Lily's best friend Kelly was there with her darling boy Wiley. I went over and gave Kelly a hug and Wiley came to say hello.
"Do you remember me?" I asked him.
"Yes," he said solemnly. He wears glasses and if there is anything cuter than a small boy with round glasses I don't know what it is.
"Do you remember my name?"
"My grandma," he said.
I only asked him if he knew my name because I wanted to hear him say that. I have no idea why he calls me grandma. Even my grandkids don't call me that but that's what Wiley calls me and I love it.
The lady who read the story was fun and personable and it was a simple book about a fox and the kids paid attention.
Next up was painting with frozen paint. YES! Frozen paint on a stick. How cool is that?
"Pass the purple, please."
Oh my god. So much fun. Bubbles. And beats!
Could there be more fun?
I've spoken about the librarian and how much I like him before. I think his name is Terez or something like that. I should know. Anyway, that's him in the top picture making the magic happen. The kids loved it and so did I.
After the bubble party August did a few things on a kid computer and then we read some books, one of which was Horton Hears A Who which made me tear up. And of course it was far from the first time I'd ever read that book.
A person's a person no matter how small.
Sometimes Dr. Seuss just nailed it.
A little girl came and hung over the arm of the chair while I was reading and I loved that. I was looking at all of the kids in the community room during story hour and for some reason it just struck me how beautiful all of their eyes were. Of course kids have beautiful eyes! But it was so apparent and I kept looking down at the little girl as I was reading, her head practically under my arm and her eyes were gorgeous too.
It truly is amazing how humans have evolved to project our very souls through those windows of our eyes. And without doubt animals do too
and I am quite sure that dogs and cats, who have eons of experience with humans, can read us through our eyes as easily as we can read each other. We tend to think of animals who do not have the same sort of emotional-sharing abilities with their eyes to be less-than. To be creepier. In fact, we sometimes refer to creepy people as having eyes like lizards. Or snakes. Or vultures.
But all of these children had amazing eyes. Open wide and curious to it all. The story, the painting, the bubbles, each other, their mamas, the books.
Of course after the library we were hungry and had to go get lunch where we ate outside and Levon was absolutely fascinated by the trucks. He had to point at each one that passed by and when a huge earth-moving machine went past us I thought he was going to jump out of his britches. Then we went to Wag The Dog where we found a few treasures. They had two tiny perfect rocking chairs for dolls and some sweet little bears and I bought a chair and some bears for August and for Maggie.
Oh, the imagining Magnolia will do with that little bear family!
I didn't find any beautiful lamps today but I did find a copy of The Yearling and one of The Secret Garden for Owen. August was most interested in all of the plastic Easter Eggs they had and I bought him a purple one.
I found a vintage silk scarf. I've washed it and it's as weightless and soft as a prayer. It's hard to pass up a beautiful old scarf.
I'm sure it will come to rest over a curtain rod in a window or maybe as a wrapping for a birthday present for someone I love.
Yeah. I like that idea.
Frozen paint. Bubble machines. An entire town on a speck of dust balanced on an elephant's trunk. Trucks hauling logs and trucks carrying beer and giant bulldozers. A grandson who says, "Mer, can I tell you a story?" and another child who calls me grandma.
The eyes of children.
These are a few of the things that have made me happy today or given me pause.
You?
Love...Ms. Moon
How they're growing, an not just the little ones at the library today. Those are great books for Owen; I think I was about his age when I read them--the first time.
ReplyDeleteI think I was about eleven when I read The Yearling first. And I've read it so many times since.
Deletelove the scarf! The librarian must be awesome and in my experience (I am a volunteer at our local library).....male librarians are wonderful beyond belief! Too few of them, in my opinion! And your day sounds excellent......minus Lily's sinuses. I agree that the eyes of a child are just.....well, they can't be described.
ReplyDeletesusan M
Well, I like all of the male librarians I've ever met. Actually, I generally like and respect all librarians.
DeleteThe eyes of children...
I love every single thing about this post. The library, the small boy with round glasses, the bear family, the beautiful scarf...what a wonderful day.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very good day.
DeleteWow...Sometimes I wish I could have your life for a day...you had a fabulous time and you are right about kid eyes...
ReplyDeleteI did have a fabulous time. I am so lucky. And you know, to a mom who does things like library story time frequently, it's not such a big deal but for me to be able to see my grandchildren doing these things is just so precious. It's all the more meaningful.
DeleteIt sounds gorgeous and delightful and everything good. I am grateful to see your world through your clear and beautiful eyes!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Elizabeth.
DeleteSo pleased that the bears found loving home, I can not pass up a good bear...and I can not part with them easily! Bears and rockers, favorites to be sure! Such a lovely day for you, and the littles! I do love your life!
ReplyDeleteIt's so fun being a grandmother and being able to just spoil these children in little ways.
DeleteThe bears will have the best of times from now on. What a great day you had!
ReplyDeleteI think those bears should be happy.
DeleteQUESTION Frozen paint on a stick. How cool is that?
ReplyDeleteANSWER 0 degrees centigrade or less.
Oh, Mr. P.! You are as literal as a three-year old.
DeleteI imagine other snakes see meaning in a fellow snake's eyes, and likewise lizards and vultures. Maybe not snails, though. I'm glad you found some thrift-store treasures!
ReplyDeleteYou are right about the snakes and lizards and vultures!
DeleteAnd probably snails, too.
You know the joy of finding good things at a thrift store.
so much to do with little ones around. I've been chastising myself for getting almost nothing done this week.
ReplyDeleteYou and I are way too much alike in some ways, Ellen.
DeleteThis was such a good day. August’s eyes in the bubble picture. The wonder in them.
ReplyDeleteI know! All of the children were so delighted.
Delete