And now the dust settles!
February 23, 2012
Phewf. What a whirlwind couple of weeks it has been. We made it through our first big event with only a couple of complaints and hundreds of compliments.
For anyone with complaints, we’ve tried to reach out to you personally. We’re the first to admit that we’re not perfect and the last to walk away from any opportunity to learn. We hope that you contact us directly.
For the compliments, THANK YOU! We can’t get back to everyone. But know that each and every email has been read and phone messages listened to. And for those of you who offered a hug when we needed it most … thanks 
We also want to thank all of our family members who helped out, our wonderful staff, our awesomazing partners, performers and everyone who contributed to making our first event a huge success!
Over the coming weeks, we will be scrutinizing everything. So if you have any comments or suggestions, please share them. We want to hear what worked, what didn’t work and what you want to see next year.
I also wanted to let everyone know (if you haven’t heard already) that we successfully established a Guinness World Record! With 629 participants, we officially hold the world record for the largest streamer string (aka Silly String) fight. Woohoo!
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 CommentSo many balls in the air!
February 5, 2012With less than 2 weeks until Funatorium Explorium Family Extravaganza (yikes!) days are flying by. Just when I think we’re done adding fun stuff for parents and children to do, I squeeze in one more thing!
I’ve made a bunch of updates to the website today to make sure that you know about all of the incredible entertainment and activities we have planned for Family Day weekend.
Check it out:
Cow Guys
Brad the Balloon Guy
Plasma Car Junction
Giant Canvases
and…
A WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT!!!!!
Your read it right. We’re going to attempt to establish a world record right here in Ottawa on Family Day. You’re the first to officially find out. I’m sure you’ll hear more buzz about it over the coming days (Well, at least I hope you hear a lot more buzz about it!)
Don’t be shy. Spread the word. It’s going to be an awesomazing event!
Posted in Uncategorized | 6 CommentsThe Beast on Our Front Lawn
January 28, 2012Regular readers of my blog might remember me mentioning the famous snow fort contraption that my husband created. It made it’s official appearance on our front lawn a couple of weeks before Christmas … standing naked … desperately waiting for snow.
Thankfully, the skies opened up and gave us a little of the white stuff masking some of the beast’s hideousness!
It takes a surprising amount of snow however to cover the fort. My husband tirelessly shovels for hours attempting to pile the snow and render the structure safe enough for all of the neighbourhood children to climb and slide. We’re fortunate to have a neighbour with a snow blower (who must be a little bit crazy like us) and he snow blowed our front lawn to help move things along.
But that wasn’t enough for my husband. He called in the heavy machines…really, check out the pictures.
So as promised, I present you with pictures of (dun, dun, duuun) THE BEAST.
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 CommentA Surprising Family-Friendly Activity
January 1, 2012My family was given tickets to the Ottawa 67′s this past Friday. We are not a hockey family. We don’t follow hockey. We don’t know the teams. We’ve only been to the Civic Centre for consumer shows.
I’ll let you in on a little secret … We had FUN!
It was a surprise that all of us had a great time. The energy was very friendly from the moment that we walked into the building — from the girl who greeted us at the ticket window, to the man who sold us cotton candy.
As we took our seats, we could tell that there are regulars. They settle in with their 67′s accessories and affectionately shout out players’ names. As they settle in, they know what they’re in store for. There are cheerleaders, a dancing chicken, a robot dancer, a live band, little Timbits that get to play short games during intermission. There is as much going on off the ice as on the ice!
The 67′s out-shot the Pete’s 2-1 and in the end won 2-0, with both goals in the 3rd period (one on an open net). A win seemed a fitting end to an entertaining evening.
So, are we a hockey family now? Not really. But you just might see us at an occasional 67′s game
Happy New Year!
December 30, 2011To all Funatorium Explorium friends, family and fans Happy New Year!
Our first event, Funatorium Explorium Family Extravaganza is fast approaching. Our preparations are moving forward at lightning speed. We’re excited to be establishing so many partnerships and friendships along the way. The success of the event will be due to so many of these wonderful connections (you know who you are!)
As this year draws to a close, we give thanks to everyone who has supported us. Heading into 2012 we remain hopeful for a more peaceful world. We will focus on creating positive energy, knowing that each and everyone one of us makes a difference.
Don’t forget to use discount code DISCFE12 when purchasing your tickets to save an additional $2 off of the on-line ticket price.
We look forward to playing with you in 2012!
Leslie
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 CommentsThe Excitement
December 14, 2011I’ve sold my first tickets!
What does this mean to me?
1) It validates that at least one other person believes that this will be an awesomazing event.
2) At least one family (other than my friends and relatives) will show up!
3) Someone either read the article that appeared in Ottawa Parenting Times Magazine or heard the ad that’s currently running on Hot 89.9 and was interested enough to go to my website and check it out.
As excited as I am that at least one family will be joining us Family Day long weekend at the new CE Centre for Funatorium Explorium Family Extravaganza, I hope that more people consider purchasing tickets soon …
Give your family (or someone else’s family) the gift of fun and memories this holiday season!
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentIt Sure Feels Real Now!
December 1, 2011I am so excited to report that our media and advertising campaign is beginning for Funatorium Explorium Family Extravaganza!
We got a surprise this evening when Josh Zaret, the GM of the new CE Centre mentioned Funatorium Explorium in an interview on CBC Evening News. Sooooo cool to hear our name on TV. Watch it here: http://www.cbc.ca/video/#/News/Local_News/Ottawa/1317910092/ID=2172733068
We have a wonderful feature article and full page ad coming out this weekend in Ottawa Parenting Times Magazine. Pick up a copy (pick one up for a friend too!) and let me know what you think. You can read it on-line here: http://www.ottawaparentingtimes.ca/
We have a pre-Christmas advertising campaign starting December 12 on Hot 89.9. They’re also promoting our event on-line. You’ll have several chances to win a family pass to the event, so be sure to listen.
There’s lots more to come. I’ll try and keep the “In the News” section of the website up to date.
So, in the spirit of the Christmas season, you may want to consider Funatorium Explorium Family Extravaganza tickets as a family present under the tree. Buying your tickets on-line is simple and saves you money.
If you like Funatorium Explorium, please tell all of your friends (and perfect strangers in the grocery store line, at the mall, at the dentist’s office — I think you get the idea!) We need your help to make it the success we know it can be.
It sure feels real now!
Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentPhilosophical Meandering
November 25, 2011I guess I’m having one of those weeks. You know the ones when you just feel blah. I’ve been working very hard at trying to attract local businesses to participate in Funatorium Explorium Family Extravaganza, only to be met with resistance. “We don’t have the money.” “It’s too expensive.” “It’s a first-time event. Maybe next year.” “I don’t think it will work.” Or my personal favourite (you might detect a bit of sarcasm here) – no response at all.
So I sit and brood. Why is this so difficult? Why are businesses so apathetic? Why can’t they see the value? Don’t they understand that this is an event unlike any Ottawa has ever seen? This is the only event that I am aware of exclusively targeted at families with children ages 4-14, don’t they want to connect with these families? Without some sponsors to step up, there just might not be a second annual Funatorium Explorium Family Extravaganza. I’m offering soooo many ways to advertise their brand. Why can’t they see the value?
Then, in a moment of clarity, it dawned on me. I get solicited frequently and can’t say yes to everyone. For example, as much as I’d like to advertise in every print publication, on every billboard, on every website, it’s just not possible. I have to use a filter to decide how best to spend my limited resources.
So even though Funatorium Explorium Family Extravaganza represents a unique opportunity for businesses to interact with Ottawa families, it’s not the only opportunity. I just have to accept that my opportunity doesn’t pass their filter at this time. Sad, but true.
It sure would be nice to get a reply back from everybody though!
Happy Friday everyone.
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 CommentsLeap of Faith
November 17, 2011In our attempt to make Funatorium Explorium Family Extravaganza the most amazing event for families in Ottawa, countless hours have been spent on the phone, the internet and visiting companies. We want to bring you the unusual, the incredible, the most fun activities. If you’ve been to our website www.funatoriumexplorium.com lately, we hope that you will agree that the event is shaping up to be uber-fantastic, but we felt there was something missing. We identified some cool equipment, but couldn’t find anyone in Ontario or Quebec to rent it to us. So we decided to purchase a few items, adding an entire new business line at Funatorium Explorium — fun entertainment equipment rental. We don’t want to compete with already established inflatables companies. They already offer great products at a great price with wonderful service. We want to offer something totally different.
So in the next short while, we will add the fun equipment rental business to our website. If you ever had dreams of climbing walls like Spider Man, then our first piece of equipment will blow your mind!
Even though all of the details are not finalized, I was too excited to keep the news to myself. As our loyal followers, you are the first to find out. We hope that some day you might consider renting some of our equipment for your event or party!
Posted in Uncategorized | 3 CommentsPerfect Parenting — Part II
November 1, 2011We live in the country. We have lots of trees. Lots of trees, means lots of leaves. So at this time of year, at least one full weekend is dedicated to the ritual of raking leaves!
When our son was little, it was inevitably 3 or 4 weekends of work, because a younger child’s tolerance for grown-up chores is limited. Now that he’s a bit older, we can power through and get it done in one weekend … as long as we create the annual jumping pile.
We’re creating a reputation for ourselves as the house with the crazy contraptions. I’ll post a picture of our snow fort/ramp/man-made slide this winter and you’ll understand what I mean (all my husband’s doing by the way!) But just in time for Halloween, we have our crazy leaf pile. My husband sets up a ladder and the kids take turns climbing up the ladder and jumping, flipping and twirling into the leaf pile. Now before anyone goes all “safety” on me, there is always adult supervision, the leaf pile is continually fluffed and we’ve tested it out ourselves.
That brings me to the “Perfect Parenting — Part II”. The kids all get really excited and want the parents to jump off the ladder into the leaf pile too. I don’t know if it’s a matter of scale, but jumping into the leaf piles is … gasp … boring. It feels like nothing more than jumping off of a step onto the ground. If you’re adventurous enough to try jumping into the pile onto your back or your tummy, you end up with little bits of leaves and twigs everywhere (Yes, even in your underwear!)
So this activity that brings sooo much joy to my child feels like more of a chore to me. And that’s when it dawned on me. We don’t have to enjoy everything we do with or for our children. Perfect parenting is creating these opportunities for our children and enjoying their reaction. I realized that I certainly wasn’t jumping into the leaf pile for me, but for the reaction of my child. He thinks it’s funny. He will remember that day when we look back at the pictures and say “That was so fun.” I will remember his reaction. That will be my memory.
Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments← Older posts