Like a Pro

Mr. Ben surpassed all my expectations about his first experience in the church nursery and went in just like a pro! Way to go Ben! I did not expect Ben to go to nursery as willingly and happily as he did. I don't know why I expected him to cry and cling to my legs and weep & wail and scream & fight, but I did. When my girls went to the nursery for the first time, I sent them on their merry way without an inkling of worry or concern. I knew they were ready and would have a great time, and they did. Thankfully, none of my children have been difficult to send to nursery. I don't know why I expected less of Ben than I did of my girls, but I did. I wasn't so sure that he was ready, but as I think about it, maybe, in reality, I wasn't so sure that I was ready. I must admit that I felt a little lonely for him while I sat in my Sunday School. Of course, if Ben had been with me, I wouldn't have been in my Sunday School class, but I would have been out in the halls. I am glad he now has his own class to go to with leaders who will help him learn songs & stories of Jesus.

When we first went into the nursery, he held on to me for just a minute or two. I took him over to some toys and other children in the class, and he quickly became engaged in what he was doing. I observed for a while, and Ben didn't seem to care that I was around. I took the chance to make a run for it and left before he knew I was gone. His leaders tell me he did great, and only started to complain the last 15 minutes of class. Not bad for the first day! The one precaution we did take was that I be the one to take Ben to his nursery class. Had Brad taken him, there probably would have been some wailing and screaming as Ben does this when I take him from Brad's arms. Can you imagine what he would have done had one of the nursery workers taken him from Brad's arms? Let me assure you, it would not have been pretty.

Ben was all smiles when his nursery leaders took his picture today. They took the picture at the top of the post as well as the one below. I would bet that he was doing his "cheese" for his picture in the one below. He likes to say "cheese" & put his chin up in the air, my little poser.

Brad took this picture of Ben with his first project from nursery class. He got to glue a picture of Jesus onto some construction paper. You're a big boy now, Ben!