Low key in Panama City

We've certainly been low key the last few weeks with new news in our family. Hectic doesn't even begin to describe what the last weeks have been. 

We did start another round of swim lessons at a local place here in Panama City at a new place. Review to come!

Meanwhile, enjoy the sunshine.

Jessica

Zoo World: Panama City Beach

We decided to venture to Zoo World in the middle of the week. Why not? It's the only Zoo in the Florida panhandle. My little guy was excited to see all of the animals as most are- the smaller Zoo seemed bearable with my two little guys. We ended up really taking our time and spent almost 2 hours there.

Well, the good?
-it's small, so reasonable for little people
-you can get up close to most of the animals
- there are peacocks and chickens everywhere- it was neat for the kids
-there is a little tunnel that kids can crawl through and watch the prairie dogs. Loved!
-feeding the animals is always a hit

And, well, the not so good...
-it's small! There is a good variety of animals, but certainly could be more
- There was NO SOAP and NO TOWELS to wash and dry hands off and the feeding area. (we were there first thing in the morning)
- no real snacks available except a limited quantity in the gift store
- HORRIBLE t-shirts ( had to include because their branding and t-shirts are atrocious)
- There were no shows with animals for the kids to watch. The only one that we were aware of was at 1:00 pm and we missed it. :(

All in all it is a source of entertainment where there is a limited variety of activities outside of the water. Though we do love the water :)

Jessica

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

 

 



 

 

Jim N' Nick's BBQ Destin, FL

So we ventured out last Saturday for lunch at Jim N' Nicks BBQ. My husband was especially excited!

We found that it was a wonderful atmosphere for families to enjoy lunch or even diner. We LOVED their bread- lets just say we devoured an unspeakable amount ;). My beef brisket sandwich was wonderful and tender (I have been back since and tried it on a salad-mmmmmm).

Apparently this place is a game day tradition in Alabama according to our friends in Birmingham.

SO the great part about this place is that there are not really any Cons. Really! We had a great experience with the waitstaff and plenty of other families seemed to leave there with the same experience. The place was very clean and so was the bathroom which is super important no matter where you are. I completely forgot to check the baby changing station.

I would recommend it to anyone visiting the south ;).

Camp Helen State Park, Panama City Beach, Florida

So, May 5 we decided to visit Camp Helen State Park. (http://www.floridastateparks.org/camphelen/default.cfm) It was a beautfiul Saturday and we just had to be somewhere outside. The park is very low key and we enjoyed the serenity. The park has a history of once functioning as a resort for an Alabama textile company which explains a few buildings on the walk. THe most notable assets of the park are the beach and the fishing areas.

Here is the brief on what we learned:
1. Prepare for a WALK to the beach
2. The WALK to the beach is NOT recommended for small children. My 3 year-old was exhausted from the 6/10 of a mile walk in the sugary sand AND I am 5 months pregnant and on orders to "take it easy" meaning no running or strenuous activity. Luckily on our way back in a ranger picked us up. A stroller would not make it to the beach in the dense sand.
3. Did I say that the walk to the beach isn't suitable for small children?
4. Go fishing next time! We learned that this is a great location to fish-we watched others.
5. There are not many people on the beach. The Park Ranger told us that it is never busy because people are weary of the walk. Red flag for the little ones, again!



Here are a few snapshots from our adventure.

And our walk begins

Lake view

Looking for gators in the lake!

Sugary white dunes

Camp Helen Beach

Camp Helen Beach

The water was perfect!

Hubby enjoying the emerald waters

Our son had the run of the beach and loved it

A little bird watching

One of the cabins

                                                                            Jessica