Grandpa

My grandpa fell and is in the hospital and I really wish he had a cell phone that he texted on so I could check on him. Waiting for 3rd hand information is hard. 

Curriculum Night

This afternoon/evening, we head our school's curriculum night. The related arts teachers (that includes me) spoke to the parents first. Everything felt really good until the Q&A when one of the only 4 questions was for me and was especially "how are you keeping the younger students from accessing inappropriate books in the library?" Yikes. I answered calmly that I don't tell students what they can and can't check out, though I may encourage them to look at certain things I think are age/reading level appropriate and that parents can feel free to contact me if they have books they would prefer their children not check out. Overall, it was a fine answer, but of course, as soon as the event was over, I thought of 10 better ways to say what I meant.  That inappropriate means different things to everyone and I would never presume to parent their child and that I don't think there's anything in our library is inappropriate anyway or why would I even have it?  Ugh. Thankfully, I texted my Related Arts team about my overthinking and they were fantastic and reassuring so hopefully I can stop my brain and sleep tonight. 

LiBEARian

First Cold

I had my first cold over the weekend. Sore throat and generally very tired both on Saturday and Sunday, but I just woke up and I feel totally normal!  Really glad it was short lived!

Korra’s 12th Birthday Party

We had Korra's birthday party at the pool today. She had 6 friends come to swim and eat pizza and ice cream sundaes. 

They were very silly and seemed to have a lot of fun. 

More Things Kindergartens Said To Me This Week

"I don't like the library and I don't like you!" (for context, this was said when it was time to leave the Lego station and he didn't want to go). 

"I already have all of these books at my house" (referring to the 9,000 books we have in our library).

"Can I sit in your lap?" (said while I was reading to the class and also less than 10 seconds after she had the fingers in her nose and mouth)

"I'll never remember it! Never!" (said while sobbing because he forgot his library book today and couldn't get a new one yet). 

REI

REI is not close to our house (9 miles and anywhere from a 15-40 minute drive depending on traffic), but I will say their service on my bike has been fantastic. My bike is ready for school tomorrow. 

New Work Table!

After cleaning out and reorganizing the back part of the library (the "office" area), I ordered an adjustable height work table on wheels.  We got it assembled and set up this morning and I'm so excited to have this clean, organized, functional space to repair and process books!  I'd forgotten how much I enjoy repairing books.  Being a librarian really is my favorite job ever.

Flat Tire

I had a tough start to my morning.  On my ride to school, I got a flat tire.  I heard the hiss (I think I hit a piece of glass) and pulled onto the sidewalk.  Thankfully, I was less than a mile from home, Nate hadn't left for work yet, and I get one day a week to come in 45 minutes late.  I walked my bike home and Nate took me to work.  Guess I'm making a trip to the bike shop this afternoon.

New Climbing Team

Today we switched Korra from the recreational climbing team to the competitive climbing team. Even though she doesn't really want to compete, the kids on the rec team were a lot younger than her and they coaches weren't really pushing her to get better the way we'd like. After just the first practice at the new team, we're already really happy with the coaching approach. Looking forward to seeing big growth in her skills this year!

Kindergarten Secrets

A kindergartener just told me "My mommy told me not to tell anyone that my ears and my throat really hurt. She's taking me to the doctor after school."

I'm using all the hand sanitizer.

Chill Weekend

We had a rather low-key weekend: grocery shopping, some housekeeping (the robot vacuum is up and running again!), an afternoon at the pool, catching up with family through phone calls, Girl Scouts.

Bike Bus!

This morning I participated in our school's bike bus!  There were several prearranged routes with stops at particular corners at particular times to pick up more kids. It was really fun and I'm looking forward to doing it again!

Vaccum Repaired!

The replacement part for Bruce came last night and I have him scheduled to clean the house while I'm at work today. If only he could also move the loads of laundry. 

Family Dinner

Last night we had dinner at Todd and Sarah's. As always, it's great to catch up, but Todd's butter chicken and homemade naan was also pretty great. Plus, Korra really enjoyed trying out their new trampoline!

Goodbye Booster Seat

We took Korra's booster seat out of the car permanently. She's still about an inch under the recommended height to be without it but she's also 12 and in the 7th grade, so it was time. I feel surprisingly sad about this milestone. She's truly not a little kid anymore. 

Cluttering and Organizing

I spent almost the entirety of the work day cleaning out the library office/book room of shelves and cabinets. I still don't have it exactly like I'd like (in part because I have to share the space with the technology specialist) but if feels much lots cluttered. 

Dirty Floors

Our robot vacuum is having issues and while we wait for the second replacement part to arrive, I'm refusing to use the regular vacuum. Our floors feel dirty  

Goofus and Gallant

To put a little spin on reviewing library procedures, I introduced the 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders to Goofus and Gallant.  The kids got with a partner and I gave each couple 2 library situations (how to check out a book, how to ask for help, etc) and they had to act the situation out, first as Goofus (he always does it wrong) and then as Gallant (he always does it right).  Every kid I've ever met loves haming up the wrong way to do something.  It was a hit and now I can tell the kids to stop being a Goofus.

Pool Party

Our neighborhood's annual pool party was this afternoon. As usual, it was so much fun to see so many of our neighbors, catch up, and enjoy some ice cream at the pool. 

The Measure

This morning Danielle and I went to the Central branch of the library for an author interview. If you haven't read The Measure, I highly recommend it. The event was really interesting and I'm so glad we were able to go! Plus we got these adorable little tape measures in black boxes (if you've read the book, you get it). 

School Lunch

I tried the school lunches today and they did not disappoint!  We have a team of chefs who cook our meals fresh and from scratch every day using local, seasonal produce (including things from our school farm).  

Joke of the Day

I put up a new joke on my white board every day.  Here's todays:

What do you call a hen that looks at lettuce?

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.

.

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Chicken Sees A Salad

Elementary Shenanigans

I had a first grader hand me a couple of rolly pollies he found in the hall and asked me to help save them by letting them go outside. 

A kindergartener told me, "I've looked at literally every book in this library and I don't like any of them."

A third grader stood on the table as an example of "things you shouldn't do in the library." (I suppose it was my fault for being silly and asking). 

Jury Summons

I've never gotten a jury summons and today my steak has ended. I have a FEDERAL jury summons, where I'm "on-call" got 2 weeks and I have to call in every day during that time. Also, Nate got a county jury summons last week for a day after mine begins.