It's just like a Family Heirloom!

This afternoon after naps were over, I was racking my brain as to what to do with the girls that was simple, reasonably priced, (dare I say FREE) and did not involve being cooped up in the house for a moment longer. Then it came to me, we should go to the library and get Jenna her own library card.

For some bizarre reason, that I still cannot discern, Jenna was adamant that we NOT go there. She's been to plenty of libraries, truthfully though, for sing-a-longs, story hours and holiday projects--all pleasant experiences, but she really might not have had a clue as to what else the library could offer.

After much coaxing, she gave in. We bundled up, (only to discover it wasn't really THAT cold out) and headed to the Wakefield Public Library. Well this is one moment, a rare one, that I didn't photograph the moment as I should have, or at all for that matter.

Jenna took Maya by the hand and approached the desk side by side with me. As I filled out the paperwork, the girls examined the rubber duck display. Then Jenna was handed her very own special library card! She beamed with pride-her very own card!!!!!! (And the librarian said HER name as she gave it to her!)

We ventured downstairs with her invaluable card gripped tightly in her right hand. As we arrived at the children's section, we were greeted with other patrons giving a standing ovation with rounds of applause and a "bubble party!" This was all to celebrate Jenna getting her first library card!!!!! Maya announced "BUBBLES!" Which made her day and Jenna turned to me and said "Mommy this getting a library card is pretty cool stuff!!!"

The next twenty minutes or so are a blur somewhat; we searched for princess books, Clifford books and other favorites, coming away with a McDuff book and D.W.'s library card story. As I corralled Maya (who could have stayed there all day virtually cleaning the shelves in a whirlwind of "This book, that book, Mama") I looked down at Jenna still clutching her library card in the same position in her same hand. She was so proud of it, she didn't want to let it go.

We checked out our books, or should I say, Jenna and the librarian checked out her books, and I watched on the periphery with Maya. SO grown up! The librarian congratulated Jenna and told her she hoped we'd be back again soon. She said nothing, but didn't need to, her smile said it all.

Our conversation on the way to the car was priceless.

Jenna: "You know Mommy, we should put this library card somewhere special so I know just where it is and don't lose it."

Mommy: "Hmm, where do you think is a good place for it? I'll happily keep it in my wallet with mine if you want."

Jenna: "Umm, I was thinking about in that space where we keep the tea cups Great-grandma Ann gave us, you know the REALLY special ones." (They are from MY Great-great Grandmother!)

Mommy: "That is a perfect place for it."

So there in our china cabinet in our dining room sits, two tea cups-family heirlooms, two of the most special items I've ever been given and atop them, is Jenna's very first library card, her most prized possession. :)