…introducing what I hope will become a very regular feature here – tales of exploring Atlanta with Charlie. Yesterday was our first one-on-one time since he moved. I researched the local library* offerings and the Wednesday morning story time was highly recommended.

I picked him up just before 10 am and after a somewhat mad search for his glasses, he settled on his mom’s. How wonderful to have him back in the back seat again!

We got to the library early enough for him to choose – and me to read – a few books before story time started. I noticed that the shelves weren’t as low and the selection wasn’t as broad as “my” library, but he didn’t seem to mind.

Once we moved to the room for story time, he got really shy (honestly, me too – it was packed … with strangers).

but the woman who read (and sang, and quieted, comforted, cajoled and generally kept a room full of babies, toddlers and all their caregivers happy) was a wonder. The 40 minutes passed quickly and ended with stickers. Charlie was a most happy camper.

Which bode well for taking a “good” photo outside.

We had lunch at a local diner. The waitress complimented Charlie on his good manners and that made me smile. but watching him watch all the people (and enjoy his lunch) was even better.

He fell asleep in the car on the way back to his house (just a little over a 10 minute ride) but woke up to put the leftovers into the fridge. I kissed him goodbye and headed home.

We spent a little over three hours together and it was perfect. A great beginning!

*We still all live in the same county, so we share the same library (yay! Charlie doesn’t need a different card and I can checkout books there, too) and his local branch is only two miles from his house. I LOVE seeing directions that predict “less than 5 minutes” to my destination!