Our Little Sunbeam!

Last Sunday, Sawyer went to Primary (our church's program and Sunday School for young children)for the first time.

Children generally go to the nursery class from 18 months to 3 years of age, and if they are 3 by January 1st, they are then advanced into the Primary class. The class for 3 year olds is called "Sunbeams". Even just the name of the class makes me smile!

We were in the middle of hustling to get out of the door and to church on time last Sunday so I didn't get a picture of our little Sunbeam, but today after church I had him stand outside to snap a few of our ever-growing-up-boy. Below, he is doing "prayer arms" although he generally prefers to clasp his hands together when praying.

Last week he did awesome, and this week he had a bit harder time at drop off. He confessed to me that he misses playing with the toys in the nursery. I also think it's slightly overwhelming going to sit amongst such a large group of children for the first time (they all gather together for the first part in one room for sharing time and singing time). So, today I sat with him for a few minutes and then left him happily singing "The Wise Man and the Foolish Man" with his wonderful teachers. 

He lucked out and has this newly-married couple as his teachers. They are the cutest couple! And they are doing a great job! There are two Sunbeams classes and every single Sunbeam is a BOY! There was something in the water that year, I tell ya :)

It's fun to see at home the connections he makes (ie learning new songs when I am not always sure he is listening) and to hear him report about the things he learns in his class. 

I think my very favorite part, though, is when I pick him up. He is always super excited to see me, and then the first thing he says is "let's go get Aspen!" (who is still in the nursery). Today he RAN all the way to her door and burst in, only to shout "Aspen!" and run to her and give her a great big hug. And he held on for a while, it was so very sweet. They may have their occasional moment of sibling conflict, but overall they are so close. Having them close together has really "paid" off. They are  best friends and play together constantly - recently they have gotten really into imaginative play with Sawyer as director most of the time. It's wonderful to see. 

As for Aspen, I just realized that because of her birthday being at the end of January she is going to be stuck in nursery for 2 more years! She'll be on the verge of 4 when she gets to go to Primary. I bet she'll be aching to go by then!

Sometimes watching my children grow up is, as I've often said, bittersweet. I love to see them learn and grow but sometimes I want to keep them small forever. Today, though, as I saw them hugging and excited to hold hands and race down the hallway to head towards home, my heart was just full and joyous to see two beautiful children of God who are blessed to be brother and sister in this world - and me, doubly blessed, to be their mother.

When I think about our new baby, I wonder how the dynamics of our little family will evolve. I wonder if he/she will be left out because the older two are so close. I am totally impartial to weather we are having a boy or a girl. What I think about more is how a girl or a boy will alter the current relationships in our family. Will a girl next cause competition with her older sister? Or adoration from her older sister? Will a boy make a big brother happy? (just a side note: Sawyer is completely convinced we've got another girl in my belly - if anyone says different, he corrects them - and he wants to call her WONDER WOMAN!)

Anyway...thoughts...as I watch my children grow. Though Sawyer has his moments and knows all of my tricky buttons to push some days, he really is such a sweet boy. A good boy. A boy that brightens my every day - and I truly believe he will be a light and shine as he learns to follow the example of our Savior.

Here's to Sunbeams!  SHINE ON little ones!