Day 340: Getting out

I'm still taking Zaria places, like the library today to get some new books. It is definitely getting harder, though. She really enjoyed running around in the play room at the library and playing with Mac, a boy she's met before at story time. They're done with story time until September, but they still keep the early childhood play area open in the mornings. I think if we have Zaria in story time this fall, she'll have to go with Grandma Joy.

Day 318: Sharing at the library

After story time today, Zaria spent some time playing with the other kids. Here she's sharing a toy with Tristin, one of the twin boys that comes. They amazingly took turns putting the lids into this jar. It's so good to see she's finally learning to share, since usually she just wants others to share with her.

Day 297: Checking out books

I've made it a habit to check out 5 new board books each week so we have something new to read over the week. Zaria had fun at story time today and I had a chance to talk with a twin mom who has 15-month-old boys that come to story time. Zaria's also getting more prone to tantrums . . . usually the limp noodle and cry type, but it's hard with me trying not to pick her up much. We almost didn't make to to the library today.

Day 283: Ready to go?

I almost wasn't sure baby storytime at the the library was going to happen today, but it did.

Happy birthday to Jason and Gwendolyn today!

Day 262: Library walk

It was a gorgeous day, there are benches on the way, so I decided we could make it on a walk to the library. My first attempt of the season. Zaria loved it, and I did fine, though Mom met us at the library so I didn't have to walk both ways (though I think I could have).

Day 233: Fun visitors

Zaria's Grandma Marla came over to visit this morning, and though Zaria needed a short morning nap, we made it for a little bit of the early childhood playtime at the library and Marla got to show off her block-building skills. Then Cassie and Kami came over to play croquette outside as it was a beautiful 75 degree day today. So Kami, who is not always fond of learning new games, learned both croquette and Mexican Train Dominoes with us this evening. We were very proud of her. Also, today is my sister-in-law's birthday. Happy Birthday Jennie!

Day 214: Bears

Next week, Gwendolyn will be starting preschool, but today I had the chance to watch her at our house. When we took a short expedition to the library, she insisted on bringing all three of these bears-- one was Mommy Bear, Daddy Bear and the dark pink one was a Gwendolyn Bear. Fortunately, I convinced her to bring only one of the bears into the library, which we subsequently had to run back in for when it was forgotten in the playroom after an "accident" that cut our library play time a little short. Even still, it was a fun day with the girls, and easier to manage Zaria at home today.

Day 205: Two kids to the library

I tried it out today-- I was watching Gwendolyn today, and decided we would try to go to the library this morning. It was definitely a challenge bringing a 33-month old and a 15-month old to and from the car, through the revolving doors, up the elevator and then keeping track of them in the kids' section. But it was really worth it and probably good practice. They had story time going on for the 4-6 year-olds, which we sort of joined for a while, but it was definitely beyond them both even though they enjoyed the songs and Zaria enjoyed dancing along. They eventually wandered off nearby and found a common bond in looking through the board books.

Day 177: Parachute

We had fun with a parachute at the baby storytime today, and we saw some familiar faces! Little Asher and Nathalee, whom Zaria knows from the FBC nursery, both came today randomly. Neither one is actually signed up for this storytime and neither one has ever been there before, so it was a fun surprise. Zaria was very active today and wanted to walk around the circle more than she wanted to sit and read. She is really enjoying her new skill and the perspective it gives her.

Day 142: Microfishe

My mom joined the kids for Storytime at the library today while I did a little research on microfiche. I wanted to find out what some of the world news events were on Zaria's birthday to put into her baby book, and as long as I was at it, I looked up news events on my birthday. Unfortunately, their records barely went back 30 years ago for the New York Times, and it just so happens that there was a newspaper strike from August to November of my birth year. They had some rough AP stories to fill in the gap, but who wants to look through a bunch of AP stories when you've got a toddler starting to whine for lunch? Glancing though them did make me nostalgic for working with the morning news group at KBOO in Portland, but I still wasn't able to spend that kind of time.

Day 87: Sunlight on mobile

I love that they have fun artwork at the local libraries. While I was there I picked up some photography books to see if I find any fun ideas.

Day 66: Swimming in books

I love that they actually made a pool of board books at the library. This is the first time I've let Zaria in with the books like this, but it's really pretty fun.

Day 10: Read to your kid

Today was the kick-off for the fall session of reading to 0-2 year-olds at the library. Zaria's ready to pounce on her books, and there's all sorts of cute toddlers running around the room. It's amazing to watch as these kids grow. From one week to the next, they might have started crawling or walking or having a toothy smile or saying new words. Zaria loves watching the other kids. Jamin was still home in the morning and my mom had planned to come and give us a ride (so I wouldn't have to walk with Z and I being somewhat sick), so all four of us went. It was really crowded! My mom has come a few times before during the summer session, but it was Jamin's first experience.