead the hymns, a cappella (and standing up front). Which meant that he and the kids were sitting on the very front row. How embarrassing.

After church we had our big Easter dinner over at his parents’ house. Here’s a little smattering of the pictures from today:

We brought the kids home for afternoon naps (I personally didn’t get one, unfortunately). Afterwards we re-dressed everyone in church clothes and went back a little early since Andy still had to lead the music.

We had been sitting (yep, again in the front row) for several minutes, waiting for the service to start, and Madeline whispered she had to go potty.

So I took her back to the bathroom and the next thing I know, Drew shows up. (How did you get here?!) Apparently he also had to go potty. And helped himself to leaving the sanctuary, all by himself.

(Andy later told me the service had just begun; he was facing the congregation leading the music when all this happened. And, can you just imagine the look on Andy’s face when Drew just upped and strolled out? Andy said he was so shocked he didn’t know what to do – keep singing or chase after Drew. But by then Drew had already walked out the back door and all Andy could do at that point was keep the singing going.)

So after our eternal potty stop, I led the kids back into church – my hands clamped down on theirs. Unfortunately, Drew walked right into one of the jutting-out wall buttresses and smacked his forehead. (This was on our way back up to the front row. Just to clarify.)

I was sure he was going to start crying from the pain, but he didn’t. And poor kid, he now has a red welt on his face.

So back to our front row situation… During the hymn favorites, I was talking to Madeline and turned around to find Drew had totally vanished. I looked towards the back, and there he was – again – about to walk out the back doors! I could hardly believe my eyes! I sort of froze, grabbed Madeline, and ran after him.

I found him in the bathroom; he hadn’t finished going potty the first time around. I gave him a very pointed lecture about how he was not free to just come and go in church as he pleased, he needs to get permission from mama first. And then we returned, yet again, to our front row seats (are you picking up on a pattern here?).

I think my cheeks might still be sporting a slightly reddish hue. I felt even more conspicuous with the lack of an organ to cover any noise. It was dead silent in there. (Well, except for my loud and fidgety children, that is.)   And then Drew finished up the service by walking a finger man up and down the front banister during the benediction. I didn’t notice until he’d already passed back and forth a few times.

Of course we didn’t let the kids see, but Andy and I sure had a good laugh over the whole ordeal. I’m not one to enjoy making a spectacle of ourselves, but I can’t help but laugh over it when it happens.

Oh, and Happy Easter, interpeeps.