Sorry I abandoned you

Hey there! As you can see, I abandoned this blog a while ago. To say life got the best of me would be an understatement. We moved to a new house, Miss B has been super sick, and we are in the process of adopting a little boy. I know- crazy right?!?! So, forgive me for my lack of blogging. I can't promise more posts but I will post when I can since it seems people are still visiting the blog, mainly for my Wilder's World Review. Hope you all are giving them lots of business- we still go there occasionally. It's a great place!

Hope you're having a great 2011 and finding lots of fun in PC!

Monsters VS Aliens at the Grand

The Grand Theatre in Pier Park is starting their summer kids' flicks program this week!!

The series starts our with Monsters vs. Aliens!!

Tuesday and Wednesday, June 15-16, 2010. Cost is $3 and includes a kid's box of popcorn and soda. Now, that's a good deal!!!

Here's what's on the schedule for the rest of the summer!

June 22-23    Shrek 3
June 29-30   Cloudy with the Chance of Meatballs
July 6-7        Alvin and the Chipmunks
July 13-14    Planet 51
July 20-21    Kung Fu Panda
July 27-28   Alvin and the Chipmunk Squeakquel
August 3-4
Over the Hedge

Father's Day Cupcakes

I found a cute idea for Father's Day- which is next Sunday by the way! Ya'll know I love the Family Fun website. It's my go to site for cute ideas.

Check out these owl cupcakes for father's day. They look like owls and then you put a note with them that says, "Happy Father's Day" to a real WISE guy! Haha- love it!! Especially for my "punny" husband!!

Check them out here: http://family.go.com/disney/pkg-disney-recipes/recipe-fathers-649266-hoot-owl-cupcakes-t/

Island Time Panama City Review

This is a bit of a different review since I didn't take B on this outing. I had some friends in town for a girls' weekend (no kids!) and wanted to show them the best of PCB!

I found a bargain in Island Time Sailing and I think you would have fun taking your elementary aged children on this snorkeling trip!

Cost: $30 when you mention the web coupon
Includes 3 1/2 hour cruise on their sailing catamaran and a light lunch.
I called the day before the make reservations and the girl was very nice. She took my credit card to reserve our spot and told us to be there at 9:30 the next day to check in. The boat left at 10am. We had no problems checking in and sat under their shaded waiting area before boarding. The boat crew was very nice and gave great instructions on what to do. I had a great time watching them raise the sails- I don't think I've ever been on any kind of sailboat before.

Our first stop was a sand bar in Grand Lagoon. They provided snorkel, mask, and swim fins and gave us some basic instructions before we headed down the stairs and into the water.

The water was beautiful and clear and we some some fish, crabs, sea urchins, star fish, sand dollars, and even a sea horse. The crew provided a bucket that you could put your finds in and they would pull the bucket up to the boat. Once back on the boat, we got to look at everyone's "finds" before releasing them back into the water. All in all, a very fun experience. If you've been snorkeling in other places besides PCB, like us in the Virgin Islands, make sure you adjust your expectations. You won't see the wide variety or abundance of fish, coral, etc., that you see in the Caribbean. But it's till fun to take a peak into the underwater world.

After snorkeling we had a light lunch of a turkey sandwich, chips, and a soda. It wasn't much but you wouldn't want a big lunch before swimming.

After lunch, we hunted for dolphins. We saw a few groups of them which is always fun! If the waters are calm and they can get close enough, they let you get in with the dolphins. We were fortunate to be able to get in the water with the dolphins but they never came close to the group. I also had a run in with a little jelly fish. It only stung for ten minutes but was enough to get me out of the water.

On the way back to the shore, they played music and led a few games which was fun.

I highly recommend this trip. It was a good deal and for a special treat, would be a fun family outing! I don't suggest taking children under 5 or children that can't swim. If your child isn't ready to snorkel, then this trip isn't the one for you. But if they are then I think you'll really enjoy it!

Have fun!

Arts on a String Exhibit Visual Arts Center

Panama City's Visual Arts Center is hosting an Exhibit featuring kits. The exhibit is called "Arts on a String" and runs from June 4- August 29 at the Arts Center. Cost is $8 for adults and $4 for children and Seniors.

• Sneak Preview June 4, 6-9pm
• Art on a String Soiree kitetails and dinner, call for reservations June 5, 6pm
• Kite Runners 5K June 12, 7-11am
• Kites for Kids brunch, story-telling, kite making June 19, 10am-12pm
• Full Moon Kite Festival at Pier Park June 26, 27, Noon until Moon

Here's what their website says about it:

Kite flying has been a cultural ritual that dates back to early Malaysia, Polynesia, Egypt, China, and Japan. Today it is a popular summer pastime, beloved by all ages, evocative of joyous summertime memories.


Art on a String is an uplifting, inspirational, and educational exhibition consisting of more than 200 unusual and masterfully crafted kites collected in Asia - each created for a variety of uses. What better way to celebrate summer than to experience the wonder and beauty of this amazing art form.


 

Chick Fil A- Panama City Beach Parkway

Can I just tell you how much I love Chick Fil A?!?! I love thier food, their customer service, their playground, their Christian background. I LOVE them!!

We go to Chick Fil A on the beach at least once a week. B has been playing on their playground since she learned how to walk (maybe even before that). It is a mom's haven on a hot, cold, or rainy day. There is a place for parents to sit and B always has fun climbing on the indoor slide and maze. They even have individual moist towelettes in the playground so you can clean up before you leave and eat.

And the playground is only one part of the experience. You all know thay have great food. Rarely do they get your order wrong. And if they do, you can expect a coupon for a free sandwhich because of the inconvenience. They have a bowl of mints for after you eat. They give you a disposable placemat for your kids. They'll bring you your meal to your table if your hands are full or if the food isn't ready right away. They come around and ask if you need anything, including a drink refill. The store is clean. The staff are friendly. And they genuinely love my daughter, often offering her ice cream or a kind word. I love Chick Fil A!!

I'm not sure how they do it but businsesss sure could learn a lot from them!! Good job Chick Fil A!!!

Wilder's World Panama City Beach Review

Wilder's World is a brand new business on Panama City Beach. Much like Pump It Up, it boasts a room full of inflatables for children to play, climb, and slide on. Pump It Up, which is in town is only open to children 2 and above so we haven't been there yet. Wilder's World is open to all ages and has toys that are appropriate for the younger crowd.

We went with a playgroup so we got a discounted rate- we paid $6.50 which was to include a slice of pizza and a Capri Sun plus unlimited play. Adults are free.

Since, the place is new, it was extremely clean. I liked that- I hope they keep it that clean as it gets used more. We went in, signed a paper, paid our money and got a wrist band for B. I kind of wish they had a system like Chuck E. Cheese does where the parent and child get matching wrist bands and you have to show your wristband to leave with that child. But I was with B the whole time, so not a problem for us.

B was very intimidated by the bouncy inflatables at first but it didn't take her long to get brave. The staff was VERY helpful and that made it all the easier to get her having fun! Before long, she was climbing up and sliding down with the big kids. It was A BLAST!! She also checked out the toddler areas (kids 3 and under only) which had basketball hoops, a plastic bowling set, hula hoops, and toddler toys. How nice that they have this for the younger kids! There were also several couches for the grownups plus some picnic type tables. I hear they also have Wi Fi but I was busy chasing B so I didn't check that out. To sum up the inflatables, there is one huge obstacle course (very hard for little ones to go on without parental help) and big slide that B could do all by her self, two regular bounce houses, and one ship themed house with stair and slide that B could do by herslef with no trouble.

After much bouncing, I noticed we had a soggy diaper going on, so I asked about the bathroom and was disappointed to learn that the changing tables have not come in yet. Seems a bit odd to start a brand new business for children without a changing table available but I'll give them the beneift of the doubt and say maybe changing tables are on back order. So after a quick trip to our car, we were back in action.

The staff was busy keeping kids entertained. They did some interactive games (roller rink style- think the Chicken Dance) and if there was a traffic jam on an inflatable they would climb right up and help out. I can't say enough about their helpfulness on the inflatables! A+++ to those guys and gals!

B could have played all day but when she slid down a slide and stuck her thumb in her mouth and just sat at the end of the slide, I new we had hit naptime. I waited for someone to come to the snack bar area (about 5 minutes) and this is where our visit took a turn.  We had paid $2 for pizza and a drink and so I let the girl know that we were ready to eat. She said that the pizza wouldn't be here for 20 more minutes, could we wait? I explained that it was B's naptime and I didn't think she could make it that long and I asked if there was something else she could have. She offered a PB&J which I declined (I was thinking B probably wouldn't eat that and we have bread at home). The lady was annoyed to say the least. She rolled her eyes at me when I asked for my money back and never once apologized for the misunderstanding about the pizza.

I say it was a  misunderstanding because my guess is that the playgroup we were with arranged to have them order pizza and to have it there at a certain time. I didn't know that or else I wouldn't have ordered. So, it may have been my mistake (maybe I should have just taken the PBJ and been done with it). However, she only lost $2 and the cost of one slice of pizza and capri sun probably wasn't even $2. So, MAYBE, they lost $1.25-$1.50 on us. So even if it was my mistake, was it worth her having a bad attitude about? I am going to go with no. I even apologized to her and explained the situation again and she said nothing to me. Just handed me my $2. In a hard economic crisis, with a brand new business, I would definitely not treat customers this way.

Now I really like to give people the benefit of the doubt. Maybe it was a bad day. I am not always the mom I want to be and sometimes I say things to B that I wish I could take back. So, maybe this lady was having the same kind of moment. I'll give her a second chance, especially since it was partially my fault. But  I must say that my initial excitement was squashed a little by my experience at the snack bar.

I really like to see businesses go above and beyond. I like friendly faces, encouraging words, helpfulness, and quality. Maybe the lady from Wilder's World needs to take a trip across the street to Chick Fil A- they are a superior example of service and hospitality. I'll talk about them tomorrow!
Update Oct. 2010:  We have since been back to Wilder's World and received great service from the staff!

So, please give Wilder's World a try. It's really a fun place and the staff that interacted with the kids were GREAT, STELLAR, AWESOME. Just don't pay for a slice of pizza and ask for your money back when the pizza isn't there and your kid's about to meltdown.

Wilder's World
12001 Panama City Beach Parkway Panama City Beach, Florida

(Lyndell Shopping Center next to Florida Linen)
They open at 10am