Nursery Girl

Brooke started attending nursery on December 7th, which went off without a hitch.  Kevin and I walked her in, she saw all the toys, and she just started playing.  No reservations, no clinging to our legs, no crying!  It was great, and we were relieved.  It was so strange to leave her there though.  We kinda lingered for a few minutes, and Kevin asked the nursery worker "So, how does this work?".  He kinda chuckled and informed us that the first hour they just played with toys, then they had a snack, some sort of little lesson, and singing time. We offered to give them our phone numbers in case they needed to call or text us, and he just said that he would look them up if he needed them.  Okay, then.  

We saw that Brooke was doing fine, so we headed off to Sunday School.  We checked on her a few times during the remainder of church, and she was perfectly happy.  The Primary chorister had gone to do singing with them apparently, because I saw her after church and the first words out of her mouth, were "Brooke Lynn was an absolute angel."  Something every parent wants to hear, i imagine.  We were all feeling pretty good about nursery.  

The next week was not quite the same story!  We walked in, and multiple kids were crying.  She immediately clung to my legs and would not play with anything.  I ended up staying for maybe 10 minutes until the crying ceased, she became interested in the toys, and I was able to sneak away.  The rest of nursery went well.  I checked on her again during third hour, and she was drawing on the chalkboard with all the other kids.  It seemed weird to see her in a little class with little friends. But cute, nonetheless. 

Her attendance in nursery the next few weeks was sporadic due to sickness, but for the most part, she was happy to be there, and we normally just stayed for a few minutes while she became comfortable. The nursery leaders also asked us to sub last minute a few times in January, and that was interesting!  I think nursery is such a hard calling, especially when you have criers, and kids visiting.  One particular week, this mom dropped off two kids (one of which I am 99% sure was maybe only one), then went off to class.  The baby was crying and seemed terrified.  I was trying to comfort him, but he just cried and cried.  I finally told Kevin that I was going to try and find his mom (if I could remember what she looked like), because everyone was miserable listening to the poor kid cry.  Kevin, in all seriousness, said, "You're coming right back, right?"  Hahaha, there were probably 6 other kids in nursery, which understandably was a bit overwhelming. 

Took this picture during snack time as I peeked through the door!  Brooke, who normally doesn't sleep in the car anymore, falls asleep on the drive home from church a lot these days.  Maybe a combination of the new church time, and the fact that nursery is exhausting!

One week, she actually stayed away on the drive home.  When we were getting Brooke out of the car, I told Kevin, "She's awake, do you know what that means?"  He paused a second, then said "Snack time", haha.  He's got to know me better than that!  Sunday pictures, of course :)  Started off with a little Sunday Selfie:

Brooke was being a goof, and I look like a freak in all the pictures because I was trying to get her to smile and look at the camera.

Ended the photo sesh with this darling picture.  If only I didn't forget her pink belt...