"No problem", I tell my friends at book club. "I can pick up the books at the library. Brayden will be in school and I'll just run in and pick the ones up that are on hold." I then tell my sis-in-law I can pick her book up too, they're all in the same spot. She asks, "Do you want me to drive with you and I can wait in the parking lot with the girls?"
"No, that's silly, I will just go in with them, it will only take a second." Ha, ha. Little did I know that my darling daughters were possessed that day. All I had to do was drop off the book club book bag, get a new book bag and pick up Sarah's book on hold. Two minutes tops! Not so much. The poor lady who helped me, and eyed my girls the second we walked into the silent library was very confused. I'm still not quite sure why this whole return/check out procedure was so difficult for her. For me, it was difficult because I had two girls who wanted to go in two opposite directions and do exactly the opposite of what I asked them. Between pushing the electronic buttons to open the doors (which stayed open the whole time we were there, because at least one of them was pushing it the whole time) and taking off for the stairs to explore the second level, things were not good.
Finally I was able to scoop BOTH of them into my arms and I tried to make them sit on the
counter. I learned why I never do this: Dani has extremely long arms (not really, but it seemed like it) and she tried to grab anything within ten feet. This included pamphlets (which fell and spread all over the floor), wires, electronic, and books. While I was trying to keep Dani's hands under control Ellie was squirming all over trying to get out of my death grip. I am quite surprised that she didn't fall and take a header onto the floor. Meanwhile, all the older people (Grandma's and Grandpa's) standing behind me looked on in horror. Step one down, book bag turned in.
Step two: Pick up Sarah's book from the hold section. This section is only 20 feet away, but when a couple of two year olds don't want to go a certain way, it is an incredible journey! It is especially hard when there is not a sound to be heard (except my protesting, screaming girls). I make it to the holds section, but the book I need has not been shelved yet. Perfect. I ask the nice lady where it could be, "Oh, you need to check the other three counters and see if it's in the 'to be shelved sections'." Great, no problem.
Seriously, we had to walk around, asking multiple librarians about this damn book. The first two had no clue where it could be, so back in line we go. Back to the original lady who struggled with my return process. After some searching they FINALLY find the book. Great, here's my library card, let me get the hell out of here. Not so fast. After she checked it out, apparently it said it was on hold for Sarah Phillips.
"Yes, I know, I am the best Sis-in-law ever and I am picking it up for her!"
"Well I need to get into her account so it is checked out under her name." Of course you do. More wrangling my children trying to keep them from running out the front door. People, I had no control over my kids. It has not been this bad in a LONG time. I was so embarrassed. Finally we get the book checked out properly and it's time to venture through the parking lot. Dani takes off running and Ellie is lolly gagging way behind us. Wonderful, I run after Dani, thinking, (well she can get hit by a car, if someone takes Ellie hopefully I can head them off at the front door). Yes, this is what I am actually thinking. I grab Dani before she gets off the curb and turn around to see a man holding the door open for Ellie and looking around to see who she belongs to.
"She's mine, I was going to come back for her." He just looks at me like I've lost my mind, which I have..... a long time ago!
I'm not even going to get into wrestling them into their car seats. Why are some days just so hard???
