Who Knew?

Last night, we attended the Silent Auction and Silent Movie at the Missouri Theatre. The event was a benefit for Lee School, where Aaron attends kindergarten. We went with for several reasons. First, money spent for education, particularly when some kids we know and love will benefit, is always money well spent. Second, Casey had a photograph up for bid, which is very cool indeed. Third, reasonably priced art is always a good thing, particularly when funds go to benefit aforementioned cause and kids.

The chief attraction was a complete surprise for us! Kids are a fan of silent film!! We arrived close to 6:00, and the film, Buster Keaton's Steamboat Bill, Jr., didn't start until 7:00. As Sophia typically falls asleep by 8, we didn't expect her behavior or stamina to hold out to the start of the movie. True to expectations, around 6:40, her world fell apart, as she stopped listening to me and decided to join some other family, forcing them to suffer through her screeches as I dragged her away.

As we said our goodbyes, who should walk through the door but David, Aaron and William. Sophia jumped out of my arms and began waving hysterically while jumping up and down. She then proceeded to stay so close to Aaron that he couldn't move without falling over her. It is a great testament to his kindness and care that he allowed her to leave her arm wrapped around his waist while he talked to his best friend from kindergarten. She is, as I have mentioned on numerous occasions, a very lucky girl.

With both of her cousins to bolster her interest, we decided that we could attempt to sit down for the silent film. I walked into the auditorium a few minutes after Erick and Sophia to find her sitting in the row in front of Erick, next to William and Aaron. With David on her other side, she could not have been more content. Until we left at 8 o'clock, Sophia and the boys, along with throngs of other children, remained riveted and mesmerized by Buster Keaton. Not a peep, outside of laughter or pointing out a funny part!

I underestimated the entertainment value of falling down. Never again. If Sophia gets bored or irritated, I'm just going to fall down. I think it might work!