Desserts with Santa at the Zoo!

I think it's safe to say that last night Blanden had one of his best nights ever in his 18 months. It was right up there with his birthday. He's old enough to know something special and exciting was going on. And Ed and I had a pretty fantastic time too. I think it's also safe to say that the Wensuc family has created a new holiday tradition: desserts with Santa Claus and seeing the holiday lights at the zoo!

Arriving...

Ed and I were amazed by how many lights were up! They were everywhere!

And we were amazed by how crowded the zoo was. It was well worth having our tickets for the separate Santa Claus event ahead of time.

AND a bonus: the giraffes! In addition to seeing so many awesome lights, we got to see quite a few animals, including Blanden's favorite. This was a surprise for all of us, as we thought they would all be tucked in for the night.

We ended up at the giraffe house first, and not even on purpose, as we didn't know they were open. Blanden's face just lit up when he saw the real, live animals. The whole family (seven) were inside, so we got to see them up close, which only happened once before, when Blanden and I happened to be at the zoo on a rainy day. He was awestruck.

Next we made our way to the event. The older kids sang songs and listened to Santa tell stories while we snacked on desserts and hot chocolate and other assorted adult beverages (for Ed only this time ;) ). Blanden selected these green Christmas tree cookies on his own...

And ate three of them!

There were other activities as well: cookie decorating in one room and live animal demonstrations in another. Blanden saw a snake, a lizard, and parakeets. He particularly liked the parakeets.

Blanden is too young to decorate cookies, but he was happy to simply eat the decorations, especially the M&Ms!

And then it was time to meet Santa Claus! This is as close as we were able to get -- but it was much better than we expected: Blanden is smiling!

Blanden really liked Santa's helper, a Santa Bear.

A moment after this photo was taken, Blanden gave the bear a big hug, but he turned his face away from the camera.

After visiting Santa, we were off to see more lights. Blanden spotted the carousel in the distance and asked for a ride.

Daddy was even able to snag one of Blanden's second favorite animals. He was pretty excited to sit on the zebra! (The giraffe on the carousel doesn't move up and down so that's not much fun at all.)

More lights -- a monkey hanging from a tree.

And some of Blanden's favorite animals in lights.

It turns out, Blanden is starting a giraffe family of his own. We planned on buying a backup giraffe, just in case, because he is Blanden's most beloved friend. But as I was paying for the new guy and Ed was wheeling Blanden through the gift shop in his wagon, Blanden reached out and grabbed another one from a bin (pictured on the left)! This one stands almost as tall as he does. So, yes, we ended up adopting him, too.

And finally, back in the car and thrilled to be taking his new friends home. Blanden is in there somewhere! We got home at quarter to ten, two hours past Blanden's bedtime. Of course he was sound asleep in the car by then, and didn't wake up one peep throughout carrying him upstairs, changing his diaper, and putting on his PJs. He was one happy, tired baby indeed. This morning we found him quietly and contentedly playing with his new friends in his crib. It's quite a sight to see him try to carry all three of them around the house! They all come down with us in the morning for playtime, and they all come back up with us later on for stories and nap/bedtime.