Growing Up - Big Girl Storytime!

When L was 7 weeks old, I decided that we needed to get out around people and other babies just for the social aspect of it all.  That was the first time I took her to baby storytime at the library.  She fell asleep during storytime every week until she was about 5 months old, and then she became interested in the other babies around her, the activities we did, and, eventually, the stories being read.  When she was 18 months old, she graduated up to the toddler storytime.  I remember the first time she went to that storytime, I was blown away by what the older kids there could do compared to what she could do.  Eventually, L became one of those older kids and I was amazed at how much more she could do than the other children.  Now that she's 3, she qualifies for the preschool storytime.  We talked about this all week - now that she is a big girl, she gets to go to Big Girl Storytime!  E goes to baby storytime, but since L is a Big Girl, she gets to read stories with the big kids.  She was so excited!

We get to the library today and L was thrilled.  There were so many 3-5 year old kids in there that she could hardly figure out what to do.  There was a new storytime person (he does all the bigger-kid storytimes), there were new kids, and there were new activities to enjoy.  I discovered that L lacks a lot of social grace since she doesn't spend a lot of time around other kids.  Case in point - when she met a new girl today, the new girl introduced herself as Haley and said she was "3almost4!" (yes, it sounded like all one word).  L smiled at her, touched Haley's shirt, tried to pick Haley's nose, threw her arms around her, and tried to kiss her.  I realize that L is just very enthusiastic about making a new friend, but some people just don't like to be touched.  Haley was okay with the hugging, but she shoved L away when she tried to kiss her.  L is a force to be reckoned with and doesn't know when to stop (much like her daddy!), and so she just kept trying.  When she realized she wasn't going to get Haley, she moved on to other children.  It was hilarious to watch, and yet trying at the same time.  We had a chat once we got home about how to say hi to new people (say hi, shake their hand, and that's about it), so we'll see if it gets better.  However, socially awkward?  Yes please.  In any case, beyond the social side, she was so happy being there.  She danced (when she was supposed to sing), stood (when she was supposed to sit), clapped (when she was supposed to stomp), and had a grand old time (do you sense a theme here?  maybe "marches to the beat of her own drummer?"  this is her daddy's style through and through).  E had a good time trying to steal people's beverages, touch other babies, and generally just try to get away from Mommy.  I had a great time because the storytime man was excellent, the kids were all enjoying themselves, and it was just a fun 40 minutes of kids being kids.

It's so hard to believe L is big enough to be with the 3-5 year olds now.  I still remember her falling asleep in my arms and trying to wake her up so she could enjoy baby storytime!  Wow, it's hard to believe it was almost 3 years ago.  I know she's looking forward to storytime again next week, and to be honest, so am I!

L hugs Sammy the Seal after storytime (1/20/2012)