Library Fun

While in Texas we had to visit the library.  We sure like libraries.  John wanted to know if his library card would work at Grandma's library.  He was, after all, in good standing.  All of his books were returned on time and he treated them well.  I explained his card wouldn't work, but Grandma and Grandpa could check out books for him.  The boys were also very excited that they were having Storyhour when we arrived.

 Two of them worked pretty hard on their crafts.

 Sadly I'm not much of a keeper so we all admired them until we made it out to the car.  Then they were stuff in the trunk only to make it out in a trash bag.

 Then it was time to pick out books.  The boys love to read!

I think they make a pretty cute advertisement for a library.

A Book Signing

A couple of weeks ago our little library had a big book signing.  Nick Offerman wrote a book and, since he is from Minooka, it only made sense that he would actually come for a visit.

 The gym started to fill up a hour before the event. 

Nick did a sound check about 20 minutes before the event was going to start.  It was funny to watch people race to their seats thinking the shindig was starting.  They didn't want to miss a thing.

 By the time the event was set to start there were only a few seats empty.

Nick's dad, Ric, started the whole thing with some very kind words and an introduction of Nick.  Mr. Offerman is kind and sweet.  I felt honored to be able to watch as his old students came up to talk to him and introduce their children to one of their favorite teachers.

In Ric's introduction he thanking his loving, kind, beautiful wife, Cathy for all of her love, work, and dedication to their family.  He even asked her to stand. 

 After Ric's introduction it was time to bring out Nick.

 He made the audience laugh and even himself from time to time.

 He read excerpts from his book...

 and sang a few songs.

After the presentation it was time to sign books.

There were a lot of books to sign.  Nick stayed until well after 11 PM making sure everyone's book was signed.

It was a fun event.  There are some real troopers out there who waited hours to have their book signed and say hi to Nick.  This trooper had kids at home, a babysitter to relieve, and be at work early the next morning so I left at 10:45.

Gloop

I was trying out different kinds of gloop for a library program this summer.  Gus and Anders were more than willing to help.

 Gloop, or Oobleck, is just a mixture of corn starch and water.  Gus had a great time mixing the two and adding water to make it runny or corn starch to thicken it up.  You know you have the right consistency when you can roll the gloop in your hand and make a solid ball. Then when you open your hand the ball melts into a gooey mess.  It is a great way to show solids and liquids.

 You can add food coloring or paint to make it different colors.  Or even freeze some colored water to watch the colors mix as the ice cubes melt.  If you mix corn starch, water, and baking soda together it also makes the same gloop consistency, but if you sprinkle a kool-aid packet on top the gloop will fizz and bubble.  That was pretty cool.

The boys played for hours.  Clean up was super easy. 

For the library program I had different kinds of gloop set up at tables for the kids to play with.  I also made some gloop by boiling water and cornstarch which made slime. The kids were able to spoon the slime into a strainer and watch as it oozed into the bowl below.  Lots of fun.

Star Wars Reads

October 5th was Star Wars Reads day, so my boss arranged for some Jedis to come by the library.

 They gave a little demonstration on using a light sabre and then asked for volunteers from the audience.

 I know this will come as a surprise to all of you, but John was the first to volunteer.

 Kids were encouraged to dress in costumes or Star Wars gear.

The Jedis were even good with the littlest of Star Wars lovers.

Thomas the Train StoryHour

When my boss Lisa made the program schedule for Summer Reading, I jumped at the chance to do the Thomas program.  This was right up my alley.  I'm pretty sure I still know most of the train names.

 Pinterest gave me lots of decorating ideas.

 I had the tables set up in different colors and then the kids told me all the trains that were red, blue, yellow and green.

 All the kids went home with their very own train whistles.  I know the parents just loved me that day.  I wonder how many train whistles were "lost".

 After a story or two I was showing the kids the cool finger puppets we would be making.

 After cutting out about a million pieces of felt, I thought it might be best to put the faces together for them since the parts were so small.  But the kids glued the heads on the train body and the bumpers.  Each child went home with 3 train puppets, Sir Topham Hat and a conductor.  I wasn't kidding about cutting out about a million pieces of felt.

 The next craft was making a train out of lots of sweet, messy, sugary things.

The kids enjoyed the stories, crafts, songs and food.  Some of the parents are even still talking to me after I sent their kids home with train whistles and hyped up on sugar!

A Mo Willems Event

I have written about Mo Willems before.  I just love Mo Willems. His books are funny and kids love them.  His books get checked out enough at the library that I asked if I could do a Mo Willems program.  So we set aside an afternoon for Mo Willems fans to read Mo' books and have Mo' fun.

All the kids had their own Knuffle Bunny name tags.

Once inside the room, the children and their parents were encouraged to doodle on the tables covered in butcher paper.  Mo keeps his dining room table lined with white paper and the walls are painted with chalkboard paint.  I did a little research for this event.  And by a little I mean a lot.  I felt a bit stalkerish.  I really like Mo Willems.

This is John's doodle.  I think he did pretty well.

Then we all made our own Pigeon hats.

I have to admit I was very specific about the color of this pigeon.  It had to be this specific blue because this is the color of the Pigeon.  I looked all over for this color for a craft that was most likely thrown out when the kids got home.  I'm a little OCD.

 Then we read a whole bunch of books.

 We even did a dramatic reading of an Elephant and Piggie book with John and another parent.  John has theatricality coming out of his ears so this was right up his alley.

 After some fun reading and learning some facts about Mo (yep, I let the kids in on some of the fun facts I found out while stalking Mo), the kids were able to make their own books.

 Creating and doodling together.

 Our neighbors Cassie and Kaylee came to the event.

Each kid went home with a folder filled with color sheets and games all centered around Mo Willems' books.  Oh, and check out the folder cover...that's right, I wrote to Mo and told him about our event and he signed a couple of posters for the library.  My stalking paid off.



Slammers Game

The library staff decided to get together outside of work for a Slammers game.  The Slammers are the minor league team from Joliet.  John had been chomping at the bit to see a game since experiencing the Padres game, so we decided to take our brood and join my coworkers.  I didn't actually watch any of the game, but I had a great time.  The stadium is close-ish to our house.  Parking is free and close.  The stadium is small and clean.  Food prices are fantastic for a ballgame.  And they have a playground and free jumpies for the kids.  We might become regulars next season.

 My coworkers love Hans.  Or they think he is crazy.  Maybe a little of both.

 We reserved the patio.  So we had a nice balcony area with tables and chairs.

 Anders found some girls to talk to.  Boy, was he telling them a story.

 Gus went with Hans to buy me a pretzel.  I only got one bite.

 Brotherly love.

 Popcorn is not something the Fiene boys share very well.

 The weekend games are followed by fireworks.  This is John's new friend David.

I love the people I work with.  Such a wonderful group of men and women (mostly women) with wonderful families.