Time for Mamapolooza

On Saturday afternoon, the lower level of the Waynesboro Public Library was filled with children, heads bent down towards a very important task — making their moms a Mother’s Day present.
Little hands worked hard at beading necklaces and keychains, making mosaic picture frames and crafting tie-dyed bandannas with markers, all under the watchful eye of Adrienne Hamlyn, the library’s children’s programming coordinator.
Of course, everyone’s mom — and, in some cases, their grandmother, father or grandfather — was there to see all the gift-making efforts unfold, and lend a hand where it was needed.
“When you can look out at all these little faces, it’s hard to have anything but a good day,” Hamlyn said. “Everybody is always excited to come to the library and do crafts, and Mother’s Day is an obvious choice for an activity. So we’re all here, doing crafts for Mom.”
“Mamapolooza,” part of the library’s schedule of activities for children and their parents, gave the folks who attended the opportunity to get out and mingle with other local families with young children. The library provided craft ideas and supplies, as well as cupcakes and punch, plenty of space for kids to play safely and newspaper-covered tables so everyone could get a little messy without worry.
It was the first time at a Waynesboro Library children’s activity for Emilie Wheeler and her family, who decided to attend when they first heard about the event. Wheeler won a gift certificate to a local restaurant during the festivities.
“I have a friend who comes down here,” Wheeler said, as she watched her daughter Sarah, 2, string beads on a lanyard. “This is only my second time at this library, ever.
“We’re having fun. She won’t let me help her, though,” she added, referring to Sarah, who was working hard with a small, heart-shaped red bead. “She’s little Miss Independent.”
Pat Small attended “Mama-polooza” with her daughter, Danielle Miller, and Miller’s two young children. Sitting with granddaughter Ivy-Anne Miller, 2, Small helped with the construction of a mosiac picture frame, made from small pieces of colorful ceramic tile.
“My daughter comes to the library all the time,” Small said. “I think it’s great. There’s been a whole lot of activities. They’re working hard.”
The library has a full schedule of events for children and their families, including several later this month. It’s the perfect opportunity for parents with small children to socialize with other parents while supervising their kids.
On May 20 at 6:30 p.m., the library will hold Pajama Night. Kids are encouraged to wear their best pajamas to the library that evening, where they can hear a story, make crafts, have a bedtime snack and enjoy a few surprises.
On May 23 at 9:30 a.m., the library will host Chat-N-Play, featuring activities specifically geared toward infants and toddlers up to three years old. The library bills the event as “active play and discovery for your infant or toddler — conversation for you.”
On May 30 at 7 p.m., the library will hold Friday Night at the Movies. Attendees can watch “big screen features” and enjoy free popcorn and soda.