AWANA

Ryan has started AWANA this year. For those not in the know, it's a Christian based program that teaches the Bible and includes verse memorization and fun! Ryan is a "Cubbie", in the 3 and 4 yr old program. They have a short coloring time, then work in the workbook and scripture memorization, then have a small snack, storytime, sing some songs, and finally games and puzzles. It's an awesome program for kids to learn about Jesus in their lives. It's also a great way to get parents involved, as during the rest of the week us parents must go through the assigned part of the workbook and help them memorize the scripture. (great way for me to learn too!).
Ryan absolutely LOVES it! He already loves Sunday School at church (technically since he's still 3, he's actually still in the nursery, but one more week of that and he will graduate to Sunday School class and Children's Church), so on the way there the first week he was very excited to be going. Once there he was very excited to have his own book, and then when he went inside the room, he saw his friends there from nursery, and he just RAN to them! LOL So very cute. He would do great in school if only he was old enough to go!! (and completely potty trained).
After the first night, the whole 15 minute car ride home he was non stop talking all about the things he did! It was adorable! It was hard to get him to sleep that night though....he was so excited. AWANA doesn't get out until 8pm...a half hour after his bedtime. So he gets to bed late on Wed nights.
This past week he got his uniform (a little blue vest), which is was so THRILLED about. As soon as he saw it he screamed "MY UNIFORM!!! I GOT MY UNIFORM!" LOL

I've been working with him on the scripture..and he's been doing great. For the Cubbies they simplify the verses a bit so it's easier for them to learn. He's so smart...he's been memorizing the verse after just 15 minutes of working with him on it. He's got the memory of an elephant...though he is showing signs of a typical male....selective memory, as he doesn't seem to remember the things he's NOT supposed to do that I tell him EVERYDAY. ah well, guess we can't have it all. LOL

Anyway, he's loving it. And I'm loving him loving it. I just love helping him learn about Jesus, watching his eyes light up when he says "Jesus loves me!", the Cubbie motto, or when he gets a sticker, called a "Bear hug" when he successfully memorizes a verse. It just warms my heart.

It's a great program for kids. I just hope he continues to enjoy it as much as he does now.