Cheider Yingel!

Yesterday was orientation! It's hard to believe that the summer is actually over. But it is!

On the way to orientation!

New backpack :)

We found Zusha's class and went in. Met his new Rebbe and got to business with the toys. I pointed out to Zusha all the boys from his class last year.

Unlike last year where the parents had to stay with the kids, this orientation was different. The Rebbe ran it like a regular day, (play, but no learning) and the parents were able to decide how long to stay and how long to leave their child for. So I stayed 15 minutes and left for about 45 minutes.
When I came back, Zusha played some more with me right outside the room. Then he decided to go home. I tried to encourage him to stay because I wanted him to get used to it with me there, but he really wanted to go already and burst into tears at my suggestion to stay.
We went to the park, and he was holding my hand SO tightly, I think my fingers turned blue. B"H he got over it and told me that tomorrow he will go nicely and be freilech. :)

This year I will be sending him on the school bus. Last year I walked him, but he did take a 4 month break, so it was different. Also towards the end it became almost unbearable. So considering the baby coming and all, it was the only feasible option. But I don't want to send him on the bus until he adjusts a bit to cheider in general. So today I decided to take the city bus. But there were trucks loading out deliveries to a grocery and blocking the entire street. The bus just skipped that stop, and there was no other one for like 1/2 hour. So we ended up walking, coming late in the middle of davening. Sigh.

When I picked him up, he got a bit emotional as soon as he saw me, but I was cheerful and he didn't cry. He was so excited to tell me all about his day! They eat lunch upstairs in the lunchroom, which is something new.

The cheider yingel after his first full day!

By Monday I hope to start sending him on the bus in the morning, but I'll still pick him up myself for another week or so. And then he'll be on the bus full time. Whoa am I exhausted.