The Pied Piper...

So yesterday at church, Natalie had a string of girls and boys following her around the entire church just like the Pied Piper. They all wanted hugs and kisses and to be acknowledged by Natalie. She walked up and down the rows of pews. All you could see was the top of her head and then a whole line of kids following. She talked to them the whole time. I guess she was telling them what to do or something like that! At one point, Scott asked Natalie to stop running in the sanctuary (remember the stitches!). So some of the other mothers asked their kids to sit down and stop chasing Natalie. So all these little girls (ranging in age from 5-10) sat down on the front row, and Natalie took her place on the bottom step of the platform and proceeded to "preach" to them. It was hilarious!
Then last night we went over to Tim and Suzie's for the Home Fellowship thing. Natalie had been absolutely out of control before we left. She was having meltdown after meltdown over nothing. Once we got to the Pope's she was happy as a lark! The kids had been at the Chambers and they weren't there yet. The second they walked in the door, they were asking "Is Natalie here? Where's Natalie? Natalie?..." And she was off with her trail of children behind her for the next 3 hours. Inside, outside, upstairs, downstairs, through the living room, on the deck...all the while Sophie, Taylor, Jordy following behind. I think that some of the neighborhood kids even joined in on the action. She was insane--totally oblivious to Scott and me. Running and screaming, having the time of her life. I have to admit, though, it was nice. We just sat back and enjoyed "playing" with our friends as much as she did.