When we first arrive at the library for Story Time, it's playtime. The librarian has scattered toys around the room and it's time for the kids to play and the parents to referee and chat. When we first started frequenting Story Time regularly at the beginning of the year, she was nearly glued to my lap. Now, she's brave and often plays for long chunks of time across the room from me. Sometimes she does pick up a toy and bring it back to the comfort of my lap. On March 17th, Grammie accompanied us to Story Time which meant she could take loads of pictures while I participated. Thanks Grammie!
After playtime, the librarian comes in the room, puts out the tub to collect the toys and starts singing a little "Clean Up" tune. The kids who are familiar with the routine, including Keira, rush to put their toys in the tub and run around to collect the rest of the toys, too. They know that they will be rewarded for their cleaning up with bubbles. So smart! The bubbles usually distract the kids enough so that no one is crying over the toy they had to part with.
After bubbles, the librarian hands out books to the kids, and most of the kids come back to their parent's laps to read. Of course, since these kids are LITTLE there are always a few who are aimlessly wandering around the room or climbing on the furniture instead of listening to the stories. Keira, and Eli for that matter, have always been good about following the routine. In fact, both of my kids have always been such avid "readers" that we usually finish our book and look around for someone to swap books with.
After reading, the librarian walks around the room and collects the books while we sing "You Are My Sunshine." Sometimes, Keira is so eager to give her book to the librarian that she'll leap out of my lap and run towards her with her book in her outstretched hand. After "You Are My Sunshine", we sing "Twinkle Twinkle". In this picture you can see Keira making a diamond out of her fingers just like the librarian does.
After singing several songs while seated including "The Wheels on the Bus", "Old McDonald", "The Itsy Bitsy Spider", "Where is Thumpkin?" and "Hickory Dickory Dock" as well as listening to a few stories we stand up and sing some songs.
The standing songs include "If You're Happy and You Know It" as well as "I'm a Little Teapot." I love my little tipping teapot!
After tipping like a teapot, she boogies to the "Hokey Pokey."
Finally, the librarian sings a good bye song and ends it by saying good bye to each one of the kids with a little tummy tickle. All the kids wait patiently, yet eagerly for her to come to them.
Keira always giggles and smiles wildly during and after her goodbye tickle.
Just recently, Keira added a new favorite activity to her Story Time repertoire, it's what she calls "typing". She sits at one of the little computer desks outside of the Story Time room once Story Time has finished. She's always loved sitting in any little chair that is her size. Once seated, she does her best interpretation of one of us on the computer. Her fingers whiz over the keys...
Then, she interrupts her typing with occasional clicks of the mouse.
Sometimes I'm not sure who enjoys Story Time more, Keira or I. Obviously she loves participating, but I love watching her. It's so special to have a certain time each week to watch my baby girl do what she loves to do best -- sing songs. :)
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