Sunbeam Lesson #13 "I Am Thankful for Birds and Insects"

***Note: Please read the post called “10 Lesson Helps” found under “Primary Lesson Listings” before reviewing any of my Sunbeam lesson plan ideas.

“Children need and appreciate rules and limits. Work with the children you teach to establish a few simple, clear rules (no more than three or four). This will help them govern themselves. Explain that following the rules helps everyone enjoy learning together. Also discuss what will happen when rules are broken. You may want to decide together on a signal for restoring order, such as the teaching standing with folded arms.” Teaching, No Greater Call, pp. 80, 81.

Materials needed: cheese and crackers (or just crackers), pictures of insects (if possible), 5 pictures of the stages of caterpillar-to-butterfly metamorphosis (print off from any internet site with simple graphics), toilet roll tubes (2 per each child taped together with a string tied in a loop to each one), dress ups for “Elijah” (perhaps a scarf and tie to wrap around the head), color markers and/or stickers, Gospel art pictures 1-31 and 1-32.

Show picture 1-31, asking the children what they see. Tell them the man in the picture is prophet named Elijah. The black birds are called “ravens.” Notice what is in their mouths and how he is looking at them with his hand out. Tell story of Elijah being fed by the ravens. God has power over everything on earth and created all the animals.  So He can make the animals on Noah’s ark to be friends and He can tell the birds to get food to feed Elijah. All the animals obey Heavenly  Father. We should too.

Show picture 1-32, asking the children what they see in this picture. What is in this picture that is the same as Elijah and the ravens? Point out that these white birds are called “seagulls.” The people in the picture are pioneers. Tell the story of the pioneers and the crickets and seagulls. How did the seagulls save the pioneers? Did these birds also obey God? Should we be like these birds and obey Heavenly Father? Why?

Dress us one student as the prophet Elijah. Tell the story again and have him hide in a “cave” (under the table). Other children can be the “birds.” Give them “bread and meat” (crackers and cheese) to fly over and feed Elijah. Take turns.

Sing a song about birds:

Five little birds. Five little birds. (hold up 5 fingers)

Five little birdies sitting on a fence. (put wrist with fingers [5 birds] spread out on top of other arm held out horizontally [the fence])

Oh no! One has flown a-way. (Hold up one finger and put it behind back)

Isn’t that a shame! 

4 Little Birdies…(Keep going until there are no birds left)

No little birds. No little birds.

No little birdies sitting on a fence.

Oh look! One of them has re-turned. (Bring one finger out from behind back)

Let us all re-joice! Yeah!!!!! (clap)

One little bird….(Keep going until they are all returned).

Heavenly Father also created insects.  What is an insect? They are another name for a “bug.” They crawl on the ground or fly in the air. What is your favorite insect? (Allow discussion). If you have pictures of insects, show them and discuss their names and what they do. Be sure you are positive in nature about insects. If you show signs of fear or are “grossed out,” the children will read your negative messages and body language.

I’m going to give you a clue to a special insect. Listen and then guess what it is:

It used to be a caterpillar.

It has two beautiful wings.

It likes to rest on flowers.

Show the pictures of metamorphosis. Discuss the life cycle of a butterfly. Put the pictures on the floor in random order. Invite the children to come and sit on the floor. Have children put the pictures in order. Mix them up again and repeat.

Sitting in a circle on the floor, show the children how to make a “butterfly” with their hands: hands side by side, palms down, cross thumbs and lock together and flap extended hands for the “wings.” One child makes the butterfly hands as they walk around the outside of the circle of children, and have it land on a person’s shoulder at the end of the song. Everyone sings while they go around the circle:

One Little Butterfly (sing to tune “One Little Elephant”)

One little butterfly flew far away

On a very bright sunny day

It flew into the sky so blue

And when it was tired it landed on you!

(Take turns until everyone has had a chance to be the butterfly.)

There are many people who love Heavenly Father’s creations and want to go into nature to look at them. There are bird watchers and insect collectors. We will make pretend binoculars like bird watchers use. Binoculars help you to see things that are far away. 

Give each child their “binoculars” and let them color with markers and/or put on stickers. Show them how to put the string around their neck to keep them on. They look though the two tubes to see birds and insects close up. If the weather is nice, you can go outside an look for insects and birds. If it is not, you can tape up pictures around the room and let them go around and see them through their binoculars.

Bear your testimony of how birds and insects are part of God’s beautiful creations. Tell them to notice different kinds of birds and insects the following week and thank Heavenly Father for them in their prayers this week.

Book Review by Alice Gold

Monday, April 08, 2013

Alice Gold’s Review on:http://imsofunny.blogspot.com/

Book Review: Parenting with Spiritual Power

Parenting with Spiritual PowerParenting with Spiritual Power by Julie K. Nelson My rating: 4 of 5 stars
You know the old philosophy that parenting doesn’t come with a manual? Well, it’s crap. If you have The Holy Bible, you have one of the greatest parenting manuals in existence.
If you add to the Bible, the Book of Mormon, and the teachings of the living prophets, and you are still struggling as a parent, Julie K. Nelson has written this book just for you. I have been so touched as I have read this book: God has given us great stories to help us with the most important work we are called to do as parents. If you, like me, need help in applying those resources, then you need to get your hands on a copy of this book ASAP. It is truly an inspired parenting manual.
I have long studied principles of parenting and found many of the most important theories I’ve learned over the years in the pages of this book. Truth just oozes from the pages of “Parenting with Spiritual Power.” Oozes. As I read I found myself amazed at how many modern-day applications there are in the ancient scriptures. I know that sounds lame, but it’s true. I have learned a lot of these truths already in my own study, but to find them gathered together in such an easily applicable format is almost too good to be true: but it’s not. This book is full of truth in one easy-to-read resource.
If you want to learn more about depositing into your children’s banks of self-worth, setting reasonable boundaries, how to positively correct your children, live sacrificial lives, stomp out anger and develop greater charity as a family, and how to show faith in your children this book is for you. Like me, I believe you will be totally shocked at all you’ve been missing when studying the scriptures. I’ve had the handbook in my hands all along, I just didn’t realize that I needed Julie Nelson to translate it for me.
Thank you Julie. I recommend this book for all parents, even those that aren’t Mormon. What a wonderful and much needed resource for all of us.
You can buy the book for just $11.04 at Amazon or $13.99 at Deseret Book. After reading this book I can honestly say I would spend double that. Really, can we even put a price on better parenting?

Cellphone and Saddles

cellphone

My son sent me a text last week and I answered, “Great” and quickly pushed the SEND button. Then I saw that the auto-correct changed my one-word response to “Breast.” Not exactly the word or meaning I wanted to send to my 24-year-old son.

Texting. You gotta love it.

True to my rebellious, non-conformist nature, I fought against owning a cell phone. I’m one of those “old fashioned” mothers who believes in the tried-and-true traditions of speaking to people face to face, or at least on the phone, if necessary. You know…the measure of a true two-way conversation. I also adhere to research outcomes that show a connection between attuning our brains to face-to-face social contact and better physical and emotional health.

When my oldest daughter was in high school, cell phones were transforming from a “want” to a “need” among teenagers.  She was really distraught that we didn’t jump on this newest technology trend. She’d argue, “What will I do when I need to ask my friends to go to the movies/store/party with me?” The answer was so obvious to me I almost couldn’t believe I was conversing with a rational person: “Walk up to them and say, ‘Do you want to go to the movies/store/party with me?'”

No, it seems we have to text the question now. Any question. Any thought that comes into our mind. Any nonsensical, acronymic idea. The demise of the English language will slowly disintegrate as we all LOL.

Let me share something that illustrates our “evolution” of vocabulary. I was the judge for the 2012 Utah state high schools poetry contest. One entry written by Joey King received 2nd place. Vote on which love poem you’d like to receive and then ask yourself, why?

The Evolution of Love Poems

                Neanderthal, Germany

Two figures on a cave wall

Not quite touching

Between them, a fire

Mesopotamia

A hundred leagues I traveled wearing the skin of a lion

Having the strength of eight oxen and the body of a god.

Then why this sadness deep within?

Rome

When will I be conquered?

I, who have torn down the Celtic gods,

And strewn salt in Carthage’s wounded womb;

I, who have beaten Sparta and made its bronze

Ring like a bell? I, who have sailed an army

Down the Nile and torn apart the pyramids

brick by brick? When will I be conquered?

When you open your pale white hand.

Medieval Europe

I know myself am common born,

Low and base and mean,

But when I hear thee call me love

I think myself a king.

Victorian England

Roses are red violets are lilac,

You hold my heart in your hand like Shylock.

The New World

Before they tear the beating hearts from their victims’

Chests, the savages give them a poisoned wine

To deaden the pain. You give me nothing.

20th Century

Entrenched in my love for you

I have forgotten to feel the edge of your letter

In my pocket. Your scent is long gone.

I feel blown to bits.

Ten Seconds Ago

Do U ❤ me?

Check yes or no.

 

Texting is a wonderful, terrible thing. It is wonderful. I do love many aspects of it and have embraced my cell phone (well, given it a lukewarm hug) in many ways. But…

I have university students who cannot write a paper without using texting punctuation, as if they wrote it on their phone and forwarded it to me! Parents have the ugly duty of teaching their children the realities of sexting and other promiscuous perils that come with phone use. My daughter said she has a friend who has banned herself from Twitter because she has become a “Tweetaholic.” Who hasn’t been in a room with a teenager holding a phone and while you are trying to have a conversation, you watch them answer unrelenting texts, play games or surf the web?

How far will it go? I feel parents are riding a willful horse; technology is taking us all for a ride and many don’t have the reigns firmly in hand. I know I don’t. I’m still struggling and have been saddle-sore now for many years.

Sunbeam Lesson #45 "The Resurrection of Jesus Christ" (Easter Lesson)

***Note: Please read the post called “10 Lesson Helps” found under “Primary Lesson Listings” before reviewing any of my Sunbeam lesson plan ideas.

“Elder M. Russell Ballard said, ‘Clearly, those of us who have been entrusted with precious children have been given a sacred, noble stewardship, for we are the ones God has appointed to encircle today’s children with love and the fire of faith and an understanding of who they are.’ The Savior’s example sets a pattern for us as we teach, care for and influence children.” Teaching, No Greater Call, p. 108

Materials needed: Gospel Art Kit pictures (see below), glove or mitten, a twig with new buds or blossoms (if possible), blanket, a bag of microwavable popcorn.

Have children gather on a blanket on the floor sitting in a semi circle. Put 5 pictures on the floor in front of them (1-16 “The Nativity”; 1-17 “Boy Jesus Teaching at the Temple”; 1-59 The Crucifixion”; 1-73 “Burial of Jesus”; 1-74 “Jesus Shows His Wounds”). What is the name of the same person who is in every picture? Point to Christ in each picture and say, “Jesus.” Go back and describe the event in each picture. Name the other people in the picture and what Jesus is doing with them and their relationship to Him. Tell how this is a story of Jesus’ life, from His birth to death.

First, He was born. Then, He grew up and learned about the gospel and taught many people. Then, He was crucified and suffered for us because He loves us. After that, He died and many people were sad. But then, His spirit came back from heaven to be with His body. He was alive again. We call that “resurrected.” Can you say “resurrected” with me? He was the first person to be resurrected. Because He died and lived again, we will too. When we die, we will be resurrected too. We will never die again. That makes me very happy.

I’m going to mix up these pictures. Let’s see if you can put them in order. What happened first in Jesus’ life? (Call up children and have them put them in order). After you have done this a few times, ask, Which picture shows Jesus when He was resurrected? He has marks on his hands to remind us where He got hurt when He was crucified. I have a song I’d like to sing about that. (Stand and sing):

“Did Jesus Really Live Again” 3rd verse only

And there where nail prints in His hands (point to palms of hands)

And a spear wound in His side (point to side)

Did Jesus really live again (extend hands in front with elbows bent and palms up)

After He had died?

Oh yes, and so shall I (nod, and then point to self)

(Children’s Songbook, p. 64)

Repeat the song, inserting each child’s name at the end (“Oh yes, and so shall Gregory”).

Sit back down. Have you known anyone who has died? Explain that when people die, their spirit is still alive. Someday they will be resurrected, which means their body and spirit will come together again like Jesus’ did. While we are living, our spirit is inside our body, and it makes our body alive. It’s like my hand when I put it in a glove or mitten. (Demonstrate). When they come together, the glove can move around. But when I take the glove off, it is like when our body dies and our spirit leaves. The body (glove) can’t move anymore. When we are resurrected, our spirit comes back into our body (put hand back inside glove) and it comes alive. It will never die again. I am thankful to Jesus for resurrecting and giving that gift to all of us.

Pass the glove to each child and let them put it on and make it move.

Jesus died and resurrected in the Springtime. Spring reminds us of living again. The flowers push up from the ground and blossom on trees. Baby animals are born (show picture 1-23). The trees grow leaves. I have a twig that shows buds (or blossoms) that are starting to grow. Pass around the twig and talk about how it has new life on it to remind us that Jesus gives everything new life (or show picture 1-22). These blossoms look a little like popcorn. We sing a song about that:

Sing “Popcorn Popping” (Children’s Songbook, p. 242).

Take the children to the kitchen and pop a bag of microwaveable popcorn. Take it outside and eat it while you look for signs of Spring.

Book Review: Geo Librarian
Review found at:

REVIEW: *****5 STARS “I LOVED IT”
First off I will admit that I am not a parent.  But I am a teacher and the principles that Julie Nelson highlights in this book apply just as much to me as to any parent.  The importance of focusing on the positive rather than the negative, giving warnings, offering doctrine to help children make better choices, and nourishing and encouraging them rather than trying to force them are all very important when working with people, not just with children.  I loved the way she used the scriptures (the LDS scriptures include the King James version of the Bible, The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine & Covenants and the Pearl of Great Price) and stories from the scriptures to highlight the points she was trying to make.  She also uses quotes from former and current leaders of the church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints or Mormon/LDS church) to highlight especially important points.
The chapter on developing and exercising faith in both the child and the Lord’s growth process I found especially comforting.  When it comes to children, results are not always immediate, it can take months or years to see the fruit of one’s labors, but one must never give up and continue to exercise patience, long-suffering, and diligence. The author points out that when a child is born there is a great deal of potential there, but the parent doesn’t know yet what that potential might be or the best way to bring it to fruition, the parent and child must learn and grow together.
For those who are parents or who work with children on a regular basis this book provides many principles and reminders about what is most important to remember and practice.  I can highly recommend this book to those who are frustrated or confused or exhausted.  The book is not only inspiring but a powerful reminder of just how much our Heavenly Father loves us and our children.

 

Book Review: EmmyMOM: taking life one day at a time

See review at http://www.emmymom2.com/2013/03/parenting-with-spiritual-power-book.html

If you buy a new TV, it comes with an instruction manual. If you buy a new car, it comes with an instruction manual.  Heck, even the new toaster we recently bought came with an instruction manual.  All of the things in our lives come with instructional manuals— everything but one of the most complicated “things” that we have—our children.
I think all of us at times have wished for an instruction manual for our kids; what if I told you there was one?
I was given a copy of the book “Parenting with Spiritual Power” by Julie K. Nelson to review.

In the introduction it warns us about getting caught up in the changing philosophies, parenting styles and whatever is popular at the time and also introduces us to the parenting manual given by our Heavenly Father, the scriptures.
The book is broken into chapters, with each chapter looking at a certain person or scripture story from both the Bible and the Book of Mormon and the principles and parenting powers we can learn.  Chapter 1 talks of Adam and Eve and the lessons we can learn about the Power of Agency. It discusses the idea of offering our children choices and giving them ideas of what they can do and not just a list of things they should not do.  Other scripture stories throughout the book help convey such things as the power of good cheer, the power of correcting with love, the power of perspective, the power of forgiveness, etc.
She briefly talks about the scripture story and then helps show the principles it conveys and concludes with a brief summary at the end of every chapter.
At the very end of the book she also includes 21 discussion questions that are perfect for self reflection, for talking with your spouse, or even would be so perfect as part of a book club or parenting group.
The book is a very quick yet powerful read.  It presents good solid parenting advice backed by scripture references and stories.  For anyone who wants to parent with more faith and with more of a Christ-like approach, I definitely recommend this.

Sunbeam Lesson #12 "I Am Thankful for Animals"

***Note: Please read the post called “10 Lesson Helps” found under “Primary Lesson Listings” before reviewing any of my Sunbeam lesson plan ideas.

“In addition to using a variety of methods from lesson to lesson, you should teach each lesson with variety. Children with their natural curiosity, respond especially well to a variety of learning activities–usually between five and seven per lesson…Choose methods that support and reinforce the main purpose of the lesson. They should be true to fact and life and emphasize truth, goodness, and beauty. Do not choose methods merely to amuse or take up time [gimmicks].” (Teaching, No Greater Call, p. 89).

Materials to bring: food items (see activity below), pictures 1-29 and 1-30, dress up costumes, a long sock for each child, pictures of animals, stuffed animals.

Review the song, “The Wise Man and the Foolish Man” (Children’s Songbook, p. 281).

There was once a man who was very wise. His name was Noah. He was like the wise man in this song, but instead of building a house, he built a boat called an “ark.” Let’s sing the song this way:

Noah built a very strong ark (repeat)

And the rains came tumbling down…etc.

…and the ark on the water was safe.

Tell the story of Noah and the ark from Genesis 6: 5-8:19. Show picture 1-29, Building the Ark and 1-30, Noah and the Ark with Animals.

How was Noah and his family blessed for obeying Jesus? He was very wise. We can be wise, too, when we obey Jesus and Heavenly Father.

Point to animals in the second picture and ask the children what are the names of each animal.

“Noah and the Ark” (sing to “The Farmer and the Dell”)                                                   Noah and the Ark

Noah and the Ark

Heigh-ho! The derry-o

Noah and the Ark.

 (Show pictures of animals and sing about each one)

Noah feeds the (bears)

Noah feeds the (bears)

Heigh-ho! The derry-o

Noah feeds the (bears)

Continue with monkeys, giraffes, dogs, etc.

Let’s all pretend to be an elephant on Noah’s ark. What does an elephant look like? (as you discuss, you can draw one on the board). I’ve brought a sock to put on one of our arms. Let’s pretend it is the elephant’s long trunk.

Swing the arm covered in a sock back and forth while saying,
Elly the Elephant goes this way and that

She’s so very big and so very fat

She sways her trunk from side to side

She takes the children on a fun ride.

An elephant is a wild animal. What are other wild animals that live in a jungle or desert? Have any of you seen them in a zoo? Some animals are tame, and that means they can live in our house and be a pet. Do any of you have a pet? What kind? What is their name? How do you take care of it?

Play “Animal Animal, Who Are You?”  (whisper an animal in their ear and they act it out for others to guess or they can draw out an animal cracker and pretend to be that animal). Before they act it out, all the children chant and clap, “Animal, animal, who are you?”

Display items: egg, cheese or an empty carton of milk or yogurt, a wool sweater, a can of meat like tunafish. Have the children identify each item and then tell them they each come from an animal. Heavenly Father blessed animals to give us food and clothing.  Draw (show a picture or say the name of) an animal and have the children match the food or clothing product to the animal. Ask the children to comment on what they like about eating these foods. Remind them how we are healthy when we eat good foods that obey the Word of Wisdom. If desired, you can pass out portions of the food (cheese or tunafish on crackers) to eat.

Put on costumes to be Noah and family.  Make a “boat” with the chairs.  Each child will take a stuffed animal to put on the ark (if available). Tell the story as they act it out. Repeat and take turns being different characters.

Tape pictures of animals around the walls. Sing the first part of “Noah and the Ark.” Children walk around until the song ends and then stand in front of one of the pictures.  Say a child’s name and they tell what animal it is.  Repeat.

If the weather is good, have the children line up outside on one end of the yard. Tell them you will say a name of an animal and they have to act like that animal to get to the other side of the yard. Have them go back and forth pretending to be different animals.

Extension Ideas. These are based on what materials and resources available to you.  I’ve given several to choose from:

1. Make an animal collage.  Bring in pictures cut out from magazines and let the children choose which ones they want to glue on their paper. Write animals names on it. If you have child-sized scissors, it would be a good fine-motor exercise to allow them to practice cutting pages from the magazine.

2. Animal shapes. Bring in playdough and let the children make animals. Teach them how to make the basic shapes of rolling out a “snake” or a “ball” or a “pancake” and how to put these together to make a body of an animal.

3. Animal Puzzles. Take larger pictures of animals (from a magazine or calendar, for example) and cut them in half. Mix them up and let the children put the puzzle pieces together.

End with testimony: When Noah and his family obeyed God, they and the animals were saved from the flood. We can be saved too when we obey the prophet and Heavenly Father. The Word of Wisdom is a commandment that blesses us to be healthy. Heavenly Father made animals to make our earth beautiful and to bless us so we can take care of them and they can give us good food in return.

 

 

Book Review: Christine Anderson at countingblessingsnotsheep.com

I had an opportunity to review the book: Parenting With Spiritual Power by Julie
Nelson.

I like to read but my time is very precious right now with 3 busy boys. In order for me to take the time, the book needs to be something  applicable and catch my interest.  Parenting With Spiritual Power hits home as an immediate concern of mine.

The teaser for the book is “Children don’t come to our homes with a parenting manual or do they?” We may feel lost in our understanding of how to help our children but we do have a manual…the scriptures…In Parenting With Spiritual Power, Julie Nelson
encourages us to crack open the manual and examine the lives and parenting
principles of scriptural mothers and fathers.

From the moment I first started reading I was captivated.  My undergraduate degree is Family Studies and I have studied parenting techniques and strategies in my subsequent degrees.  I loved how the author immediately made comparisons to the scriptures as a source of parenting. Certainly there is “truth in all things” so to have a book highlight how the scriptures are applicable was validating and encouraging.

This book also came at a much needed time in my life.  I have been a little discouraged these few months. My boys have their challenges and limitations as I have shared recently. I wondered what else as a mother I could do for my boys? The many appointments, therapy sessions, etc. It’s difficult at times. I wondered how God could see fit to trust me with these boys. What more could I do?

Can you tell I’m an overachiever? I’m getting my PhD just to officially be called Dr Mom and feel like I am educated to be their mother. Then I came to this part of the book….The author shares Elder Bednar’s experiences in family home evening. I admire this family greatly. To find out that this family’s Family Home evening wasn’t perfect with rambunctious boys. Their children may not remember a specific lesson.  I read these words in the book. ” What they would say they remember is that as a family we were
consistent.” That is what we have strived to do in our home…be consistent.
“Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he will not depart
from it. That training finds its roots in the home.”
One of the many passages that held my heart.

A few of my favorite quotes from the book.
“Raising a child is like growing a seed; both need faith in realizing their potential. A parent must cultivate an ‘eye of faith’ in raising their child. Additionally, we need to practice patience, long suffering, and diligence to wait upon the child to grow to fruition.”
Ahhh patience…you’d think I would have learned more about patience through all my
years of infertility and trying to find our family through adoption…..

“Parents must constantly nourish themselves with the good word of God and His love before they can reach out effectively to their families and lead by example.”

Lessons from Christ with Judas and Mary: “Focus on the positive we see in our children. Teach doctrine when guiding and correcting children. Our efforts should emphasize their character rather than just their actions.”

Thank you Julie Nelson for a beautiful book that is a tender mercy for me right now!

I hope you will be able to read this book!

Book Review: Bookgiveaways.blogspot.com

Shauna Chambers’ review at www.bookgiveaways.blogspot.com

“I wish children came with an instruction manual!” How many times have we heard this
lament by a frustrated or overwhelmed parent? Perhaps we have said these words
(or thought them) ourselves. There are “how to” manuals for practically anything: installing a new faucet, building a remote control car, baking an apple pie, refinishing an antique chair, or assembling a bicycle. Is there a formula or a perfect manual for raising children? Yes! The scriptures.

In Parenting with Spiritual Power, Julie Nelson encourages you to crack open the manual and examine the lives and parenting principles of scriptural mothers and fathers. Discover powerful examples from figures like Adam and Eve, Moses, and the Brother of Jared along with suggestions for personal application in this essential book.

There are many wonderful examples shared in this fantastic book! I really enjoyed discussing each chapter with my hubby as we read it together. I also love the conclusion and discussion questions at the end of the book. Parenting with Spiritual Power is very uplifting and full of encouragement.

Being a mom of three precious boys I’m so thankful Heavenly Father provided the scriptures as a spiritual road map to help us with raising children. Julie K. Nelson thank you for this beautifully written book that my whole family loves! What an incredible idea to examine the lives of parents in the scriptures and the parenting principles we can learn from them.

http://bookgiveaways.blogspot.com/2013/03/parenting-with-spiritual-power-book.html?showComment=1363822146625#c4818098698193018054

Ninja Turtle Underwear: Haute Couture for Toddlers

Music sheet

I once took my toddler to a classical concert wearing nothing other than Ninja Turtle underpants.

Well, let me back up.

My husband and I were living in Chicago, Illinois and had two young children at the time: a son, who was five and a daughter, who was about two years old. We often took advantage of attending cultural events that were so abundant in that area. Our stroller was very familiar with toting children around museums, parks and arts shows, and to Broadway theater, symphonies and concerts. We didn’t want to let kids slow us down!

One December, my husband and I made special plans to introduce our two young children to the ageless beauty of Handel’s “Messiah.” Taking a five-year-old and toddler to such an classy event might seem overly ambitious to other (sane) parents, but we thought nothing of it. We were cultured people, after all, passing down our love of classical music in its highest forms to our posterity.

I dressed my children in their Sunday best, putting my daughter in a particularly frilly pink dress with matching hair bow, white tights and buckled shoes. I hadn’t finished her laundry that day and she didn’t have any clean underwear (you know how many pairs of underwear you go through in the potty training stage?). So, being the resourceful mother that I am, I put her in her older brother’s underwear (Ninja Turtle, of course), rationalizing that no one would see them under her tights and fancy dress.

It took about 45 minutes to drive to the building where the concert was held.  My husband pulled into the parking lot and parked the car; I got out and opened the back door to unlatch my children and take out my daughter from the car seat. Just as I lifted her out, she threw up all over herself. She is very prone to carsickness and unfortunately, that drive just happened to spill the beans, so to speak.

I want to remind you also, that winters in Chicago are brutal. So we were standing in a blizzard in a parking lot with a toddler dressed in pinkish throw up. Do you just turn around and drive home? That might have seen like a viable option to other (sane) parents. But we weighed our options through chattering teeth:

1. Drive home for another 3/4 of an hour with the ripe smell of vomit and a crying daughter.

2. Go inside and try to clean her up and then drive back home.

We’re not dumb, so we went for #2 which meant we’d have a clean daughter, but would all miss out on the once-a-year, much-anticipated “Messiah” concert and waste our tickets. Why not just stay, I suggested (option #3). We might not have been dumb, but parents are desperate sometimes, and we desperately wanted to see and hear the concert. So I undressed her…whereupon I realized in stark dismay that she had on her loosely-fitting brother’s underwear. Doh! I quickly covered her up in her coat and called it good. Haute couture for concert-going two-year-olds.

Then the real trouble happened. During the concert, our toddler wiggled out of our arms, escaped through our legs and ripped off her coat. You saw that coming, didn’t you? Picture this: a little girl running up and down the aisle wearing nothing but Ninja Turtle underwear that fell down to her ankles as we sat in horror while the choir sang, “Unto Us a Child is Born.”

I think we finally retrieved her under the cold stare of strangers. I don’t really remember. Parents have selective memory loss after traumatic events like childbirth and “Messiah” concerts with children running naked. It’s why we’re dumb, desperate, and yes, completely insane.