One Last Party

Sunday night, we had Ruth, Glenn, Kirsty, and Lee over for dinner since we won't see them again until Valerie's wedding next summer. The park behind our house was doing their Guy Fawkes fireworks that night. We went up to the roof terrace thinking that we could see them. Of course, there was a huge building...the only huge building around...blocking our view. We could see the big onees though. We could also see all of our neighbors fireworks. Diwali is also going on right now so there have been fireworks everywhere...especially in our neighborhood.

Thanks again Ruth and Kirsty (and the guys but mostly the ladies) for everything you did for us while we were there. You really helped us out so much with the baby bed, toys, hairdryer, and helping with the boys. You all also made us feel so welcome at all of your parties. We had a lot of fun. We look forward to seeing y'all next summer in Alabama...and Texas, if you can make the trip.

Funny stuff

Luc and I took Brian to the Museum of Childhood before we left London because we thought it was so cool. Well these mirrors are just hilarious. Even Evan was loving them.

More Bonfire Celebrations

Saturday night, we went to Ruth and Glen's house for more Guy Fawkes partying. They have a big party at their house every year. They have lots of food, drinks, and TONS of fireworks.

Chefs Ruth and Kirsty

Lee on babysitting duty.

 Luc loved the sparklers...and everyone seems to be enjoying watching him.

 He also loved the fireworks...as long as he had a good lap to sit in...no matter how small the lap was.

Something funny?

Kids with sparklers!

Like I said, Luc loved the sparklers

Glen and Luc getting things ready for the show. Glen wore his confederate flag hat to "make us feel more welcome". haha They didn't realized we are a bit different than some of our family members back at home.

Guy Fawkes/Bonfire Night

One reason that we stayed a couple of extra days in London is Guy Fawkes night. I had no idea what this was until this month. Guy Fawkes was an Englishman who tried to blow up the Houses of Parliment in the 1600s. Anyway, the whole plan was uncovered before it happened. If you want a detailed story, google it. I am just saying what I've been told.

So on November 5 (or the weekend near it), British people have big bonfires and shoot fireworks. Some even make a Guy Fawkes by stuffing old clothes to throw into the bonfire.

Friday night we went to a park for a big firework display. We were unaware that there would be a carnival there too. This was Luc's first carnival though he didn't ride any rides. We told him that we came for fireworks NOT the carousel.

 It was pretty cold out.

 The fireworks were great. Luc loved and hated them. They were very loud but Luc really wanted to see them.

 Evan slept through the first part. When he woke up, he loved them. The boys were so happy considering it was about 2 and a half hours past their bedtime.

Discover

On Friday, I decided to spend a little money on an activity in London. Most everything we have done has been free. I read about this place Discover. I thought that it looked awesome so I wanted to go. It is a kid play area where you really use your imagination. There are story recorders as you go through. The idea is that you make up a story as you go through then listen to your story at the end. I tried but Luc wasn't really in to making up a story. I think it would be really awesome if he was a couple years older. He had fun anyway though.

 This room was cool. You step on the lights on the floor to make music.

 Out back, there was a cool playground. Luc enjoyed sliding down the "monsters tongue".

 This picture is specifically for Miss Maizie George. This months special exhibit was Charlie and Lola. Charlie and Lola are Maizie's friends. We played IN Charlie and Lola's house. I think Maizie would have liked it.

 Even the elevators in this place were fun.

Without Brian in London

We survived..and even had some fun.

Brian had to go to Manchester last week for some research. The boys and I stayed at our house in London. Monday, we stayed close by the house. I took Luc down to the docklands to see the boats. On Tuesday morning, Brendan, the owner of the house, dropped by to pick up some things. He brought us breakfast pastries which was so nice. Tuesday afternoon we went down to the Children's centre behind our house. Tuesday night Kirsty came to stay the night.

Wednesday we went down to the Horniman Museum. When we arrived, we learned that it was storytime. Luc wasn't very impressed with boisterous lady who lead. Seriously, this lady was pretty loud and illustrative (if you can use that to describe someone). Evan loved it though. The museum was nice. There were lots of random things like a music exhibit, an African exhibit, and a natural history exhibit (no dinosaurs though). Our favorite part was the aquarium. 

Wednesday night Luc and I tried dragon fruit. This funny looking fruit is actually pretty good.

Brian made it home late Wednesday night. We were all very happy to have him back. We missed you Brian/Daddy!

Bundled up and ready to go

Something for Luc to hate Brian for one day...

The Horse Guards Parade and Changing of the Guards

I went back to Buckingham Palace the next day to see the changing of the guards because they only do it at certain times. All I knew was that one guard took over the place of the guard on duty and that there was a band. I also thought that on a Tuesday morning in October not many people would be there. I was so wrong about everything.

On our way there, we passed by the horse guard museum and here is what we saw. It just looked like a stand off. They weren't doing anything until the clock chimed 11am. Then two rows of horses left and two men started yelling. I couldn't understand what they were saying. Maybe I will write an entry about language barriers. Understanding British English is not as easy as I thought it would be.

 I was so wrong about there not being many people. I did not even attempt to get close enough to see the changing of the guards.

 We did have the best view for the parade though.

Watch this until the end. It was not funny at all at the time but now it's pretty funny. I was pretty scared when it happened.

Changing of the Guards scare from Noelle McNeil on Vimeo.

Luc and I think this is funny

Funny guard march from Noelle McNeil on Vimeo.

 It was a bit chilly. A yummy hot chocolate in the park was the perfect ending to our exciting morning.

Monday continued

After the parks we went to Buckingham Palace. Luc had been so excited about seeing "soldiers" but he fell asleep on the way. I tried to wake him up but it was impossible. I was saying "Luc here are the guards. Just open your eyes". He would say "uh huh" and open his mouth. It was hilarious. I wish I had videoed that. Anyway, I took a picture for him.

I was a little disappointed in Buckingham Palace. I thought there would be tons of guards but there were 2. There are only 2 when the Queen is away.

 Here is the horses guard parade with the London Eye in the background.

 Luc was alittle scared so he would not look at the guard.

 These guards and their horses do nothing but we had to sit here and watch for about 20 minutes.

 This was probably still the most talked about part of the day

Kensington Gardens and Princess Diana Memorial Playground (what a mouthful)

The beginning of this week was beautiful. It was almost the best weather ever. It was a little windy. We went to Kensington Gardens where the Princess Diana Memorial Playground is. Then we walked through Hyde Park and made our way to Buckingham Palace (which I'll make a separate post for). Then we walked through St James Park to the Horses Guard Parade. Then to Big Ben and Westminster. It was another day of LOTS of walking.

This is the mother of all playgrounds. It is AWESOME! A real pirate ship in the sand. I think Luc was in awe. He didn't move or say anything when we first walked up. Then he said "is that a weal piwate sip?" 

We decided we definitely have to bring Daddy to see this. 

 Under deck is plenty of sand to dig in.

 Poor Evan misses out on so much fun

 Of course, Luc finds a tractor.

We left the playground and had a picnic in the grass. Luc laughs so much at this video. He says it is "SOOOO FUNNY". You'll have to watch the entire video to see why he thinks it is SOOOO funny.


Luc running funny from Noelle McNeil on Vimeo.

Hampstead Heath

After the market last Saturday...yes, I am that behind...we went to a park for a picnic. Hampstead Heath is not the typical duck pond and playground park. It's more of a nature reserve or something. Anyway, it was beautiful. It was so nice to get "out of the city" for a change.

 In Hampstead Heath, there is Parliment Hill, where you can overlook most of London. Of course the day we went it was super foggy and we couldn't see much. I thought this view opposite of the city was more beautiful.