The Best Library

We've been on a tour of the local libraries this vacation.

It's the best, free, indoor activity for an Indiana winter.

Today's adventure took us to the St. Joseph County Public Library in South Bend.

There was one marvel after another, starting with this perfectly appropriate Christmas tree in the lobby.

We rode the elevator to the third floor, the space reserved for children, and found ourselves in a train centered wonderland.  First, we had to enter through the luggage tunnel:

TBG and Flapjilly were the happiest campers, conversing

through the train car's window.

When he turned around, Grandpa was amused by this very useful moose.

There were computers everywhere, on big tables and on little desks 

We distracted the digital native with the magnetic table; you moved the fish and the lizards with wands from below. Somehow, Little Cuter managed to stack them atop one another; it was a bit too graphic an image for a 2 year old, so we moved on.

Story time was a lesson in "You don't have to be able to carry a tune to amuse little children."

The librarian sang and jumped and read and clapped and then it was time to go.  It was hard to extricate the little one; there were so many wonderful books to read. Only the promise of lunch with Daddy allowed us to put on her coat.

We told her not to worry.We know we will be returning on our next visit.