August 24, 2007
we threaten him with military school, but he would probably like it
Henry wore his tie ALL DAY yesterday (and no, that’s not an everyday thing, only for Mass on Thursdays, thank goodness–the rest of the time, he just wears a white polo shirt). He has announced that he likes his school except for TWO things: Mass and the uniform. Which pretty much sums up my Catholic school experience as well.
Despite his oft-declared disdain for the uniform, he secretly likes it. I know this because he RUNS upstairs in the morning to get dressed, and then spends a good five minutes admiring himself in the mirror. This morning I suggested that perhaps he shouldn’t button his polo ALL the way up, and when he asked why I said, “Well, most people don’t button that top button.”
And he looked at me and said, “Mom, I’m not most people.” Clearly I had forgotten that.
He has also decided that he wants to play soccer AND join the Cub Scouts, BOTH of which require uniforms, OF COURSE. And to get ready for all these uniforms, he dug out a soccer jersey from the Y from like three years ago and started wearing it around. Which is totally stylish, especially since it is a) made of polyester mesh, and b) waaaaay too small.
Last night, Wade was telling Henry about the long long day he’d had, and Henry said, “I had a long day, too. I had to go to MASS.”
And Wade said, “But Mass is a nice peaceful time.”
“No it isn’t!” Henry said. “You have to stand UP and sit DOWN and KNEEL and get UP again and PRAY. It’s exhausting.”
I guess the uniform got him through it, though.
Posted by Susan @ 5:09 pm • those damn kids
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August 24th, 2007 at 5:42 pm, whoorl Says:
“I’m not most people” - I think Henry has actually been attending the School of D, as that statement is quite the regular occurrence around here.
August 24th, 2007 at 8:17 pm, Bridgets Flame - Caitlin Says:
He’s got a point about the up, down, kneel, pray. Mine think it’s exhausting too.
What scares me most about our school is the RE teacher and the way he won’t let us sit down until ABSOLUTELY EVERYONE has crossed themselves. Little Nazi.
August 24th, 2007 at 8:29 pm, daysgoby Says:
I love Henry. Mass IS exhausting.
August 24th, 2007 at 9:49 pm, marti Says:
Okay, my Child buttons his polo all the way up and tells me “I like it this way.” I go fashionista on him and tell him to unbutton it, too. Glad to know there is another unique polo wearer in the world.
August 25th, 2007 at 6:17 am, Kimberly Says:
He’s an honest boy and very right. Mass is not for the tired or bruised kneed! LOL
August 25th, 2007 at 8:27 am, Jeana Says:
It’s all the looks he gets from the girls. Chicks love a man in uniform.
August 25th, 2007 at 11:55 am, Not The Mama Says:
I love him. Oh how I longed for a school uniform when I was growing up. Sadly my public school did not have them. (And I also prayed to be sent to boarding school, so that kind of threat wouldn’t have worked on me either.)
August 25th, 2007 at 11:57 am, Jenny Says:
My son was crazy for his tie when he was about that age too. It was a very fashionable stripped clip-on jobber. He took it very seriously - he even wore it with t-shirts. VERY STYLIN’ I must say!
He’s almost 15 and prefers the monochromatic look for dress occasions now. Black dress shirt, black pants, black silky tie. My husband thinks he looks like a mafia hit man.
August 25th, 2007 at 5:45 pm, Shan Says:
Oh my god, I am laughing so hard about the “I’m not most people” part. Ain’t it the truth–and thank goodness, too, right?
August 26th, 2007 at 12:18 am, OMSH Says:
I had NO IDEA you do the Hokey Pokey in Mass. I missed so much growing up in a Baptist church.
August 26th, 2007 at 6:28 am, Katy (formerly June C.) Says:
If you think about it, going to mass is a great workout.
Maybe my ass is flabby because I turned Protestant…
August 26th, 2007 at 8:36 am, chris Says:
I am laughing so hard. And really I should consider becoming catholic just for the exercise.
August 26th, 2007 at 8:53 am, CathyC Says:
They are too funny! And Catholic mass is exhausting!
August 26th, 2007 at 12:17 pm, Crisanne Says:
I love Henry! “I’m not most people!” That’s the greatest thing I’ve heard all week.
August 26th, 2007 at 5:45 pm, Katherine Says:
My son loved bow ties as a toddler to pre-schooler. Would wear them with anything. And he still insists on buttoning the top button of his shirts (though he would much prefer shirts without buttons). I have to threaten not to buy the school pictures to get him to leave the top button undone for picture day. He’ll 11. I wonder if he’ll ever grow out of it?
August 27th, 2007 at 8:11 am, Irene Says:
Yeah, the added bonus of that religion (mine too btw) is that you get aerobics thrown into the mass. Makes it interesting. =)
August 27th, 2007 at 12:07 pm, Caren Says:
Am I the only one who is dying to see Henry in the too small uniform? You MUST take a picture. If nothing else, maybe you could blackmail him with it later.
August 27th, 2007 at 5:02 pm, Anne Glamore Says:
My son who USED to button up all the buttons is now carefully coiffing his hair so it will look nice for the ladies and he cringes when he sees those old pictures of himself buttoned up!
Thanks, for the memories…
August 28th, 2007 at 11:27 am, Jen Says:
Mass sounds an awful lot like yoga, actually. With more praying.
January 27th, 2008 at 8:38 am, Tom Says:
I never out-grew the buttoned up shirt, and I’m 32. My wife actually likes it.