December 12, 2004 - Sunday
We took the boys to a handbell concert this afternoon. It was this year's version of an annual church concert that a college friend of mine, a member of the handball choir, has been inviting us to for years, but for one reason or another -- naps, snow storms, schedules -- we'd never been able to go to before this year. It has always seemed like a very accessible event for young children and a good opportunity to get them used to the concert experience. And, that's how it turned out today. Here are a few random observations...

We happened to see my friend, Becky, on the way into the church and she suggested that we'd see better from the loft. However, when we got up there a videographer had locked the loft door and was hesitant about letting in with two young boys who might ruin his audio. My take on that brief encounter at the door was that the man didn't really have any authority to keep us out and quickly ceded ground, but he still seemed a little nervous (I learned later that he was actually a little unprepared in terms of equipment and was forced to record only ambient audio). However, with the success of the piano concert (and nowhere else to sit), I was pretty sure Harry could behave himself. And, just knowing Jeremy, I figured the same for him, too. At the end of the concert (all of about an hour and twenty minutes), the videographer came over to say how wonderfully behaved our children were. Yeah!

I'd say for about the first 45 minutes, the boys sat very still on a step, albeit drawing in their coloring books and I couldn't be prouder about that. Actually, Harry was drawing more than Jeremy, who seemed to be more interested in the concert itself. Eventually, Harry and then Jeremy started moving over to the railing to look down into the sanctuary, but were very diligent to move quietly.

After the concert Becky offered to show the boys the bells on the stage. Interestingly, although not surprisingly, Harry initially refused an offer from Becky to try one. Jeremy was happy to try. After seeing his brother do it, Harry eventually, and coyly, started reaching for them. Seemed like typical Harry. Jeremy can also be shy, but I think he really enjoyed the concert and was happy to experience a little more music by ringing the bells himself.

We went to a nearby Friendly's for dinner with the boys. It was a little late and we had a 35-40 minute drive home so we almost refused the free kiddie ice cream that came with the kid dinners. But, the boys heard the waiter's offer and we had to give in, although we asked for just one scoop of ice cream for each. From experience we know that Harry will actually eat only as much ice cream as he wants, but that Jeremy will eat however much is in front of him, and he'll eat it in very small, luxurious bites. Interestingly, he is more than happy to share and had no problem with me dipping into his bowl in a self-serving effort to finish the meal sooner.


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