Vegan Goodness:
Today we ate:
- Breakfast: Green smoothies and cereal for everyone
- Lunch: Fried won-ton’s with cream cheese and leftover sloppy joes.
- LP and Dad had some crackers and cream cheese for a snack
- Dinner: Cabbage, sweet potato and tempeh skillet served with a side of applesauce. IP just ate the applesauce. And by “ate” I mean smeared it all over her face and clothes.
- Mom and Dad had hot chocolate and popcorn as a late-night treat!
Money Matters:
Today we spent the following:
- $55.76 for our weekly grocery run to Whole Foods
Friday Tips for Living Vegan and Living Cheap – with kids!:
A Good (and Cheap) Time at the Library
I’ve written about finding of free local activities for families. Here I want to focus on our public library since today we took a walk to the library and I was reminded of all the great, free services that public libraries offer:
Request books: Since we are on a tight budget and I’m committed to trimming my possessions (including my books) I’ve had to curb my amazon book-buying habit. However, I’ve found a way to get ahold of the books I want to read and get that exciting rush that comes with a book I’ve been dying to read showing up on my doorstep. Like many public libraries, I’m able to go online and request a book. Then, when the book is available the library sends me an e-mail and I go and pick it up. Sure, it’s not on my doorstep, but it is still exciting to go to the library and have a book waiting for me. When I pick them up I can’t wait to get home and start reading! I read the whole Song of Fire and Ice series this way, and I was even able to “borrow” some of those books using my kindle. Awesome!
Kid-friendly Entertainment: Since it has been cold and snowy out we have needed some indoor spaces to go to with LP. Library to the rescue! When we go to the library LP makes a beeline for the kid section. He loves to browse for books on his own, and he usually picks out quite a few for us to read to him right in the library. There are cozy chairs that we curl up in to read, and then LP picks out a couple books to bring home. He loves being able to pick things out for himself!
Storytime: Most libraries have storytime for kids, and that can be another great opportunity for indoor fun. Usually there is story and also some kind of arts and craft project. Another great opportunity for free kid-friendly activities.
Workspace: When I’m getting working full-time I tend to do some of my work at coffee shops where I usually pick up tea and a bagel. But now that I’m done getting paid having a peaceful place to work for free is key. Our library has lots of open space to work next to large windows that lets in lots of light. Add on the free wi-fi and you have a great place to settle in for some serious writing!
During our Year of Family we have fully embraced all the fantastic things our library has to offer. My only regret is not using these fantastic services sooner! Of course there are always other interesting things that happen when you visit a library. Today LP got to see two excavators and a bulldozer working on the library parking lot. Talk about a special bonus!
DC libraries also lend out Kindle and other e-reader books. That’s how I read the Song of Fire and Ice series. And I don’t even have to get off the couch to pick it up– I can do it from their website. 😉
I did the same thing – I was able to get the set of the first four books delivered right to my kindle. So awesome! And I particularly appreciated it for this series – not having to lug those books around is helpful 😉
Oh whoops, you wrote that in your post, even. Sorry, I’ve got no brain cells left for reading comprehension 😉
We just love our library here, we have such great times and have made some life long friendships over the last few years. =)
So true! More and more I’m realizing that the library can be the center of a community (especially the community with young kids)! Especially in the winter when outdoor fun is a bit more limited.