A kid in a candy factory

Even though I have a sweet tooth (turtles are my most favorite kind of candy although it's been years since I've had one), I have to say the expression should probably be changed to a library, Ollies, or used book sale for me. I've loved reading for as long as I can remember. I recall that in grades 4-8 my friend, Joanna, and I used to reach the limit of books our school's library would allow us to check out at one time. We solved that problem by trading books with each other part way through the week, thus doubling the number of library books we read each week. I carried a book with me and read it any time I had even five minutes to spare. Yes, I was a book worm! The library I take the kids to on Wednesdays is much larger than our library. Every Wednesday I feel a bit overwhelmed as there are soooooooooo many books I see that I'd love to check out and read to Nadia. Thankfully, she also loves for me to read to her! I hope both kids enjoy reading as much as Paul and I do. We haven't even started delving into the world of chapter books. I'll be going just as excited when we reach that stage of read alouds! I also go nuts at used book sales. This library is having a book sale the middle of November, and I'm actually going to bring a list with me of books I'm looking for, not that I will limit myself to those titles. I actually checked out two books for myself today. I haven't been reading now that I'm back to teaching. I really would like to find a way to fit it into my schedule as I don't want to have to wait until next September to start reading again.

Today we stopped at one yard sale in between gymnastics and the library story time. They were selling girl's clothing from birth to 5T, but I didn't buy any because the stuff was really overpriced. If it was just one item, I would have made an offer, but I didn't feel comfortable trying to get them down on everything I bought. I did buy a few books though - some were again overpriced for used books. I would have bought more books if they were more reasonably priced, but I was thrilled with one purchase as it actually was on my list (Swimmy by Leo Lionni). I also splurged on an adorable pair of ladybug rainboots for Nadia. I've never seen any at yard sales. I think they were overpriced for a yard sale ($4), but they were still a lot cheaper than buying them new. The rain boots I bought the kids in the spring at Target are just way too big for them. These actually fit Nadia very nicely. She loves them! They were selling a matching raincoat, but I passed on that.

One book I bought today (in mint condition) was one we already owned, but I got it for one of our Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. I am having so much fun filling two shoeboxes. I can't believe I never did this before. It's so much fun, and hopefully the children who receive these boxes will enjoy the little goodies we're sending their way. I definitely want to make this an annual tradition for our family, and as the kids get older I'd like them to use some of their money to fill a box. We're doing two boxes this year, but hopefully in future years we'll do even more than two boxes.

Nadia's nap was 3 hours long today (longer than usual). Ian's nap was 20 minutes long. I was hoping that the 50 minute nap yesterday would become the norm.