two quick projects
We have always been huge fans of the library, as most families on a tight budget are, but we used to just go whenever it struck us. There always seemed to be overdue books floating around the house. Yes, I know, it is my fault. I'm the one who knows the due date and has the car keys, but somehow that date always flew right by. So when the likely underpaid library staff gently reminds you every time about your perpetual fine, it makes you feel a smidge guilty. To solve the problem we have started Friday Library Day. We'll see if it helps. Surely, it will.
Library trips are a lot more planned and less leisurely than they were before Nora was born. The keys to a successful trip are as follows: pick a good time (when she's not too tired or hungry), do all searches and requests on the computer at home, set a limit to the number of books he can get, keep her in the stroller until all new books are selected AND checked out, and no playing with the cool toys and puzzles until the very last. Also, we have a two train book limit. If not he'd check out the same five or six books every time, and how many times can I read them to him before my brain explodes?! Our last rule, and this is new, is Jack has to carry his own books. He was using an old ratty canvas tote- a freebie from a convention Brian attended. But now, hopefully to make him more enthusiastic and infinitely more fashionable, he has this:
And I said I'd put up pictures of the draft stoppers when I finished them. They are indeed brilliant! And so easy to make. They look clean and unobtrusive and take all of 10 minutes. The foam tubes are CHEAP, about $1.20 for a 6 foot length, and it takes one tube per door. I have already made three and plan to do two more. The red one is Jack's door, the white is Nora's. The three for the closets will all in be painters canvas. I have tons of it around and it's neutral so it'll go with whatever color we end up painting the hallway. So simple- try one!
