Overdue for Some Luck at the Library

It will come as no surprise to anybody that my children and I are regulars at our local library. Before Benjamin started kindergarten I don't think we ever missed a weekly story time--and for the past three years at least the summer reading club has been at the top of our agenda for June, July and August.

This year Ben and Janae were among the first to get their reading medals,






and we have not missed any of the music shows, magic shows, science shows--we even made it to the PJ puppet show and the stuffed animal parade. We are--without a doubt--some of the library's most devoted fans.

 

One down side to these events, though, is that at EVERY one each of the children gets a ticket for a draw that is held at the end. This sounds like lots of fun--and it is to most of the kids--but unfortunately my children have a . . . let's call it "healthy spirit of competition," which makes it hard for them to understand why they don't win a prize.

I have had many talks, particularly with Benjamin, about being happy for those who win, reminding him that in these situations many children have to take turns at being the winner.

The problem is that even though we are always there, we NEVER win.

Then last Friday, our luck changed. We had attended a Mad Science show, where we learned all about things like flash paper and dry ice. Ben was amazed. Janae was impressed. Even Alaina was entertained.

 

At the end of the show the children's librarian went up to the front with her tin can full of ticket stubs. I tried not to groan and resisted the urge to quickly escort my children out of the room. Ben and Janae scurried over to me with their tickets, and I listened as the first set of numbers was read. I looked at Ben's ticket, and realized IT WAS THE WINNER!!!!!

You should have seen his face. His mouth was wide open and his cheeks were burning with excitement as he ran up to the front to get the coveted yellow paper that would later be turned in for a book and a toy.

After all our years at the library, finally we had won.

Then yesterday--Wednesday--only four days later--we went to the library again to hear a children's musician perform. As the presentation ended, the draw began, and once again we looked at our tickets. This time I didn't feel any stress or anticipation. Ben had just won, afterall.

But as the fifth set of numbers was read, we couldn't help but notice that THEY MATCHED JANAE'S TICKET!!!!!

Janae had been a good sport about Ben winning, but she was more than excited to have her own turn. She got a highligher with three colors (which she has been drawing with all last night and today) and a book of poems called Alligator Stew.

 

I guess it was bound to happen sooner or later, but twice in one week??

 

Do you think we should start playing the lottery or something? :)