Church Train and Corn Dogs

Sunday mornings are hectic!  It doesn't matter how early we get up, there never seems to be enough time to find all the missing shoes, ties, socks, and clean white shirts (that are not crinkled into a ball in the bottom of the closet).  I feel like a Sunday morning detective, sifting through a weeks worth of living, trying to decipher the brains of my children in hopes of discovering where they may have stashed their Sunday duds seven days earlier.

Seven days earlier on the way home from church:

"When we get home, I want you to do 3 things.

1. Change your clothes.
2. Hang them up on a hanger in your closet.
3. And come upstairs to eat."

Number 3 is always accomplished without fail.  Number one, most of the time.  But despite recent claims of obedience, I am 100% positive that number 2 is not happening.

But summertime has shown a marked improvement in our church time readiness.  And I account this in full to the church train.

The church train only pulls out if everyone can get ready on time.  Otherwise we take the Burb.  And that is not nearly as fun!

Somehow, when the 10 minute bike departure is announced, miraculously, the missing shoes are found (or not so appropriate substitutes are clad), far too wrinkly shirts are quickly pulled from the deep, dark abyss and happily worn, and the paint pants are always a close substitute for church pants.

At one time in my life, this would not be acceptable.  But after raising 5 children, I have realized that it is a complete miracle if we are all able to arrive together at any given scheduled appointment on time.  To all be dressed properly and accordingly, and still make it on time, that is beyond a miracle.

But everybody wants to ride the bikes.  They like dad to drive really fast to the canal and then take flight down the hill.  Mom tries her best to keep up with him.  They know on the way home that dad will stop next to the canal, hike down into the ditch, and cut them a corn dog (cat tail).  Then happily they will wave it all the way home.

Church train and corn dogs.  The secret to Sunday morning success!