Picture this. I was leaving a three-year-old girl’s museum birthday party with both kids. We were all a little cranky. Scarlet was missing a shoe and Des had crapped his pants with no signs of a changing table.. in a CHILDREN’S museum. (I’m certain I just wasn’t looking very hard, but still) I decided that we all needed a pick-me-up before trudging out into the slush, dirt, snow and ice that our land has turned into, so I suggested that we get hot cocoa (with whipped cream) on the mountaintop drive-through coffee hut. Sounds cool, right? It is. I was zipping up Des’ jacket next to another mother and young son and she overheard our hot cocoa conversation and asked about the coffee hut. I explained about how it has lots of coffees and teas and cookies and egg and cheese sandwiches, and it’s on a mountaintop too! She seemed intrigued. I don’t have 100% people instinct but I know charisma when I see it. (and I see it often) She introduced herself. I introduced myself. We parted ways.
A few days later I received an email from a psychotherapist who had developed a toy company called Wonder Crew, geared towards preschool boys to build emotional skills and creativity through adventure and friendship. She was inspired to develop this toy company after experiences with her son and clients. She wanted help spreading the word about her very important Kickstarter campaign (more on that below) and sent me a video so I could check out Wonder Crew. The first thing I noticed about the video is that it’s fun and catchy. The second thing I noticed is that there’s a very fun circus tent in the video that we have at home, but then lost to a “cats locked out of their litterbox incident”, but then the circus tent came back to me through a hand-me-down (don’t worry – a fresh one). The third thing I noticed about the video is that one of Des’ daycare friends is in it being adorable. SOLD! I knew right away that this woman had my vote. My service. My word. I wanted to help.
“Play has the power to impact the way kids see themselves and the world around them, yet there isn’t anything in the “blue aisle” that promotes empathy, kindness or emotional connection. Thrilled by the recent surge of STEM toys for girls, I want to bring boys a new play experience, one that offers a different story — where real strength and fun isn’t about toughness and weapons, instead it’s about friendship, creativity and the great adventure that follows.”
As we went back and forth through email, she sent me more information about the Kickstarter and the company. I went to their website and saw her photo. Wow! It was the same woman I had met at the museum birthday party, who had overheard me talking about mountaintop hot cocoa! SOLD again! She had my vote. My service. My help. This is what it takes. Wonderful people doing wonderful things, and doing them with other wonderful people I know. And mountaintop hot cocoa.
Today, March 3rd, is the start of the Kickstarter campaign in the hopes to fund Wonder Crew’s first production. It will include the opportunity to get the actual toy (Crewmate and matching child adventure gear and comic style guide book), as well as the opportunity to donate these Crewmates to hospitals, non-profit organizations and preschools.
You can spread the word. Here’s the website and Facebook page. You can watch this informative interview with Laurel:
You can think about who in your life would like a Crewmate. I know in my life, it’s not just Des. Scarlet wants one too! And I want to get one for my nephew and my niece and my future nephews and nieces too!
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Frist, really?
Even if I’m not …
This post makes me want to be a kid again. I am always a kid, and I have a driver’s license and don’t have to listen to my mom anymore. But to be in the Wonder Crew …
I also love the serendipity of it all. Mountaintop cocoa, two cool moms … sounds like the start to a cool story to me.
You’re always frist to me!
And it’s fun to think about where the story will go! Because it can go anywhere and be anything. And in all reality, I am such a small part of her story but I can’t wait to see this company soar.
It will as soon as it makes a doll for the boy who wants to be a soccer coach and dad blogger all at once.
But what boy doesn’t??
Now, THAT is a great story to start my morning the right way here, Tamara! A very chilly morning that could definitely use hot cocoa and egg and cheese sandwiches on a mountaintop with that view! Aside from what I learn through bloggers like yourself and friends I’m way out of touch with kids toys these days. This a terrific new, innovative idea with the Wonder Crew and my best of luck sent to Laurel and her Kickstarter goal! Have a great day my friend 🙂
You know I was so inspired by my own story with Laurel that I went out and got an egg and cheese sandwich and a hot cocoa. Except that once I got there, I instead wanted a cup of soup and a coffee. But the sentiment was there!
I’m liking the way toys can be when thoughtful people put their minds to it. Like that woman who is wiping the make up off of the Bratz dolls and making them look…like normal dolls.
Yes, I want hot cocoa, but from Mountaintop drive-through coffee hut, the inspiration for the Grinch’s mountain!!! Awesome.
The Wonder Crew sounds amazing, I believe our boys need to learn empathy & kindness just as much as our girls do. Kudos to Laurel for seeing a need in the blue aisles and doing something about it- I appreciate that.
It’s a small world after all. 🙂
XOXO
It sure is! and I’m so glad you see the wonder of Wonder Crew.
Dr. Seuss lived in Western Massachusetts. So we all celebrate him. And that mountain is called Mount Tom and it’s the mountain that Dr. Seuss wrote the Grinch after. And there are local people who put on a WhoVille celebration and they have someone dress up like the Grinch and stand on the mountain in a Santa suit! You can’t make this stuff up.
I knew it had to be the same women from the beginning of your post here. Seriously, these are awesome and if I had a little boy would so want to get him one. I still remember when my brother was a kid around Des’ age and he got Teddy Ruxbin and how much he adored that teddy bear telling all that would listen it was indeed his friend. So, I truly think this is such a cool idea for young boys and will most definitely be checking out their Kickstarter page 😉
You just brought back such memories! I remember my aunt gave us a knock off Teddy Ruxpin. It was called Smarty Bear. I think we still have him somewhere in my parent’s house and he will surely give people nightmares.
Even having one boy and one girl, I can’t get away with just one crewmate! I look forward to seeing which one Scarlet wants.
I know what memories and if think this is memories, go to my FB blog page and see the post I shared about nostalgia from the 80s! And I can’t wait to see who she does pick 😉
I’m heading there right now!
🙂 😉
Oh, I would so like my little girls to have crewmates. I would love to spread the word for you. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I have to say that hilltop picture is mesmerizing.
Thanks! I took that photo in the fall, and I didn’t have a more current one. Right now it’s quite white!
I absolutely want my son and my daughter to have crewmates so your comment made me smile.
Hey April, Laurel here : ) – Crewmates are truly for all. And ultimately Wonder Crew will be an interest based brand, not gender. Go anywhere. Be anything. is for any child! Awesome post, Tamara! Thank you!!
Thank you for having such an inspiring idea! I knew my readers would be awesome with their comments.
What a cool idea. It’s about time! Serendipity. I love those kind of connections. All the best to the wonder Crew and congrats to the Mom who created this wonderful toy for boys & girls.
I sure love serendipity! The whole story just fits. And I completely agree and wish all the best to this emerging company.
Yay! I love this so much! I have always wanted to see more toys like this for our boys!
I’m so happy you like it! I think they seem so appealing. I can’t wait to order mine. And donate to the cause.
It’s a small, small world…..how cool is that!
And our town is so full of surprises like that, but it’s not even a small town. Technically it’s a city!
My kids are weird. I could not ever get them to like dolls much. I, on the other hand, would’ve loved this as kid. As for the video, the part where they were building the fort made me nervous. I always freak out over living room forts. There’s so much clean up involved. Now watch my kids randomly decide to build a fort this weekend. GAH!
You’re cracking me up. It’s never too late to buy a doll for yourself, you know!
True!
I DO want mountaintop hot cocoa, actually. Let’s arrange a meet-up and make this happen!
And what a great campaign. I love the STEM toys for girls and taking play focus away from weapons and toughness.
I would love to make it happen! Your mountain range or mine? I suppose they both rock.
I can’t even think of a place as amazing as what you’re describing. It’ll have to be yours!
I’m game anytime! Although right now it’s just a big white melting mess! It still has hot cocoa.
Umm….I would hang out at that mountaintop coffee hut all the time for the views – gorgeous!!!
I love that you actually met the person who had such a great idea – did she know who you were at the time?
Come on up and hang out!
No, I don’t think she knew who I was. I’m really not very famous around here! I’m glad she does now.
Wow, that is so amazing how everything worked out the way it did! I’m going to visit those sites you mentioned. What a beautiful view from that coffee hut! Yes, I want one now.
I hope you got a hot cocoa!
Thanks for visiting those sites!
These are so cool! I tweeted this out, anyone with a kid or that knows a kid needs to be a part of this!! As I have mentioned before…your posts and photos almost make me want another child…then I wake up! LOL! Love kids, just done, too old! BTW, I want a hot chocolate on the Grinch’s mountain!!!
I saw your amazing tweet! Thank you so much.
Sometimes I want a third child, but then I wake up too!
It really is where Dr. Seuss got the inspiration, and every Christmas someone dresses up like the Grinch and stands on the mountaintop!
Super cool! My kids would have loved these when they were younger. Isn’t it interesting how the world puts people in our path for a reason? I will definitely share the word about Wonder Crew.
Thank you so much! And I do believe that about people in our lives. I know having great blocking friends has really helped my journey with anxiety and photography.
That is really neat idea – looks like a good positive toy for kids – showing them how to be nice and not like most violent toys.
I liked them on FB and tweeted 🙂
That is really a coincidence with how you met her? or is it…. lol
Thanks so much, Sue! You’re the best.
And I know! Sometimes I don’t know about coincidences.
How cool – and small world. I don’t want any cocoa but I’ll take that view with a side of tea please. So nice!
Well don’t you worry because there’s plenty of tea there too!
I love the idea behind these toys! Also, I would love hot chocolate on a mountain! I live in mountainous Northeast PA (near the Poconos), but NONE of these mountains inspired The Grinch!
I don’t think I knew that! My parents live in Blairstown New Jersey which is about 12 miles from the Delaware Water Gap. Last week when I visited, we took my kids to The Crossings.
Hot Cocoa on a mountain top, Crewmates and a random connection – so cool!
It’s been awesome! I hope you do get that hot cocoa, or tea or coffee.
I’ll take a mountaintop cocoa with a huge dollop of whipped cream. And I wish James could have a crew mate, but I have a feeling he may not be on board with that idea.
What? You don’t think it would make an excellent post bar mitzvah gift?
I love that mountain top!!!!!! I love this blog too and can’t wait for you to gift this genius idea to your future niece and/or nephew! FUTURE key word peeps;) This was exactly what I needed to see tonight, teary eyed!
I’m so glad it made you teary-eyed! That makes me happy. It just means I did a good enough job conveying the message, because you know how I am when I don’t really feel like doing something.
I mean what a small world?? How cool is that? Love when these things happen!
I love serendipity!
Right! So cool!
OMG how awesome! Serendipity. Even though she was still a ‘stranger,’ it sure makes you feel more confident in a business when you see its owners acting like normal people.
Exactly! And then knowing that we have mutual friends. I think I would’ve said yes anyway, but that just made it faster.
Wonderful people doing wonderful things – that’s my favourite! Thanks for writing about this, Tamara. Also: yes to intuition and kick-ass women!
Thanks for reading about this! I could never have resisted. I also have a selfish interest in this company soaring, because I want to buy so many crewmates.
Thanks, Tamara – I so appreciate your support!!
Of course! I really believe in this.
Okay, these pictures are too cute. I love them all!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
Me too! They are filled with such spirit. Thanks for coming by!
What a serendipitous encounter! And a very seriously awesome idea. I want to get one for Eve!
I can’t wait until you do! I’ve been trying to figure out which one for my kids. I think I might have to buy all three.
Isn’t that wild. What a small world!
I think this is a fantastic idea. I know my son wouldn’t play with one though. He’s that boy who has a complete aversion to all the things that resemble dolls. I blame my brothers (his uncles) on that one – long story about my old Rainbow Brite doll that I kept at my parents house. My younger brothers won’t let me live down my days of reign. Wait until they have kids. Muwhahhaahaah
Now I can’t wait until they do have kids and you get your revenge!
What a fantastic idea. We don’t allow any guns of any kind into our home and even though my eldest is quite gentle (he loves him some princesses) I love this concept and this is a toy I would definitely buy!!
I have to confess that we do have a bubble gun from Disney World. Scarlet couldn’t resist it. It doesn’t really look like a gun, though. What I love about kids is how delighted by the bubbles they all get!
Sounds amazing! And I want to go to the coffee shop on top of a mountain please!
Come on up! I’ll save you a spot in the car line.
Ooh, what a wonderful idea! And I love that you met Laurel the way you did.Going to check out the campaign.
It’s a good one! And thanks!
firstly, that is very cool that you actually met the woman who came up with this before you heard about it. secondly – I want one of those dolls for Simon!!!
I hope you get one for him! I can’t wait to get them.
These are so cool! I know a few kiddos who would adore these. Seriously though, how fun is it that you met before starting this little adventure. Love it!
It is very cool! There’s definitely a very special quality to connections in Northampton.
Those guys are precious! I love the story of how you guys met and how this all came together! Very serendipitous!
That’s the word I keep using! So much fun.
Am I crying because I have a migraine and my migraine meds are not helping and it’s lasted for days? Or is this the most compelling thing ever?
Please, sort it out for me.
Either way – lovely idea.
I think it’s probably both.
But. Migraines for days?? I only had one in my life when I was 12, but it was more like three hours. This is going to sound so hippie dippy, but have you tried essential oils?
I haven’t tried essential oils for migraines, no.
I have used tea tree oil for years and swear by how amazing it is. But I haven’t used others. Is that weird? It feels weird to me. I’m weird.
Well I am totally weird. At least you have it for other areas of your life. I would try it just for kicks!
The view from the mountain top is amazing. I love chance encounters that later make you wonder about the powers of the universe:)!
Me too! And that’s sort of how I feel about blogging!
This is such a super idea. Jack already loves dressing like all of his favorite superheroes, this is a great way to capitalize on that and really give a kid some inspiration. Thanks for sharing, I’m heading over to the kickstarter now! And yes, I do want that hot cocoa now!
It’s definitely a good day for hot cocoa! The superhero crewmate is the one I think for Des.
It is 1 o’clock in the afternoon and I am still in my pj’s sick and thinking hot cocoa sounds lovely! Do you think they deliver to Southern Az? I need that oh and someone to make dinner, do the dishes and laundry I am wofeully behind on because of this disease 🙂 I love this idea and a very welcome addition to the blue aisle indeed. I have several little people who would like this right now! Checking the kickstarter page and all right now!
I think they should deliver it to Arizona! And you can deliver some of your weather back to us. It’s dismal here with a coughing kid and a leaky roof!
Thanks for checking out the campaign!
Oh, my. I love everything about this post. The serendipity of it all, how you turned a bad situation into a very positive one, and just the concept behind this toy. I love imaginative toythings that teach kids to think outside the box. She sounds like a wonderful woman and a great innovator. And to think–you met her on a mountaintop 🙂 Love.
That is pretty special! I just remembered also that I got married on a mountaintop. The place was literally called Mountaintop Inn & Resort.
It’s amazing how people can enter your life! Wonder Crew is adorable and brilliant, but first I need to find some mountaintop hot cocoa 🙂
I wonder if that’s something you can Google. adorable and brilliant! I love those descriptions.
OMG THIS IS AMAZING! I love the story behind it all, and I want to go to that mountain place magic coffee house too! I love Will! He looks like Dylan….and Dylan would love to have one.
I want you to go to the mountain magic place too! I’ll meet you there.
I think Dylan would be wonderful with the crewmate.
What a great story! And Wonder Crew looks awesome. My kids would have loved those when they were little. That view is incredible too!
The view is completely white right now, but it’s such a beautiful place. And to have a cup of coffee!
Oh what an AMAZING story!!! Gosh, was IT MEANT TO BE OR WHAT? And I barely could make sense of anything else you wrote after I saw that VIEW. Oh. MY. EYES.
And Wonder Crew looks INCREDIBLE!!!
Ha! The view is awesome. And I don’t even think that was my work camera. I think that was just a Phone photo that I made big. So that just shows you how awesome that view really is!
I love it when life comes full circle like that. And Wonder Crew looks like such fun for little boys! (I had to play the video twice because my kids loved watching it so much) I’ll definitely have to share this with friends of mine who have little boys in the right age range.
That’s so awesome that your kids loved watching the video! I think Des loves it because his friend is in it!
Wonder Crew – that’s really interesting! I’m all for kids learning about empathy and kindness. There’s a reason why you two met in the first place. Also, that mountaintop sounds really cool! Hope to see more photos of it. 🙂
Hope to get more photos of it! It’s especially white right now.
I had to come back here to file a complaint. You know my kids just got done building fort, right? Then they forced me into the fort. And then my husband got into the fort and farted. This entire situation is all your fault. I blame you.
You have to file a complaint with my complaints officer. That would be my five-year-old!
I have to warn you that she usually sides with the farter.
What are the chances that you guys would meet…that was so neat. I’m sure both of my kids would love being one of the Wonder Crew.
I hope it pans out well! We love the crewmates.
These are so, so cool!!!!!! And how crazy that she was the woman you met outside the museum!!! Also, I want to go to this coffee hut, it sounds amazing!!
It’s really good! On a lush mountain! Well, snowy right now.
Holy cow! I tweeted and did not comment…”Off with her head!” I love this idea and you need to keep us posted, this would be a great gift for a niece or nephew! Love it. Excited to see where it goes. The picture of the trees from the mountain top…gorgeous! And the fact that it is the Grinch’s mountain? And hot chocolate! Trifecta! I’m in! Heading your way! LOL
Western Massachusetts has a lot of cool history, but the Dr. Seuss link is one of my favorites! It just really goes with the beautiful scenery, and knowing that it was the inspiration for so many of his books.