Balboa Park - Day After Christmas Family Time

After all crazy business of the holidays, it was nice to just hang out the morning AFTER Christmas. But since we had the day off together, I thought a little trip to Balboa Park would be fun & equally relaxing. 

We had scattered sprinkles through the day and it was pretty chilly...but it was kind of nice to bundle up and get some fresh air out-doors! After we parked we walked over to the carousel, which I'd never been on before - but James had plenty of times as a kid. So we bought our tickets and jumped on. HOLY FAST! This is seriously THE fastest carousel I've ever been on... so fun! 

They also have this 'ring dispenser' thing, placed an arm's reach from the outside row of animals - so as you go around, you have to keep trying to grab these little rings until you get the brass one - and then you win a free ride! Of course James was all over that! So we saved it for later, til we were just about ready to leave.

After the ride, we walked over to the Natural History Museum and explored all sorts of animals and dinosaur bones. Kapri was amazed at everything! I was worried the dinosaur replicas may scare her a bit, but I was wrong. Her favorite was a little baby mammoth statue (pic below).

Our admission also covered entry into a 45 min. 3D movie: "The Last Reef" - it was pretty cool the first 25 min...then Kapri got antsy...and hungry...and we skipped her nap - BAD combo. Somehow she made it through thank goodness, then we ate at a little outdoor cafe after.

With some food finally in our bellies, we walked over to the water fountain, grabbed a coffee, then made a few wishes with some pennies. 

We ended the day with one more FAST carousel ride and headed home...



You know it was a good day when 5 minutes after you start driving, the kid is passed out in the back! haha