Hi guys! How is your week going so far? I hope all is well! I know I’ve been a little silent on the blog and social media this week but that’s only because I’m trying my best to unplug a bit and immerse myself in family fun! Is it just me or do you guys also find it WAY easier to share little updates on social media when you’re alone or at home? I honestly think that’s a GOOD thing and really like completely forgetting about my phone and not being so connected. I feel like I could write a blog post all about this one day but until then I’ll just share a recap of our Wednesday since I toted my real camera along on our adventures and managed to snap a few pics to share!
A Visit to the Jacksonville Zoo
Our plans yesterday took me, my mom, dad and Chase to the Jacksonville Zoo first thing in the morning! A glimpse at the forecast told us we should arrive early if we wanted to beat the heat of the day and avoid afternoon thunderstorms so we arrived right when it opened at 9 a.m.
Even though it was already more than 80 degrees and the humidity was hoppin’ when we arrived, we didn’t get too sweaty until the last hour or so of our visit thanks to all of the shade around the zoo. I was so impressed with the cleanliness and landscaping of the zoo and definitely appreciated the added sun protection the tall trees provided as we walked around to look at all of the beautiful animals.
The layout of the Jacksonville Zoo included several different loops that made it easy to navigate and see animals of different continents without feeling lost. We began with the Africa loop and had fun pointing out the cheetahs, elephants, giraffes and rhinos to Chase!
He was really into checking everything out and made a bazillion animal noises all day long. My mom, dad and I also loved looking at the animals and agreed that the apes and monkeys were a highlight thanks to the playful and extremely energetic babies that had everyone captivated and laughing.
At one point a baby bonobo monkey was goofing off on a nearby rope net and his mother pulled him down as if to say “Knock it off.” A dad next to us looked at his kids and said, “See, that mom was telling her baby to stop doing something just like Mom and Dad tell you!” Apparently saying “no” on repeat is something that parents of all species do all day long!
We spent lots of time looking at everything from jaguars and tigers to otters and bears before it was time to board the train for a big loop around the outside of the zoo.
The train was a highlight for our locomotive-lovin’ toddler, that’s for sure!
We took the train on the full loop of the zoo back to the front entrance before we figured it was time to head home and put Chase down for a nap. He did amazingly well for such a hot activity that kept him engaged for more than three hours but crashed hard after a quick lunch back at my parents’ place.
I used Chase’s naptime to catch up on some blog stuff (and begin typing up this post!) and before we knew it he was up again! After a quick snack, my mom, Chase and I headed out to run a Father’s Day-related errand and popped into the grocery store for some dinnertime essentials as well. Once we made it home, I had to put together a quick spread for some photos for The Laughing Cow (I regularly contribute photos for their social pages) and my mini food photoshoot doubled as appetizers for our family which was an added bonus!
My sister joined us for dinner after work which was such a treat! Leslie’s birthday is at the end of June and since I won’t see her on her big day, I wrapped some presents for her to open last night as part of a mini pre-birthday celebration while I am in town.
I gave her a new mug and a pair of earrings from a local Charlotte-area boutique, a new notebook/journal and a mini backpack from lululemon that she seemed to love! She unwrapped her gifts and we ate tacos, fruit salad and cookies together before Leslie headed home and we made our way to bed around 10 p.m.
Today is my last full day in Florida with my family and I’m determined to enjoy as much time as possible at the pool and on the beach with everyone! I’ll see you guys tomorrow morning with my usual Things I’m Loving Friday blog post but until then I hope you have a great Thursday!
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LOVE that you and Chase are totally wearing matching Zoo outfits!! 🙂 🙂 You guys are too cute!
I don’t know how I didn’t notice that! Haha! 🙂 Hope you have a great day, Harris!!
I’m the same way when it comes to family time and social media. When I’m in my day-to-day I will snap or blog, but when I’m out of my element I always disconnect.
By the way, your camera takes beautiful photos!
Exactly! So easy to share the day-to-day but then when I’m with others, I definitely prefer to keep my phone away.
The zoo is one of my favorite places to spend a day, even as an adult! Somehow it’s easier to deal with the heat when there’s so many neat things to look at!
How fun! That sounds like such a sweet day!
I love how Chase seems so engaged in all of the pictures! It’s like he’s trying to keep looking at the animals while the picture is taken.
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I used to LOVE the zoo. Had my bday party there once when I was little. It was the London Zoo for me and I lived near it! Have a lovely last day in FL!
What a fun place for a bday party!!
Even as an adult I love going to the zoo. Great idea to get there right when it opens to try to beat the heat. And I totally agree with disconnecting with family around and enjoy each others company =)
You inspire me so much! I love that you are very family oriented! My husband wants to start a family soon, and I am getting really nervous about losing myself in motherhood and losing my body that I’ve worked so hard for, but you truly do make me think that it would all be worth it! Thank you for sharing!!
I am glad you are getting to enjoy some family time. I love your shorts!
I do find it easier to step away from social media and everything when I am with others, especially family. It feels so refreshing to not be connected to my phone, stepping away for a little is a good thing! It looks like you are having such a great time with your family! That zoo trip looks so fun!! I hope you enjoy lots of beach and pool time today with your family! Have fun! Xoxo
I so agree about social media! It is so fun and such a great tool, but it can be so distracting too. It feels so good to unplug and enjoy life without constant ‘noise.’ Hope you have a great rest of your time in Florida!
Disconnecting is so good for the mind. It helps me a lot with staying present and enjoying each and every moment – not to mention not comparing myself to others. I need to do it more often and this post is great inspiration!
PS. Random observation, but your shorts look really comfortable! I have a similar pair from Old Navy a few years ago and still love them.
Where is your backpack from (the one you’re wearing at the zoo)? I love it!
I am wondering the same!! So cute
thank you!! the brand is copi and it’s $37! –> http://bit.ly/2rnmttb 🙂
hi! it’s from amazon (only $37!)! –> http://bit.ly/2rnmttb it’s actually my mom’s and i borrowed it a lot during our trip because i loved it so much! the size is perfect!
What a fun day! I’m home with my family this week too and loving it. I’m planning to take our little guy on a train for his first birthday and can’t wait to see his reaction 🙂
Hi Julie – love your shorts and tank. I need some comfy outfits like that to chase my kiddos around. Would you mind sharing where there both from? Enjoy the rest of your time in Florida. Chase is such a cutie!
thank you!! i got both of them as part of a collab with zappos! i’ll definitely be sharing more about them tomorrow but in the meantime, you can find the tank here: http://bit.ly/2rkLnd3 and the shorts here: http://bit.ly/2rkSRwz love them!!
Love all this family time!! Looks like you’re having so much fun! Do your parents have a pool at their place? Do they live in an apartment or condo type setting?
Also, what does your sister do for work? That’s so awesome you got to hand deliver her presents for her! Y’all are such good sisters and I love that you’re getting to spend time with family! How are Ryan and Sadie holding up?!
Looks like you guys had fun at the zoo.
I totally agree about social media. When things are manageable I tend to be more active on Facebook and Instagram. But when things are crazy at school and I’m working extra hours at school, social media tends to not happen.
Crazy! I started following your blog a few years ago when our family lived on Guam. I found a love for running and Crossfit and stumbled upon some of your workouts. We’re back in our, sort of, home town now in Georgia, and we were also at the Zoo Wednesday. I would have loved to have bumped into you, although I doubt I would have been brave enough to introuduce myself. LOL You’ve inspired me through your love of fitness and family, and I recently started a blog, not nearly as seasoned as you, to chronicle the adventures of welcoming twins to our family. Love seeing your posts about your family.
Always fun to read your travel posts – you’re reminding me of fond family memories from when I was a kid going to the huge San Diego zoo. Looks like you planned your day perfectly – I avoid high heat and humidity like the plague!
Thanks for sharing with us!
Chase is getting so big! And looks just like Ryan but with your blonde hair! Crazy how quickly time flies. Looks like you had a nice trip to the Zoo though. We’ve been meaning to check out our local Zoo for a while too.