Library Summer Reading Program 2013 *Lots of pics*

Our library, as most across the country, does a great summer reading program.  We participated in the one last year in Schulenburg and really enjoyed that.  I made sure to make the effort to work with Sophie to participate in this year's program in our new hometown, even with Everett still just a newborn.  It was definitely worth the effort!

The summer reading program here involves a few things.  They first have a kickoff event at the park to celebrate and sign up people.  Our library not only does children, but they also have adults participate.  I signed Sophie and me up and then headed off to play!  Sophie had a great time, despite the heat. 

Not quite getting this game.  Every time other kids threw in a ball and it hit her on the head, she laughed.  Silly girl!

The stickers were given for each activity she did or attempted.

What kid doesn't like bubbles??

Face painted and a balloon animal.  She had a fabulous time!

For June and July, the library has you count how many pages you read.  For children, the goal is 1,000. For adults, it's 2,000.  (And yes, reading to your child gives you and your child each those pages to count towards your goal.)  I logged just over 2,000, and on just what we counted up Sophie did too!  I know she had probably a few hundred more because most of her bedtime books we didn't count.  For reading so much, she received a backpack, small toy prizes, a button, coupons for Sonic and Whataburger (which we didn't use), and her picture taken to hang on the wall in the library.  For each 2,000 an adult reads, they can enter into a drawing for different prizes.  I entered, but did not win.  That's ok, though.  I didn't do it fully for that reason; it just would have been a nice bonus.  Here's her picture hanging in the children's section at the library.

There were also weekly story times we attended.  We didn't make it to every week, but most weeks we went.  Sophie loves it!  They actually have it year round so we still go.  It's our Friday activity.  She still loves it and we are getting to know a few of the other regulars as well.  These were from her first week going.

Listening to the stories

Singing the songs

Play time follows each story time

She has her own card and I always make her hand it to the librarians to check out her books.  Every child should know how to check out a book.

To finish out the reading program activities, they held another event at the library.  There wasn't any face painting or balloon animals, but we tried to have fun.  Sophie took a while to warm up to playing games, but did try a couple of them.  Brandon was able to join us as well!  That was a nice treat as he's usually at work.  I think he had as much fun as she did.

Trying to toss the hula hoops onto the cones.

This boy needed a person to race so Brandon volunteered.  He was giving it his all, wasn't he? (Click to enlarge pic)

See that one in the basket?  She really did make it.