It was much warmer than it has been recently, but it rained a lot, and hard. The bears didn’t seem to mind.

Heather picked up her empty bowl and dropped it by the Acclimation Pen gate. A hint, perhaps?

Then she went back outside to her ground nest.

The cubs in Wild Enclosure #3 stayed in the cubby pile in their ground nest. It was a good morning to stay in bed.

The Fight Club girls slept in, also.

In Enclosure #1, the cubs couldn’t decide whether to get out of their culvert den or not.

Unbothered by weather, the Christmas Cubs in Hartley House move around as they sleep.

Peppermint is alone as her brothers go next door for a snack. Look at that nice, round tummy!

She roughhouses with a bed. The cubs are becoming more playful, interacting with things in their environment and with each other.

Her brothers return. CranBeary bats at her nose.

CranBeary moves to Mistletoe’s feet.

Then back to his sister. He’s being a pest! But it’s a good sign that they are interacting.

Bat the nose again!

Peppermint starts a game of “Bite my Face,” a popular activity for bears of all ages.

Peppermint moves to the floor, leaving CranBeary to bother Mistletoe.

It’s almost 6:00 AM! The cubs are finally asleep!

Later, and the cubs are eating their breakfast. Another day begins…