I'm Rocking My Baby, and Babies Don't Keep.

We went to the library this morning, and since school started yesterday and story time hasn't started yet for the fall, we had the entire place pretty much to ourselves. The kids were so happy!

There are 6 computers for the kids, two of which are touch screens. Ellie hasn't quite figured out how to use a mouse, so she is much better at the touch screens, but there has always been someone using them when we have been there. Today must have been her lucky day though - she got to use it for as long as she wanted because  there was nobody else waiting. Once I showed her how to navigate through the game, she played on her own for quite awhile.

The kids were pretty excited about the new sucker fish in the fish tank.

Nathan has no idea how to use the computers, but he still insists on banging on the keyboard. Good thing they're durable.

The kids love to sit and read books on the bean bags. Nathan was pointing to the pink one saying "Ellie chair."

The past few times we have been to the library Ellie has wanted to check out Cinderella, but it has been checked out. Like I said, today must have been her lucky day. She got to check it out, and she was so excited about it!

She woke up before the boys and asked if she could watch Cinderella. Of course I couldn't say no! I took her downstairs and turned it on for her, then went back upstairs to finish cleaning the bathrooms. I was in the mode, and I was going to get lots of cleaning done! But as I was cleaning I thought of her excitement about the movie. So I decided that I should go down with her, and share in her excitement. Besides, who doesn't love a good princess movie? In true princess fashion, I brought down some nail polish, and we painted nails and watched the movie together. (Ignore the mess in the back ground. Sam and I are in the middle of cleaning out our storage room, and we only get to a little bit each night after the kids are asleep.)

She chose purple for both of us, and as I painted her nails she kept saying "I love purple! It's my favorite color!" 

She told me all about the movie and asked questions. I loved watching her eyes light up as she watched the magic of the story. I'm so glad I took the opportunity to quit cleaning and to spend the afternoon with my girl instead.

She won't be small forever.

While Daddy's Away: Day 2

The day started with Nathan sleeping in later than usual. I listened at the door every once in awhile, and when he finally woke up, he was covered in poop.... Awesome. It must be a rite of passage for moms.

A bath and a scrubbed playpen later, and we had a happy little boy.

Then we went to the library. We thought it would be fun for the kids, but Ellie and Nathan basically threw fits the entire time. It was strange. Those poor kiddos. They're still getting used to having their daddy gone.

After naps, Ellie and Evie read stories with Grandma...

They looked at scrapbooks and refused to look at the camera.

Evie loves Jonah. She is always asking me to hold him. And Jonah found his hands today. He has gagged himself several times today already.

Nathan felt better after his nap (compared to the fits at the library) and he actually ventured off to play by himself. That's the first time he's done that since we have been here. I'm glad he is getting more adjusted to his surroundings!

What Do We Do When Dad Is Gone? Part 2

     This morning we went to the city library. I have to admit, this is the first time we've been to the library. How is that even possible?

     When Ellie saw the kid-sized computers, she sprinted toward them. She immediately sat down and said "I working like Daddy!" It is so funny to watch her little hands imitate Sam's when he types. (Please don't mind that she is wearing the same shirt that she wore yesterday. She really wanted to wear it again because she loves the heart on it, and it's from "Vivie" (Evie). I decided to let that one slide.)

     Once I got a game set up for her, she was in heaven. She figured out how to hold down the button on the mouse to color the picture. She was quite proud of herself.

     It turns out that we got to the library about 30 minutes before story time, which was lucky for us! After she played on the computer, we went in and got her settled on the rug. They sang some songs (when they sang "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes" she turned around and yelled to me "This is my song!") and read some stories. She loved the whole thing, but she kept turning around to make sure I was still there.

     Nathan had a great time too! This is the only picture I got of him, though. He loved the toys they had set up for younger kids and the fish tank. He pretty much just played by himself, which is very typical of him. He's very easy-going and able to entertain himself.
   
     The kids had a blast, and it was nice to get out of the house. I'm sure we will be going back soon! Especially as the weather continues to get colder.

Love,