Settling in nicely

Jamie and I went on our Jeremy Kyle stalking expedition yesterday straight from what had been a very successful second day at nursery for our little man.

Unlike his first day on Tuesday when he gazed up looking rather drained and confused when I walked through the door, yesterday, he crawled calmly and happily along the floor, up my legs and into my arms - before offering a big smile.

His nursery really is an incredibly warm and uplifting place to be. The staff are terrific, the kids are smiley and the mothers (I've only seen one other "modern dad" there so far - what?!) all look much more in control of the situation than I do.

For example, yesterday morning after dropping Jamie off, I suddenly realised that I'd never collapsed his lightweight pram before (the one we normally keep in the boot of the car - in the manner of Batman's Batcycle which Batman keeps in his Batmobile. Or Batwing. Or it could be his Batboat. Anyway, you've got the idea). So I had a go in the corridor, in the process knocking books and leaflets flying off a nearby table. Seeing me in distress and close to tears, Mum#3 walking past felt pangs of sympathy and did the job for me. God bless equality.

Jamie was sent home with three items yesterday which all made me smile. First was a little chocolate Smartie cake because it was another kiddie's birthday (AWWWW!)

Second was a copy of the June 2009 "Baby Room Newsletter" which Vanessa and I found particularly informative. Last month, it revealed, the rhyme of the month for Baby Room inhabitants was "The Wheels On The Bus," new words including Mummy and Daddy were learnt, everyone got wet with lots of water play and paintings of summer ice creams were completed. Excellent stuff.

But look what's on the agenda for June: the song of the month will be "I Know A Teddy Bear," fun will be had in the garden, physical skills will be developed thanks to the tunnel, play shape and tumble mats and everyone will be getting messy by painting and sticking. Quite a bit to cram in there then.

And, there's even some special events lined up. Babies will be making Father's Day cards on the 9th and mummies are even allowed to come and help from 4.30-5pm. BRILLIANT! And, on the 17th, the class will be celebrating Paddington's Birthday by having a teddy bears picnic with everyone invited to bring along a teddy bear friend, donate £1 to sick and vulnerable babies and take part in a raffle to win Paddington himself. I'm very jealous about all of that.

There's more yet. The 23rd will be June's "Colour Day" with the special colour being yellow and there will be a "Music and Movement" session between 5.15 and 5.45pm on the 24th.

But the newsletter leaves the best till last:

"We would like to to a big hello to James [Jamie's his stage name, don't forget] who has joined our baby room. We hope you have a happy stay with us." I've never been more certain of anything.

AND:

"We would like to wish a Happy 1st Birthday to James [still R Jamie] on the 23rd June."

Could June get any better?!

Well - surprise, surprise - it already has. For the third item Jamie brought home yesterday was his first ever painting (a photo of which you can see above). If truth be told, I don't think it's all his own work. But his mummy and daddy are obviously incredibly proud of his efforts.

And his daddy is already looking forward to going back to nursery again next Tuesday. Hopefully he'll remember to bring James...sorry...Jamie with him.