ABCs

We try to keep Zoe occupied by whatever when we're sitting down for dinner. A couple of nights ago we were singing songs:

towards the end she notices the camera and can't help but smile

Ropin'

all buckled up for a trip to the park

We continue with our wonderful baby rodeos. Jessica has a great update on her blog in case you're interested. The kids are sort of starting to interact now, which is interesting to watch. And they've surprisingly gotten a bit easier, primarily I think because the kids can now communicate with us. Bedtimes continue to be hit or miss (this last time it was Zoe's turn to be uncooperative, which was particularly frustrating since we were one of the couples staying in), but overall things go quite well. We're quite thankful to have this once-a-month get together with a great group of people.

Every person makes a difference,

and in some cases it isn't necessarily a positive difference. Family Connections (which I raved about in May of '09, which seems like an eternity ago these days) has closed. There are numerous news stories about it. I first heard about the closing through the following email, simply entitled 'Library will be closing' :

Dear FamilyConnections’ Library Patron,

Until further notice, FamilyConnections’ Family Place Library services are on hold and we will be closing the library. If you have items borrowed, please hold onto them until you receive instructions from us on how to return them. We have records showing exactly who has what materials and will be able to contact you via phone or e-mail once we have more information. All overdue fines will be waived and online renewals are no longer allowed. You can still log onto your account to see what items are checked out to your account.

We greatly apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate the opportunity we’ve had to impact the children in your lives. If you wish to help or express your concerns about the loss of our library, please contact the Austin City Council via http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/site/city_hall_portal.htm.

Thank you,

FamilyConnections’ Family Place Library Staff

I'm having such a hard time grasping all of this. I haven't used their other services, like parenting classes (in English or Spanish, for families, mothers, or fathers - there were so many), or home-schooling supplies like laminating machines, but I stopped into the library every couple of weeks to borrow books for Z, books for me (how to be a working breast-feeding mother, a working mother, a whatever mother, etc, etc), and toys for Z. I felt this place was so Austin. Toys to check out? How awesome is that? I could live in my small 960sf Austin house, with my one bathroom and two bedrooms, have a child, and help keep her entertained and stimulated with an ever rotating supply of toys and books. Additionally, we could stop by there any day of the week and there was an entire play area set up, most likely with other playmates already included.

And now, allegedly because of one very selfish person, it's all gone. There were slight hints recently if you weren't "in" with the employees: schedule changed to being closed on Mondays, e-mail check out system not working quite up to normal standards. But I would have never imagined that, according to the news reports, someone decided to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars, while getting paid an $88,000 per year salary, so that she could run off to Venezuela while families (much more needy than our own) would all of a sudden lose one of their primary support systems.

In my various e-mail listservs, many people have been commenting on what a wonderful resource Family connections is and has been to the community as a whole. One mother recounted how they wouldn't have survived staying home with twin boys, who are now 18 years old, if it weren't for Family Connections.

So, I'm shocked. I've written our city council, but, frankly, I'm not quite sure how much good that will do. The facts being reported seem to indicate that there is quite a bit of money missing, and the person who may be responsible has left the country. While every person makes a difference, it'll take a lot more than just one to bring this valuable resource back to life.

Guess who learned to smile on cue?

cheesy smile and all

for Grandma & Grandpa