We have been doing everything in our power this year to embrace almost every aspect of Christmas this year.  Tonight, that took us to the Wild Animal Park.

It is getting more and more chilly.  I had a happy little moment to myself when I realized I could see my breath.  Notice below, that Annie has put down roots and embraced San Diego and thus refuses to wear shoes.

I must admit that we so no live animals at the park, but had tons of fun nonetheless.  Hudson and Annie were doning items from the sand station (Annie got a bracelet and Hudson settled for a key chain.)  Will had fun helping the kids.  They made animal masks, played a coin toss game, ate “roasty, toasty marshmallows,” decorated stockings, “observed” Santa and did chalk drawings.  We opted out of the snow hill, since we have seen plenty in our time.

Part way through the night Hudson comes waddling past me saying, “Waddle, waddle, roar.  I’m a lion penguin.”  I didn’t know how to respond so I just watched and giggled to myself, thanking my lucky stars that he is my kid!

We attempted Santa.  Hudson wanted to have nothing to do with him, but Annie was actually waving to him while we were in line.  She finally panicked when the little boy ahead of us saw Santa and started screaming.  She put two and two together and deduced that Santa must be a scary guy if the little boy is screaming about him.  As soon as her turn came up she wanted nothing to do with him.  Santa kindly gave up his chair so we could at least all be in the picture together.