Filed trip to Children's Museum, Zilker and Peter Pan Mini Golf

I have to admit this was my favorite field trip so far. We started our day at the Austin Children's Museum. While we were in the museum we saw something we haven't seen or heard in what feels like years - rain! The museum was wonderful and had lots of great hands-on stuff for the kids. This summer they have an amazing exhibit called Maker Kids. They have stations set up for screenprinting, stamping, origami, book making, quilt making and all kids of other fun stuff. Kids can create to their hearts content!

The rain brought something we also haven't seen in what feels like years - temperatures under 107 degrees! Seriously, the cooler weather was very welcome since we spent the rest of the day outside. Once at Zilker, the kids played on the playground until the Zilker Zephyr was ready to run (it had been delayed due to weather). While we were waiting we discovered a small museum/exhibit near the entrace to Barton Springs. It was like a cave and had tons of great information on aquifers.

After our ride on the Zephyr, we headed over to Peter Pan Mini Golf. This is a fabulous old school course on Barton Springs & Lamar. It was a great day and enjoyed by all!

miss erin and mister pan

the group shot

colton shows his stuff

the rec center band, with rosie (miss g) and colton a. on guitar, erin on upright bass, zachary on background vocals and colton on drums

mark contemplates the gears

lili works on her creation

makenna gets to work

Touch-A-Truck

Logan and Braiden relax inside the tires of the road grader

This week wasn't just for the princesses in Smithville! Yesterday we created construction hats for our Touch-A-Truck event today. The City and fire department were kind enough to send out their trucks to Riverbend for the kids to explore. They had a great time seeing the dump truck, bucket truck, road grader and of course the fire truck. Everyone got a big kick out of setting off the sirens and airhorn!

Volunteer firefighter and city employee Trey Clemmons shows Logan and Braiden how to sound the sirens.

Judah seeks some shade in the road grader tires

Logan checks out the bucket truck

the kids from first baptist sonshine school were initially not super thrilled with sirens. they were easily won over as they each got their turn to sound them off, though!

mister gabriel commands one of the big trucks

gabriel and matthew explore the front loader

Princess Party

Princess Chesney

The princesses of Smithville had a fabulous time crafting and watching a princess movie. We made two different types of bracelets and decorated princess themed sun catchers. One of the bracelets we created was filled with glitter and beads. I got the idea here at familyfun.com, which is a GREAT website.


Hydo Bracelet
Supplies
1/2" clear plastic tubing (can be purchased in the plumbing supply section)

3/8" clear plastic tubing
(You will need a smaller size for the piece to hold it together, it helps if you pre-fit it in the store. We used 1/2" and a smaller size for the smaller one.)

Tiny beads and big glitter.
(our beads were a bit on the big side - seed beads would work better. And we discovered the finer glitter globbed up and the larger kind worked much better.)


Directions
1) Start by measuring your wrist and trimming the larger tubing accordingly. The straighter you can get the cut the better.


2) Cut the smaller piece to approximately 1". We found it works better when the piece is on the long side, so start longer and trim from there.


3) Place the smaller piece inside the larger piece to plug up one end.


4) Place your glitter and beads inside the tube (you may need to use your finger to keep the beads from falling out).


5) Add a little water at a time, plugging of the other end with your finger.


6) Slip the other end onto your smaller piece to seal it - enjoy your bracelet!

Pet Parade

Both the two and four legged had a great time at our first pet parade. We started the day by taking a special stroll from the Rec Center down to the gazebo. Once at the gazebo, we had a pet fashion show and pet trick contest.

Jayton and Bailey lead the way

Chad and Bella work the run way

Jaycee and her kitty, Luna, take a stroll down the run way.

Jordan leads Sunny with some impressive tricks

our esteemed judges =)

prizes were generously donated by rainbow company, riverside veterinary clinic and petco

bella models her winnings as best dressed pooch


brodie poses with his pup, bella

Bob Bullock

Our second field trip of the summer was to the Bob Bullock Museum in Austin. We learned about the history of our great state and enjoyed the movie Under the Sea in 3D. Everyone had a great time and left with a strong sense of Texas pride!

Field Trip to Inner Space Caverns

We got the summer off to a great start with a trip to Inner Space Caverns. We learned all about fried eggs, soda straws and bacon! And no, these were not menu items at the cafe - they are cave formations. You can learn more about this and much much more at the library on Thursday at 3pm during the first Think About it Thursday. Here are some pictures from our adventure. Hope to see you on our next trip!

my favorite cave formation - curtains

the group poses for a photo

soda straws!

grace shows off the jewels she found!

erin empties her bag to pan for gems

Senior Trips

The Parks and Rec Department will be taking a group of seniors to Brenham on Thursday, June 11th. The bus will depart the Rec Center at 8am. The first stop on our trip is the Burton Cotton Gin. Next we will head to downtown Brenham to enjoy a leisurely lunch and shopping before heading over to the Brenham History Museum. The last stop on our trip will be to the Giddings-Stone and Giddings-Wilkins Mansions for a private tour.

The fee for the trip is $15; you will be responsible for purchasing your own lunch. You may reserve your spot over the phone at 237-3282, x7 or you may drop by the Rec Center located at 106 Royston.

Our next senior trip will be to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center at July 9th. Spots for both trips are limited so sign-up early!

Partnership with Smithville Public Library

We are excited to announce a partnership with the Smithville Public Library to continue Think About it Thursdays through the summer. The library will host discussion "salons" to follow Parks and Rec field trips on Tuesdays. They will take place at 3pm on Thursdays at the Smithville Public Library. Think About it Thursdays are free to the public and will follow field trips with a science emphasis (please see our website - smithvillepard.com for more information on which trips will be accompanied by a Think About it Thursday).

Participants will share their experiences from the trip and will be given the opportunity to check out some of new nonfiction books to further explore the field. For example, after the field trip to Inner Space Caverns on June 9th, the kids can head over to the library on Thursday to create their own aquifers as well as to learn more about stalactites and stalagmites.

You can visit our website for more info or you may also contact the library for more information. Spots are limited for the field trips, so be sure to call or come by to sign-up early!

Think About it Thursday

The kids in the after school program ended the school year with the best Think About it Thursday yet. We created a crazy chemistry conccotion which is very similiar in texture to the Nickelodeon GAK.

Here is the recipe to create your own!

One 4 oz. bottle of Elmer's Glue (it has to be regular glue - washable will not work!)
Approximately 1/4c of water
Approximately 1T of Borax (common cleaning product available at Brookshires)
Food coloring

1) Empty the glue bottle in to a bowl.
2) Fill the glue bottle with warm water and swish around.
3) Add food coloring.
4) Add the water and glue and mix.
5) Add approximately 1T Borax to approximately 1/4c of warm water; mix until completely dissolved.
6) Slowly add Borax mixture to glue mixture.

If your goo is too watery, add more of the borax mixture until it reaches the desired consistency.

Hope you have a great time with your goo! Join us at the Smithville Public library on Thursdays at 3pm for the Summer Think About it Thursdays. Visit our webpage, smithvillepard.com under the summer section, for more information.

Nicholas peers through his creation!
Kimberlin adds the magic ingredient (borax)