Ahh, home....

Today I took my older daughter to her first day camp. She's six, just finished kindergarten and she is taking a week-long afternoon class at the Carnegie Museum of Art. I didn't relish the idea of driving 40 minutes to get there, then 40 minutes back home in order to be there for about an hour, and then turn around and reverse the process. So I decided that my younger daughter and I would kick around Oakland for the afternoon. I figured even if I had to shell out for some ice cream, I would save money in the long run by not having to pay for the gas!

We enjoyed the carousel in the new Schenley Plaza area (where I used to park, by the way!), which was free until they get the wi-fi up and running! We popped into Hillman for a bit, since I had brought my laptop - counting on that outdoor wi-fi! - had to check my e-mail. Then I took Aly to my favorite children's library room.

It was like coming home, like comfort food. It felt great. I probably took out my first book at this library. It has changed, evolved, since I was there last. It is a really nice, welcoming, exciting space. And it was such a joy to see that Aly was right at home too. Aly jumped right in, grabbed "Goodnight Moon" from the top of the shelf and made herself comfortable. She began reciting it, finding the mouse. Then we explored some more, found new books to look at, new nooks to look in. The librarian started a program about singing rounds, but Aly was not to be distracted from the books.

Neither of us wanted to leave. I know what we'll do tomorrow afternoon...