Tag: Library

Sunday at the library 📚

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Took the kids to the public library after Mass. It was supposed to be a quick trip, but you know how that goes—going to the library is hardly ever quick with four kids in tow. 😂

Here are a few of the books the kids checked out. 📚💜

Zephaniah (9) loves Vox books. He likes to follow along with the narrator reading the book aloud.

Vox books has helped him with his reading skills, too!

Zechariah (11) always checks put at least one Minecraft book when we go to the library. This time he got four Minecraft books! 😄

He loves playing the game and creating so many designs. The books help him learn new ways to build and create.

I spotted this one on the “New Books” shelf. The little cowgirl riding her horse caught my eye.

Zaya and I watch a lot of the Canadian TV show Heartland, so I thought she’d love to read this book.

Silly Zhen (13) found this book in the nonfiction section of the children’s library and she thought it’d be a funny read. 😂

When Zaya (6) saw the illustration of Bob Ross on the cover of Rima and the Painter, she immediately grabbed the book and excitedly showed me the book.

“Look, Mommy!” Zaya said to me happily pointing at the Bob Ross illustration. “It’s the painter we watch on TV!”

💜 XO

August library book picks 📚

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My August library book picks are Texas Rain by Jodi Thomas and Virgin River by Robyn Carr. The reviews for both books seem to be good, so I thought I’d give them a try.

Both novels are set in a small town. I love small-town romance novels, especially those set in the South, since I’m originally from Tennessee.

Texas Rain is a historical romance novel, which is another fiction genre that I enjoy reading.

Virgin River is actually a TV series on Netflix, but the previews of the show don’t look interesting to me.

I’ve heard that the books are quite different from the show, though, so that’s why I checked out the book.

I’m currently watching Ransom Canyon on Netflix. The romance drama is inspired by Jodi Thomas’ novel series.

However, when I discovered the show last summer, I didn’t know it was based on a book until halfway into watching the show.

I almost checked out the Ransom Canyon, but it’s really hard for me to get into a book after watching the show/movie it was based on. (That’s why it’s been taking me what seems like forever to finish reading Outlander. 😫)

So, I decided to give Texas Rain a try instead. It’s the first book in her Whispering Mountain series.

What are you reading this month?

💜 XO

Even the public library has seeds 😲🌿

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I went to the library to drop off my returns, and I discovered they offer a seed catalog! 😲🥳

So naturally, I grabbed a few seed packets to add to my midsummer seed order. 😆🌿

The seed packets I chose were Chinese giant sweet pepper, okra, cilantro, and parsley.

I know it might be a little too late to start the Chinese giant sweet peppers, but I’m going to try planting a couple of seeds.

The other day, I accidentally spilled some of my cilantro seeds, so that’s why I grabbed another pack.

I went ahead and planted the pepper and okra seeds in seed trays. Then, I added some cilantro and parsley seeds to the herb pots I currently have growing.

Just making the most of this growing season! 😁🌿

💜 XO

Happy Friday

Three things to reflect on in honor of September 11th.

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A productive day out to the dentist and library

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Exhausted and inspired. That’s how I’m feeling right now.

Zephaniah (8) had a dentist appointment today. He did great! No tears. The dentist was finished in about 30 minutes.

Zephaniah at the dentist. They give the kids fun sunglasses to wear so the bright light doesn’t bother their eyes. 😎

The kids are really thriving with the new dentist office we switched to (in December). I think it’s because this practice is calmer and quieter.

They don’t feel anxious and overwhelmed at the new dentist like they did at the other dental office we used to go to.

And honestly—same! 💯😂

After the dentist and a cozy lunch at home, we went to the library to checkout new books. I also let the kids play for a while. Whenever we go to the library, we stay for at least two hours.

I spent over two hours (maybe three? 😆) researching and finding the books we need for homeschooling in February and March.

I can’t wait to dive into these new library checkouts! I’m a total geek when it comes to getting new books and materials for our homeschool. 🤓📚😂

But even though I’m excited for the new books we collected, this mama is pooped! 💩😴

We ended up getting home around 7 p.m. (the library closes at 8! Lol) and eating dinner late. It was worth it because today was a happy, productive day! 💯😊📚

Time for bed! 😴

💜XO

P.S.— Here are a few moments from today.

A simple lunch before heading out to the library.
Zaya (5) and Zephaniah (8) pulling the wagon to the library. 📚
The library was hosting a book fair! 📚 I’m thinking about taking the kids back so they can pick ONE book to buy.
Zephaniah checking out the axolotl merch at the book fair. The kids are obsessed with axolotls! 😅
🍕 Zaya (5) was excited to show me this pizza book from the book fair. 😊
Zechariah (10) really wanted to get this book. 🫣 We ended up checking it out at the library. I just don’t understand the kids’ interest in Five Nights at Freddy. It’s so weird to me! Lol

Happy Friday!

Four fun things for Friday, including a new art exhibit I’m excited to see.

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Change of scenery

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Yesterday, we had a snow storm. It caught me by surprise because I thought it wasn’t going to snow.

When I had checked the weather forecast the day before, it only predicted a small chance of snow.

Boy, did they get it all wrong! 😏❄️

I got stuck in traffic for two hours because the roads were so bad. At one point, I almost hit another car because my brakes started to lock up.

Thank the Lord, I was able to regain control of my van and avoid an accident.

Today’s weather was the complete opposite from yesterday. We didn’t get anymore snow, and it was a sunny day.

Even though there was still a lot of snow on the ground, it was nice to get out of the house for a little bit. We needed a change of scenery.

Here are a few moments from our change of scenery.

Before heading out, I read a few pages of the classic novel Little Women.
“Show someone what they mean to you.” A message on the inside of the wrapper of my Dove milk chocolate.
We stopped by Goodwill to do a little thrifting.
M found these knee-high boots for only $10.
Snow at the library.
I checked out Alice Walker’s Gathering Blossoms Under Fire. I’ve read part of her book, but I never finished it. I thought I’d try to finish it this time.
I also checked out Outlander—another book I need to try and finish. I love the TV series!
I had no idea Dr. Dre had a biography book out!
Playtime at the library.
Zaya (5) “cooked” some pizza for me at her pretend restaurant. 🍕😊

“I will give you a new heart and place a new spirit within you…” Ezekiel 36:26

Painting snow globes at the library

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With the cold weather and all of this snow we’ve been getting lately, it was nice to get out of the house for a few hours and get a change of scenery.

The kids had a homeschool meet-up at the library. December’s activity was painting a snow globe on canvas.

I loved how the librarian had the tables set up with mini easels and canvases for the kids. It looked like a little art studio!

Reminded me of the painting with a twist classes I’ve taken a couple of times.

The painting prompt was to paint snowmen and a Christmas tree inside of a snow globe.

The boys, however decided to do their own thing and create their own design for their snow globes— a log cabin and an Igloo.

I always love it when the kids think creatively and decide to try a new idea. 😊

Zhen decided to stick with the original design of the painting theme. Her artwork turned out beautifully. 😍

After the meetup, the kids wanted to stay at the library longer to play for awhile.

We ended up checking out a lot of Christmas books and DVDs. 😄

But the sweetest part of our day at the library was writing letters to Santa Claus. 🥹🎅🏾🤶🏾

Although we don’t do Santa, we do like to participate in festive Santa activities at Christmastime. It’s a fun way to celebrate the holiday season.

The cool part about this Letters to Santa Claus activity is the kids will receive a letter back before Christmas!

I think that’s the biggest reason why they wanted to write a letter to Santa. They love getting mail sent to them. 😊

We ended up staying at the library until closing. I made sure to get myself a book before we headed out.

I really wanted to get Jenny Colgan’s The Christmas Bookshop (I think that’s what it’s called 🤔), but it was checked out.

I have been trying to get The Christmas Bookshop for a long time, but it is always checked out– at every library in the metro area! 😲

So instead, I thought I’d read Colgan’s novel Christmas at the Cupcake Cafe. I hope it’s good.

I love this book Christmas tree! 😍📚 The library puts this display up every December, and I always look forward to seeing it.

Today’s library day was full of creativity, joy, and inspiration. I love that we spent four hours at the library. The library is one of our favorite places to hang out.

And now I’m exhausted and ready to get some sleep!

All images in this blog post are my own photography. If you’d like to use a photo, please contact me first for permission. Thank you!