Well it has finally happened! It is 2:30 in the afternoon, my kids are all sleeping and I am awake! So I am taking this time to blog instead of do laundry and the like. What fun is that?

Most of my thoughts are focused on the life and times of my 2+ year old son. He seems to be updating the latest addition on the book, "How to be a Two Year Old and Getting the Most of the Terrible Two's!" This isn't a book, but it should be. And it should be written by my little man. To give him credit, being two is not easy. I read that two year olds have quick mood swings and that is normal. I think it must be because, they are not babies, but they are not really big enough to do much on their own. Plus they are learning all kinds of new things like potty training and how to clean up after themselves in a basic way. To add insult to injury, Shmuely is also learning how to share mommy after almost 2 years straight of one-on-one attention. Although he does love Y&M it is a bit rough on him. And now for the clincher, this week we started Gan. Last year he went to Gan, but it was only a couple of days a week, a smaller class and the teacher spoke english. Now we have 30 kids, 6 days a week and it is all hebrew. Except one Gannenet does speak english. Whew! What a relief for mommy. On the one hand, I feel bad sending him to Gan, it is not mandatory(though I don't one person who doesn't do it) and I am not working so it is not like I have to send him. On the other, what on earth is he going to do at home all day with me, while I take of Y&M? I don't want him spending the rest of his life in a commatose state watching movies and I just can't spend the one-on-one time like I want to. They also teach them a lot of things. First, he is learning hebrew, he should pass me by next week! (Just kidding, he still speaks a lot of 2 year old as well.) They also teach them songs, reinforce religious education and basics like, colors, numbers, etc. Finally, he is learning social skills. All of things are important and I feel like although it is difficult for him to adjust, he needs to learn to try new things and that all things are difficult in the begining, but once you get used to them it is OK. Plus the Ganennet assures me that he has fun there when I am not looking. I know part of my anxiety comes from my maternal instincts to protect my children from anything uncomfortable or unpleasant, but if I did that he would never try anything new and he would miss out on a lot of life's lessons'. I have decided that raising kids is a lot like a video game, each age is a level and you work and scramble to get everything out of it you can before you reach the next level so that you are prepared for the next set of obstacles, but the truth is you are not prepared because you have never seen that level before and so you take your goodies and do the best you can. Fortunately I get a lot of support from my family and from the neighborhood. My neighbors have 8 kids on one side and 7 on the other, the average in the community is 5. It is good to have lots of people to get advice from.

OK the troops are waking up and they are restless so I guess I will wrap up. But before I go, I just have to say, some things here are so great! I just got my groceries delivered to my door. Even if I had a car it is great not having to shlep kids and groceries up 14 steps. And the great thing is if you spend over $30(150 shekel) it is free. It varies from store to store, but that is the deal here and such a deal it is!

Alright, gotta run,
Alina