Going to church

It's Sunday. Time to go to church. Sometimes they like it, other times, they don't. Today was the 7 year old's day NOT to like it. We tentatively planned on taking them to the zoo after church, so my little guy eagerly got dressed without a fuss, and we headed out the door. It was moderately quiet in the car. Somedays we reprimand, threaten and have to referee most of the car ride until arriving in the church parking lot. But today, they were relatively quiet. The oldest gave us grief about our possible plans to the zoo. He flat out refused to go, so he had an attitude before we even got started. After getting to church, we all sat down, and realized that the oldest was missing. He decided to take a detour and get a cup of coffee. He didn't want to join us, so that was his first attempt to hide. After rescuing the lost lamb, we took up nearly half a pew and then the service began. Four of the boys decided to draw pictures and work in activity books to keep quiet and busy. Not that anyone is suppose to be "busy" during church anyways. The oldest decided he was going to be the "parent" for his brothers. Why not? There's nothing better to do, right? Anyways, my little guy, who doesn't' like going, decided he was not going to obey. He slid in his seat, threw tissues down, curled the pages in the hymnal, and asked for gum. When a boy doesn't want to do something, they misbehave!!! My husband and I had to politely correct him throughout the service. And to top it all off, we didn't' go to the zoo, because our church was having a potluck luncheon afterwards. We decided to stay for the free meal, then go grocery shopping and bring uphappy boys home. As the day ended, they played outside and were very good about doing their chores. Gee, why couldn't they have behaved in church instead.