The Zoo, Mission Beach & La Jolla

We decided that Friday would be the best day for the zoo as it wouldn't be as busy. So, we got up and ready to go to one of the top rated zoos in the country: the San Diego Zoo. However, this was a little bit difficult planning for us. William is NOT okay just walking. He likes to run and does not watch where he is going. He also does not in any way shape or form listen (I realize all of this is completely normal). So, we needed to bring something to keep him safe and us sane. It seems like all of the exhibits are built with the fences in front of them, which make it hard for the kiddo to see when in the stroller. Also, William is currently only happy in the stroller if it is moving. If it stops for even a few seconds, he becomes very unhappy - even if the stroller starts moving again. So, we decided to go with the backpack again and hope he would tolerate a good chunk of time in it.

Turns out this was the best decision! William loved LOVED being able to see the animals and look at everything. He was in the backpack for almost four hours non stop and totally happy. The only downside is when we finally took him out, he wasn't happy about getting back in at all.

Checking out the flamingos
And the elephants
More with the elephants - this was so cute! He kept pointing at the elephants and saying "Dee?" Asking us "What is that?" He was so amazed - very cute!
I thought this was a fun thing - wonder where I get myself one of these?
Sleepy koala

On Friday night we met up with Uncle Mike after he got off work.

After a nap and some more pool time, we had dinner with Uncle Mike at a pizza place. William is very into trying to drink out of cups without lids and/or with straws. Very good entertainment when we are eating at a restaurant.
Pizza
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On Saturday we planning on getting up and finding our way to the beach to get William into the Pacific Ocean. He will have been in both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans before he is 2!
We went to Mission Beach - FYI: I love signs!

However, it was kind of a chilly day and very close to nap time when we finally arrived at the beach. William was not interested in having any part of his body touch the water. Not even his toes.
Here we got one foot in...
And two feet, but he was NOT happy!
Still not happy....my arms were sore the next day from holding him like this!
Most of the family in the ocean
C'mon John! It's summer in California at the beach! Take off your coat! By the way, when we were actually AT the beach, I was super jealous that he remembered his jacket. I forgot mine!
Here is where Grandma isn't paying attention and gets very wet from a wave. We all laugh...aren't we nice?
More people in the water and one swimmer behind us (get it?)
Just us! Looking at these pictures is making me even more sorry I let someone cut some bangs into my hair.
Seaweed on the beach
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyy past naptime! After the beach, we went back to put William down for his nap. John stayed with him and the rest of us went to La Jolla.


La Jolla has this gorgeous, rocky shoreline. Very pretty, but not great for swimming. So, a few years ago, residents build a rockwall to make a children's swimming area.
It looks like this. The rockwall is on the left side of the picture. It makes a great, calm area to take little ones to swim. The only problem? It isn't only great for little people, the sea lions in the area now use the beach for teaching their young about fishing, swimming and resting after long dives.

Seems like this would be uncomfortable?
As does this. I thought this one looked kind of like a mermaid...or the letter W.
Cute faces
Looking right at me!
Big claws