Splash Pad @ Alys Beach

Up and down Okay. Okay. It HAS been a while. This week I wanted to change things up a bit (from the pool, the beach, etc) and try the splash pad over at Alys Beach. It's on a very open green space for the kiddos to run free as a bird and stay cool in this Florida heat. 

So we packed a lunch and drove over. We spent almost 2 hours there and had a quick and easy lunch. You can't beat the view and the kids were tired just from running in circles and up and down the hills. What fun! There was a donut truck nearby that just started serving frozen yogurt too. We didn't try it, but I'm sure we will soon. 

Would I recommend this place? Um, yes!!! It's so cute and a great place to picnic in the summer! We love how family friendly , and how very well manicured, Alys Beach is. It's one of our absolute favorite spots and we've even been known to take family pictures there. 

There is also a little playground nearby (I need to post about). That's cute.

Entering Alys Beach

Such a cute area

Let's all sit on top of this thing...

Chase!

My little Layne took a bit to warm up to the idea 

Up and down. Up and down. 

Silly Camden

Wrapped up for the road

No bro didn't want to join in...

So obsessed with the cement and the little details

Love all of the little spaces in the area 

Jessica 

Florida Caverns State Park in Marianna, Florida

So the Saturday before last we decided to make the trek to Florida caverns State Park in Marianna. I visited the caverns as a child, but it had been way to long. So, off we went with our little family of four (with our 4 year old and 11 month old) with friends and their three little ones (2 -year-olds and a 2 month old). 

We arrived shortly before 1 and the 1:30 tour was already sold out. So, we hung around and took our time eating lunch (misquotes were Everywhere!!) and walk around in the museum and gift shop(mostly because of the AC). They did have picnic tables available thank goodness. The museum, however, was NOT kid friendly and really lacked in history catered to children. Thankfully, that Saturday a park volunteer had turtles for the kids to watch! And, well, don't expect much from the gift shop. If you would like something as a park favor, forget it. It was awful for kids and grown-ups. 

So, after an hour of waiting and waiting and changing diapers (NO diaper changing table- BIG Disappointment) we were off on the tour trail. The guide was very educated and GREAT. The tour was 45 minutes and the kids did ok-even the littlest ones. The entrance to the caverns was SWARMING with mosquitos! Bring spray!!!! The guide gives you an option to exit I you need to. The embarrassing part? Our 11 month old pooped at the beginning of the tour and there was no where to change him!! Haha. There isn't a diaper changing table in caverns.

There was a short walk back from the tour to the main entrance, the kids were tired by then.

Walking up to the caverns your entrance 

Inside the Caverns

Inside 

Our family after the tour. 

Tito's in downtown Panama City, Florida

Okay, so it had been a LONG time since I've posted. We welcomed out second child, Layne, in October and I have pretty much taken time away from everything (I know- a while, but I didn't get that luxury with my first). So, I do have some catching up to do.

Alas, we visited Tito's in downtown Panama City for lunch (titoscafe.com) We've never actually been, so it sounded like a good idea.

We walked in to a restaurant full of ADULTS- my two children were the only ones. So, I asked for a table in the corner and then honored the request a put us in a side room. Thankfully our server was great and super sweet! They gave our 4 year old a box of crayons to color on the paper table cover: he was only entertained do a minute. Thank goodness he had a new car in hand to entertain.

Though I'm not a foodie, the restaurant was mediocre. Despite all of the national movements to eat healthy and to get kids out and active, the kids menu was carbs only. Yep. Pizza, fried chicken & fries or quesadilla. A let down.

Rock'It Lanes on a rainy Saturday

Our family decided to try a bowling alley in the area that our son (and I) have never visited before- Rock'It Lanes. We have heard of plenty of parties, gatherings, and events advertized there so we thought we would try it out on a rainy Saturday.

Well, there was hardly anyone there it seemed in the very dimly lit (I thought for children and day time) large mass of a building. I say large because it includes skating, bowling, an arcade, a bar, and a Cici's Pizza connected to it. A good sign was that someone was vaccuming the carpet when we came in- a good sign that they are clean(er).

 

Rock'It Lanes

513 Richard Jackson Blvd, Panama City, Florida

http://www.rockitlanes.com/

 

A quick view of the inside. From this picture it is hard to tell how dim it was. I was suprised! The good news is that the games were mostly clean and up to date.

 

 

 

Of course my 3 1/2 year old enjoyed the arcade part until the family arrived. The bowling experience for this area was great for a  younger child. The bowling alley AUTOMATICALLY raised the  gutter guards when  the screen came to our son's name. He loved that and so did we- convenient for parents of young children who want to enjoy hitting the bowling pins.

 

AND, the all important facilities. The bathroom was clean (I enjoyed that stainless walls) and there WAS a changing table in the large stall. This is SO important for our growing family. Can you believe some places do not have them?

 

 

 

 

The family pros:

-So, considering the area, this is probabley the best place to bowl and to take kids of all ages.

- the facilities were kept well

- automatic gutter guards for the smallest bowler

-an option for a rainy day to keep the kids active

 

Cons:

- if you choose to bring kids of several age groups (and they choose different activities), I would reccomend they have a cell phone

- not many kids around (maybe it was the day?) my child was disappopinted that there were a handful of kids to run around with

- not many healthy food options (but what was I expecting?)

 

 

 Jessica