Wish List: Libraries to Build Dreams In

I am one of those people who consider books to be a basic human need and have always dreamed of building a library that would be accessible to all.  

It speaks so much about us as a people that we have thousands of internet cafes but only a handful of libraries. The few public libraries that we do have are not exactly inviting. When I was younger I used to visit the Cebu City Public Library to check out the Encyclopedia Britannica but aside from that and some newspapers, there wasn't much to read. 

Now that I have a child of my own, I am bent on raising him to be a reader and to develop a love for books.   He seems to be well on his way. I wish there was a place we could visit where we'd be surrounded by books and we could hang out and play if we wanted or listen to stories being read. I wish we had a children's library. 

This is the Norfolk & Norwich Children's Library which is featured in the database of   designinglibraries.org.uk. 

This is the Cotsen Children's Library at the Harvey S. Firestone Memorial Library in Princeton University.
I wouldn't mind spending an entire afternoon or more here. Isn't it beautiful?

Wish List: Access to Safe Playgrounds

This is one of the 21 playgrounds of Central Park in Manhattan, called the Tots Playground, specially designed for toddlers. The other 20 playgrounds scattered around the park have different themes and are suitable for children of different ages.

I wish there was a safe playground for Luis nearby. The closest thing we have to a playground is the Bacolod Government Center grounds but its really just a patch of grass with a fountain. Panaad Stadium is walking distance but there's nothing much for Luis to do except ride his stroller while we're there. There's a playground at the Capitol Lagoon with see-saws and swings but nothing safe for a toddler who's still learning to walk and stand.

Just now I came across Daphne Osena Paez's blog about the free playgrounds at Bonifacio Global City, and I am so envious.

I wish local governments would consider building safe playgrounds instead of waiting sheds and "Welcome" arches.

Photo from the Central Park official website. 

From Infant to Toddler and a Wish List

Time flies so fast. In a little over a month Luis will turn one.
It's amazing how much a baby grows and learns in the first year.

Luis now cruises in his crib (a second one after he broke the first by jumping so hard) and learning to stand up on his own. 
He loves being read to and already shows his preference for some books over others.
He is fascinated by Colgate commercials and those MTRCB warnings before TV shows start.
He has a crush on KC Concepcion and that baby girl at the start of the Brainy Baby DVDs.
He smiles when I sing "Favorite Things" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" to him.
He does the "close-open" trick his dad taught him when he's bored and holds my wrist when I do it like his dad holds his.
He gets angry when I turn off his Brainy Baby DVD or when I stop reading a book he likes to hear again and again and again.


As he grows, I take note of toys, books and other stuff that could be great for him. I'm posting it here so I won't forget and for my mommy friends to comment if its a good idea or not:


Lego Duplo

I love Lego. Its great that they made a set for toddlers as young as 18 months. I might end up playing with this as much as Luis.


More Karen Katz books

Luis loves "What Does Baby Say". These books are not easy to find here. I got one from Booksale. I hope Booksale stocks up. These books are great because they have big letters, wonderful illustration and Luis loves the lift-the-flap pages.

Baby Musical Instruments

His favorite in the Brainy Baby series is Music. It would be awesome if he grows up and decides he wants to learn to play a musical instrument, but even if he won't, banging on these would be great fun for babies, I think.