Orlando Wetlands Park

Orlando Wetlands Park, February 2018

February and March is a great time of year to get outside in Central Florida before the long, hot, heavy months arrive. We recently took advantage of a sunny yet cool Friday morning to visit the Orlando Wetlands Park with a couple of homeschool friends. We couldn't have asked for a more pleasant day. The parking area was full this particular day given the superb weather and the free shuttle service that is provided on Friday and Saturdays. Given the long lines and smallish shuttles (which turned out to be oversized golf-carts) we decided to stick to our feet. We hiked about a mile to the Oyler Overlook and then back. We saw an abundance of native wetland birds, plants and, of course, several alligators along the way. The highlight was watching a larger specimen cross the trail ahead of us but at a sufficiently safe distance. 

Alligator warning signage, Orlando Wetlands Park

Alligator crossing the trail at Orlando Wetlands Park, Photo by Cynthia Ramirez

Limpkin posing on tree stump, Orlando Wetlands Park

Blue Flag Iris, Orlando Wetlands Park

Alligator sunning on the bank, Orlando Wetlands Park

Dinosaur Invasion at Leu Gardens

Here is a little photo journal of a lovely morning spent at Leu Gardens this week. The kids loved searching out the dinosaurs that have "invaded" the gardens (The Dinosaur Invasion lasts until the end of April). It was amusing how frustrated they were with us moms for continually stopping and talking. There is just so many interesting plants in these 50-acres of beautifully cultivated gardens. The camellias, ferns and cycads were among our favorites. 

Admission costs to this lovely garden are usually $10 for adults and $3 for children; we picked up a free child pass at the Orange County Library. Admission fees at Leu Gardens are waived on certain days of the year; check their calendar of events for details.

Angel's Trumpet

I do love all the mature Southern Live Oaks

Grove Workers Sculpture

"Pink Perfection"variety of camellia

The kids waiting on us to catch up

This is what they looked like before I had them pose for a picture

Acanthus montanus (a.k.a Bear's Breech, Mountain Thistle and less commonly Alligator Plant)

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Family Time in Orlando

On the train at the zoo

During our Christmas trip to Florida, the kids got to spend some good quality time with all their grandparents. I was very thankful we able to make time for everyone.

We visited the Central Florida Zoo with Grandma Darlyne on Tuesday. We were all impressed with the herpeterium which housed a King Cobra among other slithering serpents. We all ended the trip with a ride on the kiddy train.  Our membership to the NC Zoo got us all in free - gotta love that!

Wednesday, we met Grandma Theresa (their great grandmother) in Altamonte where we watched a marionette puppet show of the Little Drummer Boy. This was a first for me and I really enjoyed it. Kudos to Pinocchio's Marionette Theatre at the Altamonte Mall for providing such a classic, yet unique venue for kids.

Marionettes on Stage

Checking out the T-rex

The next afternoon, Boompah joined us for a trip to the Orlando Science Center. Again we got in free there with our membership to the Durham Museum of Life and Sciences. Here is Jonah playing at being a meteorologist. They had several life size castings of dinosaur skeletons and one animatronic T-rex. All four of us stepped into a hurricane tunnel - I couldn't stop giggling during this, but Elisabeth was more than ready to exit the experience.

The day after Christmas, we went with Grandma Theresa to see her mom, Grandma Margaret - the kids great-great-grandmother.

Four of five generations

Cypress Grove Park

Cypress Grove Estate

On our second day in Florida, Kelly had to fly to Brooklyn on business. The kids and I hung out and rested in the morning and then took some lunch over to Cypress Grove Park. This park has become my favorite place to take the kids when we are in town. It is very close to Kelly's Dad's house and makes for a great escape from the traffic and hubbub that characterizes South Orlando. This was also one of Kelly's preferred jogging destinations when he was in high school.  The park was fairly new then, and he remembers many of the trees being newly planted at that time. Besides winding walking trails, there is a great playground with swings as well as a beautiful estate house and grounds. On the shore of Lake Jessamine, it no doubt makes a picturesque backdrop for weddings and parties. In our case, the kids simply enjoyed smashing the acorns on the sidewalk out front. (Which is what they were doing when I snapped the picture above with my phone.) Everywhere a live oak stood deceptively dripping with Spanish moss, there was in fact a sea of acorns. A sea of fun in the eyes of preschoolers and spectacle of beauty and joy for a mom.

Ice Skating in Winter Park

On our first full day in Florida, we went ice skating in Winter Park. (Kelly and I were married just down the street at the Winter Park Country Club. We passed by the building by chance on the way to the ice skating venue.) Kelly's mom told us about "Winter in the Park" weeks ago and suggested we go. Jonah attempted the ice but only lasted about 10 seconds. He wasn't able to even balance enough to stand, which freaked him out.  It was pretty much a repeat of Gatlinburg a year ago. So he went to spectate with Grandma Darlyne, Rick and sister, while me and Dad continued around the ice. I ended up hugging the wall a few times while Kelly skated circles around me. Like a dork, I fell and hit my knees hard and cut my hand open on a chunky bracelet I was wearing. Kelly came swiftly to my rescue - my Hero. Once I was comfortably bandaged and off the ice, he went back for more. He either has an aptitude for it or all that roller blading experience from college gave him an advantage.  Here's some video.

Jonah's 4th Birthday

Jonah turned four on the fourth. The timing worked out great this year for him to have his first ever birthday celebration with family. We drove to Orlando to spend a couple of days with Kelly's family before setting off on our first ever cruise. We were able to host a family party at my father-in-laws house the day of his birthday. The next day we set sail for the Bahamas and returned to Port Canaveral on Thursday morning. After disembarking, we headed to Okeechobee to see my side of the family and made a quick stop at Sebastion Inlet to walk on the beach and the jetty. We had a second birthday party for Jonah with my family - both parties had a Star Wars theme.

Orlando Party


Sebastian Inlet and Okeechobee