Early Christmas Shopping, Anyone?

Oh, stop yelling at the computer screen, I know it' September - I'm offering you a good deal, here.

Last year we made up our own t-shirts for the Summer Reading Program, and everyone liked them so much, we had a few extra made. We are pretty much selling them at our cost - $5 each if you come in and buy them here, $10 each if you would like them shipped to you.

They come in black print on red, orange, yellow, light green, light blue, and purple.

Some colors are unavailable in some sizes. In children's sizes we have:

4T

Small (size 6/8)

Medium (size 10/12)

Large (size 14)

In adult sizes we have:

Small

Medium

Large

XL

XXL (only a few left!)

Roll them up and stuff them in a stocking - or, wrap them around a couple books and tie with a big pretty bow. Better yet, get a basic superhero mask and use that to tie up the package!

If you are interested in ordering some through the mail, e-mail me at ajones@ci.alamogordo.nm.us, and we'll get you set up!

Summer Reading Day Two

Because Day One was absolutely too nuts to have time to post anything.

We registered about 60 more kids, bringing our total so far to 880, and we gave out over 900 prizes. Each prize is equivalent to one day of reading for at least thirty minutes, so it looks like everyone is starting their summer off right! Almost 100 kids earned their shirt on the very first day.

Of course, the first day of prizes and programs was a perfect time for our entire system to go down. No checking in or out, no looking up or reserving books, no cataloging or changing item status, no computer reservations. So, everyone just stayed in the library and read their books there. All day. That's awesome, but it made for no down time for any of us!

Smallish groups (around 30) at the story times:

that number will probably go way up as the summer goes on, and word gets out. We have six story times each week, lunch (provided through the schools) five days a week, plus Tweens on Mondays and Teens on Thursdays. The Tweens had a special visitor last night:

One of these things is not like the other...

He brought free pizza!

After descending on it like locusts (I think I see six slices left back there), they made superhero capes.

Looks like fun! And there was food! There is always food.

How is your summer going? Are you participating in your local SRP? Reading anything good? Going anywhere cool? Relaxing with the family? Leave a comment!

Summer Reading in 3...2...

Whew! Seems like when I have the most to blog about, I have the least amount of time to actually do it.

We held our opening registration for the Summer Reading Program on the last day of school (May 22 here). It was PACKED!

At the same time, we had a visiting archaeologist in the next room, with lots of cool hands-on artifacts.

Yes, hands-on! I think the man is crazy, and I walked past those pots with my hands in my pockets all day - but, nothing got broken (even when my kids took a look - whew!)

Everyone seemed to have a great time, and we registered about twice the normal number of kids. That trend has continued so far, and since, in my experience, the kids who register at the beginning are very likely to earn their t-shirts...singing in an Anna voice, "Do you wanna be a sponsor?"

I sent out a mass mailing, and a couple businesses have stepped up to the plate. Papa John's actually approached us about bringing pizza to some of our teen and tween programs - score!

As one of our passive programs, we have had these "Who Is Your Hero" forms for kids to fill out. This one is, hands-down, my favorite so far:

The little art corner has attracted a few artists:

as well as Shane, who likes to throw the crayons everywhere, then stand there and say "Ohhhhhhhhh!" in a shocked voice - as if he has NO idea who did that.

My teen volunteers started this week. Looks like a good group so far! We are getting them comfortable with getting kids registered this week, before jumping into the craziness of prizes and programs this week. 

The free lunches have also begun, and the supervisor (who is new this year) almost had a heart attack when I told him we have 750 kids signed up so far. I reassured him that they do not actually all come in at the same time!

This lawn will be much more crowded this time next week!

At times it can seem like they are all here at once, however, so I am off to straighten the room for the umpteenth time today. See you all at story time!

Summer Reading 2015 - The Final Countdown

Tomorrow is the day! The last day of school (less than an hour long, so most kids just don't go), and the first day of registration for Summer Reading! Some things we have been getting ready for months, others can't be done until the last minute. 

I put together 200 copies of the participant packets a couple weeks ago.

And then today I changed the date of one of the activities. I've fixed about half of them...the problem with doing something monotonous, like scribbling out a date, is that your mind keeps jumping to other things you need to do...

like, take down the art table, and turn it into the registration table.

Then, of course, you feel bad that you had to take down the art table, 

so you set up a community art project in another corner.

Displays are up:

Bottles have pictures of raffle prizes -
kids will put their tickets in the bottle for the prize they want to win.

Don't forget the sponsor wall!

Raffle prizes - some of which were just purchased today!

T-shirts are sorted, folded, and organized neatly:

The rest of the closet...not so much.

Emma is hiding.

She is hoping I won't notice that her tank walls really need to be cleaned.

Treasure box is full, even though we don't start giving out prizes until June 8.

More prizes waiting in the wings...

Hello, Mr. Green!

Craft materials ready and books selected.

Glue bottles filled and cleaned, markers checked and distributed evenly by color (that will last for approximately one story time).

Snacks...

...and drinks ready for the teens and tweens! 

(And, thank-you, Space City Sertoma, for the gift card, so I can add fresh fruits and veggies all summer!)

I even pulled appliances out and cleaned behind them, so everything will start out fresh! (Again, that will last for approximately one story time).

Ooh - I need to pull books to display alongside the visiting archaeological exhibit that is coming tomorrow only. And set up the superhero ID card station that is also tomorrow only. Back to work! See you all manana!!

Wasn't That a Party!

Christopher turned EIGHT earlier this month, but with crazy schedules, we couldn't have a birthday party right away. He graciously agreed to share his day with his niece Gracie, who turned ONE, and we finally got it scheduled for this Saturday.

Another major hurdle turned out to be picking the theme. What fits both an 8-year-old boy and a one-year-old girl? He finally decided he wanted Spiderman, so we made Gracie (who I always call "Bug") his sidekick, Ladybug Girl.

Cupcakes are so much easier than a cake:

without frosting

and with.

I knew the kids wouldn't sit long for a craft, but it's nice to have something available for those who get there first, so we had the makings of superhero masks. 

We also had "Hello My Name Is" name tags, and a superhero name generator, in case you didn't already know your superhero (or supervillain) name. I went with "Mom". I'll let you decide if that's hero or villain.

The kids all love playing outside, so it was struggle to pull them in to eat. The promise of cupcakes and ice cream helped!

Will she make a mess?

Was there really any question?

One friend brought bubbles for Logan and Sheridan, too, and Logan just could NOT wait to use his!

I don't remember what J. was telling me so earnestly, but I remember it was very important.

Presents!

Gracie, of course, taste-tested everything.

This was from a teaching assistant at Christopher's school - I think she's looking forward to summer break, too!

They both had lots of help getting everything open.

SOMEbody kept trying to steal my baby, even though she has four very cute ones of her own. 

Finally back outside! I am SO glad we live where they can just run around in the shade and be kids.

Bubbles and squirt guns, of course, help keep it nice and cool.

This is the first of three outfits Sheridan went through.

Logan kept telling people sweetly, "Come here, I have something for you!" - and then shooting them.

This is probably my favorite picture of the day: Loving mother using her oldest child as a human shield.

I think everyone had a good time. At least one was as exhausted by the end as I was:

Happy Birthday Christopher and Gracie!