Inspired by the nativity video, the girls spend an awful lot of time playing “Nativity,” which entails Julia serving as Mary, me acting either as Joseph or as the angel Gabriel, Shannon stepping in and out of a role as innkeeper, and Genevieve, of course, being Jesus. This set of roles reads to at least two kinds of hilarity.
First, we have Julia continuing to say unintentionally crazed stuff like, “Jesus, you have to put your pajamas on!” or “Jesus, you have to lay down on the blanket” or “Jesus, I can’t nurse you right now; the angel is here!”
Second, we have the sight and sound of Vivi, walking and running throughout the house, pointing at her round toddler tummy and shouting, “Jiza! Jiza!” – as close as she can get right now to “Jesus.” Ask for her name, and she yells, “Jiza!” I haven’t seen her perform any miracles – turning her surliness into cheer? – and she happily violates the Golden Rule, but on the other hand, you’re probably only allowed to consider yourself Jesus when you’re two or a CEO.
NO ONE is less Jesus-like than Genevieve. She slaps, pushes, and kicks people, absconds with others’ possessions, maintains a near-constant scowl, and yells at you for no reason. The irony is staggering.
You forgot to write about how we now have a new family rule that when in public, we must all be called by our ACTUAL names, to avoid a repeat of Tuesday afternoon at the new, jam-packed playground, when half the (very conservative) neighborhood must have thought Julia was staggering around swearing her head off: “Jesus, where are you?!” “Jesus! Will you come over here?!” “JESUS! The slide is too hot!”
Lord help me.
You must start taping the performances. If nothing else you’ll win $100,000 on AFV.
Well, I think that the whole New Testament is basically one big PR job for Jesus. Vivi would look good if she had the benefit of 2000 years of spin, too.
Scary thought: maybe God IS helping you.
I am about rolling on the floor here just picturing the scene at the park! And the faux taking the Lord’s name in vain! And this, the granddaughter of a Lutheran pastor and the niece of another!!!