I have to say, the Brookfield Zoo in Illinois takes its Mold-A-Ramas seriously. When we started our collection last year the only Mold-A-Rama machines we had any experience with were at the Milwaukee County Zoo. A few of those machines are inside buildings, but several just suffer the extremes of Wisconsin weather year round. (Even the indoor machines look a bit worse for wear.) Everywhere else we've been the machines are in much better shape.
On a recent visit to the Brookfield Zoo again we got a clue as to why. When we went the first time in the fall when the weather was pleasant, most of the machines were outside (but covered). When we returned recently to collect six new figures, all the outdoor machines had been moved to indoor locations. What a concept!
We still didn't get to see the cassowary, but it was amusing to observe kangaroos enjoying the snow, and I think we could sit and watch the dolphins all day. We plan to head back when the zoo switches out the holiday Mold-A-Ramas for whatever other regular figures they do that we haven't collected yet. Which means we will have put in more visits to the zoo down in Chicago than to our own zoo in recent months. Effective use of Mold-A-Rama machines, Brookfield Zoo!
This brings our collection (including a Mold-A-Rama killer whale my niece brought us from Florida for Christmas) to 55. We may have to clear off the entire mantel soon and make it an all Mold-A-Rama space. (I'm just starting to feel glad that we didn't decide to collect, say, bowling balls or something. Or the actual machines. That would take up an impressive amount of room!)
I don't collect anything I have to dust! ;-)
ReplyDeleteBut it looks like you really know how to show your kids a good time!
I wonder if collecting dust counts as a hobby?
DeleteLuckily my kids are easily entertained.
Hehehehe yes, don't collect the actual machines, that sounds like your living room would be very crowded indeed :)
ReplyDeleteSounds like a pretty neat zoo!
-Lisa K
It is, actually, although the aesthetics of it are dated. But the primate exhibits are ingenious, and the fact that there is a building for "bats and wombats" cracks me up. (Seems a little like organizing the zoo based on rhyme schemes or color....)
DeleteOkay, I'm still so unbelievably chuffed by your collection I can hardly stand it. I'm sitting here thrilled beyond belief you were able to add to your collect and grinned when I read you received a killer whale from FL.
ReplyDeleteApparently I'm living through you rather vicariously. :oP
So glad you like these posts! I write them mostly to document the collection for ourselves, and then wonder if people will be bored by yet another Mold-A-Rama post because it's kind of silly. But I will keep you in mind as the collection grows! And at some point I will have the kids organize all the figures for a group photo. You will be impressed!
Deleteso I just googled mold a rama in virginia and sadly we have NONE!! I am so jealous. This area would be perfect for them with all of the museums and historical sites we have around here. The official mold a ram website btw is really cool...you can tell how stir crazy we are on this snow day that I'm googling mold a ramas :) I can't wait to see your next find!
ReplyDeleteClosest ones to you would probably be Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee. They have 9, including an otter we don't have. And there is a weird micro car museum in Georgia that supposedly has 4, but every time I try to find out information about it I just get confused.
DeleteI just love those and they served as great inducements when I had tired whiny kids to go forward and see more of the zoo. You have brought back a lovely memory.
ReplyDeleteThe best inducement I ever found for kids at the zoo was to make them bingo cards of stuff to find (from animals to trash cans). Nothing like a list! Which is part of why collecting the Mold-A-Ramas is so fun. We have a list of where all the ones in the country (and therefore the world) are, and my son in particular loves checking them off as we go.
DeleteIt was so fun to meet you today! You inspired me to write some Haiku and ended up being a whole blog post. I can't wait to hear about your Mold-A-Rama finds! Enjoy your trip. Safe travels!
ReplyDeleteIt was nice meeting you, too. Jill! Looking forward to checking out your blogs.
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