Snapshots from the Weekend

[Friday night: This is how you get the party started when you turn 18 months!]

[Saturday morning: Parker's first visit to the Birch Aquarium at Scripps Institute of Oceanography]

[Saturday afternoon: Checking out ducks with Daddy while I was at my dentist appointment]

[Saturday late afternoon: Tuan's corporate party at the Del Mar Races]

[Saturday night: Making a mess with some markers and a big box. He ended up with marker marks under his feet.]

[Saturday night: Snuck out for a dessert date with Tuan at Taegukgi Korean BBQ House. These macaron ice cream sandwiches really hit the spot. After we had dessert, we went for a walk along the Embarcadero. The new parks/seating areas they are adding look really charming. I can't wait for the construction to be finished.]

[Sunday early afternoon: Congrats to Jenny & Truc! We can't wait to meet baby Noah. How cool is this motorcycle diaper cake?]

[Sunday late afternoon: A quick trip to the San Diego Zoo before meeting the family for dinner. Look at Parker's stance. He cracks me up. He was really into the orangutans this time and kept running back and forth in front of the glass.]

[Sunday night: Almost carb free dinner at Grandma Tofu and Korean BBQ. Dumpling tofu stew.]

I'm tired. Can I have another weekend to recover from my weekend?

San Diego: Parker's First Visit to World Famous San Diego Zoo

Last Friday, we decided to be spontaneous and took Parker to the San Diego Zoo after dinner. For those that don't know, the zoo stays open until 9 PM during the summer. The extended hours let you see all the nocturnal animals in action, is much cooler and a lot less crowded. They also have a performance of strange people dressed as Australian critters going on for Koalafornia. I renewed our family annual membership ($104 for two adults/kids are free until they turn 3) and off we were to explore. 

Our first stop was at the flamingos and ducks. Of course we saw the ducks! Parker was really excited and kept saying "quack quack". After watching the ducks and dining on chicken strips, we made our way down to the koalas. It's been a little while since I've been to the zoo and the Outback addition was a happy surprise. The koalas were settling down for the night and Parker kept telling us to "shush" because they were sleeping. He loved the wallabies jumping around the koala enclosure. After the koalas we strolled over to Elephant Odyssey. At first he was scared but he warmed up to the elephants and had fun trying to mimic the elephant sounds. On our way out of the zoo, we saw camels and gazelles settling down for the night. The tasmanian devil was running around like it had just taken a double shot of espresso. The peacocks were squawking very loudly in the tree by the exit. It was pretty perfect. I can't wait to go again.  

*Note that the children's zoo closes at 7:30 PM. 

[I'm pretty sure I have a photo in front of the elephant bush from when I was a kid.]

Parker's outfit

Jacket: Old Navy

Shirt: Sly Fox Threads

Sweats: Gap

[So excited to see ducks]

[Mama duck and baby duck]

[Chowing down on chicken strips and ranch dip. He loved the souvenir cup.]

[Koalafornia performance. So weird but Parker liked it.]

[Blurry photo of Parker telling us to shush because the animals are sleeping]

[Daddy & Parker checking out the koalas]

Free Admission to Museums and the San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park in October

I had meant to post this info yesterday and was totally sidetracked by the cute clothes from La Croqueta. Oops! Sorry, Mamas.

Looking for something fun to do with the kids without breaking the bank this month? Well, the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park has it covered. Throughout the month of October, children 11 years old and younger will get free admission to both parks during the “Kids Free” event presented by Mission Fed. In addition to free admission in October, the month-long “Kids Free” event includes educational shows, kid-friendly activities and special animal encounter opportunities. Click on the adorable orangutan below for more info!
Source: http://www.nbcsandiego.com/entertainment/the-scene/San-Diego-Zoo-Safari-Park-Offer-Free-Kids-Admission-in-October-226048781.html#ixzz2gb5RZrP4

October is a great month for families to visit museums, especially since kids under 12 with an adult receive free admission to 24 amazing museums in San Diego. With kids back in school this is the perfect time to engage their visual learning, by visiting art, history and science museums to gain first hand tactile experience of what they are reading about in the classroom.

Participating museums include: Barona Cultural Center & Museum, Birch Aquarium at Scripps, Coronado Museum of History & Art, Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum, Heritage of the Americas Museum, La Jolla Historical Society, Lux Art Institute, Marston House Museum & Gardens, Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, Oceanside Museum of Art, Reuben H. Fleet Science Center (gallery only), San Diego Air & Space Museum, San Diego Archaeological Center, San Diego Botanic Garden, San Diego History Center, San Diego Model Railroad Museum, San Diego Museum of Art, The NAT (San Diego Natural History Museum), The New Children’s Museum, Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center, Timken Museum of Art, Veterans Museum & Memorial Center, Water Conservation Garden and the Women’s Museum of California.

Simply download and print your Kids Free in October coupon on the SDMC website www.sandiegomusuemcouncil.org and bring it with you to the museum to receive free admission for up to 2 kids 12 and under with an adult. The coupon is good for general admission and does not apply to field trips or special events and exhibitions.