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 

Cottages for Kids, Rosemary Beach

I'm so excited for out family to visit Cottages for Kids in Rosemary Beach this weekend! They are open every weekend in November and proceeds benefit underinsured children. Visit the website to learn more: http://www.cottagesforkids.org/main/. 

Pictures will come!

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. 

Review of Stuffy's downtown Panama City

Review coming! Our little family visited Stuffy's downtown Panama City for lunch and the review is coming! 

Jessica

Happy Daze: relaxed spot on Thomas Drive

Happy Daze. Who knew? A friend of ours let us know that new play houses were being built on Thomas Drive in Panama City. So one afternoon we decided to venture out and see what was happening nearby. 

Happy Daze is a neat concept for the area. It has an eating & snacking area (we didn't eat) and a fenced in, grassed area with 5 different play houses. Our son was SO excited. He played on everyone of them. There was one that was really high-more for a child much older than 4. But, with a parent nearby most ages will live the area and it's perfect to release energy and change things up a bit near the beach!!

I can't speak to the food on this one, but I would recommend it for a relaxed lunch spot or to break up a summer day while the kids are home.

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

Roughnecks with family

We met family at Roughstock's Steakhouse for a gathering one evening. Roughstock's? Yeah, I had never heard of the place either. Not sure why- it was a hidden gem as far as FAMILY dining is concerned. On the outside of the door it reads, "No Profanity No Alcohol" which is great for our little family. Very southern and locally owned (which I prefer).

So, I enjoyed this place because the waitress were sweet and the restaurant was small and off the beaten path- really not touristy which is great this time of year. AND the bathrooms were commendable which, you know, is imperative with kids. ( me too!)

The menu. Well, it had the usual southern children' selection with one grilled item. They possibly could have grilled more, but my child chose grilled cheese and fries. Fried and butter :/

There isn't much beyond that I have to comment on the establishment. It was a pleasant find in the Lynn Haven area and I should have taken more pictures :(

http://roughstockssteakpit.com/


Jessica

Small Town PIGGLY WIGGLY

I was raised in a small town and our family still lives there, SO we frequent Chipley, Florida. And, well, a family has to eat :) Gigi and i went on a trip to a local grocery store over a national big box store.

And is the Piggly Wiggly family friendly? Oh YEAH! We live it!!! To me, person willing to help you with groceries to your car INVALUABLE to a Mamma with her hands full. The shopping selection is sufficient, but as Mamma the prospect of someone assisting with groceries makes up for anything lacking in the local grocery options.

Did I mentioned that we were greeted? I love southern hospitality!!

A few pictures ( and one of the sweet guy walking us out)

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