I wish I had had my camera with me today. Foolish me for forgetting it! I took my little girl to the library for the first time. She's only two years old so she had not been ready until now.
Lately, we've been reading books first thing in the morning, before naptime, and before bed. And periodically we read books in between those times, too. She knows the titles of her favorite books and audiobooks. She can ask for them by name. We've been listening to audiobooks in the car. She absolutely loves them! We've received these audiobooks in kids' meals from various fast-food restaurants. Car rides have become such a pleasant experience now that she has her books on CD. I hardly hear a peep from her in the backseat, except to tell me to turn up the volume -- "Louder, Mommy!" And I've recently made an amazing discovery! The public library has downloadable audiobooks. Wow! What an amazing resource (check your library's website to see if this option is available in your area). All we needed now was a library card to download these books and away we go!
After we had many conversations about going to the library today, L confidently marched into our local branch and immediately spotted the children's section with big picture books. She walked up and down the aisles of books proudly saying, "library books, library books, library books!" I completed the paperwork for her to receive her own library card. The librarian made a big deal about it because she said it was important for her to understand the significance and responsibility that comes with the card. Of course L already knew -- she refused to put the card down for a second! We picked out some fun, picture books and L checked them out herself. Before naptime we read through the three library books two times, and that was just about 2 hours ago. And I'm certain we won't be done reading them until she has each page memorized. I sure hope she understands that these books must eventually return to the library...oh, I hate to think of the due date temper-tantrum!