Sunday is my fun day.

Sunday has now become my most favorite day of the week.  Sam is old enough to join Ian at religious school on Sunday mornings.  From 9:00am to 12:00pm (most Sundays during the school year), Jeff and I are kid-free.  This is well worth the cost of tuition alone. 

This past Sunday was our first time we got to experience this little slice of Heaven.  Not that I don't enjoy being around the kids mind you, but for Jeff and I to have alone time together, it usually requires paying a babysitter big bucks.

Upon drop-off, I felt a bounce in my step and a smile on my face that went from ear to ear.  How awesome this will be each week.  I was high-fiving the other parents in the same situation as us.  Most of Sam's friends from preschool are enrolled.  I want to organize a breakfast date for the couples one Sunday, but I can't bring myself to share Jeff right now.  hehehehehee.

First day of religious school photo:  Ian was willing to pose, Sam was not. 

Sam is not entirely happy about having to go. 

Ian is pleased to be among his religious school friends.

Ian waving good-bye.  Telling us it was time to go.
Go on, get out of here already.

Drop-off was successful!  Could we be any happier? 

Yep.

Dropping Ian off at religious school yesterday afternoon, Sam is throwing a fit as we walk into the synagogue.  We escort Ian to his classroom and I give Ian a kiss good-bye.  As I am walking out of the room, I hear the following conversation:

Ian's friend:  What's wrong with your sister?

Ian:  Ah, that's just the way she is.


I had to laugh.

Please G-d, let Sam be the one to grow up and find the cure for Cancer.   Then all this will be so worth it.  :)

Religious school for 2

I've already been down this road before. I attended the Hebrew Day School in Orlando, FL from first grade thru the 6th and experienced half my school day learning regular math, English, history, science, etc and the other half of my day learning all about Judaism; Hebrew, writing, history, etc. This is not something I need to do again or anytime soon. In fact, school in general is not my thing. I do much better in real life. Jeff is in charge of academics (I get fashion and pop culture). If the kids need help with their homework, it will be Jeff coming to their rescue.

So, I ask myself, why do I find myself attending religious school with Ian each Sunday?!?!?

Ian enthusiastically attends preschool at the synagogue and bounces in each day with a big smile on his face. He LOVES going to school each weekday and always has for the past 3 years. During the summer months, he gets so excited for the camp the preschool offers and doesn't even mind if sometimes was the only boy in a group of girls.

So when the synagogue offered a special religious school introduction class for the pre-k set, I thought this would be a no-brainer and he would be just as excited. Boy, was I wrong! Just when you think you have your 4 year old figured out, he goes and surprises you. Getting Ian to walk out of the house, get in the car and then be good for the 6 minute drive to the synagogue is not an easy task. Each Sunday he tells me "THIS IS THE LAST TIME I AM GOING TO RELIGIOUS SCHOOL."

Upon entering the synagogue, I have to drag him to his classroom and promise that I will not leave the building. Ian can access me in an instant should he need to. His group moves back and forth through the synagogue lobby a few times throughout the morning going from music, to the sanctuary, sometimes the rabbi's office and back to their classroom. I think Ian gets much joy and satisfaction seeing me sitting there, keeping my end of the deal.

Over the last few Sundays I've gotten more and more prepared for my 2 hour, 15 minute stay -- I come armed with hot tea, the newspaper, a fully charged cellphone and to my delight, I discovered the synagogue is equipped with WiFi that I can tap into with my netbook. Now this is religious school that I can be excited about attending! If only Ian can get on board with my enthusiasm. Ian even admits to having a good time when class is over, so I am not fully understanding why he isn't happy about going in the first place.

Even Jeff looks forward to religious school because he gets uninterrupted one-on-one time with Sam. It is a win-win-win situation for everyone -- everyone that is but Ian.