Twas the night before Christmas... our day started off pretty tranquilo with Mr & Ms. Schwangston cleaning up from a painting blitz from the previous day (another day, another post). Carter stayed in his jammies all the way to his post-lunch nap.Something happened afterwards. During his nap, Ms. Schwangston wrapped and finally put a few presents under the tree. When C discovered this, he found it difficult to maintain his composure. When our neighbors brought over some Christmas goodies, I asked Carter to wish them a Merry Christmas. Instead he proclaimed, "I have presents under the TREE!". Close enough, right?We managed to keep it together for the main event, Christmas Eve service and the Christmas Pageant. Carter was excited to take part with the "big kids", but wasn't excited about a potential role as a Shepard. He saw another kid in an Angel costume and decided that fit him much better (I think he was posturing for a better position with Santa, but that is my Christmas cynicism).
In true Carter style, he pulled it off with his usual solid delivery. He managed to find a spot that was exactly in the front and center for his role as 4th angel, even kept his wings and halo on for the entire pageant.
I wish I could say that the rest of the service he behaved like an angel, but it seems he used it all up in the performance. When I picked him up from the altar after pictures he asked, "Can we open presents now?" With another 30min of service, I knew this was going rough. Christmas Excited collided with Tired Toddler and made for a combustible mixture. Using every parental trick at my disposal: the clinched jaw, firm grip, laser eyes, I finally had to go to the big guns.
"Carter, you better behave because SANTA IS WATCHING". I went there. It worked for about 5 minutes until the lights were taken down for Silent Night, and we were able to get out of there without destroying our "angelic image".
After Church we offered "one present before bedtime, not two, or three, but one." His present was a Santa Mr. Potato Head. In another recent Carter development, as soon as he unwrapped it, he was scared. Ms. Scwhangston proved to him that the Spud was a jolly fella, and we went to be dreaming of presents.
Stay tuned because tomorrow is going to be epic...and here's the lil more angelic Schwangston.
Peace on Earth, and to all, a good night.
Thanks for reading...
In true Carter style, he pulled it off with his usual solid delivery. He managed to find a spot that was exactly in the front and center for his role as 4th angel, even kept his wings and halo on for the entire pageant.
I wish I could say that the rest of the service he behaved like an angel, but it seems he used it all up in the performance. When I picked him up from the altar after pictures he asked, "Can we open presents now?" With another 30min of service, I knew this was going rough. Christmas Excited collided with Tired Toddler and made for a combustible mixture. Using every parental trick at my disposal: the clinched jaw, firm grip, laser eyes, I finally had to go to the big guns."Carter, you better behave because SANTA IS WATCHING". I went there. It worked for about 5 minutes until the lights were taken down for Silent Night, and we were able to get out of there without destroying our "angelic image".
After Church we offered "one present before bedtime, not two, or three, but one." His present was a Santa Mr. Potato Head. In another recent Carter development, as soon as he unwrapped it, he was scared. Ms. Scwhangston proved to him that the Spud was a jolly fella, and we went to be dreaming of presents.
Stay tuned because tomorrow is going to be epic...and here's the lil more angelic Schwangston.
Peace on Earth, and to all, a good night.Thanks for reading...
1 comment:
anyone else notice the nose picker in the background of Carter's angel pick? Ha!
Post a Comment