Last night I taught a review session for the first grade home-study religion class at my parish. This means that instead of weekly "ccd" class, the kids do their workbooks at home and come to church once per quarter for a review of the material, plus time to work on themed crafts, play games relevant to the lessons, etc.

My daughter was in the class, as well as a girl I taught last time and a boy named Michael.

Despite good planning on my part (textbook earmarked with post-in notes, guidelines of cirriculum at hand, bible at the ready) I encountered a number of stumbling blocks through this challenging evening.

First, my daughter kept tearing apart the plastic tablecloths, seemingly unconsciously - some might call it "fidgeting." She also provided quite precocious answers to many of the review questions, sending the other kids into giggles.

Then, one little girl asked me a tough question about loving others:

"I know God wants us to love other people but do I have to love my Stepmother even though I don't like her?"

*sigh*

Finally, as the grand finale to the evening, Michael provided the class with background "music" by cutting gas quite audibly throughout the evening!