San Diego Zoo and December Nights

On Saturday we had no idea how we could possibly top the events of the day before. But we headed over to the San Diego Zoo as a post-highlight-of our-lives consolation prize.

What a consolation prize! The zoo is an embarrassment of riches. Each exhibit is a marvel. Even the insect exhibits are stunningly framed in beautiful, wide swaths of copper. We now know we should have swooned at the prospect of a day at this zoo.

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The girls are sitting on a LIFE SIZE replica of an extinct eagle.
The girls are sitting on a LIFE SIZE replica of an extinct eagle.
Santa was at the zoo! Both girls were a little shy. In fact, Lydia was so shy she refused to sit on his lap at first.
Santa was at the zoo! Both girls were a little shy. In fact, Lydia was so shy she refused to sit on his lap at first.

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This was the bucket ride. Also, Lydia got her face painted. Mary chose cotton candy instead. When Lydia timidly asked Mary if she could have a piece, Mary freely handed over large chunks with regularity until the candy was gone. Ever since Lydia has remarked about how nice Mary was to share her cotton candy. The girls have gotten along splendidly for three days now, and Lydia keeps telling us that they aren't ever going to fight again because Mary was so nice and shared her candy.
This was the bucket ride. Also, Lydia got her face painted. Mary chose cotton candy instead. When Lydia timidly asked Mary if she could have a piece, Mary freely handed over large chunks with regularity until the candy was gone. Ever since Lydia has remarked about how nice Mary was to share her cotton candy. The girls have gotten along splendidly for three days now, and Lydia keeps telling us that they aren’t ever going to fight again because Mary was so nice and shared her candy.


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Mary loved the bucket rides best of all. When Santa asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she asked for a bucket ride.
Mary loved the bucket rides best of all. When Santa asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she asked for a bucket ride.

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These condors wanted to eat the girls. At several points they opened their beaks and tapped the glass by the girls' faces.
These condors wanted to eat the girls. At several points they opened their beaks and tapped the glass by the girls’ faces.

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After the zoo we walked through Balboa park to see what "December Nights," the San Diego holiday festival, was all about. We also met up with Swathi, who happened to be in town for a hematology convention! That was the best way to end our lovely day.
After the zoo we walked through Balboa park to see what “December Nights,” the San Diego holiday festival, was all about. We also met up with Swathi, who happened to be in town for a hematology convention! That was the best way to end our lovely day.