My dear friend and original blogging mentor and inspiration, Shanda, recently requested a post on our library visits, and I therefore dedicate this one to her. In one of her comments she mentioned that a library within walking distance sounded too good to be true, and I would have agreed before exploring the suburbs in Melbourne. We make walking to things very difficult if not impossible in the suburbs in the U.S. "Why walk when you can drive?" seems to be the American way, even if the two places one is going are within a stone's throw of each other.
We are reveling in being able to walk to almost anything here, and no place more so than our local library. One of the first things we did was obtain cards for every member of the family. I resisted at first, wanting to have books checked out on only one card to help avoid fines, but then I realized that I was discouraging not only a good desire--finding new books to read--but also a chance to learn some responsibility. I quickly changed my tune, and now everyone but James has his own card. So far so good, and there is definitely more reading going on in this house than before we moved.
It takes about as long to get ready to go to the library as it does to actually walk there. First the children must be rounded up. Today that meant getting Cameron down from a tree:
Then there is the usual last minute flurry of looking for books due soon, checking the computer to see if requested items have come in, and going back inside to look for any number of things including keys, socks, shoes (James frequently tries to go barefoot), the garage door opener, bike helmets, library cards and of course the camera.
Finally ready to start out:
Katie gets the most exasperated with me for taking pictures. Sophie loves posing for them:
I love looking into the front gardens as we walk. At least once or twice each direction Ithe wonderful aroma of freshly brewed coffee comes wafting through the shrubbery, and I can barely wait to get back home and make myself a cup.
Inevitably it seems we end up leaving for the library around 3pm, just in time for the local schools to let out. I wonder if we are as conspicuous as I feel we are: four brightly dressed children and one mom in a sea of dark colored uniforms. Nearly all school children wear uniforms here, which I think is a great idea.
Cameron has developed into more of a reader than he was before, but he still prefers audio books:
Our newest reader, and especially thrilled to have her own card
Rather than going straight home today, we stopped for ice cream. Buying a kiddie cup for everyone set me back twenty-five Australian dollars, so this will not be something we do all that frequently. Our excuse was that a friend of Cameron's emailed and requested information on the ice cream flavors here, leaving us no choice but to do some field work in order to properly answer his queries (thank you Evan!).
I'm realizing now that our field work was not conducted properly after all as we only tried vanilla, strawberry and chocolate. That can only mean one thing---at least one return visit to sample the more exotic flavors.
Sitting on my couch with a baby girl and five boys around me...and was so happy to see this lovely blog post just for me! I hope there will be further installments, I would like to see more photos of the books. You might get funny looks, but you are our "australian eyes"! The library can't be the same as US ones. Can you find your favorites there?
I also think that uniforms are a great idea. But then our shopping malls might suffer. (said sarcastically).
The ice cream looks fantastic.
Posted by: Shanda | 08/13/2010 at 10:56 PM
I'll have an after dark, carmel pear or jaffa smasher (just because it sounds fun!) please. :) I am amazed at your cooperative kids! Make sure you tell them how much we love to see their smiling faces.
About the uniforms - is the US like the only country that doesn't use them? They are a fantastic - so much easier to buy and wear all year long.
You have inspired me to go to our library more often. We have been there twice this week and Carina is looking to go again. Maybe I can park down the block to get the feel of walking there! Just kidding. However, it wouldn't kill me to walk to Kmart or the grocery store here. Now that the temperatures should start to drop to a more comfortable level, we will have to get out there more. Thanks for the inspiration!!
Love reading your posts.
Posted by: Suzanne Pannelle | 08/13/2010 at 11:11 PM
Ooh...I just saw the tiramisu - I'll have that too! :)
BTW, you have to figure out how to make these blogs all into a book - someday this will just be a memory. You have a fantastic story here
Posted by: Suzanne Pannelle | 08/13/2010 at 11:15 PM
Don't know what was with the time on that blog - it is definitely not 6am!
OK, I am going to stop posting here now.............
Posted by: Suzanne Pannelle | 08/13/2010 at 11:17 PM
Thanks, Shanda and Suzanne for the responses to the library post. Shanda, I really do plan to find some new favorite books here, but at this point blogging and emailing are eating up all of my reading time. I can think of a few my kids have found though, so I'll be sure to include them in a future post. I am gradually getting over my dislike of taking pictures in public--working on it anyway, much to Katie's dismay. Suzanne, the time on typepad is Pacific Standard. I have no idea how to change it, nor do I know if I even can. I really need a crash course on blogging/technical stuff.
Posted by: Christie | 08/13/2010 at 11:37 PM
How refreshing to spend time together walking everywhere! I love those cute little gardens! I'm sure it's hard to refrain from picking your own little bouquet along the way.lol
Posted by: Nikki | 08/14/2010 at 12:38 AM
I'm almost certain that the best flavors are the exotic ones. Here's betting that the fruit kinds are especially piercing and pungent, in a good way. Or maybe it's just because the goods look so much like Italian ice cream. Speaking of which, it is astonishing how much better some stores are than others. They often look exactly the same but you gotta ask. What I mean is, you can't consider your research complete or even half-baked until you've tried say ten ice cream shops. Should only set you back a few hundred dollars but then this will be money you've saved baking your own $3 cookies.
Posted by: Greg | 08/14/2010 at 01:30 AM
This post inspired several good thoughts. Because of our close proximity to Perry Highway, we drive most everywhere. One good thing though, we can walk to the elementary school. Perhaps we will try walking there more often this year. Thanks for the idea.
Also, I do love the pictures. I love seeing your kids happy faces. They are beautiful!
Lastly, the ice cream looks divine. Especially "the Mint"!
Enjoy your day!
Posted by: Deborah | 08/14/2010 at 05:05 AM
Oh yeah, forgot to tell ya, the kids did great w/ their summer reading at the library this summer. Brianna and Jeremy entered the teen reading contest. They both read at least 20 books this summer. Jeremy even won one of the grand prizes! Hooray! I have been doing better on my reading this summer, too. Actually read about 5 books, and I have about 5 more sitting on my nightstand in process. So many books, so little time!
Posted by: Deborah | 08/14/2010 at 05:09 AM
Hi Wilkins!
Evan was thrilled to be mentioned in your blog. You should try to drop all of your friends' and family members' names at some point. It makes us feel wonderful to be remembered! Evan couldn't pick a flavor, but I request that you try the caramel pear (and please tell me it was disgusting, because I'm pretty sure I can't get it here)! Evan also wants to know if the chocolate in Australia is any good. We'll be waiting for your report.
Posted by: Amy Smith | 08/14/2010 at 09:20 AM