We all tend to live in bubbles, and as moms, we get stuck circling our bubbles over and over again, between school and the grocery store and sports practice and church. The more you stay in your bubble, the harder it gets to leave it. But, if you get out and go to the city, or the farm, or a museum or nature center, you will realize how great it is for you and your kids to have a change of scenery.
If you live in the Twin Cities and you have kids, the Midtown Global Market (MCM) should be on your destination list. Not only can you taste food from all over the world, there are shops with interesting wares from everywhere. It reminds me of the Cost Plus that was in San Francisco in the 70s, and how I’d spend hours wandering through the aisles, smelling cinnamon and incense, trying to decide whether to spend my dollar on a wooden elephant or a mood ring.
Every Wednesday, during the winter, the MCM hosts “Wee Wednesday”, with activities for kids and special guests from 10-1. Kids also eat free at most of the restaurants with the purchase of an adult meal and the food is AMAZING! Next Wednesday is the last Wee Wed. of the year until next fall, and the Minnesota Zoo will be there with some animals. Put it on your calendar! I’ve done hands-on-science there a few times, we’ve heard great music and we met the Minnesota Twins mascot. My four-year old loves going there and I alway leave with a bag of some of the best produce in town from The Produce Exchange and some bread and pastries from The Salty Tart. Parking is easy in their new ramp across the street and is validated with any purchase.
Last night, Molly, of Tastebud Tart, hosted our Blog Pantry Event at MGM’s “A La Salsa” , where I met and reconnected with many local women bloggers over chips and margaritas. One of the fabulous women I met is Kris Ann of LoveFeastTable.com, who will soon be blogging for shopmama.com! I absolutely loved her and can’t wait to have her blogging here with me!
Kris Anne and me (both wearing Hot Mama.) To see more photos of the event, you can click here.
I’m going to try to leave “the bubble” more often this month. The Russian Museum is next on my list, but today it’s beautiful outside, so I’m taking my four-year old out to rake the garden and see what’s popping up!
Tags: activities, kids, Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis, minnesota zoo, St. Paul, The produce exchange, the russian museum, the salty tart
Creative Mama 
March 17, 2010 at 3:18 pm |
I’ve really wanted to go to the Russian museum. The public libraries have a ‘Museum pass’ deal where you can get free passes to local museums through the library. That would be an incentive for me to step out of my bubble.
Great to see you last night!
March 17, 2010 at 6:18 pm |
Cool! I’m forwarding this to my pals with little ones (mine are all in school).
March 18, 2010 at 1:43 am |
It was so much fun meeting you too and sharing some laughs! I had to bust out my suburban bubble, drive over the bridge and into “the city”….but it was soooo worth it!! Here’s to more “out of the bubble” moments and to the next blogging get-together! Chris Ann