Busy Weekend!

Last night was the annual Christmas Lights Parade in Decatur-one of my very favorite little Decatur Traditions.  We started with a little photo shoot at home before we left to meet some friends for dinner.  I'm a little behind on my Christmas Card Extravaganza this year, and this was an opportunity to get a picture taken.  The kids did ok-I'm just really wondering WHEN they will sit still and just smile at the camera.  Those will be the days!  After the shoot, we headed to Yesterday's in Bridgeport which, for the kids, was like going on vacation.  They loved the decorations and the fact that their food CAME IN A CAR!  (a paper one, but still!!!)  Then it was off to get our spot on the parade route.

It was REALLY cold this year, and there were a few intensely whiney moments as the kids waited in anticipation of the parade, but once it started, the Christmas Spirit took over. 

After the parade, it was the Moonlight Madness sale all over town where businesses offer sales and discounts specifically for that night.  It always sounds a little better in my head to walk around the square and shop with the kids than what the reality of that entails.  After the second store, Todd escorted all 3 kids to the car while I finished up some shopping.  It worked out in the end.  He went to Jason's house; I hooked up with Jennifer, and I think we were all happier.  The boys watched that dreadful t.u. game while Jenn and I hopped all over town crossing those last minute items off our lists (and snagging a few things for ourselves too!).  Superfun times in a small town. 

Today, we headed to the big city to Baby Sona's house and church to participate in Baby Andrea's Baptism.  Sona and Kevin asked us to be Godparents, and of course we were giddy at the chance-especially Father Todd.  I was nervous about tackling our own kids and completing our Godparent duties, but they actually sorta behaved themselves with minimum beatings and threats.  :)

We first attended Mass, and then met up with about 8 other families for a group/private baptism ceremony afterwards.  It was a really lovely ceremony; the Deacon in charge put us all at ease in terms of our kids' behaviors and explained the process and celebration.  Baby Andrea was a beautiful, perfectly behaved little doll, wearing Baby Sona's very own Baptismal Gown.

Everything was running along smoothly.  My own little hoodlums were even paying attention as the Deacon went through the Baptismal Rite.  Before I knew it, Grady had FALLEN ASLEEP on my lap!  It's been months since he did that.  I settled into the pew, just taking in the moment-when I had a panicked thought.  When was the last time Grady had gone to the bathroom?  I dismissed it pretty quickly-thinking he'd been taking naps dry for a few months now, so all should be fine.  Lesson #876 of Motherhood.  Just when you think all will be fine-it won't.

Yep, Grady peed on me.  Right there in the middle of a lovely Baptismal Cermony in a beautiful Cathedral.  Being the problem solver I've come to be, I asked Sona for a non-special receiving blanket and cleaned up the puddles.  Yep.  PLURAL.  Luckily, I was wearing black, and the incident didn't show on my outfit, but still.  STILL. 

We managed to make it through the rest of the ceremony without crisis, and spent the afternoon relaxing at Baby Sona's house-with Kevin all the while teasing me about my skirt.  It was an afternoon spent with family, and one that made me wish (as I always do) that Dallas and Decatur were just a few miles closer together.

Especially since Kevin and the kids have so much fun playing.  :)