As Downtown Library Wednesday 11 a.m. story-time regulars (and Librarian Laura groupies), we were kept abreast of many of these activities. The last we attended (besides storytime) was: "Calling all ROBOTS! The Ann Arbor District Library's Robot Workshop will be held the WEEK BEFORE FestiFools this year....Sunday, March 30th at the downtown branch at 2pm. Let the invasion begin!"
The goal? To craft a robot costume using library-provided boxes and materials that child participants would then wear during the Festifools parade (another totally Ann Arbor event).
Happily, Dad was able to attend, and only rolled his eyes 37 times. The first time, after I rejected all of the 150 pre-cut boxes and requested one with a smaller head hole and higher arm holes. Here's my shot trying to capture this occurrence.
A bit rushed, no? And poor Lucy...
But, wisely, he stepped back initially and let me help with the bulk of the building.
I honestly don't know who had more fun.
PEEK.
The variety and quantity of materials was amazing.
Duct tape everywhere. I've never seen so much duct tape. I saw more duct tape wasted, stuck to kids' shoes, than encountered in a college-dorm-student-lead-loft-building-endeavor. Hot glue guns. CD's. Foam stickies. Plastic tubing. Commercial rolls of tinfoil. Doodads and whatsits.
Even Lucy got her build on.
Or rather, her roll.
Soon, though, I worried I was micromanaging the creative process so let Dad have a go.
He was jazzed to participate but not quite as jazzed as the dad in the background below.
That man gathered materials like a squirrel gathers acorns in November, and while his kid watched, built the whole box with unhealthy fervor.
Dad and daughter did run into some creative differences though...
Dad: "Ummm..."
Maizey: "Ummm..."
After 45 minutes of crazy - voila.
(Here she's roaring - currently very into the "scary monster" theme.)
It was awesome. And free. And reminded me why people love Ann Arbor. (Spurgeons included.)
Though we had all intentions of returning for the parade the following weekend, our move was delayed a day and it was just too much crazy to pack into 14 hours. But we will participate again next year, residents or not. Hopefully we can implement some of Uncle Pete's suggestions...
