The End of Our Week

Saturday afternoons have become the official end of our family's week since we opened the store. Sundays and Mondays are our days off to be together exclusively. It's the end of another week and as always, I am exhausted and yet happy. I love to look back on each week at the store and think of all the wonderful children's activities that took place that week. I also love to think about all the children who come to the Garden regularly and all the fun they have just playing together! It makes me feel good that I get to spend time with other parents (some of who are my very best friends) and that they all get to spend time with each other. It's such a pleasure to look back on my work week and feel so good about everything that happened in my store. I will say I feel extremely lucky to be where I am today, to have created such a nice place for our family and for others, to be able to help parents, grandparents and teachers find the books and curriculum they are looking for, to meet new people everyday and to be learning so much myself.

It's hard to believe that only one year ago this month, the store wasn't even opened yet! My family received the keys to the store September 1, 2005. We spent the entire month of September practically living at the store. I remember being in awe of our two young children as they took it all in stride and did not complain about all the long hours spent trying to get the store ready for our October 1st Grand Opening. My wonderful, patient and supportive husband did not try to discourage me from my lofty goals. I still can't believe we pulled it off. We could never have done it without the help of our family and friends. My father-in-law especially helped us a lot the last part of the month. I'll always be thankful to everyone who helped make our dream a reality and those who still do!