Little Free Library

I love to read and I love to pass books along. I've been visiting Little Free Libraries when we travel for several years and thought it would be fun to make my own. And recently I have discovered several of them close to my home, as these libraries are located all over the world. The idea is you can take a book or leave a book or both (exchange a book for a new one).

Our little girl has also gotten into them- she likes to be the first one to spot them as we try to find new ones we have not visited....and she has picked out some interesting books for herself:

I downloaded the plans from the Little Free Library website and I've been working on this for MONTHS. And I have had a lot of help for this project- it has really been a labor of love...I took a woodworking class where I did most of the work.  Our friend and next door neighbor helped me a lot with the door and gave me all the wood for the project. Another friend gave me the the shingles for the roof.  My daughter helped me paint the Little Free Library and my husband helped me with the handle and attaching the door. When I put it that way, it sounds like I hardly had any part in this project, but I assure you I did!

I've been stocking up on books:

And put on some finishing touches. Since the library will be at our dental office, I thought it only fitting to have a toothbrush for a handle.

Michigan

On Mother's Day nine years ago, my husband proposed to me at the top of a lighthouse in Michigan. We try to make it back there every year and have been there during all the different seasons. We went back again on Mother's Day this year, as a family.

We still checked out our favorite waterfall

And went rock hunting

We checked out a few new things as well, like a couple of Little Free Libraries:

This year we even took in a concert at the historic Calumet Theatre.

Its definitely a different experience with two kids in tow than the romantic weekend getaway it was when we got engaged, but it's fun to share our special part of the world with our kids.

Jon found this awesome piece of drift wood

I have a similar photo of my husband and I sitting like this years ago...

There was a girl who wanted to bring this 16 foot stick home very, very badly. I have no idea where she gets these ideas...

the desserts at the lighthouse are AMAZING

climbing the stairs to the lighthouse tower

The view from the top of the lighthouse, in the exact spot my husband proposed.

And then this happened...our little girl finally decided she LOVED her little brother.

And then my Little Man said "Mama for the first time." Let me just note that this was his first word. My heart is happy. A perfect Mother's Day gift indeed.

~Angela