Behold Your Little Ones

At the beginning of the New Year (Rather, at the end of last year- December 30.), Chris had visitor ( I remember this because I just happened to be cleaning, and I was SO embarrassed that there were piles of folded laundry everywhere and junk all over the table.  Dang.).  Brother Windsor from our ward who is in the Sunday School Presidency (his wife is also my visiting teaching companion- what a great family!).  

Chris got a new calling (voluntary assignment)- or rather a new age group of minions to teach- and he was a little sad.  He was really liking his 16-year-old kiddos.  He was just getting how to keep them engaged in the conversation and on topic during the lesson.  Now he has the kids turning 13 this year- a major difference.

Turns out Chris loves his class. There are only three kids in his class, all boys.  They were great in conversation- very intelligent.  They went six minutes over, and didn't even make it through their lesson because the guys were asking such amazing questions.  Chris is pretty happy.

I'm in Nursery (kiddos 18 months to 3 years).  I love it.  Every single week.  But with the new year, I lost the Nursery Leader to an older Primary class and half of my kids to Sunbeams.  Sure, I'm happy for them.  Or something.  I'm not selfish... I just don't want them to be happy without me!  One little boy named Matt still comes to the door after Sunbeams and shows me what he did that day.  

"Um, excuse me.", he says because he doesn't remember my name- just that I was his teacher, "Look what I did.  That's Jesus, and that's me, and that's my sister, and that's our house."  Makes my day better.

I love my class to pieces still!  They are so wonderful, but why forget the good times?  I wrote in my journal every single cute thing I heard in the four months I was there in 2011, and now, I'm going to share those with you.  You've earned it.  I'm sure.

Brook:  I'm still coloring.
Me:  That's alright.  You can take your time.
Brooke:  Well, I actually think my sister would like to color it.  I'll take it home and share it with her.  I'm going to play now.

Gretchen (Asking the class):  "What are you going to do on Thanksgiving?"

Matt :  "Watch the BYU game!!!"


Jonathon (Snappily):  I have a question!
Gretchen:  Okay, Jonathon.  What is your question?
Jonathon (Snappily):  I don't.  Know!  (And then he runs away happily to play!)


Me:  What are you doing over here, Bud?
James:  Hiding from you.  Go away.

Me: "Jonathon, do we push our friends?"

Jonathon (Calmly Declaring):  "He's not my friend."


Sister Hansen:  Can we sing one more?
Jimmy Jo:  No!  Okay... but then no more!
(After the song, Sister Hansen tries to leave)
Jimmy Jo:  Don't go!  We have to sing another one!


Me:  Does anyone have an extra truck to share with Jonathon?
Adulus:  I have some!
(Not moving...)
Me:  Well would you like to share your trucks with Jonathon?
Adulus:  Oh!  No... He has some.
Me:  No he doesn't.  He's looking for one to play with.
Jonathon:  I have some.  I was hiding them.  

Holy goodness!  They are so wonderfully cute.  I wish text did their cuteness justice.  I wish you could see these kids in action.  I wish I could just put up a video of my favorite two hours of the week.  I wish I could just see these kids at home.  I wish YOU could see these kids at home (but that would be really weird unless you know them...).  These kids are so clever, and honest, and so refreshing!

Also, these are literally the type of lesson we have every week.  Trying to get the kids to sit down and listen at the same time seems like herding cats.  When they are all sitting and listening though, I'm blown away by the knowledge they retain.  They have the answers to every question every time.  Clearly, the kids in my class are being taught at home and have amazing, loving parents.  Blows.  My.  Mind.