The library.......

So, why is it that I always let myself be fooled into the crazy idea that the library is a good outing?  It is just NOT!  Not with my brood, anyways.  

We decided on the library today because it was sprinkling this morning when we were getting ready for our walk.  Also, I have been hyping up the "Summer reading program" to Olivia, since she still claims an abhorrence for reading.  So, she picked out a tote bag which we decorated beautifully with fabric paints that is just HERS for the library.  And she was excited to go.  I have not had a book to read in WEEKS, and it's been driving me crazy, so I really needed to get a good read also.  

Here's how our trip to the library went:

We pull up, Molly is already in tears because she dropped her blanket.  Max, instead of eating his cereal bar, squished it in his hands so that the jelly in the middle was oozing out of his fingers.  Olivia, is super ready to fill her new tote.  

We head into the library, which is a task in and of itself, because all the kids want to climb on the wall that lines the sidewalk and they all need my hand to balance.  I only have two hands! Why does the library have that wall???  Then, M and M begin to fight over who gets to push the handicap button to open the door.  Max gets there first, as he usually does, and Molly goes to pieces again.  I try to comfort her by saying that it's ok, she can push it too, but we turn every head in the library upon our arrival.  We hurry to the elevator down to the children's section. In the elevator I give them all a talking to about our "library voices."  

Downstairs I try to help Olivia find some appropriate books for her reading level, while M and M try to play on the computers, climb up the drinking fountains, and disappear into the bathroom.  At one point the lights go off in the lower level, and I know it's Max, so I hurry to hunt him down.  He's gone.  He got on the elevator, by himself.  I start to panic.  Olivia hurries to track him down while I grab Molly to take off up the stairs in hopes of cornering him at some point of the three floor library.  Just as I head up, Olivia comes down with Max, pulling his arm, he is screaming.  I feel all eyes on me as I tell the kids AGAIN about our library voices. I tell Olivia to wrap it up and try to get M and M to read a quick book with me.  Molly sits on my lap to read but Max runs off.  Again, the lights go off.  UGH.  I pack up my books and round them up.  Time to go.  But I still have to get a book on the adult level.

We get off the elevator and I say, "stay with me, I just need to get one book."  Of course, no one stays with me and we have a repeat of the elevator drama with BOTH Max and Molly.  Luckily you can hear Molly's screams the whole way up and back down the elevator shaft.  I feel the eyes of the library again.  Once I round them up, I have pretty much had it.  I put Max on my hip and grab Molly's hand and head to the place I am sure to find a book that will do.  I grab the first one I haven't read by a particular author I like and as I bend down Max shouts out.......

"OOWWW, you hurted my PENIS!"

At this point, my head down, we exited the premises just as quickly as I could check out my books and pay my $21 fine.........

And my goal is to do this once a week for the entire summer.  Wish me luck.