Reach for the Stars

Tonight our local library sponsored a program called "Reach for the Stars." It was presented by a man, whose name I do not know, but he is known as "The Astronaut Man." He works for NASA and he designed some of the toilets on the space shuttle! Isn't that exciting?! I wasn't allowed to take pictures during the program. Our son was picked as an "astronaut" for the night. He put on a blue jumper and was standing by during the program with 3 other "astronauts" when The Astronaut Man called for assistance.

Did you know...(according to our son)
... it takes only 8 minutes for the space shuttle to get from the ground through the atmosphere?
... when you orbit the earth in a space shuttle you get to see 26 sunrises a day?
... your juice doesn't need a cup in space?
... they use robots to take pictures, work on the space shuttle, and work on the space station?
... a space shuttle launched today headed to the International Space Station (ISS)?
... the shuttle is carrying a robot and a laboratory to the ISS?
... the shuttle will arrive at the ISS tomorrow?
... going to the bathroom in space is gross?
... NASA launched a robot named Phoenix that will land on Mars in May?

Improv at the Library

Did I mention we love our library? Our son just completed a 4 week Drama class focusing on Improv. Today we parents got a mini show of what they learned. The instructor said the class was the most "enthusiastic " class she has had! And assured us several times that that is a good thing!

In this first photo they were doing an improv family portrait.

They lined up and were to quickly improv and freeze the family the instructor called out.

Meet the Zombie Family.

In this 2nd photo there were actually 8 actors, but I have cropped out the faces to protect the inocent!

This was another portrait. They build the picture one actor at a time.

The instructor called each actor to the "stage".

As she called each one up they said what they were,

then froze in a position depicting what they were.

It started with a dog. Then a dog house was added. Next was the dirt. Then our son.

He was a chicken, can you see the resemblance?

After the chicken was the chicken killer (AKA the butcher)

I guess our son was going to be the dog food!

I have forgotten what 2 of the actors claimed to be. Then was the bus driver.

We titled the portrait

"The Wacky Mobile"

Our son had a great time learning about improv durring this 4 week program!
I use Picnik free online photo editing to crop, water mark, and resize before posting to my blog. Today when I went to the site they have changed things and I have free access to more freatures. I like the chicken! (Both of them!)

Afternoon Activities at the Children's Library

Our town has a great Children's Library with many free educational programs! We spend a lot of time there. They have a Passports Program where each month a different country is highlighted. They have covered Costa Rica, Italy, Germany,China, and Turkey. Sadly I completely forgot the Turkey program this week. There are about 8 per year. They also have Time Travelers Program. Our son has participated in WWII and The Black Death, with Pirates coming in March. He has also praticipated in a couple of science programs. This week the Aquarium brought some Jelly Fish and did a program on Jellies! Tomorrow there is a puppet show we are attending. I don't think he has ever been to a puppet show before. I really love our Children's Library and thier staff and I try to let them know often how much we love and appreciate their programs for kids!
This is the weather vane at the top of the steeple of the local library in the late afternoon sun. You can see it at night here.