Movin on up!

You may remember this post where I talked about the graduation of our senior nursery. After church on the final Sunday of 2009, we had an unexpected discussion with the our bishopric's second counselor and we were asked if we would be willing to move on with our senior nursery and become Sunbeam teachers. Finding no good reason to say no, we agreed realizing the challenge and the patience we would need in the weeks ahead. Three weeks in the transition has gone about how we expected as we try to keep their interest, and them in their seats.

On their first Sunday in primary they received their own paper back copy of the Book of Mormon in a fabric carrying pouch. They were all excited to receive their own scriptures. "My dad's going to be so proud of me," exclaimed on little boy. Once they discovered that there were also pictures inside everyone want to find the picture of Jesus in their copy. "I can't find my Jesus!" They were also thrilled to find pictures of "pirates," also known as Lehi and his family on the boat to the Americas. In the coming weeks hopefully we will find ways to teach them about the gospel and that we will find joy in the calling.

They grow up so fast

December is here and 2009 quickly draws to a close bringing with it the graduation of our senior nursery class to primary. In order to help ease the transition, over the past few weeks we've transported our little gaggle down the hall for Sharing Time to sing and listen to the lesson with the rest of Junior Primary. Some days go better than others. One day upon catching a glimpse at freedom they organized a mass jail break and made it to the opposite side of the building before Nate caught up with them. Each of them adjust to the new experience in their own individual way. For some the piano is "too loud." Others who are normally vibrant and out going become shy, reserved, and just want to go back to their class. Many have sibilings or parents in other primary classes which provides a new source of distraction. As a primary teacher/leader you must get used to only having 10% of the group's attention at all times.


I have enjoyed getting to know this group of kids and watch their personalities develop. We will miss many of them, others...well...we're willing to share their vivacious spirit with other primary leaders. This last week we combined the junior and senior nursery into one class since many were gone for the Thanksgiving holiday and we noticed a striking disparity between the two age groups. While the younger ones quietly played in the corner together taking turns with toys, the older ones were a melee of trucks and cars zooming the length of the room. How will we deal with the quiet? Though I doubt it will last long as the cycle will inevitably continue. They will grow, feel more comfortable around us and find their voice. They will experience the struggles of potty training. They will go from happenstance playmates to friends; then we will send them off from the world of puzzles, snacks, toys and bubbles to the world of Sharing Time and loud pianos to find their way as Sunbeams.

Mini Mob Mentality

I am more and more convinced that kids operate on a mob mentality. Inevitably if one kid has something or starts doing something it won't be long before the rest of the group picks it up. The mob was in full force this last Sunday from the get go. It started with one little boy busted out a little chorus of "Move it, Move it," and it wasn't long before a "Move it, Move it" wave was moving around the table, complete with both fists raised and punched into the air.

Next during the lesson, I was talking about how they are all children of god and pulled out a picture of a group of kids. One little boy ran up and pointed to a boy in the picture and exclaimed, "THAT'S ME!" Sure enough the rest of the kids all swarmed to the front and started pointing out kids in the picture and saying "THAT'S ME!" Nate pointed to a little african girl in the picture and said "That's Me!" I don't think the kids got that one.

Lastly while the kids were coloring I had to help one little girl in the restroom leaving Nate alone with 6 kids equipped with crayons. One boy decided to draw on Nate's sleeve, everyone thought it was funny, and before Nate could act quick enough he became a living art canvas casualty. Lesson learned, kids can sense a shift in the balance of power and will take the opportunity to strike swiftly.

I find it funny that boys seem to universally turn anything into some sort of weapon (gun, lightsaber, etc.). One little boy created a rifle out of blocks and I was really impressed by his engineering of how he built it; so much so that when 2 other boys asked me to build them one I kept looking over to copy his design. Then the biggest boy in the room (aka my husband) had to top them all with this little number...

I guess they never grow up.

Stay safe from the monster!

A few months ago Nate and I were called to be nursery workers at our ward. While I was a little nervous at first, and some Sundays we're just trying to survive 2 hours of chaos, I have come to enjoy the time that we spend with the little kiddos. We don't have kids of our own yet but for 2 hours each Sunday of every other month we get to spend time with their sweet, though sometimes ornery, spirits. For a while now I've been thinking that I should keep note of some of the funny things they say/do.

A few weeks ago the lesson was on baptism and Nate was explaining how you get dressed in a suit that's all white.

Little Girl-"I want a purple or pink one!"

Nate-"They only come in white."

Little Girl-"How about black?!"

This last Sunday, during Toy Time, I was seated on the floor playing blocks with a very mild-mannered quiet girl named Shelby. I was in the midst of trying to build a bunny rabbit out of blocks (Shelby's request) when she quietly exclaimed something to the effect of "Oh good I'm safe from the monster." She went on to tell me how I was safe and so were William and Wyatt who were playing nearby. I was slightly confused but played along figuring it was some kind of imaginary game when maybe 5 minutes later the older brother (about 5 or 6 years old) of one of the other nursery girls who had come in to visit/play passed by us. Shelby playfully gasped, "the monster came close to me," and it dawned on me that the older boy was "the monster." I still don't know why he was the monster as I never saw him do or say anything mean to her, let alone really acknowledge her at all, nevertheless for the rest of nursery we had to stay safe from "the monster." Even at the end when one of the other nursery workers asked if I could take over blowing bubbles for her, Shelby sweetly said no because the monster was over there and I had to stay where I was to "stay safe." It's nice to have 3 year olds looking out for your safety.