Summer Fun # 7 ~ Imaginon!

Imaginon is a special branch of our city and county library system.  It is like a library and children's museum in one and also has a children's theater where special plays are shown often.  Evan has had several opportunities to visit on school field trips and has seen some plays there too.  I have never had a chance to visit so we added this to our list of summer activities.  It is located in the center of the city right next to our light rail train system for easy transport although we drove this time.  Parking wasn't too difficult either.  There was a special little exhibit where the kids got to be a part of many fairy tale stories, and the boys and I really loved that.  Brody really loved a big replica of one of our town's trolleys that he could play inside.  Of course, he thought it was a train. There were just a lot of things to treasure in this place.  This library trip was truly an adventure!

The boys are ready to see some books come to life!

A sculpture dedicated to the importance of reading and books.

My little explorers are ready to begin a fantastical journey.

Bet you can guess what story this is.

Evan pretending he's Jack climbing the beanstalk.  He recently watched Jack the Giant Slayer and loved that new take on this old classic.

Encouraging little brother to climb the stalk.

Sliding down the slide into the giant's castle.

Counting the giant's coins.

Pretending he's king of the jungle.

What a cutie on the throne.

Riding in Cinderella's carriage.

Evan crowning his brother.

Cinderella's home

Hey if the shoe fits, right?  Haha!

Elves hard at work.

My little elves making some shoes.

Evan was determined to finish his shoe.

Crawling through the mole's tunnel.

Big brother showing him the wonders in the tunnel, including some snowflakes suspended overhead.

Just hanging out on the Beast's castle.

Brody shows his strength lifting the wolf.

They had the costumes from the theatrical production of Beauty and the Beast on display.

The boys sharing the task of driving.

Brody enjoyed riding in the back of the pickup.  He's a country boy by nature.  Haha!

But he still loves to drive.

Visiting Snoopy in his doghouse. 

The boys playing in Snoopy's house.

Dr. Evan 

Brody finally made it to his "choo choo."  We actually have never ridden on our city's little trolley system.  They are in the process of making it go on a longer route so we will have to check it out soon.

Even a view of our city from inside.

Evan riding the trolley.  

Brody found a big firetruck and was in heaven driving it on this large mat.

And flying rocket ships.

As usual, Evan is content with an electronic device.

Brody and I enjoy more imaginative play with this dollhouse.  OCD mommy had to set up all the furniture in the "correct" rooms.  Haha!

I see a giant peeking through those little windows. 

Evan found Brody this train book.  It turned out to be a very long book and was more educational than I would have thought.  It told all about the building of the first transcontinental railroad and the first journey by train across the country.  I enjoyed reading it to Brody, but I kept expecting him to lose interest any second.  He listened to the whole story, and I am pretty sure it took me more than 30 minutes to read it.  Evan, on the other hand, was a different story. 

Evan gave me a riveting little puppet show until Brody pulled his puppet off.  Little brothers spoil everything.  Haha!

Then Brody played the part of the frog.

And got attacked by a monkey.

The story of the monkey and the frog by Evan and Brody.

Cute little puppeteers. 

Did an alligator eat Brody?

Or is he just turning into one?

Telling his audience something.

Big brother is an adoring fan.

They just wanted to run around this little courtyard area.

A magical carpet on our way out.  

A dragon guarded the entrance and exit.