Katie: Hey, we're Katie and Caitlinn coming to you from our library living room. We are here not just as children's librarians, but as people who are parenting our own children.
Caitlin: Each month, we'll bring a new conversation about parenting with helpful resources from our library and beyond. This is "Your Family, Your Library," and we're your librarians.
Katie: Before we jump into this month's topic, we want to remind our listeners that though we are pretty good at finding resources and we have experiences parenting our own children. We are not child development experts. Our choices don't need to be your choices. There is no judgment here. We're all doing our best with the health and well-being of our families in mind.
Caitlin: This month, we thought that we would spend some time talking about our own families and how we relax and how we find time to enjoy the time that we have with them. So, Katie, what do you do for fun in your spare time?
Katie: I'm trying to be better about being more fun in my spare time, but personally, I love to listen to articles and audiobooks. That's generally what I do. Like at night when I'm falling asleep.
Caitlin: Me too.
Katie: Because, like, I don't know, it's like, by the end of the day, I just can't stare at a page.
Caitlin: Oh. Me either.
Katie: Yeah. So, like, laying in the dark and listening to something is good for me. I read a lot of kids books for work, so, but I do enjoy my adult books, so.
Caitlin: I am reading two books that are written for grown ups simultaneously right now. One of them I like more than the other. So one I read as I'm falling asleep because if I set a timer for like ten minutes and usually by the end of the ten minutes, I am asleep because the book's a little slow. and then the other one is a little bit more thrilling. So that's my daytime. My daytime free time book. But I'm like you, I read mostly kids books. So this is, yeah, a thrilling thrill-thrill ride.
Katie: I know right? I love it. It feels like very I don't know, it feels more special to me. Because it's like I'm actively choosing it for myself and not like I don't actively choose to read some kid's books, but, you know, just the nature of the work we do. For sure. For me, like choosing something that has nothing to do with that...
Caitlin: Right.
Katie: feels different.
Caitlin: And this is our moment because we're just coming off of a very, you know, sort of hard core reading time where we finalize our list for the Cool Reads committee that we go and then present to schools. So, you know, I don't know about you, but I think for me, basically between like August and February, I just read I pretty much exclusively read kid's books. Yeah. And then, you know, it's sort of wrapping that up and reading a little bit more between February and, and, May. And then it's time for me.
Katie: Yeah.
Caitlin: What kind of stuff do you like to read?
Katie: I like to read all different kinds. I mean, I usually like to read contemporary realistic fiction. And then I do enjoy nonfiction too. So kind of depends. I mean, I like to like in a lot of the publications I read, I like to read kind of like new books that are coming out. So I usually will get some ideas through that. So and recently I've been interested in well, I'm interested in quilting. I don't I'm not a quilter and I barely know how to sew, but I got a bunch of books out from the Evanston library.
Caitlin: Are you going to try it?
Katie: Yeah.
Caitlin: Oh, that's so exciting.
Katie: So, like in my spare time right now, I dream about what I want to do in my spare time like when I actually have, like, the time and energy to do it.
Caitlin: That's very meta.
Katie: That's exactly when I wanted you.
Caitlin: Well, I think that's complicated, right? Because quilting is a big project that actually involves a lot of planning and process and thinking and, and plotting and like, my mom's a quilter.
Katie: Oh, cool.
Caitlin: It is cool. It is so cool. It's such an incredibly cool forum.
Katie: My, my husband, Mike's mom also quilts.
Caitlin: Oh, cool.
Katie: And I really like the next time we spend some time with her. I really would like to pick her brain about the best way to get started. Yeah, and the same way I like to think about, like, different paint colors for the house. Like, for me, like the different colors of, like, the textiles and like, texture and all that kind of stuff. That's really interesting to me. So thinking about, like, kind of how, like juxtaposition of things like that, I don't know, there's kind of like a, a nerd geek about that kind of stuff.
Caitlin: Oh me too. I want to hear all about your journey, because I feel like there's so many different directions you can go with it. My mom started out, I remember when, when I was really little, she was quilting a whole bunch and she would, I think she was selling some because my parents are really like crafty hippie makers. And so I remember her laying out and piecing it all on the floor, and she would make these really, really thick, really heavy quilts that were basically weighted blankets. And this was back in like 1983. it used to drive me nuts when I was a kid because honestly, like there's not a ton that's more boring for a kid than watching an adult. There are pieces of cloth o the floor. And then, you know, pin them together. It's like no matter how many times she's like, oh, you're helping with the process. You pass the pins. It's like, I see right through this, ma'am.
Katie: That's how I felt about gardening, too, when I was little, because of my mom was really into gardening. And, she had always, like, dragged me along to, like, get flowers and different plants every year. And it's not like I didn't like it, but I was just like, what is the deal with that? Like.
Caitlin: And look at us now. Like you're doing the quilting and I'm doing the gardening and it's.
Katie: Like, well, I'm not, I'm thinking about doing it. I'm not actually doing it.
Caitlin: I think you're going to do it.
Katie: Yeah.
Caitlin: I just asked my mom. My mom's love language now is like making people stuff, which is great for me because I love having people make me stuff. Yeah. but she keeps asking me to design, like, quilt ideas, and then she likes the challenge of figuring out how to put it together, so.
Katie: Oh, that's cool.
Caitlin: I found this cool. Like, Luna moth that she's going to try to quilt into. I don't know how she does it. It's magic to me. I mean, I can't yeah, I'm not good at this kind of thing.
Katie: Mike's mom made us this, giant quilt. Almost like what you're talking about. Like, weighted. It's so heavy, but it's like California king size and it's got buffalo on it. That's what Mike wanted.
Caitlin: Oh, cool.
Katie: But it's like. It's very cool. I mean, it's one of those things that I know, like, years down the road. It's just, I mean, it's it's meaningful now, but like, I think, you know, just the idea of having that and she like, you know, put it inscription on it or, you know, sewed something on it.
Caitlin: It. It's an heirloom.
Katie: Yeah.
Caitlin: You're going to have it and then your kids will have it. And it's like, I don't know, it really does mean something. It's like each one of those stitches was made by somebody hands.
Katie: Totally.
Caitlin: That's really cool.
Katie: And I also get a lot of inspiration from some of y'all at work, like Amber crochets and knits which is very inspiring. You do to you, you make some. I mean, the fact that for our children's book day, Katelyn was dressed up like, were you frog and frog? Okay, so she was frog and you made the hat. Yeah, the frog hat. Like. And you're like, yeah. I was just like, finishing up the spring. I was like, yeah, yeah.
Caitlin: And then we work with Amanda who does that like epic.
Katie: Oh my gosh, it's amazing.
Caitlin: It is really cool. I mean we, I think that libraries tend to attract like really kind of unique and cool people.
Katie: Totally.
Caitlin: Well I think I'm kind of like you. Like, I have big dreams for spare time, but I do not have a lot of spare time, and it feels sort of it's this is like, it happens every summer, like there's like a two week period where I'm sort of consumed with envy because I have many family members and also friends who are educators, and they're like, totally relaxing. And I try to keep this hour look off my face. Yeah, I did have a friend who, who is sort of congratulating themselves and then congratulating me like, we made it. It's summertime. And then I don't know what look I had on my face. They were like, oh, this is not a relaxed time for you, is it?I was like, now it's a fun time. It's really fun at the library. But like, it is not, relaxing. You know, it's just sort of, we open the doors and then we're busy until we close the doors. Yeah. It's fun.
Katie: Yeah.
Caitlin: But yeah, I think also, my sister is, she's a social worker in Indiana at a public school, and so she's sending me messages like, when can we come and visit? When do you have time off? I'm like, I don't have time off. I don't. I want you to come, I want I want to come visit anyway. I hope she does. but it is like, I was like, looking at our our weeks, and I don't know if this is how it is for you, but, you know, it's like a speaking of quilting, it's like a patchwork quilt of, like, scheduling, you know, it's like, well, we have this time and this time and, you know, we have to get the kids to this place. And then we have got to get the other kid to this place. And then somehow he's got to, like, take a break from work and go pick them up because the times don't quite add up. So it's kind of work, but it definitely it feels like sort of a Tetris like scheduling. So none of it, you know, feels like, oh yeah, just come up any time. It's kind of like, well, we'll have to move. You know, I need like a long piece and an L-shaped piece in order to break that line down and, you know, make a space for you. But, yeah, we'll figure it out. We'll figure it out. I'm actually kind of happy because this summer somehow is is it's a little less restrictive than last summer was, I think for us, we were, I felt like every moment was sort of busy for us last summer. And this summer it feels like we've got a little bit more time to figure stuff out.
Katie: Yeah, I'm definitely one of those people like, if my free time and I use for or ad free very loosely. Yeah. But if it's like too packed or too full, I get very anxious and stressed out by that. So I try not to plan too, too much. I don't know, I just can't like when I look at the calendar and see like. And I know for some people, like that's what they want and that like kind of gets them charged and going. But for me it does the opposite. I just like want to crawl away somewhere.
Caitlin: It's and that that's kind of where I was last summer was like looking at my entire calendar and just being like, there's not even, you know, there's not even a day where I'm not doing something, and I don't want to do something all the time. Which is kind of ironic, too, because, I'm a project person, so I guess when I have downtime, I like to fill my downtime, but I like to fill it with just myself. So like last year, and I think maybe this is because, the work that we do at the library is very fulfilling, but it also it's kind of like parenting in that there isn't like, a point at which you're done. It's like everything just sort of keeps evolving and keeps moving. And so it's not like you can be like, check. I finished like.
Katie: The end of the semester.
Caitlin: Right. Right. You know, and now it's like now it's me time. It's like, well, you finish, you know, second grade and now you're on the third grade and you finished third grade, now you're on fourth grade and so on and so forth. Like there's always something going on. And I am the kind of person that really does like to check things off and, and then feel like, okay, as soon as this is done, I can, I can really exhale. And there just aren't a lot of opportunities for that either when you're parenting or I think being at a kid's library, and especially in the summer. So I tend to create projects for myself, which I don't know if it makes it better or worse. Yeah, like last year, I found a dining room table in the alley and I refinished it, and it was like every minute of my free time was refinishing this flipping table. But it was worth it because it's really a cool table.
Katie: Yeah. That's awesome.
Caitlin: And so in this summer, it's gardening. And like you and your mom, I keep trying to get the kids to get excited about gardening with me, and they're just not into it. Why are they not into it's super fun. Yeah, there's it's like that. It really bit me because I miss, It's like I have FOMO about everything. It's like I don't want to, like, miss out on hanging out with my kids in this, like, finite moment in their lives. And I don't want to miss out on doing the gardening before, like whatever season for tomatoes, getting in the ground is over. And I don't want to miss out on. I don't want to miss out on anything. So I thought I would like Reese's Peanut Butter Cup, but, you know, to great taste that tastes great together with my kids last weekend and I was like, Desi, let's hang out together. And, and also you can help me with this yard work. So I gave him this job that I thought would be fun. And I was doing like I was digging in the dirt, which is fun for me. And then all he wanted to do was like, talk to me about tornado vehicles. And I was like, oh my God, this is not fun. It's like, I don't know, I feel so bad because it's like, I want to validate his interests and like, let him know that, like, the stuff that he finds important is important to me too. But like, I frankly don't care that much about tornado intercept vehicles. Like, it's just not my jam.
Katie: I can understand.
Caitlin: So it was like this relaxing me. Time was then spent like, okay, that sounds cool. That sounds dangerous. I don't think he should drive that into a storm. Oh, it's made to do that. Okay.
Katie: Orson, like, well, he doesn't like tornado vehicles. Or at least not yet, but, he's definitely one of those kids where it's like he always wants to be doing something. He makes these, like, crazy games up most random stuff, and then he, like, wants you to play with it with him, and it's just too much. And but it's like constant and it's I mean, I love him for it because he's got a great imagination, but it's like he has a really hard time sometimes, like just being with himself and not like having like Mike or I like be doing whatever it is that he wants to be doing. So we're working on that. We're like, this summer, the hammer is going to go down with that because it's just like, if you guys are going to be home a lot and we're not entertaining this constantly so.
Caitlin: Like take it with a grain of pop culture. But like I was watching some TikTok, I think, or some sort of short video from, I think she's a child behavioral therapist. And somebody had written to her about how terrible it was that parents don't enjoy playing with their kids, and she was like, I don't enjoy playing with my kids. And she's like, you don't have to play with your kids. And actually, I found that very freeing because I think I get sort of stuck in this, like mode where I want to like I said, I want to validate, you know, their interests. But she's like, that's their interests. That's not necessarily your interests. And you validate them in different ways, like, you know, for me, I like to cook with my kids and I like to read books with my kids. And, and yes, that's true. I like to play board games with my kids, and I like to do crafts with my kids. And I, like, take walks with them. I don't really need to hear everything there is to hear about tornado vehicles. And yeah, you don't really need to get mixed up in whatever paper or something.
Katie: The other night it was you wanted to write a graphic novel. But we had to do it with him and I'm like, dude, no, I love that you want to do that. Yeah, but just show me it when you're done. Yeah.
Caitlin: Like read it. I'll give it a five star review.
Katie: Yeah I love you, but no.
Caitlin: Desi wants to play Legos sometimes. And he tries to get everybody involved, but he's kind of a control freak, which,
Katie: Oh, yeah.
Caitlin: Like means like. I mean, he comes by it naturally. So he. I'm like, no, let me see the directions. He's like, no, how about you just look for the pieces that have the two, whatever. They're like, no, thanks, man. No thanks. I like that he wants to spend time with me.
Katie: Yeah. No, that's really sweet. I know, I try to, like, that's the kind of stuff. It's like. I know it's fleeting. So then sometimes when I'm like, you know, I put the hammer down with it, then I'm like, oh, yeah. Yeah. Is that the last time he's going to ask me to do that? And I know that's ridiculous, but.
Caitlin: Well, it isn't, it isn't. Right. Yeah. I mean like that's the FOMO and you know that this time is finite.
Katie: Yeah.
Caitlin: I mean, that's so moving into the next the sort of segs nicely into the next thing that we were going to talk about, which is, you know, our relationships with our spouses and how we, balance our relationships with our kids, with our, you know, our love life or our relationships with our significant other and one of the things that Devin and I have always done together is we watch movies and TV. That's like, it's our favorite thing to do. That's kind of how we would end the day. You know, we get the kids in bed and then we would watch, you know, a show or watch movie, and then that's like, it's what we talk about. It's what we think about. And it's sort of our touchstone outside of like parenting, because, you know, our jobs are sort of disparate right now. We don't work in the same place, and we're doing really different things. And right now Desi wants to watch TV with us at night. So we've been doing that for the past year and a half, and I don't regret it because I do think, like, we're creating these really great memories with him and creating this, like, shared language that the three of us have. And it's, it is really fun. But I don't spend that time with Devin anymore. And that's like the one of the only times that I have to spend with him. But it's like, so part of me is like, I need to put the hammer down on this and sort of make it not a thing that we do every day. But then also I'm like, well, he's 13 and how long is he going to want to do this with us?
Katie: But maybe I could be like three days a week or four days.
Caitlin: Yeah, I know, maybe. We're watching a really fun show right now, but I don't want it to stop.
Katie: What are you watching?
Caitlin: Cobra Kai? it's on Netflix. It's outstanding.
Katie: What's it about?
Caitlin: Karate.
Katie: Interesting.
Caitlin: It's like a spinoff. it's like, do you know, are you familiar with the Karate Kid movies in the 80s? Oh, yeah. So it's the same characters. It's Ralph Macchio and, William Zabka, and they have. They're now these, like, middle aged guys and Ralph Macchio. So Daniel LaRusso has, like, a car dealership, and he still practices karate in his free.
Katie: So I'd be a car dealer, I know.
Caitlin: Right? It's perfect. Like, I'm being totally genuine when I tell you that this show is interesting.
Katie: This is so not something that I would watch, like, normally.
Caitlin: Me neither.
Katie: Like I would never choose. Watch this. However, I did enjoy The Karate Kid.
Caitlin: I think you might like it. Yeah, I will tell you, it is nothing but fun. There's like karate riots and it's, it's like absolute nonsense and it's it's total mayhem. And weirdly, Devin does not like it, but he missed a lot of, like, 1980s movies when he was a kid. So like, I watched The Karate Kid when I was like 11. And, Ralph Macchio was one of my first celebrity crushes. and I always thought Devin kind of look like Ralph Macchio a little, although I told Devin, not so much. Anyway, so he missed that movie. He missed Goonies. He missed Dirty Dancing. Like he missed all these. Splash. He didn't watch splash, dad. Like, where were you, man? So I think, like, if you didn't, if you don't have that background, maybe it's it. you missed some. Yeah.
Katie: Yeah, yeah, yeah.
Caitlin: So, like, he's kind of like, I kind of get it, but, like, what am I looking at? I'm looking at like, 50 year old men like karating each other. And I'm like, yes, you are. And it's great. it is like, it's not that deep, but that's what I need. And it's really hard at the end of the night for me and Desi to turn off the TV. Gotta find out what happens next.
Katie: Yeah. Enjoy. Story time on the go with LOTE4Kids. You can read and listen to thousands of online picture books for kids in more than 65 languages, including Arabic, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Urdu. Learn more in our show notes.
Caitlin: What are you watching these days?
Katie: What am I watching?
Caitlin: Anything?
Katie: You know, well, like Mike and I used to watch, like, earlier in our relationship and even, like I would say, after Orson was born, we used to, like, watch, like, movies and TV shows together, but. And I know I've spoken about this before, but like, since, like, my health has not been doing great, like, since Edwin was born. It's getting better. But, like, I just don't have, like, it's just like I want to be, like, by myself at night. Sleeping usually. And I only say this because I feel like hopefully somebody else may be in the same situation and feel like they're seen, you know. Yeah. So usually like when I am watching stuff, like I watch it while I take a bath at night and like with my iPad and so like I just watch like trashy stuff by myself. Yeah. And then I go to bed and listen to my articles and audiobooks. But we used to watch like House of cards, like top Shelf. That kind of stuff.
Caitlin: Yeah. It's like few and far between for us to we're really for the past like I'd say two years. Yeah. We haven't. We just started we had a, we went away for the weekend together which we hadn't done. I mean it's been, it's been so long since we, we spent time alone together, but we went to a wedding in, Missouri. And then we spent an extra night in Saint Louis, just the two of us. Just because. And it's always kind of interesting. I don't know if this happens to you and Mike, but it's like it takes a minute to, like, fall into a rhythm of, like, who we are together again. And that makes me sad because we've been together for so long. I mean, we've been together since 1997 and we were babies. I'm like, I was 19 when we met and we grew together. We were so close. It's like, I could read him, you know, like, yeah, I knew what he was thinking. And like, we were just sort of in step together. And now it's like we still want to walk together, but our steps are different. Yeah. So it's like finding that rhythm again and figuring out how to be adults together. It's tricky. But we started watching the Yellowjackets while we were...
Katie: I've heard that's good.
Caitlin: Yeah, it's a little supernaturally. Yeah. Supernaturally.
Katie: Heard that the Res Dogs.
Caitlin: Oh, that show's awesome.
Katie: I've heard really good things about that.
Caitlin: Yeah, it's worth a watch.
Katie: Yeah.
Caitlin: It's super good. Really liked it. Yeah. Great writing.
Katie: Just interesting.
Caitlin: I know someday we're going to get back to it, right?
Katie: Yeah. Like, well, and also like, I try to like, obviously like things don't look the same as they once did. So like, maybe it won't be that and it'll be something else, you know, like I but I know exactly what you're saying about like when we actually are together, just the two of us, it's like it does take that like beat to get back on track and like also have to like really think about not talking about our kids.
Caitlin: Yeah.
Katie: It's like it feels like every second sentence is like something I'm like, you like go back towards that. And then it's like, yeah, it's really hard to not like focus on them because they're so used all your energy.
Caitlin: I'm the same way. And I think about it a lot because it makes me feel boring and like, sometimes, you know, like, if I go out and try to hang out with friends that don't work in the library and don't have kids or, like, don't have, like, kids that are the same age as my kids, it's like, who am I outside of what I do professionally and and my kids, that's, that's it. That's all there space for. I mean, like, how much can you say it? Like, I can tell you a bunch of cicada fun facts, which, yeah, that's, that's like all I got.
Katie: Yeah.
Caitlin: You know, I can talk a little bit about my garden, but, like, that's not that exciting.
Katie: Yeah. No, I totally I feel the same way and like, I, I guess that's what I'm doing with like, just like reading about quilting. Yeah. Instead of quilting. Is that like, I'm trying to navigate back towards my own interests? It's like I used to do that pretty automatically. And I'm sure you did too. And it's like when I do have time instead of like waiting to do it later, at least, like working towards something that is just for me.
Caitlin: Yeah.
Katie: Even if it is just reading about it, which is something. It's not nothing.
Caitlin: You're laying the groundwork. Yeah. We were talking about health and talking about just sort of like the, the way that everything is right now doesn't feel super sustainable, at least not to me. And while we're getting the things done and like we are, we are fitting all of the Tetris pieces into the puzzle. It doesn't feel like the way that I want to spend the rest of my life. And I know that, you know, from, from having little, little kids and from sort of being in a place where I got pretty depressed for a while. I know that all of these moments are finite. They don't feel finite when you're in them. But like, how does it end? And I think that's always like whenever I felt like overwhelmed or like I'm at the bottom of the hole or whatever it is, but I'm feeling like it's like my brain can acknowledge that this is not forever. This is like a moment. Yeah, but like, I always cannot find my way, right? Like, I don't know what it looks like on the other side. It's like, what are the things that we can do to make it feel better? We're not in a place anymore where we're laying groundwork for anything like, well, this is our life and we're living our life and this is our marriage, and these are our kids. This is our time.
Katie: Yeah, well, I mean, it's just obviously speaking for myself, I think, like, the most important thing is just to keep making sure that you're talking with your person. Yeah. And that we're checking in and like, on the same page because I think we both feel stuck in different. Well, in the same way as but also different ways. But I think like just being like, are you feeling are you're feeling this too? Or this is how I'm feeling, like, are we okay? Are you okay, am I okay? Like, and I think, well, in preparation for this episode, I was kind of telling Mike what we were going to be talking about, and I'm like, it's really weird for me to be talking about how to be, like, a good partner when, like, I don't feel like I have been, like, the best partner that I can be. Which, of course, he says the right answer, which is, you're fine. You know, like you're, you're you are a good partner. Yeah. And I know we are our worst critics. But with that said, I think our hesitation has always been like money related. You know, it's like it's so expensive to get someone to watch your kids and then, like, you don't always have to do something where you're spending the money, but let's be honest, like if we want to have some sort of fun, you got to spend some money. So like that on top of childcare, it feels like a lot to be doing on a regular basis. But and thinking about it and I not just for this episode, but I've been thinking about it recently is like looking at it more like an investment in our relationship and it's like, how are we ever going to get back or get to the next place? Like, I don't think we're in it. We're not going back, but like, get to where we want to be, or at least like get to a place where I'm feeling good and he's feeling good and we're spending time together. It's an investment. It's I mean, like, you have to put in the work. You have to put in the time.
Caitlin: So a good way to think.
Katie: I just feel like I have to like, frame it differently in my mind because it's like, yeah, it is a lot. Yeah. But like if it's on the if it's scheduled if it's on the calendar or like if you make it a point and it's kind of like a sacred thing, then I think that makes I feel different.
Caitlin: I think you're right. And I think that's a really good way to think about it. You know, in terms of like the reframing, I really get up in my head about money and how we're spending money and, you know, for all of the reasons that you just listed. But I do think, like, for me, I can't stop thinking about it while we're out. And then it's like, whatever we're doing has to be the best, most fun because it's not just however much it costs for the two of us to go out to dinner and have a drink. It's that on top of the, you know, massive amount of money that we're paying, you know, the well-deserved, massive amount of money that we're paying to the person who's taking care of our kids. And then at the end of the night, it's like, wow, we just dropped like, you know, honestly, like more than $100 on, like, a dinner, you know, and that if it wasn't, you know, like, if anything goes wrong, you know, like in the old days, if that happened, it's like, oh, I had, you know, I don't know. So they got my order wrong or, you know, it didn't taste quite the right way. It's like, who cares? No big deal. Like the company is what mattered. And I think now it's like, oh my God, you just spent like $150.
Katie: It's like all these variables.
Caitlin: Whatever, you know?
Katie: Yeah, yeah.
Caitlin: It's hard. It is hard to like, it's hard to think outside of that. But you're right. It is important to do. It's important to like and actually, you know, like, how many times do we do we do the thing and we have fun doing the thing, and we check in and we're like, we need to do this more often. We need to prioritize this. And then we both look at each other and nod and then we don't do it. Yeah, because it's yeah, it's like something else always usurps whatever it is.
Katie: Yeah.
Caitlin: It's tricky.
Katie: Yeah, it is tricky.
Caitlin: Grab your blanket and meet us at the Village Green each Wednesday for live, family friendly entertainment. Learn more about the upcoming schedule on our website.
Katie: Caitlin.
Caitlin: Yes?
Katie: What's kept you going this month.
Caitlin: Oh, my gosh. it's been actually working with you. Katie. Katie and I have been doing school visits all month. We've gotten to the end of our committee work, choosing our list of 12 books that are excellent for third, fourth, and fifth graders. And then we get to go to all the schools in Skokie, and we get to hype our list.
Caitlin: And I'm really proud of our list. And it's really, really fun to sort of take that labor and just share the excitement and the enthusiasm with the kids. And then the very best part of it is seeing the kids come to the library and recognize us from our talks, and also be excited about our books. I mean, our shelf is decimated and that...
Katie: In the best way is.
Caitlin: Such a good feeling. Yeah, just seeing them come in with their bookmarks and saying, look, I saw you at my school and I want to read the book that you told me about. It feels amazing. Honestly, it's like one of my favorite things to do here at the library. I agree it's important. And it's also like, sometimes, you know, like, you can't always feel the immediate gratification or like, see the immediate results of the work that you do. And this is really one of the ways that, like, we get that almost instantaneous feedback. Yeah. but it feels pretty great.
Katie: Yeah. I think that's what's been keeping me going this month for sure. And it's like just having that conversation with the kids when you're at the school. Yeah. I mean, they're hilarious.
Caitlin: They're so funny and they're so smart and insightful.
Katie: Yeah. I was blown away by some of the kids and the classes that we like. There are a few third grade classes that are just, out of this world.
Caitlin: No kidding. I felt the same way you did.
Katie: Like the things that they, they had read, the things that they knew about, like just the conversation we were having was really, really cool.
Caitlin: I agree, I think it's also really fun that we got into a couple new schools that we hadn't been to before this year, so that felt really exciting and cool.
Katie: Yeah. It just it just feels like things are getting back on track, you know, with like being out in the world. And yeah, that feels really good.
Caitlin: It feels really, really good. And I think also we're moving into one of my favorite library times of the year. And that summer reading. I love doing summer reading with my kids. I love doing it myself because, you know, if you're like me and you like checking things off a list, this is your perfect opportunity.
Katie: For coloring in bubbles.
Caitlin: If that's your jam to color it in. A kid came up to the desk today and was like, am I supposed to write the title in every bubble? And I was like, if you want to. There was a kid, one year. It blew my mind. I still have a photograph of her log because in her summer reading log, she drew a picture of every cover that she read to me. This kid I've ever met.
Katie: That's amazing.
Caitlin: I know it was so cool. And she was so quietly proud of it. I asked her if I could take a photo of her log, and she was like, yes. And, I don't know. She was just beaming and very well-deserved because it was really cool. So really, you get to do whatever you want with your log. So if you live in Skokie, now's your chance to come to the library and pick up one of our booklets. Summer reading runs June 1st through July 31st, and all you have to do is read. You're probably already doing it. One of the kids at one of the schools that we went to asked if it would count if he read the McDonald's menu, and I said yes, but you have to read it for 20 minutes and you have to read all the words on it. And that's a challenge because some of those words are very chemically.
Katie: Our coworker Vincent Kao also has done that. Yeah. Because, they're a graphic novel artist.
Caitlin: Yeah. He created a genuine work of art like it is.
Katie: Is still downstairs. Yeah.
Caitlin: It is the most beautiful summer reading log I've ever seen. So, really, people of Skokie decorate your log however you want. Fill in those bubbles, however, makes you happy.
Katie: We love to see it.
Caitlin: We do love to see it. And actually we love it if you show it to us. And what we love most of all is if you tell us about the books that you're reading. Yeah, that makes us really, really happy.
Katie: That's it for us this month. Remember to keep in touch with us. We'd love to hear from you. Email us at podcast at Skokie Library. That info.
Caitlin: And don't forget if you've enjoyed this episode or previous episodes, rate and reviews on your favorite play, catcher.
Katie: This has been Katie and Caitlin with "Your Family, Your Library," produced by Amber Hayes and sound engineered by Paul Knutson. See ya.
Caitlin: Bye. Happy summer.
Caitlin and Katie talk about how they make time for themselves in their busy schedules. They also share their challenges and successes in growing their relationships with their partners.