Bibliotheque

Having fun at the Rockport Library

This post is all about libraries. If you know me, you know I love libraries. They symbolize all the most special things about life to me. Architecture, information, books, quiet, community, and most importantly, family. I often introduce myself as the daughter of two librarians.  I love to tell the story of how my parents met in library school, and how their library careers have evolved over the past 45 years.  As many of you know, the first place I like to go when visiting a new place is the community library.  I adore that there are so many kinds of libraries.  Within the past few years, I learned that my parents always kind of figured I would become a librarian.

As a child, I set up a library in my basement, with cards and stamps and everything.  Starting around age eleven, I volunteered at the summer reading club every summer, sitting at the check-in table and listening to kids report about the books they had read.  I even interviewed for a position at an adorable tiny library in a trendy Fort Lauderdale neighborhood. I got a second interview, even with no degree, but decided against pursuing the job, which required supervising a lot of kids from the neighboring school.

To me, libraries are a refuge, almost a second home. Filled with all the information I could ever want, and free programs to boot. I love children's rooms the most, with their colorful stacks, adorable furniture, and play areas.  I have several favorite libraries.

We have a new community library opening this Saturday.  It is a 30,000 square foot craftsman style building replacing the tiny (but so cute) building nearby.  I was able to take a sneak peek during an educator's reception last Monday afternoon, and it is very nice.  Maybe more computers than books, but spacious and airy with lots of light and valley views. There are two laptop checkout stations, where laptops can be checked out for use within the building, and lots of seating with foldaway desks.  Two computer labs, several study rooms, a community history room, and a fireplace seating area.  The children's room is functional, but it lacks some kind of appeal or magic I was hoping for.  I am excited to plan a field trip this winter for our Ks, and also to spend lots of time there with my kidlets.

Day 4 - Wingaersheek Beach/Blaze family!

On Monday we woke up, drove through Dunkin' Donuts (this we did at least twice a day, trying to make up for not having one in CA), and headed to Wingaersheek Beach, where Derek used to go as a kid. We arrived a little after 9, early enough to find our own supply of washed up beach toys.  We had a blast in the little tide pools and exploring the rocks for a few delicious hours, then headed back to clean up and meet my college friend Kim and (finally!!) meet her sweet boys, Ryan and Sean. We enjoyed exploring Bearskin Neck (a quaint alleyway of shops and seafood eateries in Rockport) and Motif #1, a well-known and oft-painted red fishing shack hung with colorful buoys. Later that evening we found a nice play area in the children's room on the second floor of the library. It was such a fun day.

Day 3 Diner breakfast, goodbyes and Rockport, MA

Tia Jean and Laney Rose

Family Diner breakfast before leaving NH

Arriving in Rockport

Sunday, July 1, 2012

We started the day with a farewell breakfast at a local diner in NH. It was great to spend a little extra time with family.  Then we headed to Rockport, MA for a two day family beach mini-break. Growing up, Derek had camped nearby. Rockport is located in Cape Ann. Our room was cottage style; quaint and mostly white, with beadboard paneling and wood floors. We had our own patio table on a stairway landing outside, a microwave, refrigerator, and coffee maker. Best of all, it was a two block walk to the town beach, so we went exploring after checking in. Then two zonked out kids fell asleep, and mommy and daddy got to hang out on the patio with the door cracked. 

Tag: If I were

A tag from a new blog I found via Kelle Hampton this morning:

If I were a gemstone, I'd be a moonstone
If I were a scent, I'd be grapefruit
If I were a pair of shoes, I'd be a sparkly flip flops
If I were the weather, I'd be a blustery gray day
If I were a facial expression, I'd be a contented smile with eyes closed

If I were a car, I'd be a Zebra three-wheeler
If I were a time of day, twilight
If I were a month, I'd be October.
If I were a place, I'd be a cool misty silent mountain-top
If I were a liquid, I'd be spring water
If I were a taste, I'd be coconut

If I were a sea animal, I'd be a purple sea star
If I were a food, I'd be a cucumber
If I were a colour, I'd be apple green
If I were a musical instrument, I'd be a ukulele.
If I were a flower, I'd be a Dahlia
If I were a song, I'd be Row, Row, Row your boat


If I were a planet, I'd be Saturn
If I were an object, I'd be a Rose Quartz heart
If I were a fruit, I'd be a twin cherry
If I were a sound, I'd be the soft falling rain.
If I were a day of the week, I'd be Saturday