text: I have to admit that I hadn't been to a public library since college. But once I had kids, I needed to find a place where I could go that would engage my kids and maybe give me a little bit of a break. During the winter months, my kids aren't huge fans of playing in the ice crusted snow in temperatures that dip below zero. So, our local library has become a huge sanity savor for me and a sanctuary of blissed out playtime for my kids.
  One day a week, there is Story Time for babies and toddlers, which is perfect for my 22-month-old. She gets to hop up and down while the librarian plays an acoustic guitar and sings songs about the colors of the rainbow or about the differences between over and under. I have grown to look forward to this special hour of the week because it means that I can chill with other moms from my neighborhood, who I never knew before. We trade advice, tips, and phone numbers, making this mom stuff feel just that much easier.