Having fun in the Boro

This week Lucy and I have made the most of living 'in the Boro' as they say around here. For you Brits what I mean is 'living in town'.

In favour of keeping fit and using my legs instead of using the car we have walked almost everywhere since Monday. Walks into town every day to meet friends, for Lucy's music class, Christmas shopping and once for a fresh bread run (Joe we need some more bread baking!). Today we did what I always thought I would do when we lived here, and that is to gap-fill. And by that I mean fill in the gap between nap-time and lunch when I don't fancy facing the supermarket or running an errand, I just fancy taking my girl out and having fun, seeing some life and having an adventure. So today we took a walk out to the library. Only 3 or 4 blocks away from our house, this is one of the most beautiful buildings in West Chester. It's stacked full not only of books but also stunning, original architectural features in this 136 year old building. Even perching on the loo you are faced with a lovely stained-glass window (well above head-height I must add!). Definitely worth a visit for those of you who are local and haven't yet been.

Lucy and I headed straight for the children's department which takes up the entire first floor (second floor for Americans). We were faced with thousands of books, as you would expect (and Lucy is quite a fan of books) but what really took her fancy the moment we got in there was the computer. I guess she's a 21st century girl. I managed to peel her away from the squeaky characters on the screen and show her the Christmas tree made of recycled soda bottles and hundreds of little ornaments. After we battled over her wanting to pull Father Christmas and an angel off, we got round to reading about jungle animals and Maisy.

It was quiet. Our only company was a little old lady wearing a hand-knitted Christmas cardigan, plastic dangly earrings and a flashing brooch, sitting behind the desk (a bit like Joe's Aunty Ivy, says he). The few times we were joined by other children Lucy leapt for joy and squealed, desperately trying to walk (no make that run) to them and play. The sultry 6 year old boy was quite put off by her, but the 3 year old girl in the pink duffle coat at least gave her a wave :)

As I checked out some board books with the flashing lady I discovered the library pet, a Giant Tremper Albino Leopard Gecko called...well nothing yet as they are asking the kids to think up a name. Salmonella came to my mind but I didn't think the knitted cardigan would be amused.

So we headed home with Dr Suess and Corduroy the Bear for lunch and that oh so glorious afternoon nap.