Photos With Santa at the Mall of America®

A few weeks ago we announced Santa's arrival a the Mall of America®. Have you been there to see him yet?

The opening ceremony was a ton of fun!  Unfortunately my camera ran out of batteries so I had to use my cell phone for photos.  At lease I had my cell phone for back up!

Now it's time to get your annual photos with Santa!

Photos with Santa presented by Columbia

Mall of America has the perfect place to pose for photos with Santa and share a holiday wish list. Mall guests have more ways to visit Santa this year:

1) Schedule an appointment: For busy families, you can schedule an appointment to visit Santa at The Santa Experience! Appointments will be available daily through Dec. 24 and will be located on Level 1, South next to Macy’s. To book an appointment, guests can visit www.professorbellows.com.  Presented by Professor Bellows Specialty Photography

Through Dec. 24

Level 1, West (next to Macy’s)

2) Visit Santa at your convenience: Guests can stop by to visit Santa in the West Entrance to Nickelodeon Universe, through December 24, no appointment necessary. Share your holiday wishes with Santa and purchase great photo packages and other holiday merchandise. Visit http://www.mallofamerica.com/upload/event/pdf/Santa_Hours.pdf for the daily schedule, including breaks.  Presented by Columbia, Country Inn & Suites and Kodak

Through Dec. 24

Level 1, West entrance to Nickelodeon Universe®

Pet Photos with Santa

Guests can bring their pets to Mall of America to have their photo taken with Santa. Pets of all kinds are welcome to take part in this photo opportunity with their loving owners and Santa.

Sunday, December 2 7 – 9:30 p.m.

The Santa Experience (Level 1, Next to Macy’s)

Minnesota Vikings players to host pop-up ticket giveaway at Mall of America®

Have you taken your family to a Minnesota Vikings game yet? If not, here's a fun way to get FREE tickets!! 

WHAT: The Minnesota Vikings and Mall of America® have teamed up to bring Mall guests and Vikings buffs the ultimate fan experience though social media. On Nov. 28 Minnesota Vikings players Chris Kluwe, Blair Walsh and Cullen Loeffler will be at MOA™ to give away 500 Vikings football game tickets to the first 250 fans who find them.  Leading up to the event, Kluwe and Walsh will use their Twitter accounts to give clues to a secret location where they will greet and give away the tickets to lucky fans and followers.

After three successful pop-up giveaways with the Minnesota Vikings this season, Kluwe, Walsh and Loeffler will conclude the promotion with the fourth and final surprise ticket giveaway at MOA. Guests interested in attending can follow Chris Kluwe (@ChrisWarcraft), Blair Walsh (@BlairWalsh3), Minnesota Vikings (@VikingsFootball) and Mall of America (@mallofamerica) on Twitter for up-to-date information on the pop-up event.

WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 28
             5:30 – 7 p.m.

WHERE: Mall of America – Various locations

Walk to End Hunger at the Mall of America

Give back before giving thanks: Walk to End Hunger at Mall of America^® on Thanksgiving morning

WHAT:  Looking for a guilt-free way to enjoy that second helping of cheesy potato casserole? Get your walking shoes on and head out to Mall of America^® on Thanksgiving morning to the fifth annual Walk to End Hunger. One in five families in the Twin Cities with children is struggling to put food on the table. Give back before you give thanks this year!

Thousands of walkers are expected at Walk to End Hunger, a fun, family-friendly 5K walk presented by Greater Twin Cities United Way and The Mosaic Company. The event’s goal is to raise awareness of hunger issues facing thousands of Twin Cities residents, while raising funds (goal is $325,000) to help support the 12 partner hunger relief organizations that work together to eliminate hunger in the Twin Cities metro area. Since its inception in 2008, the Walk to End Hunger has raised nearly $900,000.

The Walk to End Hunger is a fun non-profit event that has become a Twin Cities Thanksgiving tradition. Register to walk, donate or sponsor a team at www.walktoendhunger.org.

For official event guidelines, visit www.mallofamerica.com/events.

WHEN:  Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012

7:00 a.m. – Registration

7:15 a.m. – Walk Program, remarks by Senator Klobuchar and sponsor representatives

7:30 – 10:00 a.m. The Walk: Courtyard activities, musical entertainment, Santa visits in West Market Square and free Swings and Carousel rides

WHERE:  Mall of America – Level 1

Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic--Giveaway!

I don't know about your kids, but mine LOVE Disney movies!!  We went to a Disney on Ice show a few years ago and they thought it was so much fun to see their favorite characters come to life.

This year, Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic comes to the Excel Energy Center in St. Paul, Minnesota.  

My girls can't wait to go!  They get to see 65 of their favorite Disney characters from 18 repeatedly seen movies skate around on the ice.  Though they are excited to see Mickey and Minnie, Nemo, The Lion King characters, and Pinocchio, they are most thrilled that they will get to see all the princesses live!

Disney On Ice Celebrates 100 Years of Magic will be at the Excel Energy Center on December 6-9, 2012.

Tickets are $18 / $24 / $46 / $69 – With Opening Night Tickets Just $11!

Tickets are available at the Xcel Energy Center Box Office, Ticketmaster Ticket Centers, by calling 800-745-3000 or online at www.ticketmaster.com. To charge by phone using Ticketmaster TDD/TTY, call 800-359-2525. Certain fees may apply. (Groups 12+ call 651-312-3486)

One lucky Toys In The Dryer reader will win a family 4-pack of tickets to opening night!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway We each received a family 4-pack of tickets to this event in exchange for it's promotion.  All opinions are our own.

The Voice of SongeBob SquarePants at the Mall of America

The voice of Nickelodeon’s SpongeBob SquarePants,

Tom Kenny,

to perform at Mall of America® with live band The Hi-Seas

WHAT:  Tom Kenny, the voice of the iconic and beloved Nickelodeon SpongeBob SquarePants character, will be at Mall of America® Saturday, Nov. 24 at 1:00 p.m. with his band, The Hi-Seas, for a special holiday performance and advance screening of “It’s a SpongeBob Christmas!” on the Patio. 

SpongeBob and The Hi-Seas band is a high energy full-piece band bringing music from Bikini Bottom to life and delighting audiences with tunes from the Nickelodeon hit animated series “SpongeBob SquarePants” and “It’s a SpongeBob Christmas!” holiday album, featuring 11 new songs.

In addition to the musical performance, there will be an advance screening of the new stop-motion animated Christmas special, “It’s a SpongeBob Christmas!” premiering on Nickelodeon Dec. 9.

In addition to voicing the lead role of SpongeBob in “SpongeBob SquarePants,” Tom Kenny is also familiar to Nick viewers as the voices of Dog on “CatDog” and Heffer on “Rocko’s Modern Life.” 

For official event guidelines, visit www.mallofamerica.com/events.  

WHEN:  Saturday, Nov. 24, 2012
1 – 2:00 p.m. SpongeBob and Patrick photo opportunity                       
2 – 2:30 p.m. Performance by SpongeBob and The Hi-Seas                       
2:30 – 3:00 “It’s a SpongeBob Christmas!” screening                       

WHERE:  Mall of America – The Patio

IMAX Family Night--Under The Sea in 3D

FREE CHILD ADMISSION TO UNDER THE SEA IN 3D 

IMAX Family Night - Monday, November 19th – Great Clips IMAX Theatre 

WHAT:  The Great Clips IMAX Theatre has teamed up with Las Tortillas in Rosemount, Sam’s Club and Pepsi for Family Night. Guests that purchase one adult admission to the 6:30 p.m. showing of Under the Sea in 3D will receive one free child’s admission to the movie and complimentary snack and beverage (while supplies last) before the show. 

WHEN:  Monday, November 19th Las Tortillas tacos and beverages provided by Sam’s Club and Pepsi will be served starting at 5:30 p.m. in the lobby (while supplies last).                        
Under the Sea in 3D begins at 6:30 p.m. on Minnesota’s largest screen.

COST:  $9.75 for Adults                       
Free admission for kids with paid adult

WHERE:  The Great Clips IMAX Theatre at the Minnesota Zoo – Minnesota’s largest screen                       
12000 Zoo Boulevard in Apple Valley, Minn.                       

ABOUT:  Under The Sea in 3D will transport you to some of the most exotic and isolated undersea locations on Earth including Southern Australia, New Guinea and others in the Indo-Pacific region, allowing you to experience face-to-face encounters with some of the most mysterious and stunning creatures of the sea. It offers a uniquely inspirational and entertaining way to explore the impact global climate change has had on ocean wilderness. Be immersed in the underwater world with the Australian Sea Lion, Crocodilefish, Leafy Sea Dragon, the Lionfish and more.

Monster Jam at the Metrodome!--Giveaway

MONSTER JAM^® TO ROLL INTO THE METRODOME DEC. 1

I just want to take a minute to stress this event is a FAMILY show, with nearly 40% of the audience kids between the ages of 2-12 and it’s not just limited to little boys, half the audience is female! I can personally say that I have been to a Monster Jam show (while Hubby and I were dating) and I found it just as fun as he did!

The Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam^®, the world’s premier monster truck series and part of the SUBWAY^® Motorsports Series, will invade the Metrodome on Saturday, Dec. 1, 2012 at 7 p.m.

Monster Jam^® events showcase freestyle and racing competition among custom-designed machines that average 12 feet tall by 12 feet wide, sit atop 66-inch-tall tires and weigh a minimum of 10,000 pounds.  Built for short, high-powered bursts of speed, monster trucks generate 1,500 to 2,000 horsepower and are capable of speeds of up to 100 miles per hour.  Monster trucks can fly up to 125 to 130 feet (a distance greater than 14 cars side by side) and up to 35 feet in the air.

           

Tickets start at $15 for adults and $10 for children age 12 and under. Tickets are available at all Ticketmaster outlets, online at www.ticketmaster.com, and by phone at 800-745-3000. Coupons for $5 off adult tickets are available at participating Advance Auto Parts locations from Nov. 12 - 30, or while supplies last. Tickets will be available at the Metrodome Box Office beginning November 19, box office purchases are cash only.

           

A SUBWAY^® Party in the Pits will be held from 2 - 5 p.m., prior to the 7 p.m. show on the Metrodome floor.  The pre-show pit party gives fans (with a pit pass and event ticket) the chance to see the monster trucks up close, meet drivers, take pictures and get autographs.  Pit passes will be available for free at all participating SUBWAY^® restaurants from Nov. 12 – Dec. 1, or while supplies last.       

Get up close to these colossal creatures at the Monster Jam Party in the Pits.  This pre-show experience provides event goers with unparallel access by allowing them onto the actual track where they will meet the drivers and collect their autographs, take photo’s with the trucks, walk the ramps these massive machines will jump and explore the obstacles they'll destroy! Truly the ultimate experience for any Monster Jam® fan.   The pit party is free with a pit pass from Subway.  

Monster Jam^®, sanctioned by the United States Hot Rod Association^®, attracts over 100,000 fans annually in the Twin Cities area and more than 4 million fans each year at arenas and stadiums throughout the world.

For additional information, visit www.MonsterJam.com.

One lucky Toys In The Dryer reader will win a Family 4-Pack of Tickets to Monster Jam at the Metrodome!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Send Your Kids to the Zoo While you Holiday Shop!

Como Zoo Introduces A New Program For Kids,

But Designed For Parents--

Kids get four hours of fun while parents play Santa!

Como is offering a series of 4-hour fun filled programs that will occupy your little ones while you take care of your holiday business. 

With Har-Mar Mall & Roseville only 5 minutes from Como, you’ll easily be able to put a dent in your…uhmmm, we mean…Santa’s naughty & nice gift giving list, or maybe you’d just like some time for a lunch & movie date! This holiday season send your little elves to Como while you check things off your holiday to-do list.

Como’s three different kids programs between Thanksgiving and Christmas will offer parents a daycare option on Black Friday and select weekends. During these 4 hour programs, kids will tackle a scavenger hunt through the Zoo and Conservatory, meet special animal visitors, and participate in games, crafts, and other wild zoo-themed fun.

Dates and Times 

Friday, November 23 (Black Friday): 9:00am to 1:00pm 

Saturday, December 1: 9:00am to 1:00pm 

Sunday, December 9: 11:30am to 3:30pm 

Drop off and pick up is 15 minutes before and 15 minutes after each program. 

Space is limited & per-registration is required. The cost is $30 per child. Family discounts are available. Children are required to bring a lunch and snack that does not need to be refrigerated or heated. Boxed lunches and snacks are available for an additional $7. Children must be three years of age or older and potty trained.

For more information and to register call 651-487-8272

CHEESECAKE SAMPLING, TOY/FOOD DRIVE, AND HOLIDAY BAZAAR!

JOIN Muddy Paws Cheesecake November 28th FOR THEIR 20TH ANNUAL

CHEESECAKE SAMPLING, TOY/PET FOOD DRIVE and HOLIDAY BAZAAR!!

*4:00-9:00pm At Muddy Paws Cheesecake*

Over 35 kinds of cheesecake to sample!

Free and open to the public with donation of one or both of the following:
* A New Unwrapped Toy (ages 5-14)
* An Unopened Bag of Pet Food (Partner: Pet Project)

DONATED ITEMS WILL SERVE: 

STEP Emergency, The Pet Project and Perspectives Family Services

The Holiday Bazaar: Taste and/or purchase goods from over 25 local vendors, including the culinary talents of the Woman Who Really Cook organization.

Hear Live Music By 3 Local Groups

STOP IN FOR A MINUTE OR STAY ALL NIGHT! Kids welcome!
Cheesecake will also be fully stocked for purchase too!

***************************************************

*Address: 7600 W 27th Street, St Louis Park, 55426. We highly recommend that you use our directions:) They can be located on our website: muddypawscheesecake.com or below.

DIRECTIONS TO BAKERY: From 394, Take Louisiana Ave S (over Cedar Lake Rd) to 27th St (see Post Office). Go right or west on 27th St to end of road (past Napa). Turn right into parking lot by “27 West” sign & go over bike path. Go past 1st buildings to 2nd set of buildings. We are in Building B.          Enter main doors (see signs). Note: This is an industrial park. 

*Suggested: minimum of one donation per adult. 

*****HUGE THANK YOU to their Sponsors*****
Muddy Paws Cheesecake along with: Traveling Photo Booth, Pampered Pooch Playground, Avant Decor, Midway Party Rental, SpyderTrap, Garon Kae Designs, and Studio Laguna Photography

Google Lunar X PRIZE MoonBots competition at Mall of America®

Local team competing in Google Lunar X PRIZE MoonBots competition

at Mall of America^®

WHAT: Science, technology, engineering and math come together in one amazing evening of robotic demonstrations on Friday, Nov. 9 at Mall of America^®. More than 30 robotics teams, including local Team 4140 Fish in the Boat will demonstrate homemade robots. Those visiting the Mall will be able to participate in the fun by driving the robots as a part of the demonstration.

Local team 4140 Fish in the Boat is a Minnesota-based FIRST Tech Challenge team made up of local teenagers competing in the MoonBots competition. MoonBots is a competition open to any team of five students and a coach from around the world. The competition is created by the Google Lunar X PRIZE to get a robot to the moon. As one of 30 MoonBots finalist teams in the world, 4140 Fish in the Boat will complete the final phase of the MoonBots challenge by conducting a live-streamed presentation of their robot in the Rotunda. The grand prize of this worldwide challenge is a trip to Hawaii. The winner will be announced in December.

4140 Fish in the Boat along with more than 30 other FIRST Tech Challenge and FIRST Robotics Competition teams will demonstrate their own unique robotic inventions in the Rotunda showing families how to get involved with robotics.

FIRST programs are the top robotics competitions for students around the globe to explore science, technology, engineering and math. Yearly challenges featuring robots in a “sports” setting provides fun and excitement that keeps students engaged while exposing them to the engineering community. Dean Kamen, Founder of FIRST says these programs are designed "to transform our culture by creating a world where science and technology are celebrated and where young people dream of becoming science and technology leaders." Learn more at www.fishintheboat.org

VISUALS:  4140 Fish in the Boat team’s MoonBots demonstration Kids driving various robots

WHEN:  Friday, Nov. 9, 2012
6 - 9:00 p.m.
Mall of America – Rotunda