Summer Library Fun (part one)

We have been super busy so far this summer. It's nice to take a few minutes to sit down and blog about what we've done so far this year at the library. I mentioned before how our local libraries have an excellent summer reading program. They also have some great events going on. We recently discovered a smaller library a lot closer to our house than the one we have been going to for the last seven years. We have been spending a lot of time there, however we haven't forgotten our favorite library and have visited there a few times too. 

The first program we went to was "Tracking Dinosaurs." While I was a bit disappointed with the presenter, the Daleks had fun. There were soooo many kids who came to this event (my estimate, a few weeks later, was close to 75 kids). It would have been better with a smaller group. Still, like I said, the Daleks had fun. 

They were able to make their own "face fossils" which involved placing aluminum foil over their faces and trying to get an imprint of their facial features. 

I helped The Little Princess with her Face Fossil

Bubba getting help with his Face Fossil.

 Bubba had a better imprint than The Little Princess, but the pictures of the finished product didn't turn out too well.

After the presentation, they were able to explore a few areas. I think this may have been the best part, letting them explore on their own.

There were dinosaur footprints to discover. The Daleks were encouraged to try to tell the story of what had happened. The Little Princess came up with a great story of two dinosaurs playing hide and seek before they got in trouble for running in the library!

 After the crowd thinned a little we were able to look at some of the fossils and miniatures that were brought.

On our way out the Daleks were able to pick their own fossils to bring home. Bubba picked the largest one he could find and The Little Princess picked the one with the "prettiest" design.

Bubba also got a shark tooth for being a
helper during the presentation.

Another event we were able to participate in was "Digging Into Nature." I was not expecting much due to my disappointment in the other event, but I was very happily impressed. Matthew Dodd talked all about caves, and he was WONDERFUL! He read stories, sang songs, and really kept the kids attentions.

Sorry for the lousy lighting, but it was dark in the
room to give the ambiance of being in a cave!

 After, each story Mr. Dodd would sing a song relating to what he just read. Often the songs were his own lyrics put to the tune of another song such as...

"There was a man who found a cave e-i-e-i-o. And in this cave there was a bat e-i-e-i-o."

Or "Earthworm, you make my heart squirm" sung to Wild Thing by The Troggs.

 Honestly, I think I may have had as much fun as the Daleks listening to all of his crazy songs!

Bubba, Mr. Dodd, The Little Princess,
and Sonic (a friend who came with us)

The final trip I will bore you tell you about was our "Dinosaur Story and Craft Time." I was super excited about this trip for two reasons. The first was we were heading back to our home library which is a lot bigger even if it is farther away from our house. The second was it was story time with Ms. Lisa. We love Ms. Lisa! She is an excellent story teller getting the kids involved and keeping their attentions, even if it's a large crowd, which it was.

Ms. Lisa reading
The Day Dinosaurs Came With Everything
by Elise Broach  

 After the story the Daleks were able to create their own dinosaur story. They each got a dinosaur cut out, crayons, and (to quote Ms. Lisa) "The absolute best thing in the whole wide world, a blank piece of paper!" The Daleks went to town!

This is Baby Dane in her nest.

Silly likes to eat trees!
(He's Silly because he's a T-Rex who likes to eat trees!)

 After story time the Daleks wanted to stay and play. I couldn't blame them, the library has the best toys!

Bubba spent almost an hour playing with
these little animals that you build with.

The Little Princess spent all of her time
playing with some new friends in the play kitchen.

We are now about half way through the library program. (sniffle) Now, we really need to get on the ball with all of the other fun things I have planned for this summer!

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