Memoirs of a Goldfish

If you're looking for a good book to read with your children, Memoirs of a Goldfish is AMAZING!

Picture from Amazon

It's the cutest book about a fish that starts off swimming in his very own bowl and soon it becomes over crowded with other fish, plants, and fish bowl decor. It's perfect for 4 and older. There's plenty of conversational cues in this book that offer children a chance to think about what is happening.

So hop on over to your public library and check it out! Also, you should swing by your library anyway just to see if they're doing any fun summer reading programs for kids. Our library is doing a "Dream Big" event and if I read to my daughter for 20 minutes everyday for 14 days we can turn in our tally card and get a prize. And we're allowed to turn in 4 cards throughout the summer. How fun is that!

Maybe some of us aren't comfortable with using the public library because it's not something we did growing up. Maybe some of us feel too embarrassed to ask these questions so let's help each other out!

Any tips you can share on how to get familiar and feel at home in the library? 

Policies? 

Tools and materials that are available that we may not know about? 

Things you do with your kids while you're there? 

Item limits for check-out?
Is it better to hand the books you're returning to the clerk at the time you're checking new books out or should you just put them in the drop box?
You're by no means limited to these questions. If you can think of anything outside of what I came up with, be sure to share them in the comments. Even if it's basic and natural to you, it may not be to someone else so share away and enlighten us with your library knowledge!

Finding A Balance

There is no brilliance to this post! Instead I'm in search of help. Sadly, I don't have any tips to give really because it's something I'm currently struggling with.

Right now I feel stretched thin. I have 12 credits in summer school which for those who have never taken summer classes, that's a LOT because they're so fast paced and deadlines hit constantly. Then there's the baby, church callings, house keeping, preparing dinner, grocery shopping, scripture study, playgroups, family time, husband/wife time, me time, and the list goes on and on.

My question is, how do you find a balance? What do you do to make sure you're getting everything done that you need to? Are some things more important than others? How much does your husband help and for those that are stay at home moms, do you ever feel guilty for asking your husband to help?

Summer Ideas

I am so excited to finally have summer here.  I really want to try this summer to get out more.  Do a lot more than I did last year.  So I have a list of things I want to do or have already done with my family.  I like having a lot to choose from, so leave all your ideas in the comments below.  Thanks!!

The Zoo

My zoo is the Utah Hogle Zoo and the new Rocky Shores have opened up.  You can actually see the Polar Bear swimming right in front of you and the Seals and Sea Lion is so cool.  We love the zoo and are planning to go there a lot this summer.

Swimming

We have a pool just yards away at our condo where we live and we plan to go there as much as possible.  Plus I would really like to teach my oldest to swim.

(When is a good age to start swim lessons anyway?)

Hiking

This is something my husband really wanted to do last year, but since we had a two year old and less than a year old twins, it wasn't really possible.  I hope we can get around to it this year.  It might make a good date night with your husband if you can get a babysitter(sister, brother, parents) to watch them early in the day.

Picnics at the Park

My kids love the park and it's only about an 8 minute walk to one of the many where we live.  I like to call my friends and we can all meet up and do lunch and let the kiddos play.  I also got together with my sister and her two kids.  We both had to drive but it was totally worth it (she bought Subway).

What are things you want to do this summer?

What are fun things to do around your home?