Take a trip to Florida City and stop by Everglades Alligator Farm, the title says it all! This farm is swarming with about 2,000 alligators of all sizes. Everyone who goes will have the chance to hold a snake and a cute little baby gator at the end of each wildlife show. We decided to take an Airboat ride and boy were we glad we did, doing 360s in an airboat is fun. This Farm was a hit for us and was priced just right.
Visit your local Fire House. Just give them a call and ask when you could visit them, we did! We learned all about the lifestyle of a Fireman. We
had no idea that they had dorm rooms and such cool hang outs with saltwater fish tanks and Pool tables.
I do believe the kids have grown gills. Today we spent the whole day at T.Y.Park, Castaway Island. This water playground has six slides and a toddler area. Admission was $6.50 per person for a one hour session. You might be one to say “that is not long enough for my children, they’ll pitch a fit”. Yes, this is my case! However after the session ends you are allowed into the Swim Lagoon ALL DAY. The lagoon is a zero-entry swimming pool with a waterfall and three decent size areas blocked from the sun. I was impressed with amount of shade provided by their 20-foot umbrellas and a convenient concession stand to satisfy the little bellies. They were thinking when they designed this park. We had a wonderful day and hope to go back soon!
Lion Country Safari
Kissing Encounter
Rino Bully
Giraffe
Grandma and Grandpa took us to Lion Country Safari. This zoo is a drive-through wildlife preserve, with an amusement park for the little twigs ages 2 to 8 and a water spray playground for kids all ages.
With the weather being chilly the animals were the most active I’ve ever seen. Our first encounter was an Ostrich giving my son peck kisses trough the front windshield of the car. We witnessed a Rhinoceros bully away two zebras (not sure what ticked him off). Then later a mama rino got testy with the zookeeper shuffling the hay; as her baby rino frolicked and danced around without a care in the world.
My favorite animals in the drive through preserve were the 500 lbs. kitty cats (lions). Yes, if I could own one I would. Wouldn’t you want one hanging out on the living room floor licking his paws or sunny on your windowsill (if he would fit)? I’ll pass on him sleeping on my pillow above my head.
A grantee to put a smile on everyone’s face is at the Giraffe Station, this zoo has a board walk which brings you up to their level. There you can purchase two giraffe biscuits for $2.50 and have your chance to feed them if you are not too squeamish of their long blue tongues.
Before you go make sure you visit their website. Right now they are offering $4 off coupons per person in vehicle. We all thought the admission was a bit pricy.
Me & Adelyn
Kaden playing games
Duck Dump!
Duck Derby!
This event was held to benefit Kids in Distress. “Adopt a Duck” for $5.00, then at the end of the day 20,000 yellow rubber ducks are plunged into the New River. It was funny to hear the sound these ducks made as they tumbled out of the steel bin and into the water. Personally it would have been more of a sight if they were dropped from the air by helicopter like I had imagined or more exciting if they were pushed down the river by the wake of jet ski motors, instead of a fireboat spraying them with water; which, took forever for the ducks to reach the finish line. At any rate it was still cool.
This was a great afternoon with fantastic weather and free family entertainment such as Bounce House, Rock Wall, Carnival Games, Face Painting and live entertainment. We will be at next year’s Duck Derby too, maybe next year we will win the duck race.
GraveDigger Taking Air
My son was having a pretty good time, but after a while the noise was bothering him. I did have foam ear plugs but it was still too loud for him. Next time I’m going to get him the “over the ear” headphone type of protection.
I was a little surprised to learn that only eleven trucks were at the show, however there are a total of 77 trucks in the series and they will have mutiple shows accross the contry on any given weekend. GraveDigger, Escalade and El Toro Loco were a few of the “Big” name that were at last night’s show.
We missed the “freestyle” show, which is unfortunate because I think that part of the show is the most dramatic.
The tickets were reasonable, $25 for a club level seat and upper level was $16 and were the same price for adults and children.
Over all it was a great time for me and my son and next time I will be prepared.
South Florida Science Museum
We all had fun in the Frozen Shadow Room. Even our 12 month old was up there posing. Imagine a dark room with glow in the dark walls. First you hit a button; which starts a countdown timer, and everyone rushes to a place on the wall. Then three bright lights beam for three seconds. After the lights shut off the room glows green and your shadow stands still as you step away.
The natural history exhibits was cool, it featured a 22,000 year-old mastodon named “Suzie” She was found in Palm Beach County, who knew? Overall this museum was O.K. I think they could do without the additional fees for things like the mini golf and planetarium, the admission charge was enough. Maybe we’ll go back in a few years.
Me and the Kids riding the carousel
Last weekend was the opening weekend for the South Florida Fair and we were there. It was a perfect day of fun. The kiddie rides alone kept our four year old busy all day. If there were any lines at all, the wait was very short, so on the really cool rides Kaden went on two or three times. As natives to Florida my husband and I were thrilled to hang out in the Dairy Farmers Maternity Tent where we witnessed a cow give birth to a pure black calf. We had our share of corndogs and cotton candy, perfect weather and luck at the games; however we missed all of the shows. Before we left for the night we visited the new little calf who was now mastering the art of walking. We have another day planned for the fair, next time will be to see all the shows we missed. Fair goes on till February 1, 2009.
This weekend we took a beautiful drive north on A1A to West Palm Beach. The highlight of our drive was stopping at an indoor playground called “A Latte Fun”. My son Kaden who just turned four had a blast sliding into the foam block pit (so did my husband). I got a kick watching my little girl (a week away from turning one) master her bouncing skills on their floor trampoline and Daddy was happy to have his fix of caffeine in the café. I was very pleased with the hospitality and the interaction between the staff and the kids. I was really impressed with Sam (one of the three girls which watched over the kids playing in the facility). I overheard her talking to my son, as he was showing her a scratch on his leg that cleary happened days ago. Now, Sam could of replied with “wow you have a boo boo on your leg, I bet that hurt”; instead, she entertained him by running for the first aid kit. She then showered him with an abundance of band aid choices. Kaden thought it was great sporting a batman tattoo. On the way home both kids passed out in their car seats from all the fun. Ah, my husband and I got to carry on a conversation the whole way home, it was great!