Color Me Mine: Norfolk

We recently spent a perfect Friday night at Color Me Mine pottery paint studio in Norfolk. We walked in about 6:00 and were greeted right away. The hostess helped us pick from their wide variety of pieces, including piggy banks, Lego and Minecraft characters, animal figurines, dog bowls, trays, mugs, and little statues. Pieces are about the $20-$40 range depending on what you pick. 

From there you'll head over to the paint wall. The hostess explained to us that we needed three coats to make the color pop and showed us different painting techniques. There were all size brushes, sponges, trays, droppers, and everything else you can think of. 

We picked our colors and got to work. I'm shocked to say that all three active boys sat for an hour and half working while laser focused. We chatted about art, resilience, making mistakes, and it was heartwarming to see the boys helping each other out. While I wasn't sure about taking three wild guys into a shop where everything is breakable, they were calm and easy going the whole time. Everyone was asking to come back and picking out their next pieces to paint before we even finished with what we were working on. (There is a book vase is calling my name!) 

They are open daily from 10-9. The studio fee is $10 no matter the size pieces you pick, but check their calendar because there are Military Monday specials some weeks, nurse and teacher days, ladies nights, mini Mondays, and family fun days where the studio fee is cheaper. There are also summer camp, birthday party, and Kids Night Out options, so if you have an artist at home, be sure to head to their website. You'll leave your item for about a week and they will call when it's ready to be picked up. Super easy, you just show up, paint, and head out! 

Owl Creek Landing: Updates

We went back to Owl Creek Landing for a visit over Spring Break and got to see the new updates. Owl Creek's biggest feature is the Nautilus Tower, the first spiral tower in America with The Whorl- America's longest steel slide. Our favorite part though is their canopy walk, which allows you to walk on bridges through the treetops. New to us this visit were the obstacles and play features installed on the ground along the nature trail. Kids will love the nature inspired playground with nets to climb, a zip line, swings, and tree houses. 

Besides the new platforms and structures, new informational signs about the nature in the area were up. 

Information posted on the property says that they are still under construction, meaning that new things are still coming. 

They are open Monday-Thursday 10-5, Friday and Saturday 10-8, and Sunday 10-5. On Wednesday mornings there is an educational walk through the park where you'll learn about wildlife, migratory birds, and the importance of marshlands.  Tickets are $13, or you can save by adding this on to an Adventure Park ticket. Save $5 by signing up for their email list and purchasing online. Season passes and birthday party options are available. I look forward to seeing the changes as they continue to work on the property. 

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The Adventure Park

We revisited the Adventure Park at the Virginia Aquarium over Spring Break.  My kids are a year older since we went last year and we loved it again, and they were asking to go again by the time we were in the car on the way home. I'm loving the workout it gives us, but more importantly, I'm really seeing the self- confidence it's building in my boys by challenging them. It helps them to control fears and become risk takers, but also to trust in their bodies. My oldest was walking me through how to problem solve one of the trickier courses by telling me where to put my legs and how to balance myself.

Sure, there is risk, but being harnessed in makes it a safe place to fail. In a time where every teacher I know is talking to parents about the inability to focus, the Adventure Park forces kids to lock in and focus or risk falling. 

The Adventure Park teaches these skills with 258 challenge elements across 17 treetop trails. There are 33 ziplines and 6 challenge levels. Ages 5-6 can access purple, the easiest with an adult. Ages 7 and up can go from yellow to double black. Three hour general admission tickets are $74 for adults, $64 for ages 7-13, and $52 for ages 5-6 at the window. Purchase online to save $10. An all day pass is $99. Your visit will start by checking in, signing a waiver, and heading to the safety briefing. From there you'll watch a demonstration before you begin your fun in the trees.

Wild Explorations: The Virginia Living Musuem

Now open at The Virginia Living Museum is the Wild Explorations exhibit. This hands-on exhibit transforms with each season, and offers both gross and fine motor play for all ages. Inspired by Virginia's seasons and natural landscapes, the heart of the space is a large seasonal tree. You'll notice places to climb, slide, build, play, and learn. Spring is open now until May 22, when it will transform into the summer season. 

Just Birdies: New Hot Box Pizza

Last summer we visited Just Birdies about once a week. We got their summer play pass which allowed us two hours of virtual baseball, basketball, soccer, football, dodgeball, golf, cricket, carnival games, and more. The boys could play and I could work uninterrupted while sitting in the air conditioning on a super comfortable couch. We even had days where my mom took them and she sat and read while the boys played.

Now, Just Birdies has changed up their menu to include this new hot box pizza, which is *chef's kiss* crispy around the outsides. My kids devoured it. They have also added a new weekday lunch menu which includes grilled chicken caesar salad, wings, quesadillas, smash burgers, grilled cheese, sliders, and a slider flight. All options are $13 or less. 

Just Birdies does birthday parties and private events as well as fundraisers. They have regular virtual golf leagues and tournaments. If you haven't found them yet, give it a try and check them out. Located at 2419 Hampton Blvd, you'll want to turn and park at 25th street.