Library Cards...Finally!

Ever since they were very young, we've had a 'library bag'. Our first ever 'library bag' was this flimsy cloth black and white striped bag into which I stuffed library books upon library books. Every Friday, the bookmobile would come to our neighborhood and park itself right by the laundromat and playground, and we would pay it a visit with our empty 'library bag'. More often than not, our 'library bag' would be filled to the point of looking horrendously like a glutton's stomach.

Over the years, our library bags have evolved, and now we have one that can be wheeled. Nevertheless, our reading appetite has outgrown the size of our 'library bag', and we have had to utilize the plastic bags the library provides.

We have had only one library card all this time, and I finally decided that each kid should have his/her own card. That would mean a long line at the check out desk, and maybe more headache for me, but it would also mean another opportunity for responsibility for them; a learning experience.

So last weekn, we finally applied library cards for each of them. With our usual stacks of books, we crowded the check out desks, and the librarian handed us three forms to fill. Baby Z was on the verge of screaming for my milk, so hubby took him outside, leaving me to manage three kids, three forms, an unpaid fine, and stacks of books to place in our 'library bag'.

As I moved back and forth between each child as they filled in their own forms, it occurred to me that it felt very much like a sliver of homeschooling moment at home.

"Ummi, what do I put here?"

"Ummi, what's our address?"

"Ummi, is our zipcode ____?"

"Ummi, what's your name?"

"Ummi, work phone?" to which I replied,

"Oh, do you go to work?" and to which the questioner, H, grinned.

Of course they know what my name is, and some of them (thank Allah!) at least know our address! I could have just filled out the forms for them, but again, it's a learning moment, and even though the librarian must have had to exercise patience in waiting for all of them to finish filling up th forms, I tried to make it as enjoyable an experience for the kids.

S was done with hers, handed in her form, received her brand new library card, and checked out her books herself. Next was H, and last but not least was N.

By the time we were done, hubby and Baby Z were in the van, waiting for us in front of the library, with Baby Z screaming in hunger.

"Ok, make sure you have somewhere to put your library card in so you won't lose it," I said.

S had her pink and purple crocheted purse she had made herself. H had his Jidda's wallet, in which he also kept his family members' photos. And N had nothing. So I crocheted a blue purse for her, which turned out to take quite a chunk of my weekend time. Alhamdulillah though, S sewed on the buttons for both her and N's purses. And as for me, I don't have to worry anymore about them losing their cards, and that business is settled, alhamdulillah.


Now, I just have to worry about the increasing number of books that will grace our house as the total limit per household is now 400 items.