A Happy Place

I wasn't sure how we were going to managed Leah's weekly symphony rehearsal in Des Moines, but we have found a very happy place to spend our time while she's practicing.  

Through this adorable "secret passageway" is the door to the library, which is right next door!  The kids immediately load up on piles of books, play with trains, puzzles and magnets (they haven't noticed the computers just yet), 

 occasionally get to pet a cat or dog, 

and then we hurry back to the performing arts center to pick Leah up.  The walk is plenty long when I'm lugging an Ikea-sized bag of books along with me, while also trying to navigate small children away from the busy city street, but for now, this trek is an absolute highlight of our week!