Urbana Regional Library

Over the last two weeks we have gotten to know the Urbana Regional Library very well.
And by very well I mean 2 hrs a day well.

It was a lot of work for Mom. Chasing two little ones around.

And she was not as happy as she looks most days.

Bella has been obsessed with the library; puzzles, computers, light table toys, puppets, story times, tablets, trains, blocks, books galore, not to mention friends to accompany all.

Sydney has loved napping and exploring as well, getting in on a little of the fun (we even were there for baby play day).

But the whole reason we have been spending so much time at the library is for CONNOR.
He got into a 10 Day PRE-K STEM LAB put on by Hood College and Urbana Library a free program for preschoolers.
He has loved it and while we wait for Connor everyday, Bella and Sydney and I wait at the library (and Nana and Joseph accompany us too most times).

To be honest I was a little worried how he would do every day for the two hours it is about the longest period of time he has been in a pre-k not to mention he has never done something everyday. And day 3 he did grumble a bit about going but when I reminded him he goes to school and Dad goes to work and he has to to tell Dad about his day and Dad can tell him about his, he perked up for the most part (he loves being like Daddy).

First Day,

Third Day not excited...

Okay maybe a little excited!

In class they had free play, story time, an experiment each day that they planned and executed with a team and by themselves, and then they had a closing music time.

Connor loved the experiments and made toothpick/marshmallow houses (like the 3 little pigs), Flubber, balloon rockets, leprechaun traps, static electricity with balloons and more.

Balloon Rocket Demonstration

They used Connor's rocket, he was SO proud.

On the very last day at the end of class they had a huge picture show we watched about all the days of STEM LAB.

Yep the kid sticking his tongue out, yep that's mine.

It took a heck of a lot to get this picture. Connor despised the lab coats and after the 3rd day never wore them again. They had a very ITCHY tag.

Connor was Awarded for his Love for Books in the STEM Library and for using his Excellent Fine Motor Skills when using Scientific Tools.
We are so proud of our little engineer!

After we watched the picture show they then had stations set up so that the kids could take the parents around and do all the experiments with them. 

Connor wanted none of that, he could barely sit through the picture show and hated standing for pictures, he was all smiles though feeding off all the excitement. But at the experiment showing part he pronounced "This is the last day. I'm done. Let's GO!"

So we went. I was disappointed I didn't get to see all the projects but it wouldn't have been much fun having a grouchy guide, so home we went.