Vacation Bible School

Tavian attented Vacation Bible School this year for the very first time.  He just barely made the cut off at 3 1/2.  I was really nervous to send him, especially because it is three hours a day for the whole week, but I knew it would be good to at least give it a try.  It was only $25 so I knew it would be ok if he went the first day and then decided not to go back. 

 

He did pretty well the first day.  He got pretty teary eyed telling me "my eyes are getting sad".  Talk about breaking a Mommy's heart!  I knew he was in great hands as all of the leaders are from my Mother's Sharing Group at church and I knew they would keep a special eye on him.  After I left him I still waited around outside the church for awhile and had a friend check up on him half an hour later to make sure he was doing ok...and he was!  He was definitely excited to see me when I came and got him and he told me, "I only got sad sometimes because I missed my Mommy." 

Posing with one of his crafts after his first day!

 

The next day was the hardest.  I think he realized that he was in for a long morning without me and wasn't too thrilled about it.  That morning as we drove to the church he told me his tummy was feeling nervous.  Again, so hard to hear!  I assured him that he would have fun and everything would be ok.  This was the day he cried the hardest.  I literally left while he was balling in the lap of one of the volunteers.  So hard, but I had to keep reminding myself that this is part of the growing up process.

 

We took Wednesday off because I have a babysitter come once a week in the morning (a pregnancy must have!), and I knew he would enjoy just staying home and playing with her and his sister.  I think it was actually a really good decision to give him a little break.

Thursday went really well.  I told him I would only have him stay 2 hours and that seemed to help.  He was there from 9 to 11 and we went straight to the swimming pool as a reward.  When I picked him up this day he was having a great time and they told me he hadn't been the least bit sad all day.  It totally felt like the effort was paying off!  (did I forget to mention I rewarded him with ice ream the other days??...lol)

 

Friday went smooth as well!  We ended up coming to be with him an hour early because they were having mass with all of the kiddos and parents and families were welcome to participate if they would like.  Overall I am just so proud of my big boy.  I think it was a great introduction to being away from home since he will be starting preschool this Fall.  It is only going to be twice a week for a few hours, but I think this gave us both the confidence we needed for this next big step. 

As much as it was nice having a little less responsibility for the week and a little more availability to get things done, I have to say that I really missed my boy!!  I think Felicity missed her brother as well.  Even though it is such a short amount of time in the scheme of things, it was hard being away from him.  Makes me all the more thankful I get to stay home with him everyday.  Being a mom is so wonderful!