The Week

I try to take Baby J to various storytime/playgroups in the area. They each are run by librarians and they each have their own distinctive ambiance or climate. This sort of ethereal quality usually stems from the personality of the librarian in charge. As a disclaimer, I'd like to say that no group is better than any other but they do vary a great deal in style.

Monday

This playgroup is organized, timely, and efficient. The librarian in charge is also very efficient and organized. Each kid has a nametag a spot to sit and a predictable routine to follow. It's starts right on time and ends right on time. Because of high demand there is a lottery held each session to fill available spots. It's hard for Baby J to hold still for this one sometimes. Parents here do not talk to each other too much.

Tuesday

This playgroup is a lot more loose in terms of structure and timeliness but it is full of personality and has tons of toys. The librarian switches things up as she feels she needs to and runs things on a more seemingly intuitive basis. She is a fun, easy-going lady and her playgroup is also fun and easy-going. It starts whenever and goes for as long as it needs to go. It's format is ideal for Baby J. The parents talk to each other a lot at this one.

Wednesday

This playgroup does not require a sign up but is very popular. There are songs, toys, books, chants, etc. and they come one right after another in a routine. We all sit with our kids on the floor and sing, play, read, or chant along as called for. I haven't gone to this one much because Baby J doesn't seem that into it. The librarian in charge has her thing down and I think it will just take time for Baby J to understand how it works. The parents hardly talk at all for this one. It's like being in school. Sometimes they whisper to each other so as not to interrupt.

Thursday

This playgroup is run by a very friendly and cheerful lady who is also very accommodating to the needs of toddlers. There are lots of toys, stuffed animals, and tons of smiles. The librarian clearly likes running storytime and the parents are chatty and happy. There's lots to do and it always seems over in a flash.

Friday

This playgroup is for older kids but the lady in charge seems to really like Baby J so we stop by to see her more than anything else. The librarian is quite old and has a very grandmotherly way about her. Her storytime is very old-school in a great big room with a tiled floor. It's like going to stay at your grandma's house, full of warmth and smiles but not exactly set up for little kids. The parents don't socialize too much at this group.

Baby J usually hangs with mom on Saturday and Sunday mornings. So there you have it. A brief summary of my week.