Reptile Day at the Library

Thursday, June 12, 2008

Reptile Day at the Library

I guess this guy is an anual attraction at the county libraries here. We knew that there was going to be a guy with a snake and I pretty much went expecting little more than that. But this man came to impress. The room was packed full and he spent about an hour introducing us to various lizards and snakes, educating us about reptiles all the while. He was really entertaining as well as informative, and the kids loved it.

One thing the man made clear was that although he was really happy to answer questions, he didn't want to take the time for the children's "stories". Almost as if to illustrate his point, several children raised their hands and started their question with statements like, "My mommy said," or "Once my sister did." He very humorously shut them down really quickly and ended his Q&A session for the moment.

One of the things he pulled out was his snake "Godlie". Actually, she was a lizard, but she was the first reptile that looked like a snake. Immediately I saw Ammon's hand shoot up with a question. He didn't get noticed right away, and the guy wasn't ready to take more questions, but Ammon persisted, and eventually he was called on. His question was, "Carolyn has a snake!"

Reptile Man had several different pythons he showed us. The one in the picture above lives in trees so he demonstrated the snakes hanging abilities as he waved the snake over the crowd of screaming children. They loved it!
The other thing that was fun was the chance to touch a few of these unique creatures. I didn't get a picture of Peter, but he also touched the giant lizard. (I was holding him and helped him do it.)
Ammon went through the line to touch this snake twice! It sure was a fun afternoon, and I am looking forward to the rest of the summer and all the fun things they have planned at the library.

3 comments:

KristaJune 13, 2008 at 9:09 AM
I can relate to reptile man's Q&A! Haha! Kids are funny. I am sure Ammon loved that!
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MichelleJune 13, 2008 at 3:12 PM
Reptiles at the library is so unbelievably cool! Glad the kids liked it. :-)
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KatyJune 13, 2008 at 10:00 PM
What a totally fun activity!
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Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.