Said earnestly:

“Mommy! I taught Mary how to count to ten! I said one, and she said Eh! I said two, and she said Eh! I said three, and she said Eh! …”

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At the dinner table:

“I am going to do something inappropriate.”

belch

Do I thank her for the warning? Chastise her for her vulgar behavior? Praise her for an excellent word choice? And can you tell she has older brothers?

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Months ago, the kids all received brown scapulars at Little Flowers and Blue Knights. These are plasticy, rosary ones with a crucifix and tiny knots along the whole length. It’s sized for an adult, too, so when worn, hangs well below a child’s waist. Of all my kids, Katie has persisted longest in wearing hers. She has never taken it off: not in the bath, not at the pool.

Yesterday, I took her to a ballet class to see what level was good for her and if she liked it. I warned her that she might not be able to wear the scapular during class.

Tearfully, she said, “But Mommy, I promised God I would never take it off!”

So sweet!

But when I saw her in her leotard, I really felt that it shouldn’t be worn. Not only did it protrude in the back and hang obviously around her neck, it bulged in the front where the excess length pooled around her tummy. I gently told her to take it off just for class. I felt horrible.

Anybody else have to deal with something like this? Scapulars are meant to be worn under clothing. They aren’t intended for public display. The leotard is a standard leotard and not immodest (for a leotard), but you can’t wear anything under a leotard without it being noticed.

I myself struggled with this issue when I was going to a military ball with Bill. My medal scapular hung low on my neck, but looked really silly outside my dress or inside and partially exposed. I finally bought a pretty necklace with a short string of blue freshwater pearls and a small silver cross.

Perhaps for Katie I should stitch a small woolen scapular inside her leotard?