Salem Fair 2013

The Salem Fair has been around for as long as I can remember, maybe even for longer than I have been around...hehehe.... I have been countless times and Love Love Love walking around looking at the exhibits if nothing else.

 This year mom decided to treat her 4 youngest grandchildren, Victor and I to the fair.  We were going to get wristbands at Kroger for $15, but didn't realize that they had to be purchased by 4pm, so we decided to wing it.  On the way to the fair we heard that rides were $1 a piece until 6pm, so we had about an hour and a half to get some cheap rides in and still have some fun without breaking the bank.

 We decided to start with the Ferris Wheel, which Aiden was insisting on and Logan didn't want to get on.  By the time the ride was over Aiden decided it was scary to go that high and Logan decided he loved the Ferris Wheel.

 The next ride Mom wanted to make sure we got in was the carrosel.  The kids had a blast and Mom loved being able to share that experience with them.  I found out that its not as easy to stand up on the carrosel as it looks, but I did manage to get some pictures and video without falling off.

Emma was being cute as ever and laughing her little head off as she went up and down on her horse and Logan was ready to go faster.

 We headed for the Apple tea-cups next and Mom stayed with the girls while Victor and I took the boys and spun them silly.  Poor Victor had an upset stomach for awhile after that one.  So we let the boys choose some milder rides for the next couple.

 The collective favorites for the boys were the 4 wheelers that they could ride all by themselves and the funhouse.  I think they did each of those 3 times a piece.

 The girls were very disappointed that they were not big enough to ride the 4 wheelers, but Grandma was on top of it and we went on the Helicopter ride next.

 

 The helicopter was another spin and rock ride that the girls and Logan loved, Aiden mom and I were not so sure about this one by the time it was done tho.

 So Mom and I headed back to the Carossel with the girls and Victor took the boys to play on the 4 wheelers and in the fun house before we ran out of time at 6pm.

 It was great to see Mom enjoying herself with her youngest grandbabies and getting the chance to really enjoy them.  She was so happy that she got to share the Fair with all of us and get the chance to relax and have some fun again.

 Once the $1 rides were done we all joined back up and went to find some neat stuff to see. 

 We have had so much rain while the Fair has been in town that the Legoland display didn't have the legos out to play with, but the kids love playing the crayola app that has a special marker stylus to color with.

 The boys got the last of my camera battery with some picture boards they found....

.....And as much as I despise Sponge Bob, they of course thought it was the greatest thing since sliced bread.  After we finished up J met us at Pizza Hut to finish off the night with a nice meal before we all headed home. Thanks again Mom for taking us to the Fair, we all had a great time and will have memories to last a lifetime.

Grand Opening of the new Glenvar Branch Library

 Today marked the grand opening of the new Glenvar Branch Library in Roanoke County, VA.  I wish I had some pictures of the old library that i grew up going to, it was a 5000 square foot, quaint country library with a small meeting, one child's computer and tiny sections.  We have been granted a new awesome library to enjoy for years to come that is ove 15,000 square foot, with childrens, teen and adult sections, quiet study rooms, conference rooms, a break room, a computer lab, even a fireplace.

Aiden was so excited to see "his" new library.  We got a re-useable bag for toting books back-an-forth, pens, candy, a Dr. Suess pencil, Charms, bracelets and even some snacks at the celebration, it was really a lot of fun.  The whole community seemed to be there.  I saw a couple of old teachers and their families, quite a few of Aiden's school mates, and even a co-worker, Cheryl, and her nephews.  Aiden picked out a few books to borrow and 2 Scooby-Doo movies and played in the photo booth with his friend Anna and I got to catch up with her mom.  [[Aiden is hoping we can get together for another play date with them soon :)]]

We got the information to register for the summer reading program while we were there too.  For Roanoke County go to www.yourlibrary.us, then click on the "Summer Reading" Link, Register and start logging your minutes.  After you have registered you can stop by your local branch library to pick up the summer reading packet and you are on your way to summer reading fun in no time. If you read for 10 hours by August 9th you can stop back by the library for a prize as well.  Aiden remembers doing the Summer reading program last year and was excited to pick out books to get started with this year.

Over the rest of the summer there are lots of other great activities planned for the community.  I hope to take Aiden to the Snakes Alive program ((July 23 1030@AM)) and to see Zelnick the Magician ((July 25 @3PM)) at Glenvar Branch Library and to the End of Summer Picinic at Greenhill Park ((August 9 from 5-8PM)).  I will have to see about getting a friday night off, but hopefully it is far enough out that I can work it out.