Last evening, I attended the media preview of Diana: A Celebration, an exhibition that opens today at Mall of America.  It was interesting to learn more about Princess Diana and to see pieces of her life, including her famed wedding dress with its 25-foot train.

Fans of Diana will delight in seeing artifacts from her childhood, viewing some of the beautiful gowns she wore on various occasions, and ooohing and aahing at the wedding dress that was viewed by an estimated 1 billion people when she married Prince Charles.

The exhibit begins with family jewels–tiaras and bracelets and necklaces that sparkle with diamonds and pearls and emeralds galore.  It then moves to Diana’s childhood, providing a feeling of normalcy as you see the appointment book with its note of “Driving Test.  Passed!”, a note to her parents when they were away from home, and some of the toys she played with as a child.

Diana’s wedding gown is in the center of the exhibit, along with shoes, a parasol, and a flower girl dress.  Being able to see the detail of the gown, and just how long a 25-foot train is, will be the focal point of the exhibit for many people.

The Diana exhibit moves from Diana’s wedding to her death abruptly, with no mention made of the years between these two events in her life.  Although her brother’s funeral tribute speech alludes to some troubled times during this period, they are unmentioned here.  Of interest in the funeral room are lyrical and musical drafts of Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind” tribute to Diana at her funeral.

A room full of gowns Diana wore on various occasions is impressive; though a few show their time period clearly, most are timelessly beautiful, and the exhibit describes the times and places in which they were worn, as well as naming the designer of each.

A wall of tribute books contains cards, letters, and other remembrances sent to Diana’s family after her passing.

At the end of the exhibit, there is a souvenir area that includes china pieces, jewelry, and other mementos of the exhibition for those who want to take home something related to Diana.

Diana: A Celebration can be found on the 4th level, East Side, of Mall of America through June 12, 2012.

Though fans of Diana in particular or royalty in general will enjoy this exhibition, families may wish to leave their children behind.  Everything is enclosed in glass, so there will be no danger of children damaging things, but there is also nothing interactive about the exhibit save for a few continuous-loop silent video clips.  My friend and I spent about an hour learning about Diana, reading nearly every placard and informational post.  Others will spend a shorter amount of time, making it easy to get a peek of Diana during a shopping trip or other outing to Mall of America.

The Sertoma service organization in Brainerd-Baxter has set up this drive-through light display for visitors to enjoy.  For $10 a car, you can snake through the arboretum and see the various light displays, most sponsored by area businesses.  Tuning to a local radio station adds holiday music and information about the displays to your journey.

Some displays are whimsical, others traditional, but all serve the purpose of getting visitors in the holiday spirit.

After driving through the display, you can stop in the visitor center to purchase some cookies or hot cocoa, play some kid-friendly games, and visit with Santa.  Special events, such as sleigh rides, are offered on certain dates.

The Sertoma Winter Wonderland is open weekends from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve.  Check the website for dates, hours, and special events.

Holiday parades on the days between Thanksgiving and Christmas aren’t anything new.  Many communities have them, from small towns, like the Arlidazzle parade in tiny Arlington, Minnesota, to Minneapolis’ Holidazzle parade series.

The city of Aitkin, Minnesota, however, has a unique take on these holiday parades.  Aitkin is Up North, northeast of Brainerd, north of Lake Mille Lacs.  You get it.  It’s Up North.  And one of the best-loved and time-honored traditions of Up North in Minnesota is ice fishing.

Sure, you can ice fish in southern Minnesota; it just takes a few extra weeks for the lakes to freeze up.  Going up north to ice-fish, though, is a pastime of many good southern (Minnesota) people, including my father-in-law, and my husband and his brothers, if they’d only find the time.

Aitkin, embracing its up-north-edness, hit upon the idea to celebrate its ice fishing heritage.  To do this, on the day after Thanksgiving each year, folks come from around the world to do a bit of shopping, eat some holiday goodies, see a free matinee at the theater on Main Street, and watch the Fish House Parade.

That’s right, the Fish House Parade.

For those of you who aren’t acquainted with ice fishing, you need to know that it gets cold out on the lake.  After all, the lake is frozen, and you’re fishing through a hole bored through the ice.  In order to keep from freezing to death, you either bundle up in many warm layers and place your back to the wind, or you get a fish house.

Fish houses range from basic to grandiose, from collapsible to cabins fit for kings.  And people and businesses and scout trips from in and around Aitkin like to show their off in the annual Fish House Parade.

This year’s parade featured 30-some entries, each decorated around a theme.  They like their fish houses in Aitkin, but they’re not too stuck-up to have fun with them.

The entire thing is narrated by an announcer, and judges choose the best fish houses.  One requirement to be a judge is that you can never have seen the World Famous Fish House Parade before.

And World Famous it is.  This year, a student from China was in the audience, and who knows how far other people traveled for the event.  Our family made a four-hour drive to check it out.  It’s kind of a big deal, I guess.

Aitkin itself isn’t big, but it has a healthy Main Street.  I’ve read estimates that between 5000 and 10,000 people come for the Fish House Parade each year.  I didn’t count this year’s crowd, but I do know that they were lined up four or five deep along Main Street.

The parade begins with the colors, and I was impressed that 1) the announcer told the men to take off their caps as the color guard came by, and 2) when the flags reached the judge/announcer stand, the entire audience recited the Pledge of Allegiance.  That’s a great way to get a parade started.

After that, it was the customary fire truck.  (Really, can there be a parade without a fire truck?)

Then it was time for the fish houses.

Fish houses entries came from scout troops

and local businesses

and showed off some team spirit.

The parade floats advertised upcoming community events

and high school sports.  (Notice the nets the girls’ basketball team is using?)

Even the local politicians had campaign signs hanging from fishing poles.

Not to be missed, some fish made it into the parade.

It can get cold at the Fish House Parade; even at a balmy 43 degrees it was a bit chilly, but that didn’t destroy the fun of it.  It’s also the first parade I’ve been to where the floats are stopped periodically to let highway traffic through.

All in all, the Fish House Parade is small-town fun at its best.  It may be a bit oddball, but it’s something different, and it gives the town a chance to laugh at itself a bit as it shows off its community spirit.

The World Famous Fish House Parade is held annually at 1:00 p.m. on the day after Thanksgiving on the north-south Main Street in Aitkin, Minnesota.  If you go, get there early for a good viewing point, and take some time to check out the local businesses while you’re in town.  Dress for the weather; the parade lasts about 30 minutes once it gets going.

Have you been to Aitkin’s fish house parade, or some other wacky-themed parade?  Tell us about it in the comments.

Even though Halloween isn’t until Monday this year, the last weekend in October tends to be a treasure trove of activity for families looking for fun in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.  Haunted sites abound, but those looking for a tamer experience may opt for one of these events instead.

• ZooBoo at Como Zoo,
  October 28, 29, & 30 from 4:30-7:30.
  This non-scary trick-or-treat event through Como Zoo includes costumed characters and entertainment.
• Half-Price Admission to Waterpark of America *,
  October 27-30, 11-10.
  Enjoy some non-Halloween family fun at America’s largest indoor waterpark.
• Blackout at Nickelodeon Universe,
  October 28 & 29 from 5-10.
  Ride in the dark and enjoy entertainment as you see Nickelodeon Universe in a different light.  Treat bags for the first 1000 people who purchase ride tickets.
• Free Family Flick at Theatres at Mall of America,
  October 29 from 10-12.
  See “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown” on the big screen.
• Wizards, Witches, and Monsters at the Bakken Museum,
  October 29 from 10-4.
  See science magic, get a haunted mansion tour, and some special treats and activities at this science museum on the shores of Lake Harriet.
• Halloween Spooktacular at Chanhassen’s Market Square,
  October 29 from 11-1.
  Trick or treating, face painting, balloon animals, and other activities at this family-friendly daylight event.  When we went two years ago, our kids much preferred it to trick-or-treating at Mall of America.
• Dia de los Muertos: Day of the Dead at Minnesota History Center,
  October 29 from 12-4.
  Learn about this Mexican holiday with entertainment, games, crafts, and snacks at the History Center.
• Meet Mickey and Minnie at the Mall of America Rotunda,
  October 29 from 12-4.
  Other activities are taking place at the Disney Store as part of their grand reopening.
• Boo-ology at Science Museum of Minnesota,
  October 29 from 1-4.
  Come in costume for free admission, and enjoy spooky science activities in the museum, and even a costume contest.
• Ghouls and Goblins at the Maze at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum,
  October 29 from 1-5.
  Enjoy family Halloween fun with free gate admission during the festival hours.
• Sneak Pre-Boo at The Works,
  October 29 from 5-8.
  Be among the first to see The Works’ new location and enjoy Halloween-themed activities as well.
• Fort Snelling after Dark,
  October 29 from 6-9.
  See the historic fort from a different perspective at night and hear stories about the history of Fort Snelling.
• Mystery at the Fur Post at Northwest Fur Trading Post,
  October 29 from 7-9:30.
  Help solve the mystery at this spooky but family-friendly event.
• HallZOOween at the Minnesota Zoo,
  October 29 & 30 from 9-4.
  Enjoy treats and goodies, crafts, creature features with zoo animals, “creepy crawly” animal encounters, and scarecrow alley, plus information on fighting colds & flu this winter.
• Sever’s Corn Maze, Shakopee,
  October 29 & 30 from 10-6.
  Try finding your way out of the corn maze or enjoy the other family activities as part of Sever’s fall festival in this year’s final weekend of the space-themed maze.
• Family Halloween Camp-in at Science Museum of Minnesota,
  October 29 at 3 p.m. to October 30 at 8 a.m.
  Spend the night at the museum and enjoy food, shows, and spooky activities at the science museum.
• Planet Spooky at Valleyfair,
  October 29 & 30 from 12-6.
  This family friendly, non-scary portion of Valleyscare is open for one last weekend.
• Boo Bash on Grand Avenue,
  October 30 from 1-5.
  Petting zoo, trick or treating, pony ride, costume contest, and more as the St. Paul Grand Avenue merchants welcome families for some Halloween fun.
• World’s Largest Indoor Trick or Treat at Mall of America,
  October 31 from 5-8.
  Costume contest, magician, treat bags, and other activities are part of Mall of America’s Halloween party, with 150 stores participating in the trick or treating.

Families should be able to find plenty of family fun in the Twin Cities this weekend, no matter their time or budget allowances.

If I’ve missed any family-friendly activities this weekend, please share them in the comments.

Related: A Twin Cities Halloween

* Affiliate link

Families in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area may be interested in this:  $5.29 admission to the Science Museum of Minnesota on Saturday, September 24, as well as giveaways, entertainment, and music by Radio Disney.  You must have a coupon (see flyer for details and coupon) to receive this rate.  The promotion is to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Minnesota College Savings Plan.  A press release with more information is copied below.  Please tell your friends who might enjoy discounted Science Museum tickets.

Party at Science Museum of Minnesota (PDF)

I apologize for the late notice about this event, but I just learned about it this morning.  If you’re able to go, please report back about the event!

Minnesota College Savings Plan celebrates 10 years

Sept. 24 event includes admission of only $5.29 to the Science Museum

September 23, 2011, Minneapolis, MN – Minnesota’s 529 College Savings Plan is celebrating 10 years of helping families save for college with a birthday celebration this Saturday, September 24 at the Science Museum of Minnesota, 120 W. Kellogg, St. Paul from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

This special one-day event will include music and entertainment provided by Radio Disney and their rocking road crew. Birthday giveaways will be available for children on behalf of the Minnesota College Savings Plan, Minnesota Parent and Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE).This event is family-friendly and open to the general public. Discounted Science Museum admission is available for only $5.29 with the coupon found online at www.mnsaves.org.

Since September 2001, Minnesota’s 529 College Savings Plan has helped over 31,000 families save close to $850 million toward college (as of Sept.16, 2011). “We’re pleased with the growth of the Plan and the commitment from our account owners in continuing to invest during tough economic times”, stated Renee Hill, program manager for the Minnesota College Savings Plan. “A family using the coupon for the 10 year birthday event at the Science Museum could save enough to start a Minnesota College Savings Plan account”.

Parents, relatives, and friends can start an account for a minimum of only $25. Any earnings can grow free from state and federal taxes, and withdrawals are free from state and federal taxes if used for qualified college expenses at an eligible college, university or career school in the nation.

To learn more about the Minnesota College Savings Plan or to download the coupon to the event, visit www.mnsaves.org. Interactive online webinars are now offered every Wednesday at 12 p.m. and 7 p.m. Register at http://www.mnsaves.com/news/webinars.html.

Consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses before investing in the Minnesota College Savings Plan. Please visit www.mnsaves.org for a Plan Disclosure Booklet with this and other information. Read it carefully. Investments in the plan are neither insured nor guaranteed and there is the risk of investment loss.

Before investing in a 529 plan, you should consider whether the state you or your designated beneficiary reside in or have taxable income in has a 529 plan offering favorable state income tax or other benefits only available if you invest in that state’s 529 plan.

The tax information contained herein was neither written nor intended to be used, and cannot be used, by any taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding federal or state taxes or tax penalties. Taxpayers should seek tax advice from an independent tax advisor based on their own particular circumstances. Non-qualified withdrawals may be subject to federal and state taxes and the additional federal 10% tax.

TIAA-CREF Tuition Financing, Inc., Plan Manager C1021

A good, old-fashioned parade is some of the best (free) summer fun our family enjoys, and what better day to attend a parade but the 4th of July?  Minnesota has a grand number of parades to choose from, and we should be proud of this.  My sister recently moved to the Denver area and had to search high and low to find an Independence Day parade!  Last year, we went to Delano’s parade, deemed the biggest and oldest in the state, so this year I think we’re going to find a different one.  Or maybe a few.  Wouldn’t a whole day of parades be fun?

If you’d like to attend a 4th of July parade in Minnesota, here’s a listing of many of them.  If you know of another, please comment at the end of the post.

Happy birthday, America!

• Afton: Noon
• Alexandria:  10:00 (Lake Ida Boat Parade)
• Annandale:  10:00
• Apple Valley:  1:00
• Aurora:  Noon
• Austin:  11:00
• Bemidji: 1:00 July 3
• Biwabik:  1:00 and 7:00
• Blooming Prairie:  2:30
• Brainerd:  Noon
• Cannon Falls:  11:30
• Chanhassen: 2:30
• Cloquet:  11:00
• Crane Lake:  6:00
• Delano: 10:30
• Eagan: 10:00
• Edina: 10:00
• Ely 1:00
• Evansville:  2:00
• Eveleth:  9:30
• Fergus Falls:  11:00
• Forest Lake:  10:00
• Grand Marais:  8:00
• Greenbush:  10:00
• Harmony:  3:00
• Hill City:  Noon
• Longville:  11:00
• Morton: 10:00
• Mountain Iron: 9:30
• Osakis:  2:00 (July 3, Boat Parade on Lake Osakis)
• Park Rapids:  5:00
• Pequot Lakes:  Noon
• Prior Lake:  1:00 (Boat Parade)
• Prinsburg:  6:00
• Richfield: 1:00
• Rochester:  Noon
• Spicer:  10:00
• St. Anthony Park: 11:00
• St. Joseph:  10:00
• St. Peter:  10:00
• Starbuck:  1:30 July 3
• Tower-Soudan: 11:00
• Walker:  2:00
• Warba:  11:00
• Warroad:  4:00
• White Bear Lake: Dusk (Boat Parade)

There were a number of sponsors who made our weekend so exciting.

• Mr. Bubble, who put on the whole party.  The cupcakes were definitely a hit, as was the big bubble bath.  Throw in some Mr. Bubble t-shirts and towels and beach ball “bubbles” in the waterpark pools, and the scene was set for some great family fun.
• The Radisson Bloomington, where we had a nearly-perfect room for our combo of parents and four kids.  I can’t seem to find our particular room on the hotel’s reservations site, so if you want one like it, you may have to call.  If you describe it as a queen with four bunk beds overlooking the waterpark, you should get the right one.  I only wish I’d remembered to brink cereal and milk for breakfast, as there’s no complimentary breakfast at the hotel, but there are refrigerators and microwaves in the rooms.
• The Waterpark of America.  It’s the biggest indoor waterpark in America, and it has something for everyone.  I’m not usually much of a swimmer, but I had a lot of fun in the park with my kids.  (Watch for a waterpark post very soon for more details.)
• TGI Friday’s.  Friday’s has long been on of our family’s favorite restaurants because of their reasonable prices, good kids’ menu choices, and food allergy friendliness.  We had good food and friendly service when we went to fill up our tummies at the TGI Friday’s near Mall of America after playing all day in the waterpark.
• Nickelodeon Universe.  Located in Mall of America, which is just a hop, skip, and a jump from the Radisson/Waterpark of America, the amusement park provides a less-wet type of family fun.
• The Village Company, parent of Mr. Bubble, who makes adult bath products.  A soak in the tub with their bath salts was just what I needed to relax at the end of the day, and I’ll be looking for them in stores near me.

We thank all of these companies for the fun we had this weekend.  Happy birthday, Mr. Bubble! We hope to celebrate many more years of bubbly fun with you.

The Bubble Bash was impressive.  A lot of people put in a lot of effort to pull this off, and it’s the best birthday party I’ve been to.  Keep in mind that my kids’ birthday parties consist of choosing the menu, having Grandma and Grandpa over for supper, and choosing whether to have a circle, square, or rectangular cake, so it doesn’t take much to beat their parties, but still, this was one fun party.

If you asked my kids, they’d tell you their favorite part of the day was the waterpark

or the cupcakes

or the Radio Disney fun

or the world’s largest bubble bath

or the beach ball bubbles in the waterpark pools

or the t-shirts

or the cake

or maybe just everything about the bubble bash.

I’ll write more details, including tips for surviving the waterpark with four kids, in a day or two, but for now we’re all about ready for bed.  Our day has been a ton of fun and we’re appreciative of the people at Mr. Bubble for inviting us to be a part of it.

Since then, my kids have been counting the days, and today we arrived at the Radisson Bloomington, home of the Waterpark of America, for the party’s kickoff.

First things first:  Mr. Bubble’s birthday bash is tomorrow, June 11, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  The public is welcome to attend; read more details.

If you can’t come to the party but live in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, watch FOX9 news Saturday morning for some live scenes, or follow the #bubblebash hashtag on Twitter.

What I really want to write about today, however, is our room at the Radisson.

We’ve stayed in hotels around the country, where it’s often difficult to find a room that will sleep our family of six.  Most often, we find a “suite,” which is often a long room with a half-wall separating two beds from a sofa sleeper.  While adequate for our family, it’s not always ideal, as sofa sleepers aren’t the most comfortable or convenient places to sleep, even when you’re a kid.

Our room at the Radisson, however, has a design that I’ve only ever seen once before, at the CanadInns Polo Park in Winnipeg, Manitoba.  We thought it was genius at the time, and I haven’t changed my mind since then.

The bathroom is closest to the hallway, and the queen bed is at the far end of the room, and in between, where often there would be another queen bed, there’s a bunk room.

That’s right:  actual walls with actual bunks.  Four of them.  A dresser in the middle with four drawers.  Four nightlights.  And a TV for the kids in their own little room.

This is perfection for us.

Instead of the usual “she touched me” or “he took the covers” that we hear at bedtime, I had blissful quiet.

Our room overlooks the waterpark and the balcony rail is high enough and the bars close enough together that it doesn’t make me nervous to let the kids watch the waterpark action.  The balcony door doesn’t shut out all of the waterpark noise, but it does a better-than-decent job of it, and the waterpark hours don’t interfere with most adults’ sleeping schedules.

We have a full bathroom and then an additional sink area outside it, a mini fridge and microwave, and a table with three chairs in addition to the usual bed and side chair.  The room is spacious, with plenty of storage space.

There are plenty of power outlets in logical places, and free wi-fi in the rooms.

And it has one other touch that is so simple and useful, yet almost always overlooked:  pegs.

In the winter, these pegs would come in handy for hanging up coats, and for waterpark days, they’re great for hanging swimsuits to dry overnight.

Yes, I’m excited about the pegs, because usually we run out of room to hang six swimsuits in the bathtub, and they never dry there anyway.

We’ve stayed at the Radisson Bloomington before.  Once we had a room with a bed, sofabed, and two bunks, which also worked for our family but wasn’t as ideal or as fun as our current room.  The other time, my husband and I stayed on the night before a cruise with a park-and-fly rate; we enjoyed free shuttle service to the airport and our car was housed in the hotel’s heated underground parking garage while we were gone.  It was nice to come back after a week away without having to brush a bunch of snow off a freezing car.

The Radisson Bloomington is located near Mall of America and the MSP airport.  There are restaurants and a spa in the hotel, but for us, the main attraction is the waterpark.  My kids can’t wait to get their feet wet with Mr. Bubble tomorrow!

Our family received a complimentary stay and other gifts, courtesy of Mr. Bubble.

Whether your Memorial Day plans include picnics, camping, or other family fun, please take some time to remember those who have fought for our freedom.

The Minnesota History Center is holding special activities on Memorial Day, as is Historic Fort Snelling, where veterans receive free admission on Monday.

Consider paying your respects at Fort Snelling National Cemetery or another national burial ground, or attend a Memorial Day observation in any number of cemeteries or town halls around the state.

Have a fun and relaxing weekend, but please remember why it is that we have this holiday.

Have you been introduced to Mr. Bubble?  Long before body wash was en vogue, he was the guy who made your bath bubbly and fun.  Now, at age 50, he’s looking better than ever, with an expanded product line and a new look.

Because Mr. Bubble is an old friend of mine, I was excited to hear that he’s having a birthday party.

Mr. Bubble’s 50th birthday party will be on June 11, 2011, from 10am-2pm at the Waterpark of America (right near Mall of America in Bloomington, MN).  It will feature:

• A 2,800 square-foot bubble bath play area, with a 6-foot-high, 16-foot-wide bathtub (World’s Largest Bubble Bath? I’m in!)
• A bubble beard station
• Cake and party favors

Doesn’t that sound like fun?  If you’d like to celebrate with Mr. Bubble, check out all the details on the Mr. Bubble Facebook page.

Hope to see you there!

My family and I will be VIP guests of Mr. Bubble for the weekend, and we received a special Mr. Bubble gift pack in the mail.  It’s just like a North Dakota farmer in a small-town cafe who buys a round of coffee for his friends in honor of his birthday.  I think Mr. Bubble’s a pretty nice guy!

Saturday was an absolutely beautiful day here in Minnesota.  With a high of 70 degrees, just a few clouds in the sky, and a few wisps of wind blowing, it was just right for being outside.

Using the Minneapolis version of GoCityKids (now known as ParentsConnect), my favorite source of family-friendly goings-on in the metro area, we learned that the Bloomington, MN, Sister Cities organization was sponsoring a kite day in honor of Children’s Day in Japan, where Bloomington’s sister city Izumi is located.

Kite Day is held on a large field area where there’s plenty of room to fly kites without fear of power lines.  Free kites are given away, while supplies last, and entertainment, including Japanese dancers and taiko drums, is held during the afternoon.

Our kids had a blast, each flying their own kite.  The wind would come and go, and as soon as a breeze came along, the sky would be filled with kites large and small.

My husband and I helped get the kites off the ground and untangle strings.  There were many people there, but the fields were large enough that we could spread out without becoming entangled with other kites.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to fly kites, the Minnesota Kite Society and others offer kite-flying events around the state and surrounding area.  Some upcoming kite-flying events include:

• Brookings, SD, Kite Festival, May 15, 2011  (While you’re in Brookings, check out the Children’s Museum of South Dakota.)
• Kiwanis Kite Fly, St. Louis Park, MN, May 28, 2011
• Jamestown, ND, Kite Fest, June 11-12, 2011(Jamestown is home of the World’s Largest Buffalo and more. Click on their ad to the right to see all of the things the city has to offer.)
• Father’s Day Fly, White Bear Lake, MN, June 19, 2011
• Jordan, MN, Art Fair Kite Fly, June 25, 2011
• Minnesota Garlic Festival with Kite Making Workshop and Kite Fly, Hutchinson, MN, Saturday, August 13
• Flying Colors Kite Festival, Bloomington, MN, August date TBD
• Kites over Lake Michigan Kite Festival, Two Rivers, WI, September 3-4, 2011
• Prairie Winds Kite Fly, Jackson, MN, September 10, 2011

For more information on kite-flying, visit the American Kitefliers Association.

Have you ever gone kite-flying with your kids?

You’ll have to act fast to get in on this deal, as it ends tonight.

Today’s MSP Groupon is for $5 admission to Sever’s Corn Maze in Shakopee, where usual admission is $11.  Better yet, it can be used with the $1 off coupon on the Sever’s Corn Maze website, bringing admission to just $4.  There is a limit of 6 per person on this deal, and you need to find your way through the maze by October 31.

There’s lots to do besides the maze at Sever’s, and at $4 per person (ages 3 and under are free), it’s a pretty decent price for an afternoon of family fun.

But even though we’ve been to several corn mazes, that didn’t stop us from tackling one in Iowa.  On a beautiful late-summer day, what better way to enjoy the weather than with a run through a corn maze?

We found our maze near Elgin, Iowa.  The Country Heritage Community Maize Maze exists not just for fun, but to educate people about the agricultural heritage of the area.

In the 3.5 acre maze, paths are cut into the 12-foot-high corn.  Your goal as you navigate the maze is to find twelve mailboxes that contain answers to a quiz you receive upon entering the maze.  This year’s theme is “electrifying,” and along the way you’ll learn about both agriculture and energy conservation.  If you manage to find all of the answers and find your way out of the maze, a prize awaits you at the end.  Don’t worry, they give you a map so you have a chance at finding your way out again.

The corn maze is the main attraction, but there are several other activities that kids will enjoy.  My seven-year-old enjoyed the rope maze and other small but challenging mazes on the site, and our kids liked having the chance to pick their own Indian corn and popcorn from the fields adjacent to the maze.

While visiting the Maize Maze, you may also want to wander across the road to the Gilbertson Conservation area, where there’s a petting zoo, farm tool museum, and more.  Our kids liked seeing the different animal mounts (including a bear!) in the visitor center.  If you visit the Gilbertson visitor center, be sure to take your National Parks passport to have it stamped with the Silos and Smokestacks National Heritage Area stamp.

Families will enjoy the Maize Maze, but it’s also an excellent field trip destination for school or community groups in east central and northeast Iowa, and even southern Minnesota.  If you’d like to schedule your group for a field trip, they’d be more than happy to have you!

The Maize Maze is located just east of Elgin, Iowa.  If you get anywhere near Elgin, there will be signs to direct you.  For more information or to schedule a field trip, there are details at the city of Elgin’s website for all the Maize Maze information you need.

And since I may not need it, I’m going to share with you my secret to getting a decent parking spot at the State Fair.  The one thing I dislike more than big crowds (and I always try to pick a “quiet” day at the Fair, although I’m not always good at guessing that) is sitting in traffic.  So, here’s the keep-you-moving, get-you-to-the-lot route that we use each time we attend the Fair.  Keep in mind that lots fill up through the day, but this has always worked well for us if we’ve arrived by mid-morning.

This will work for people coming from south of the fairgrounds.  I’ll start the directions at I-94 and Snelling Ave. in St. Paul.
View Minnesota State Fair Parking Directions in a larger map

From I-94, go north on Snelling.  As you approach the railroad overpass near Energy Park Drive, stay in the left lane.  A lot of cars will be exiting to the right to try to park from Como Ave.  Zoom right past them in the left lane.

Go past the fairgrounds.  You may have to move to the right lane to get past the people turning left into the fairgrounds at Hoyt Ave.  Continue north through the light at Larpenteur; again, many people will be turning left at Larpenteur, but you will want to go straight through the light.

Once through the Larpenteur light, get in the left lane and turn left at the next light, Roselawn.  Traffic from the north may be backed up from Larpenteur to this light, so it may be a bit of a trick to turn left through it, but be patient, and you’ll get through.

Continue west on Roselawn to Fairview.  Turn left on Fairview.

Continue south on Fairview to Larpenteur.  Turn left on Larpenteur, and immediately get into the right lane.

Go past the floral shop and some apartments that make it clear that they offer no State Fair parking.  Turn right at the State Fair entrance on Underwood.  You’re almost there!

For the best spot, get into one of the two left lanes; if you are in the right lane you’ll end up parking in the large lot to the right, which is farther from the fairgrounds entrance.  The left lane is your safest bet for parking to the left, and the middle lane can either get you a really good spot in the left parking lot, or get you diverted to the right.  Assess the situation when you get there.  One year when we did this, we ended up in the first row, across the street from the north entrance.

By using this parking plan, you’ll enter the fairgrounds at the far north gate.  Little Farmhands, the end of the skyride, and the progress building won’t be far away.

If you have small kids, get ID bracelets for them at the information booth, just inside the fair gates, and enjoy your day at the fair!

Do you have a favorite trick for parking at the Minnesota State Fair?  If you’re willing to share, post it in the comments below.

Remaining free days for 2010 are August 16 and September 13.  Check the carousel’s website for future dates.

The long rides on the carousel are easily worth the regular $1.50 admission price, but if you’re on a tight budget, a visit to Como Zoo (always free) and the carousel on a free day make for a very frugal family outing.

Because the free days at the Minnesota Children’s Museum are very popular, the museum suggests leaving strollers behind on these days.

To learn how to visit other Twin Cities-area museums for free, read Free! Museum Days, Special Events, Attractions, and More in Minnesota.

Somewhat unrelated note: The $3 3-hour parking charge at MCM will increase to $4 in late August.

Little Locavores will present healthy treats prepared by local chefs.  Try some wild rice salad or grilled corn on the cob, or locally-grown potatoes with ketchup made from bushel boy tomatoes.  Old-fashioned games, live entertainment, and other activities are also planned.

The Little Locavores program will be held from 12-4 p.m. on Sunday, July 18, at the Minnesota History Center.  The event is included in museum admission ($10 adults, $5 ages 6-17), or free for members of the museum.  The museum is open until 5 p.m., so you’ll have plenty of time for the kids to scoop pretend ice cream in the Greatest Generation’s soda fountain, or climb and play in Grainland.

For more information on the Minnesota History Center, read these posts.

We were in Minneapolis today, and it seemed the perfect time, on this Memorial Day weekend, to show my children the sacrifice that so many have given for our country.

Our discussion took us on a drive through Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

We talked about many things as we drove through the cemetery–wars that people have fought in, people in our family who have served in the military, and the fact that each person whose grave is in the cemetery had a family who mourned their death.

We saw boulevards lined with flags, and loved ones visiting and decorating final resting places.  And by chance, of all the names in the cemetery, we noticed one particular stone that had more flowers and flags than most: that of Thomas Burnett, Jr., whose memorials we have seen in both Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and the Mall of America.

It was a time for reflection–what these men and women have given for our country, the many wars in which they served, and the sheer number of veterans buried in this, just one national cemetery.

Sometimes the most important outings aren’t those that are the most fun.  This is a journey that we could have made at any time, as we should always remember our heroes, but being able to do it on this Memorial Day weekend was very fitting.

If you’d like to pay your respects at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, please visit their Department of Veterans Affairs website for visiting information.  For special events occurring at Fort Snelling, and in other Minnesota communities, this weekend, please see the Star Tribune’s listing of Memorial Day events.

It started with a soup and bread supper at the Arlington, MN, Community Center, with tasty soups, delicious slices of bread, and, naturally, because this is Minnesota, bars.  (Had the event been held at a Lutheran church, red jello and pickles would likely have been served as well, but the Friends of the Library, who coordinated the program, are exempt from those requirements.)

Following the meal was the main event.  Jeff Hertzberg and Zoe Francois (with apologies to Zoe because I don’t know how to do the proper French characters of her name on my computer) talked about their books, Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day and Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day, and showed us how to make these yummy yeast breads that require no kneading.  I loved hearing the story of how their breads began and how their cookbooks came about, but the real treat was in seeing firsthand how easy this bread is to make.  Jeff and Zoe were generous in dishing out tips to make things easier, or substitutions that could be made, and responded to many audience questions.  I was especially pleased that they offer some gluten-free recipes, and they were willing to help me with some recipe alterations so I can make bread that my son, who’s on a restricted diet, can eat.  To see what you missed, see this Amazon video that outlines their method, or visit their website, breadinfive.com, which offers many tips and ideas as well as plenty of feedback from the authors.

This program was paid for by a grant from the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund from the State of Minnesota.  There are many, many special programs being offered through this grant program throughout the state–author visits, concerts, classes, and more–for both children and adults, so if you’re a Minnesota resident, be sure to keep an eye open for these special programs, which are free to attend, or check with your local public library to see if anything unique is happening.

I enjoyed both the meal and the author presentation, as did a large crowd of people in Arlington last night.  Judging by the number of books that were being sold, I suspect that the smell of fresh bread will be commonplace in the Arlington area this week.

——

I found it interesting that Amazon also sells a Kindle version of this book, so I could take it along with me on my iPod Touch if I were hitting the road.  If you’re looking for iPhone apps for kids, you know to head over to BestKidApps, right?  I’m doing my best to win their iPad contest!

Wanda Gag House in New Ulm, MN

Last year, my children and I had a delightful time at Wanda Gag’s birthday party, where author Jill Kalz read some of her books and we played old-fashioned party games and had a scavenger hunt through the classic author’s childhood home.

That time of year is coming again.  Wanda Gag’s birthday party will be held Saturday, March 13, from 2:00 to 4:00.  This year’s theme is Grimm’s Fairy Tales.  Children are encouraged to come in costume dressed as their favorite fairy tale character.  Snacks will be served.

The Wanda Gag House is located at 226 N. Washington in New Ulm, Minnesota.

Yo Gabba Gabba Live is coming to the Twin Cities with two performances at Target Center in Minneapolis on Saturday, March 13.  If you can’t make it to the show, however, you may want to take your little ones to Toddler Tuesday at Mall of America on March 9, where there will be a short, preview performance by DJ Lance and Brobee, story time, a sneak peak at a brand new episode, and coloring.  Toddler Tuesday events are free, and on Toddler Tuesdays there are also special discounts in selected Mall of America stores and restaurants.

Not sure what else to do with kids while you’re there?  Check out these Mall of America ideas.

We went to Techfest last year and it was hard to pull the kids away.  We learned about robots, physics, and astronomy, having fun the whole time.  Techfest is a great way to see what The Works is all about.  Once you’ve been there, you’ll want to return.  (My six-year-old daughter still proclaims it as her favorite place, ranking above her best friend’s house.)

Techfest runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  If you go, leave a comment to tell me what you thought of it!

Fredericksburg, Texas, however, has a larger-than-life Christmas pyramid, handcrafted in Germany, with a plaque that explains the tradition.

It’s big.

And on a beautiful winter day of 70 degrees with clear, blue skies, it’s a sight to behold.

The Christmas pyramid is located in Fredericksburg’s Marktplatz, near the Vereins Kirche (which is visible at the left of the second photograph). I believe it’s been taken down for this year, so if you want to see it, you’ll have to wait until next Christmas.

To see more travel photos, visit Photo Friday at DeliciousBaby.
To see more Texas photos, check out Wandering Off.

Last evening, my family and I were guests of the Disney on Ice: Princess Classics show at the XCel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota, as part of my role as a Feld Family Activator.  We had never attended a Disney on Ice show before, and this was also our first visit to the XCel Energy Center.  Our entire family enjoyed the show.

I wasn’t quite sure what to expect of Disney on Ice, but I suppose I should have remembered that when the Disney name is attached to something, it’s well-done.  Princess Classics was no exception.  This two-hour skating drama included snippets from a variety of Disney films, both old and new.  The first act, which lasted for a full hour, portrayed the basic storylines of the various Disney princesses–Belle, Sleeping Beauty, Jasmine, Ariel, Mulan, Snow White–up until their moments of doom.  At the end of the first act, all of their princes came to rescue them and completed the circles of the stories.  After a brief intermission, which allowed the Zamboni to do its work, the second act played out the story of Cinderella from beginning to end. Run time for the entire show was just over two hours.

The skaters, while not performing Olympic gold-medal feats, are talented and beautiful, and I was amazed at how much they looked like their Disney cartoon versions.  The costumes are lovely, and it was fun to see how an elephant and a magic carpet can even be part of a skating show.  My little girls loved watching the princesses twirl in their dresses, and I marveled at the steps some of the dancers did.  I can’t imagine that it’s easy to march in ice skates.

The scenes were right from the Disney movies, so the voices and dialogue were familiar.  Hearing Bibbidi Bobbidy Boo and Once Upon a Dream brought back memories of my own childhood.  (Yes, I’m old enough to remember watching Wide World of Disney every week.)

Perhaps most fun for me was watching my children’s reactions to the show:  my 3-year-old daughter who claims that “everything” was her favorite part, my 5-year-old daughter who gleefully gasped, “It’s Belle!” when she saw the Beauty, my 8-year-old son who was glued to the entire show, and my 6-year-old son who will only admit to liking the Zamboni, even though I had to pull him back into his seat several times, as he was so involved in the show that he didn’t notice he was sliding forward out of his chair.  My husband has always liked to watch ice skating, and thoroughly enjoyed the event as well.

Our seats were on the corner of the arena, in row 5, and they were just about perfect.  We could see expressions on the characters’ faces, but were far enough back to see the entire arena at once.  I believe seats similar to ours can be purchased for $42, and when I checked last night, there were still good seats available for the remaining performances this weekend.  While $42 isn’t a bargain price in my book, it’s not out of line with other theatrical performances or sporting events.  Discount tickets are available for as low as $11; use the details and coupon codes from this post if you’re interested in seeing Disney on Ice for less money.

Ticket price notwithstanding, I was slightly–no, more than slightly–shocked at the price of concessions.  A slushie in a souvenir cup ran $12, and a bag of cotton candy (which included a mouse-ear tiara) was $10.  I’ll admit that I’m a meanie when it comes to concessions, especially at those prices.  On the positive side for a peanut-allergy family, I did not notice any obvious peanut-containing products at the concession stands.  Popcorn, mini-donuts, slushies, and cotton candy were what I saw peddled, and many children were enjoying their concessions and souvenirs.

Another thing to note was that our girls (ages 3 and 5) were somewhat frightened by the witches and “scary” music.  The scenes were straight from the Disney princess movies, so if you’ve seen them, you’ll know what your children can handle, but if you have younger or sensitive children, you may find them burying their heads in your arms until the mood lightens.

Overall, we had a very nice time at Disney on Ice, and (I’m surprised to be saying this) I would consider buying tickets for a future performance, possibly even at the $42 level to ensure excellent seats.  If you’ve followed this blog before, you may know that I am usually very frugal and analytical about the costs of family outings, but we really did enjoy Disney on Ice and it was excellently presented from beginning to end.

For my sister and others who are considering taking toddlers to the show: I’d recommend waiting a few years.  Especially with this Princess Classics version of Disney on Ice, I think the appeal is more magical for little ones who have seen several of the Disney princess films and know the names and stories of the princesses.  The show is targeted to ages 2-8, and I think 4-6 is ideal for this particular performance.

Disney on Ice presents Princess Classics is at the XCel Energy Center through Sunday, December 13, 2009.  Additional Disney on Ice shows are touring in other cities.  Next year’s return of Disney on Ice to the Twin Cities is Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey in December 2010.