Step 1: Find a parking spot. Some days this is trickier than others. If it's warm out, we always ride the bike. If we're running late then we literally run from the car to the library.
Step 2: Always stop to say "hello" to Annie the Railroad Dog. (She was a dog who greeted all of the trains/passengers coming through Fort Collins in the good ol' days.) Also, ask your mom if Annie is "dead under here" or if "she died at the library".
Step 3: Return your books. This should, apparently, always be a race against your sibling and should sometimes involve a meltdown.
Step 4: Get your nametag for storytime. Tell the librarian your name and then spell it for bonus points. Sadly, Isabel has grown out of saying "My name is ISSY. (pause) I-S-A-B-E-L" Many a priceless confused look as the librarian tried to reconcile the name stated and the spelling provided.
Step 5: Attend "4 Years and Older" storytime ALL BY YOURSELF (well, with your twin). Even though they are almost five, I can hardly believe that they go to storytime alone. Sniffle. 
Step 6: After storytime, pick out some excellent books. Isabel always picks out some old faves (Berenstain Bears, Madeline, Toot & Puddles, Angelina, anything by Kevin Henkes) and Milo is always on the hunt for something about animals or a new Dr. Seuss book. I try to pick out some real "quality" books while they are in storytime. Recommendations from friends are awesome (thanks Anna--just got the Mercer Mayer Beauty and the Beast).
Step 7: Check your books out and wander dangerously back to the car as you are unable to pry your cute little nose out of your new books long enough to look where you are actually going. This is my favorite part. They really do get that excited and I love it! :) It brings back memories of me waiting for the Bookmobile (town was way too small for a library) and then running home with my new finds, so excited to read them and smell them (yes, I love how books smell).
Step 8: Spend a good amount of time in the car and on the living room floor perusing your new books. Lately, we've been spreading out blankets and having a "popcorn party" while they "read" their new books together. 
12 comments:
I can just picture them walking to the car, and walking, and walking, and passing said car.
Too fun!
I HATE Dr. Suess books. They are sooooo long and annoying! Sorry to be a hater. Have you read the Elle books? I will get the author and pass it along to you. Right up Isabel's alley.The library really is the greatest thing ever!
I remember the bookmobile!! It always parked by the Stake Center.
They are so cute! I love the pictures of them reading while walking. The library is the most wonderful place on the planet (for mommies too!). One Sunday I told Eli I had to go to the library to get some chalk (the church library) and he cried and cried because we didn't get him new books. It made me laugh. I then had to explain the difference between the two libraries and that we go to the other library on Wednesday.
Wow, that was long.
Stef I had completely forgotten that the Bookmobile used to come to South Jordan! By then I was all about the library--living in the big city and all. :) It used to come to East Carbon and park on the next block over from our house.
Love it! They are so stinking cute! That looks like our Saturday routine...we might have to start the popcorn and blanket party, sounds fun.
Where is your Step 3.5: Fight over who gets to push the handicap button to get into the library? We never miss that step!
I have a bunch of recommendations. I just got a list today from a conference. There are some wonderful picture books out there right now.
Oh, and I love them so much.
Jessica you are SO right about the handicap button. Except our library has automatic doors. Phew. But everywhere else...the handicap button fight is on!
Okay so this is reason #287 why you are a better mom than me. I'm not a fan of our local library. It is way to small.
The few times we've gone to story time there are no more carpets left and we have to squish even closer to the ever germy little patrons everytime someone else shows up late. Then there are never enough craft supplies for all the kiddos. Seriously, if the Romney's show up they take up half the story time space;) So that is why I justify not taking my kids to the library...oh and I have collected children's books since I was in college so we actually have more books than our local library has anyway...
Hooray for storytime! (You know I LOVE it, but I also like to call it the Fort Collins free immunization clinic because of Kippy the koala. Who can turn him down?)
Post a Comment