Choices in the library

Big library day for Reed - He was able to chose any book in the library.  Until now, the librarian and teacher have guided them to one section of the library at a time.  Parents were invited to take part in this first selection, and I was happy to help out with the class.  Reed thinks he is a big boy now.

Legos

Ryland and Reed asked about Lego Mania, which is hosted by the Colleyville Library every summer.  We just happened to catch the last one of the summer.  I loved watching the boys work with new friends to create this blue tower.  Nice patterns and height. 

Ridley made a new friend playing with the animal Legos.  She loved it but tried to act like she was cool when I pulled out the camera.

           

Paper Airplanes

Our local library has the best summer program for children.  This afternoon we met on the third floor of Town Hall and learned to make different types of paper airplanes.  The best part was launching them from the third floor balcony to the targets below.  So much fun!

Library Fun

While Lizee visited with the kiddos, they had some fun at the children's programs at the library.  They always have a range of activities, and the kids always love it.

Ridley's expression is too funny.  She looks thrilled. 

Snake Encounters

We heard the snake guy was coming back to the library, and we couldn't wait to go see his show.  He is always hilarious and full of knowledge.  The boys were so intrigued and sat quietly for the entire show.

Ridley, on the other hand, was all out drama.  She was laid out on the floor soaking up attention.  I knew I was pushing her nap back, so I couldn't get too upset when she pulled out her Nonnie.

At the end of the show, the children could pet the reptiles.  Both of the boys had to get their hands on this big snake.  Yuck!

Reed practically chased down this massive lizard.  With that, I was ready to go.  

Reptiles

I am not a fan of snakes and lizards, but the boys were so thrilled to see the Snake Guy.  Once again, he put on a great show and had lots of creepy visitors.  The newest addition to the collection was a Komodo Dragon.  After the presentation, we waited in line to "pet" the animals.  Ryland was so excited.

Reed was not.

The Burmese python in the plastic box made Ryland consider for half a second, but then he reached right in to touch the massive snake.  Reed did not, and I now think Reed has more common sense than I originally thought.  Reed and I are happy it will be a year before we see these creatures again.  Yuck!!!

Build-O-Rama Round 2

It's Wednesday, and it is time to build.  Today, Ryland and Reed built houses.  They decided to connect them with a tree bridge, so they could visit one another.  I asked if they were planning on living like this when they grew up, and Ryland informed me that they were planning on living with me.

Reed was a typical camera hog, and he wanted to pose for multiple pictures.  He cracks me up, because he will pose and then want to look at the pictures of himself.  

Stage Fighting

Another hot Texas afternoon spent at the library learning about new things.  Today's presentation was on stage fighting.  Two professional "pirates" taught us how sword fighting in movies and plays is actually fake.  The kids were blown away at all the tricks they learned, and Ryland and Reed were begging for swords.  

The boys pose with the fighting pirate.  Reed is still a little unsure of this stranger.

  They must have really enjoyed our fun day, because they both fell asleep hours before bedtime.  I love summer!

Build-O-Rama

The local libraries have so many summer activities to choose from, so we tried one of our favorites from last summer.  Do thousands of Legos in an empty room sound fun?  Yes!  Reed built and played with a two story house with a monkey tree on the roof.

Ryland played with some older children that were building vehicles and more complex items.

Ridley was happy to watch all the crazy children build and play.  As always she is laughing and in a great mood.

Boas & Pythons

Yuck!  Once again the huge snakes were at the library for a show during Spring Break.  I know the boys love it, so I happily took them to see the big nasty things.  Our good friends, the Wood girls, were once again going, so we made the annual outing.  The boys and Harker loved the snakes, and they couldn't wait to pose with it.  Keaton and us mommies were not so interested. 

 I was also holding Ridley, so I couldn't help but think that damn snake was considering a quick snack of my child.  I swear the snake was looking right at her.  I could have been a bit paranoid, but whatever.  I kept my distance with my sweet, little, tasty baby.

Library fun

The Southlake library has a fun summer planned for the kids.  Today they hosted a Pirate Science demonstration that was all about buoyancy and ship building.  Ryland was very engaged and couldn't wait to get "hands on".  Who knew foil makes some pretty awesome ships?

 

Puppet show

One thing I love about living in Southlake is all the fun, family activities that are available.  The library does a great job of keeping the children active when school is out.  Today we attended a puppet show, and as the pictures show, the boys were really interested.

 

 

Reed wanted to make sure I was seeing the awesomeness.

 

At the end of the show, Ryland and Reed were able to touch one of the puppets and take a picture. 

 

Ryland and Harker couldn't pass up the opportunity to ride one of the cows in Town Square.

 

Monkey see, monkey do.  Reed had a turn too.

Snake Encounters

Our local library had an activity every day of Spring Break. Today, it was a snake encounter. I took the boys to see this crazy man and his snakes. He put on a great show and was really funny. I wasn't a fan of all his snakes, but he was very knowledgeable.
This is probably the only shot of Ryland and Harker sitting down watching the "show". They ran around like crazy people. Between keeping Reed on the right side of the tape and keeping track of Ryland, I was done.

Mr. Snake (I'll call him) picked out kids from the audience to come up and hold the massive python. Ryland and Harker were not chosen, but they decided to go on up front anyway. They didn't get to hold the snake, but they started exploring what was on the table. This made me so nervous because there were so many snakes in boxes and bags. YUCK!

After the show, Mr. Snake let the kids come up and touch the snakes, so the parents could take a picture. Ryland was pretty hesitant, but he caved to peer pressure. Reed couldn't get to that snake fast enough. Yes, that is my baby going for the snake's head.

Oh my, I think I need a tranquilizer for myself!

Lego Mania

What child wouldn't have a blast? Thousands and thousands of Legos! The library held Lego Mania this afternoon, and we met some friends there to play for a little while. Even though there were tons of Legos to choose from, there was still a little kiddo drama over anything with wheels. Ryland and I had a blast building and knocking down the "towers" we built. Reed slept in the stroller through the entire thing. He woke up when it was time to clean up.

Trip to the library

I finally took Reed to the library for the first time today. I can't believe it has taken me 8 months to get there, but we made it. Our library has a wonderful children's program with age appropriate story times. We doubled up and enjoyed the infant walkers and toddler stories. Ryland was totally over the younger version, but he was a trooper. Reed loved both programs, but he really liked the books on the shelves. He was just drawn to them. Even buckled in the stroller he gave me a mischievous grin and started grabbing them.

Wednesday fun

Guess where we are? Yep, the library for Wednesday story time. Ryland poses by the tree trunk.
He knows where the cat is, and he really thinks the cat is funny today. Meow! Or maybe he thinks my noises are funny.

Tired yet? Keep playing until you are kiddo. He loves the indoor play area. He likes for me to knock on the clear plastic. He hears my knocking and will peak up and scare me.

Library party

We participated in the summer reading program at our local library. To celebrate the success of the program, the library hosted a party. The theme was "Bank on Books", and the mascot was Oink the pig. Being a very dramatic pig, Oink decided to enter the party on one of the new firetrucks with the siren turned on.

Ryland was more impressed with the siren than the pig. He just sat back and played with his new stuffed snake he was just given. Whatever pig.

It isn't an awesome party unless there are animals. At the end of the street, there was a petting zoo. Ryland had a great time chasing the little goats and petting them.

I was just waiting for a burst of something. He just looks like he is devising a plan. "Gentle" was the key word I kept repeating. "Play gentle."

As if it wasn't hot enough for the animals and the kids, there was also a trailer. These poor animals need a raise.

Or a better attorney.

Anyone up for a little Electric Slide? It looks like Oink is going to bust a move at any moment.

Ryland scoots to the dance floor to show them up. The child loves to dance, and he jams out. We finish off the evening with cherry snow cones. Pure bliss!

Story time & Chick-fil-A

It's Wednesday, and it is time for story time at the library.

We have been working on learning animal names. Ryland is picking up on some of the names and/or noises. He pointed at several of them on the mural. He still loves ducks and dogs the most.

After story time, we headed to Chick-fil-A again for a bite and some more playing. Ryland is getting pretty quick at climbing, so this is a better option than my coffee table at home.

Story time

Story time at the library is a new hit with Ryland. He loves going to hear the story and play. He was in great deliberation this week as he chose the perfect book.
Another favorite thing to do at the library is run from mommy. He thinks it is hilarious to run up and down the aisles and hide. He laughs and falls down on the floor when I find him.

No storytime is complete without taking a ride on the dragon.