Last year on Valentines Day, Greg and I decided to take Wolfie to the California Academy of  Sciences, which is located in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. I’m sure you’re thinking, “Um, the Academy of Sciences? Valentines Day? What the what??” I know it doesn’t sound very romantic, but stick with me here folks! It gets better.

Golden Gate Park is huge and lovely—a little bit bigger than Central Park. The Academy of Sciences is just one of the many attractions and it’s really fun. They have a “living rooftop” which totally reminds me of Teletubbie Land!

(I look like I’m making Stink Face up there…please ignore me and focus on my sweet child….thank you)

My little rosey cheeked Valentine. It started out foggy, so we bundled up, but then it got a little hot. Classic San Francisco.

After a some fun wandering around in the sun, we went inside the museum.

There are all kinds of hands on exhibits, and a great “wild animal” diorama collection—which I totally love.

The aquarium is also very popular:

But lets face, we were here for one reason. THE PENGUINS. You might be thinking, “What’s so special about penguins?” Imma ’bout to tell you!

Every Valentines Day, the Hall of Science does something really cool.  Children of all ages are allowed to decorate special red paper hearts….and then the valentines are passed out TO THE PENGUINS! And I have to say, it is a sight to behold! The penguins LOVE the valentines! They strut around with the in their mouths, preening and showing off. Amazingly, they don’t eat them— in fact they are quite competitive about them!  It’s hilarious to see them waddling about, all puffed up. The boy penguins were bickering over them, all for the honor of “delivering” them to the girl penguins, who were in these little caves setting up their nests. Have you ever seen anything so cute??

“One moment, mi amour….I bring you zee heart!”

Wolfie was enchanted. He was totally grinning from ear to ear.

Whoops….someone’s heart fell in the wading pool.

We had a really terrific day. The place was totally packed….and guess who else was there?? The super gorgeous Halle Berry with her little girl Nala! ( i love a good celeb sighting….) She was just strollin’ around like a mommy with her little one. Really cool. Honestly the place was so packed, I think she managed to slink around relatively unnoticed.

We ended the day with a trip to the cafe for a wee post-penguin snack.

Ze Milk Moustache, she is always en vougue!

It’s funny, at one point earlier that morning, Greg told me that he and Wolfie would have to sneak off at some point to “take care of a some things” (which usually means buying last minute flowers for mama, haha) but in the glory of the sunshine, flowers were forgotten….and you know what? I wouldn’t have had it any other way! We came home happy  and hungry….so we ordered a big ol cheese pizza, had a little picnic on the living room floor and watched Finding Nemo (in honor of the aquarium). I have to tell ya, Valentine’s Day was pretty darn perfect. I’m looking forward to this year and another fun adventure!

I love living in California…for the most part, we have amazing weather here year ’round. Yet as a Michigan girlie the thing I always crave are the four seasons. I love warm, sunny days but I have to confess nothing is more magical to me than freshly fallen snow. When I go back home for the holidays, I love having a white Christmas….there is something so peaceful about walking around outside and all you hear is the snow crunching under your feet.

When we arrived, we had warm coats and hats, but were sorely lacking in the foot wear department. As evidenced by Wolfie in his parka, wooly hat and…Yo Gabba Gabba Vans. Brrrrr! I know my parents think we’re the Crazy Californians.

Someone definitely had cold toesies, poor bunny. I promise, we bought snow boots shortly after this photo was taken. The coat, I must say, was fab. I bought it at Old Navy when they had their annual 50% off sale. Crazy cozy and super warm. (This is it.) You’ll see more pics later on in its full comfy glory!

We headed to my parents lakehouse, which is the best place ever. The lake is always a magical thing to see. In the summer, everything is green and lush and the water is as smooth as a piece of blue glass. We love to swim, watch the turtles and putter around on my parents pontoon boat. It kind of blows your mind in the winter when you realize that you can walk on the water…

One of our little traditions at the lakehouse is a tasty waffle breakfast. My mom’s waffles are the best. She has this really awesome old waffle iron from the 50s (maybe 60s?) and it makes the best waffles. Nice and crispy outside but a little cakey  inside. Always with real maple syrup, please. Yummm.

In addition to snowboots, my mom got Wolfie his snow pants—and they were so cute, like little overalls. The fake furry hat I brought back from Prague! He was quite pleased with himself in this get up.

Then it was outside to build a snow man. Or should I say, snow men! Wolfie and Greg went to town and made a ton of them.

Wolfie was Mayor of Snowman Town. I kind of loved the teensy one….and the little stick arms are the best.

See? That jacket was the bomb. Cozy AND cool. (faux fur, natch….)

Look at my sweet little snow bunny…..so cute and rosey cheeked. And wowzers, did he LOVE the snow.

Greg and I went for a drive around the lake and it was so pretty. The trees look so stark against the white sky.

I was pleased to see that my favorite little vintage snail playground toy (which was all rusted up last year) had received a fresh coat of paint and was lookin’ brand spankin’ new!

One of my favorite times of day is when the sun sets and suddenly the snowy white landscape is covered in a blueish glow. It truly feels otherworldly.

I know for you lovely folks stuck in the deep of winter there are cold realities….shoveling snow, icy roads and the biting wind. If it’s any consolation, Californians are wusses. Especially San Franciscans. Most of those lovely Victorians don’t have central heating and we freeze our buns off when the temperatures “dip” into the 40s. But in my mind I see you all hunkered down by a crackling fire, with a mug of cocoa….enjoying a silent night under an inky blue sky. A girl can dream, right?