We are still plugging away at our Summer Bucket List. It's the end of July, so I'm not sure if we are going to get the whole list finished, but I'm totally okay with that! I love the memories that we've made with our kids, and I love that we've documented them here so that they can read about it later on. Or maybe they won't care, but I care and I'll want to read about it again someday.
Anyhow! This post is a double check on our Summer Bucket List! If you want to see what else we've done, you can click HERE to go back to our original list.
I seriously thought I was crazy when I brought the idea of Preschool Story Time up to Debbie, our occupational therapist. In fact, I'm pretty sure that I approached it from the, "please tell me this is a horrible idea and that I shouldn't try it" angle.
Apparently, she didn't catch on, because she thought that taking the kids to the library...which is known for being quiet...was a good idea.
The whole point of occupational therapy is teaching kids to adapt to every day life. Since being around other kids, learning to be quiet and sit still, and generally being in public are all daily life activities, it made sense to have a therapy session at the library. Because she had a previous appointment, Debbie got there about 15 minutes after I did.
I took the monkey backpacks, but let me tell you: Those kids can RUN! It wouldn't have been so bad, but story time was not in an enclosed room. It was in the open library and set off with a curtain. Uh...curtains don't contain quadruplets. It got much easier after Debbie arrived and we could divide and conquer, but I was in a serious sweat by the time we left. Thank goodness, for other understanding parents who started guarding the perimeter to help me catch them. So awkward, but they were so gracious. And I think a bit surprised at the number of children I brought with me. Ha!
Long story short: We need to work on "quiet, hold still activities" more.
I think this will be a great activity once we get used to it though. There had story time, song time, musical instrument time, and play time. The kids did well interacting with others, so once they understand they need to stay with mom, I think we will be golden.
We've also been participating in the Summer Reading Program at the library. The kids read tons and tons of books, so it wasn't hard to meet our quota. Learning from our Story Time adventures, I recruited Sean to help me get them into and out of the library. Much better!
The kids each picked out their own books. Ellie especially enjoyed getting to choose her own book since they share everything. She reads it constantly.
The library is a big stretch for us. It would be much easier with one or two kids (you know, to match the number of hands I have), but I don't want to prevent my kids from experiencing normal kid things. So we just keep taking the bull by the horns and charging forward.
This will get easier, right?!
Storytime is crazy hard for me with one toddler and a baby that I can wear. I can't imagine doing it with your crew! We don't go nearly as often as I always assumed we would. :)
ReplyDeleteI always thought I'd go a bunch too. Maybe someday!
DeleteIt will get easier I am sure as they get older and more used to going and like you said, having to stay with mommy.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like a really fun time!
I hope so! Sean and I love the library and would love to pass that on to our kids!
DeleteBecca, I've been studying the pictures of my nieces and nephews, and I'm pretty sure at LEAST Ellie is a Who. With the Possibly that your other children are Whovians as well. I hereby dub thy house: Whoville.
ReplyDelete-Your loving sister
I've totally been saying the same thing for over a year! Those pigtails that stick straight up are hilarious!
DeleteI've taken my twin boys to library story time once (with my mother-in-law's help) and we've never gone back! They were just not into sitting still that long. Also, there was a very intriguing felt board with numbers on it that they desperately wanted to play with, but the librarian was using it. I do take them to the library often, just not for story time. They like to return books on the cool conveyor-belt book return, pick out books and DVDs, play with toys in the kids' area, use the computerized self-checkout, and then run circles around the fountain outside. (We usually go to Leawood Pioneer at Town Center). Hopefully we'll try story time again someday! Kudos to you for braving it! :D
ReplyDeleteHmm...maybe it would work better if we tried to pick out books but skipped story time for awhile. If only I had a couple more arms...lol!
Deleteit get easier, and it's soooo good that you're taking them now and letting them pick out their own books and stuff. GREAT JOB!! **HUG**
ReplyDeleteJust hoping our love of books rubs off on them!
DeleteGo you! Glad to see you brave the library with all four. The more you do it, the easier it will be.
ReplyDeleteNow I just have to work up the courage to go back! yikes! :)
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