Summer Library Fun

We LOVE the library and visit weekly for book check out and music time, but right now we are also enjoying all the free summer programs they are offering. And even better, we live between the Amarillo and Canyon libraries so we get to take advantage of two locations! 

BALLOON MAGIC SHOW - This show was so fun! It was Star Wars themed and he made all sorts of amazing balloon creations - Darth Vader's helmet, an X-wing, Yoda, light sabers, etc... to go along with his magic tricks. The kids were engaged and laughing the whole time. At the end of the show he blew up a huge balloon with a leaf blower, climbed inside, and then made it burst - they loved it! 

PLANT ACTIVITY - at this event we learned all about plants and then the kids got to transfer seedlings into little pots of dirt to take home. So far all three are still alive! We brought some friends along with us for this activity and then stopped at Sweet Sipz for a treat on the way home. 

HOT AIR BALLOON PRESENTATION - a hot air balloon pilot came and gave a presentation about his balloon and flying. It was actually very interesting for adults, but not so much for kids.... There was lot of talking accompanied by an hour long power point presentation. You can see how Charlie felt about it - zzzzzz. I was actually very impressed with how well the kids were behaved since I didn't bring any snacks or toys along to entertain them. At the end he did take outside and fired the burners for his balloon and they were amazing hot!

After the balloon presentation we stopped by WT to say hello to Dave on our way back home. The kids mostly associate trips to his office with receiving candy, and they were not disappointed on this visit. The dean's secretary gave them each a treat!

SPACE GAMES - the theme for the summer reading program this year is "A Universe of Stories" so the library put together a little carnival of space-related games for the kids to enjoy. We played land on the moon (throw a ball at a target), had relay race with robot claws, tossed "Saturn's" rings around a beach ball, made Fizzy Jupiters (baking soda balls with vinegar), and tried to assemble things with "astronaut" gloves on. Sophie also won three tickets to Wonderland, the little amusement park, in the raffle!! 

FREE Smoothies for a Year!

A smoothie shop near us was having their grand opening on Friday, February 1st. To promote their new location, they had announced "Free Smoothies for a Year" for the first 50 customers in line that morning! I think it's good to do something a little crazy every now and then, so I decided to go for it. A had a couple friends that were supposed to join me, but one decided it was too early/cold and the other's son came down with the flu during the night, so I ended up waiting by myself. 

Luckily we live in Texas, and while it gets cold here, it's not dangerous to stand outdoors in the early morning for a few hours. I left the house at 5 am, when it was 25 degrees out.  I was fully prepared with long underwear, my ski jacket, hat, gloves, hand warmers, a subzero sleeping bag, and a chair so I wouldn't have to sit on the ground. I was by far the most dressed person out there, and was shocked to see some people waiting in just t-shirts and sandals. 

When I arrived there were quite a few people already in line, but it looked like I would still make it. People kept coming and going, so it was hard to know exactly where I stood, but in the end I was #44 - I made it!! Free smoothies for a year for me!!

They passed out 50 cups just before 7 am and I was able to get one. It made me a bit anxious to be near the end of the line and I would have been pretty disappointed to go home empty handed.

My punch card, good for 52 free smoothies. There are about 30 combinations on their menu, so I'll be able to try them all! 

The kids are going to get very spoiled with their weekly smoothie. We pass the shop on our way home from Sophie's school so it's a convenient stop :)