My Baby Boy is Three!

Judah recently began attending his very first "cwass" on Wednesday nights.

That's when we attend Awana Club at our church.

He's a big "Cubbie" now.



We weren't sure how he'd do in a formal classroom setting, as he tends to be really wild a bit rambunctious. This was something of a trial run.

The woman who ran the program last year used to joke that she didn't know how she was going to handle it whenever Jericho and her twin grandsons both entered her class. Together, they are a force to be reckoned with.

Surprisingly, he did just fine. As in "We'd love to have him come back" fine.

When I peeked in the door to check on him that first night, I witnessed the chaos nothing out of the ordinary.

Every kid in that class was crowded into the tiny circus tent set up in that room, with my son dramatically hanging out the window.

Nope, nothing unusual at all. Par for the course.

Though I had my doubts, his teacher assured me when I picked him up that he'd done a great job.

In fact, she said that he did so well following the rules that he even got to take the coveted "Cubbie Bear" home for the week on his first night there.



That was huge.

Tantamount to being the one in elementary school that gets to take home the classroom pet for the Holidays...except better. No smelly cages to clean, no critters to feed and water and no worries about rodents reptiles or arachnids inadvertently getting loose in the house (which, with a child like Judah would be a valid concern).

He responded well to the classroom setting. While in class he gets to eat snacks, play games, learn about Jesus, do crafts, play and make friends.

Apparently, he'd followed instructions, was quiet when he was supposed to be and responsive when it was appropriate.

That first night, he met me at the classroom door and held up his worksheet. In a sober, all-important tone he said, "I did all my home-irk, mama." Then he beamed, knowing I would be so proud of him.

And I was.

This past Wednesday evening, however, was his third week of Awana.

And he reached a milestone.

His very first class party.



Because our baby boy turned 3 that day. **sniff, sniff**

When I peeked in on him, he was playing with clay calm as you please.





I actually stood there a bit mournful, wondering what had happened to my baby, because in his place was this mature, quiet child."

Now I want my son to grow up and do well in school and all...to outgrow the hyperactivity and follow the rules. But in spite of all the extra work his antics often cause me...it's him. It's part of who he is, rambunctiousness and all.

Really, I guess I just wasn't prepared to see the quiet, compliant child sitting at that table.

I asked one of his leaders, "Did they already have the cupcakes?"

"Yes. They all just came down off their sugar high a few minutes ago. It was a real zoo in here for a while."

"Oh, sorry." I chuckled, feeling oddly relieved.

Now that sounded more like the kid I was familiar with, lol.