Alejandro started school on September 1st. In Israel, (outside of ultra religious families) it is the norm for kids to be put in "school" at six months. While most women also work outside the home, even those who don't work still put the kids in school. (They insist it is school and not day care -- that the play is educational. Whatever.) So anytime we meet new Israelis, they always grill me on why I would keep the kids at home. School goes Sun-Thurs plus a half day on Friday. Alejandro is enrolled for half day school -- which is five hours.
There are public schools as well as private schools -- public means it is run by the state but doesn't mean it is not religious. The school walking distance from our house happens to be religious. So our Catholic, uncircumcised, English speaking boy is going to a Jewish school where the teacher and the aide only speak Hebrew. At this age, it means I have to pack a kosher lunch and he has to wear a kippah (which he wasn't too happy about.) They sing some songs and such -- but there's not theology lessons or anything. I thought six days of school was a bit much, so I only send him Mon-Thursday. It's been an ugly month but we finally had one day where Alejandro didn't cry about going to school but then Dante cried when we left Alejandro. I can't win. While Dante misses his brother, I think he enjoys having me all to himself. 
Well, here's what Alejandro has to say since he started school:"School was so much fun. I'm never going back." This is after his first full day, when he came out all smiles.
"I guess I'm not potty trained so I can't go to school." He wet himself on purpose after being told for months he couldn't go to school until he was potty trained (back in the days when he actually wanted to go to school.)
Cough. Cough. (obviously faked) "I'm too sick to go to school." I guess faking illness is a natural instinct.
"Just so you know, I'm going to cry a lot once we get there." He informs me as we walk up to the school.
"Fine. I'll go next week but I don't want to talk about it right now." When we told him it was the weekend but he was going back to school on Monday.
"Some boy stole my goldfish but I took them back because I didn't want to share. Then another boy took them and put them inside his sandwich so I couldn't get them." Friends sent some goldfish crackers from the States. I didn't realize it would cause such a riot or I wouldn't have sent them in his lunch. I'm not even sure they are kosher.
"A little boy dumped his water and the teacher had to clean it up but it got on my shoe. I was so disappointed." These are the kind of answers I get when I ask what happens at school.
"My kippah fell into the toilet when I went to the bathroom." Something we never had to deal with before...
Alfonso's mom is here so we've been doing our marathon tour of Israel. Work is crazy busy for Alfonso. As a bonus, all the Jewish holidays are coming up this month so Alfonso will be working to cover everyone else being gone. By the way, Happy New Year -- it is officially the year 5769 today. Everyone is in a really good mood here. I went to the grocery store the other night (since they'll be closed the next two days) and someone actually offered to let me pass in front of them. It was insanely busy and crowded but people were really nice and friendly. It was so weird. I wasn't sure if I was still in Israel.
There's always more to say but I'm tired/lazy/grumpy/homesick and just want to get this posted before the year 5770.Love always,
Debi
(Alejandro wants to work at Intel because they wear cool costumes!)