I've been to the Tridentine Indult Mass about 3 or 4 times now. Every time I go, it makes a little more sense. A couple things I noticed last time that I really liked: The Priest doesn't ascend the steps to the altar until after the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar and the Confiteor. He then approaches the Altar, and only then does the Kyrie and Gloria follow. The first reading is then from the south side of the altar. The Gospel is read from the north side. The movement of the Priest in the process is powerful, if you pay attention. In the Novus Ordo, all of the above can be done with the Priest standing off to the side somewhere, facing the congregation.
And yes, I'm a lawyer too.
Bishop Boyea was my church history prof at Sacred Heart. He is an excellent historian [just ask him about Fr. Coughlin] as well as a fine priest. He would offer the Novus Ordo Mass in Latin at the seminary, and encouraged us to do the same after ordination. And I do.
Squirmy kids, eh? Well, there was just me and my parents, and they placed me between them. At the slightest sign of acting up, squirming, not sitting up properly with hands folded in lap and feet flat on the floor, kneeling, or standing when required, or obvious attention-wandering, Mom would be twisting the skin on my upper arm until compliance with proper church decorum was re-established.
But that would probably get you a visit from the Michigan equivalent of the DSS today.
Another lawyer who has discovered the traditonal Latin Mass in the last year or so! Cool!
Fr. Stanley:
I hope I wasn't too flippant about Bp. Boyea--he was a truly devout and careful celebrant. I envy your opportunity to study under him.
Tom C:
Yes--I am beginning to pick up on the importance of the movement and timing for the TLM. Once you begin to understand the significance of it, your appreciation grows exponentially. I really need to sit down and study the Latin missal I have before I go the next time.
Tom F:
Yes, you'd definitely get a visit from the Family Independence Agency for that. Plus, the lad's only 23 months old, and his sister's behavior is much improved over her fidgetiness at the same age.
He's actually well-behaved at our regular parish, for the most part. New surroundings give him an energy jolt.
Speaking of visits from the government--true story:
One day a friend of my sister-in-law's got a knock at the door. When she opened it, a stern investigator advised that she had been advised of a neighbor's complaint about repeated abusive and profane yelling at Lucy and Arnie going on at the address. She asked to see L and A. The friend complied and summoned both.
Two German shepherds happily trotted to the door. To her great credit, the investigator sheepishly and repeatedly apologized.
Dale,
You weren't too flippant at all. Your sense of humor is something I appreciate, and I know that Bp. Boyea would appreciate it as well.
Bp. Boyea is very good, and I don't think he will be staying in Detroit much longer. Bp. Mengeling of Lansing turns 75 this year; Bp. Murray of Kalamazoo turns 75 next year; the see of Grand Rapids is still open, due to the untimely passing of Bp. Britt [who had been bp. in GR for less than a year after serving as Bp. Rose's coadjutor for a year and a half]. Those are the possibilities just in Michigan. He could be sent anywhere in the US. Remember [former Detroit auxiliary] Bp. Vigneron went to Oakland, Morlino [from Kalamazoo] went to Helena, then to Madison, and Brunet [from Detroit] went to Helena, then Seattle.
Good luck with getting the kids to settle down during liturgy. Your description of your child's activities is, I think, another practical reason for celebrating Mass ad orientam. 
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