Crayola Experience Part2

So we have now been there 2 Saturdays in a row & had just as much fun this time as we did the last time. 

In this post I will talk about the differnt exibites 

Activity Studio

This is a really cool area that has a lot of differnt art stuff like markers, crayns & water colors (don't worry they also have a BIG dryer so that you don't have to walk around with wet artwork) With a projet idea. I don't know how offen the the thyme changes but the two weeks we have been there it's been Under Water. So the Art projet is to make a Suba mast & air tank. Super Dog was really not into makeing eather of the projets so he just did his own thing. 

Art Alive

This is where you draw/color a image on the tablets then "send" it & it will apear on the large smart board/screen. If kids touch the screen/wall the image will change. 

  

Be A Star

You become the STAR of the color sheet in this area 

Birthday Rooms

They even have rooms you can rent for birthdays & fun 

Café Crayola

Becuse after playing so much you need to refuel with Food. 

Super Dog had PB&J uncrustable, carats & a root beer ($8.99) I had Pizza & Frys (yes odd combo but that is how it came & Super Dog loved the frys). To be 100% truthful The food was not the best & you could get better by leaving for lunch then coming back but it was nice to have a place to relax & not have to stress about finding a CLEAN table. Plus the kids meal came with the cute lunch box & cup  (Insider tip - If you have a membership you will get 10%off on food)

  

Café Stage

This was a fun little show about how crayola products are made. The days we were there it was about Silly puddy, Super Dog didn't want to watch the show but the parts of it we did see were really cool. 

Color Magic

Ever want to take a Selfie with page you colored? Well this is the place to do it. You will close a photo then take it to one of the computers were you will scan the image & snap . You are even able to email it to yourself 

Color Playground

They even have a place were kids can run around crazy & let the parents relax a little bit. (they think of everyting) Yes that is a Sky light you see above it. 

  

  

Colossal Caddy

This is a area FULL of color sheets & thousands of crayons. 

Crayola Store

EVERYTING Crayola is in this store plus a mini "Be a star" make your own color sheet area. The store is open to everyon 

(Insider tip- If you have a membership you get 10% in the store)

Crayon Factory

Let Scarlet & Turk (2 crayon friends) show you how Crayola makes their crayons. I am sure many of you have seen "How crayons are made" but this is a really cool interactive show that kids are sure to love. Plus you walk out with a new red crayon when all is done. Shows last about 20 mins. 

  

Doodle In The Dark

Think White bord but under black lights 

Drip Art

(we called it spin are) Here you will put a crayon of your picking in the melter & it will drip wax as you control how fast the paper spins. 

 

Melt & Mold 

Every wanted a Ring crayon or a Race Car crayon, How about a Babe the blue (really any color) Ox crayon. Swing by this place to make one.

  

Meltdown 

(I called it Drip art) Here you will take "paint" with melted crayon wax. 

Word from the wise - Don't try to "Splater paint" the wax is HOT. 

Modeling Madness

 here you will use one of the coins you were given when you checked in (see other blog post for more information about them) to "buy" a color of Modeling Magic. Once you have picked out your color head over to the table & play away. Model Magic is WAY better then play-Doh as it stays together & you don't need to worry about it drying out as you walk around the mall, it takes DAYS to dry out.  

 

Paint Palette 

(same area as Activity Studio) 

Puzzle It!

Make your own Puzzle There are 2 differnt sizes (6 & 12 pices) 

Rainbow Rain

Rockin' Paper

Here you will make paper "dance" (there would had been a vido to go with this but I guess hitting record is helpful)

Say "Crayola!" 

They have "green screens around so you can have your photo taken & they will put something behind you. No one was taking photos our first visit & our 2nd visit we were not asked if we wanted our photo taken, I am ok with that as I know it cost money to have your photo printed. 

Scribble Square 

If your child likes to color on walls, windows, your dog ... Well here is a place you can say "Go at kid" :) Everything that is Black or green is a chackbord anything that is white is a white bord & yet you are seeing it write EVERYTHING can be writen on. 

  

Toddler Town 

Here is a play area JUST for the little ones with just as much fun as the one for Bigger kids. 

  

Trading Post 

This is area were you can buy candy & "Participate in a premium craft experience" (This is how they have it listed on their website). We didn't look to close at this part.

Wrap it up! 

Here you will get to "make" your own crayon. Pick a color, pick a name & image for your crayon, & then Wrap it up. (I talked more about this in the other blog post)

You Design

 Here you can design a car or an outfit Then "send" it to the BIG screen where you will see your design come alive. 

    

MN kids these days are so lucky

So I know this blog started out as a "Cancer Blog" but my life is so much more then Cancer and this post is all about "the other stuff". So be ready for alot of photos & information about some crazy fun Super Dog (aka Aiden) & I had along with a one of our good friends this weekend. 

So last week this amazing place called Crayola Experience opened at Mall of America. When I first found out it that it was coming I must have watched every review video on YouTube & the thought "it couldn't be that cool" ... WOW was I wrong. This place  is AMAZING & well worth the $34.99 yearly membership fee (they have a daily fee but you will want to go more then once)

So when you first walk in the gate the first thing you see is "Wrap it up" this is where you can make your own crayon
 Step 1. Name your color 
(Have not fear parents, they do have filters in place) 
Step 2. Wrap it up 
Super Dog are you happy to be here? 
Ok maybe that is better

Then there was this tiny Play area (ok just joking)
   

They also have a little kids play area 




They even have fun Spin Art with wax

There was puzzle make


Plus there is Color Alive, where you color a image & it appears on the wall



Ok I have to get back to work but will post more later
but for now I would say we would rate it at 4.5 out of 5 markers

Plus we have Lunch (this will be a review on its own)

What "Relay" means to me"

When I think about the word "relay" I think about cheering on others as it takes a team to run a relay race, everyone has to do their part. Pre-October 2013 when I thought about Relay For Life I looked at it as the one "racing" is the one with Cancer and the "cheering team mates" are those supporting them, making sure THEY could fight "THEIR" battle. But now since joining (the Team no one wants to be part of) "Team Cancer" I have learned that relay is like the two change roles, Cheering team are now the ones running the race and the one with cancer is cheering on their friends & family.

I know personally the 2nd lap of Relay of Life where Chris, Aiden, & my Mom joined me at the Relays I was part of last year was way more more meaning then the first lap were it's just for survivors.

This year I will be leading a team with my friend & Co-Survivor Robyn at Relay for Life of Greater Minneapolis in less then 2 weeks. Our team is called Wonder Twins :) as we are both proud to say we are Hodgkin Lymphoma Survivors. Everyone is welcome to join our little team. True I should have posted this a few weeks ago in hopes of higher team count & money donation but I am so bad at asking people to give up of their money & time for me.

So now I come to you in hopes that Team Wonder Twins can rise from the ground up and help in the fight Cancer, Lets FIND a END!!!!

If you would like to help please click on the link below and I mean it when I say all are welcome to join our team (even if it's only for part of the night).

Be Part of Team Wonder Twins

I was never asked if I wanted to be strong...

STRONG, such a small word for something with such a big meaning. It can mean from being able to lift heavy things to simply being able to smile when your world is falling apart. Last night around 9:45pm as I was about to make a get away to Target (yes the "evil" bulls-eye store, it's so peaceful there at night) ... anyway back to last night. So as I was just thinking about walking out the door Guess who thought it would be a good idea to come to Mommy & Daddy's bed ... YEP Sir little pants :) So he climbed into bed (were I had been planning out my trip in my head & watching TV) gives me the BIGGEST bear hug ever & falls asleep on the right of me, making me pickle in the middle as Chris was on the left, this was also a sign that I would not be going to Target as I had planned. True I could have carried him back to his bed like I had done so many times before, but I don't know what it is with that kid (or really any kid I know) once asleep they gain a good 5 lbs per years they have been on this plant, Plus every time I tired to move him he would make the funniest face & sound. SO I just let him be & snuggled in my new found spot on the bed. I quickly fell asleep until 2:22pm.. I don't know what happened at that time but I woke up and started thinking about the happens over the past 2 years. The Loss of may things but one thing that hit me hardest last night was the loss of my dear Aunt. How she loved the song "On Eagle's wings", the line "He will lift you up on Eagle's wings" just means so much & reminds me how much God loves us and how much he picks/holds us up. So well thinking of her this came into my heart

I was never asked if I wanted to be strong, I just known I had to be. 

 This simple line means so much, I mean is anyone ever asked if the want to be strong, or how strong do you want to be? ... we just know we have to be. I know that not only did I have 1 Amazing God holding me up but I also had 1 crazy little boy, a caring husband, family & friends helping me to stay strong. But I also known I had to stay strong for them so it was a loop of support.

So as I want thought my day today thinking about that line, my Aunt, & everyone in my life I am still in amazed at what has happened.

I pray that everyone can find their own "Support Loop"

I leave you with a song from VBS a few years back that Aiden still loves & I feel fits well in here