Hi there !
Happy New Year (in a couple of days)! I couldn't wait any longer to turn the page on this chapter of our lives. So even though it's a little premature, I'm ready to begin 2021. And I know I'm not alone.
As we begin the new year, I would like to look back on 2020. Was it frustrating and sad? Was it disappointing and alarming? Was it a little boring and monotonous?
Yes. Yes. And Yes! Yes, to all the things!
But it wasn't all bad. We learned things this year. We learned how to carry on. We learned what was important. We learned that we could have fun even when we aren't allowed to do anything outside our homes.
I am proud of us.
Here are some of our favorite things from 2020 and links to how we can enjoy them again in 2021.
2020 Favorite No. 1: Ice Castles
Before the Pandemic even began, we enjoyed Ice Castles. It wasn't the first time and I hope it won't be the last.
A gigantic ice castle was created on the top of a hill in Long Lake Regional Park in New Brighton. Families were invited to explore together and discover the magic.
Wanna know a cool fact? The ice didn't completely melt until well into June. (I know because we went on many walks through the park since it's less than a mile from my house)
While Ice Castles isn't coming back this year, we still have lots of outdoor activities to enjoy including snow tubing, ice skating, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, and more.
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2020 Favorite No. 2:
Daily BookHounds BookClub
As soon as we were ordered to stay home, BookHounds went into full-on daily book club mode. It was so fun to meet so many of you and play together with your kids.
It was a blessing to bring a smile to your faces.
BookHounds is on hiatus right now because Gianna is homeschooling all her kids, but that doesn't have to stop you. Books can be a source of fun for everyone. While libraries and bookshops are closed or limited to the public right now, take advantage of their recommendations to help you find adventures in the pages of some classic (or not-so-classic) stories.
2020 Favorite No. 3: Summer of Adventure
When Covid shut downs came in March, I was positive by the time June rolled around, we would be out of the woods. But what I thought was the woods was really a very long, dark tunnel. So when May wasn't letting up, we wanted to encourage our Twin Cities families to have their own adventures together.
We came up with the idea to do something different each week. They were things you were probably going to do anyway, but a nudge to get out there and do it is always helpful.
Each week we gave you an idea for an adventure. You, then, went out, DID that adventure in your own style,and submitted proof in the form of a photo.
Each week there was a winner, and at the end of the 10 weeks, there was a grand prize drawing for those who did 6 adventures or more.
We had so much fun with you all! If there had never been Covid, we would have never had the Summer to Remember Adventure. And we can't wait for this next one!
2020 Favorite No. 4:
Re-invented Family Events
2020 was the year of Drive Thru Family Events. We drove through the State Fair. We drove through Halloween displays. We drove through haunted car washes. We drove through Holiday Light Displays. We drove through the Minnesota Zoo. We drove through Santa visits.
We held drive-by parties for those who celebrated birthdays and anniversaries.
It was also the year of virtual events. Things that would not have been accessible to everyone suddenly were. The Children's Theatre Company provided some of their past shows on streaming for the whole family. It wasn't free, but it was one price that included everyone.
Not only that but so many businesses offered take home kits. Art Studios like ARTrageous Adventures offer subscription boxes or other Complete Art Boxes to take home. Local shops like Heartfelt offered craft kits for which monthly craft you are interested in trying out.
We had to make due with fun at home. And we did better than make do. We actually had fun at home.
2020 Favorite No. 5:
New Movies Released on Streaming
It has been awesome to enjoy new movies from the comfort of my own home.
Some of my personal favorites have been:
Onward (yes, I know this came out in the theaters, but it was rushed to streaming very quickly after that)
Hamilton
Mulan
Wonder Woman 1984
Soul
I know not all of these are for kids. These are my personal favorites for the year.
Like I said at the beginning of the email, I am so very proud of us.
We have made it through. It was a hard year. And when the calendar flips, we aren't going to necessarily say goodbye to the hard stuff. But one day we will be able to look back at it and determine how we grew and changed. One day we can call a spade a spade.
Today we take one more step. You got this. See you in 2021.
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Sincerely,
Family Fun Twin Cities
gianna@familyfuntwincities.com
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FFTC's Weekly Email is brought you by Bob Miller, Magician!
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Bob Miller specializes in Close-Up Magic. He’s been performing all his life and professionally since 1990.
Bob brings age-appropriate magic and balloon animals to birthday parties.
Call 507-281-2213.
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