London Part 2

Sunday we ventured into the heart of London to see Big Ben, Parliament, & Westminster Abbey. Unfortunately, due to jetlag, and general pokiness, we didn't leave Wimbledon until about noon. At 2pm, Sean and Damian went to the Soccer game. Jen and the kids and I headed to Trafalgar Square to go to Prezzo for yummy Italian food and wine. But, by the time we were done with lunch, we decided to head home for naps. (I've already shared the pictures from this day)

Monday we all headed to Buckingham Palace. It was very cool, but there was no changing of the guard ceremony, and it was extremely cold, windy, and wet. After the palace we walked to the giant department store names Harrods. Sean was told by one of his riders that we needed to go there for Scones & Coddled Cream. “Planet Harrods” was very kid friendly and was showing Madagascar & Happy Feet on an endless loop, which of course the kiddos liked. By the time we were done with lunch and searched the labyrinth of the store for bathrooms/changing tables, it was time to find the coveted scones. It was then time to head home.
















Tuesday we went to the British Museum. Brennan fell asleep half way through and slept all the way through lunch. Jen & Cassidy needed a break so they headed home and we headed to the Burger King for lunch with Brennan. After lunch, Sean, Brennan and I toured London. We walked to Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square; we walked across a really cool footbridge across the Thames River, and then went to dinner in Wimbledon at a great place called the Slug and the Lettuce.






BELOW IS A VIDEO of Brennan's Lion King serenade from Leicester Square on Tuesday...


Unfortunately, after dinner and bath that night, Brennan threw up while I was brushing his teeth. Our night went downhill fast. Brennan threw up at least 4 more times before we went up to our room on the 3rd floor, and threw up every half hour from then on. It was probably the worst night of my entire life. I finally called the Microsoft Ask-A-Nurse at 6am, and they gave me some helpful advice.

We all slept from 6am to just after noon on Wednesday. Brennan then had a nap from 2:30pm and I woke him up at 5pm because we had tickets to go to The Lion King on Wednesday night. Unfortunately, he threw up again just after his nap, so we "bagged" our plans of the theater. Luckily, Jen had bought insurance when she bought the tickets so we will get a refund. We then bought tickets for Friday night - for sure everyone would be healthy by then. Right??

On Thursday, Brennan woke up happy, energetic, and asking to go the Ferris wheel.....so we headed out. We went to The London Eye, while Jen and Cassidy headed to the theater to get our tickets for the play. After the Ferris wheel, we met up with Jen & Cassidy and walked along the river to the Shakespeare Globe. After the Globe, we walked across the river to St Paul's Cathedral, and the Tower of London. It was raining sideways and very windy. By the time we got home we were soaked to the bone. Unfortunately, Sean came down with "the bug" on Thursday night, and had a terrible night.























Despite the fact that Brennan seemed completely tired, we ventured out with J & C for the "molly ward walkabout" on Friday. We surely should have just stayed home. Brennan slept the whole morning on the train ride to Marylebone & Oxford Street, and then when we went to lunch, he threw up again all over himself and the table. It was horrible. I cried all the way home.

We did go to The Lion King that night – and no one threw up again. Unfortunately, our first train station was closed, so we ended up making a huge dash to the other train station and ended up 20 minutes late to the play – missing the opening song which Brennan has been serenading all over London (he’s in LOVE with the Disney movie). But, the kiddos did such a great job and I think Brennan really enjoyed it.







Saturday we headed home and were picked up by Sean’s sister and family at the airport for dinner (we had a 4hour + layover.” We went to The Mall of America, and Brennan was on cloud 9 pal-ing around with his cousins, Sean Patrick and Kade. He even got to go on a “semi truck” ride at the amusement park in the mall. We’re suffering some pretty serious jet-lag (B’s been up at 4am or 5am every morning since we got back, but so far so good on me getting sick (fingers crossed). We had a great time with our friends despite our illnesses.....Jen was a wonderful and caring host, and I wouldn’t have wanted to be with anyone else to suffer through our ordeal.

London Trip

We flew to London on Friday afternoon. We got to the airport with about 3 hours to spare before our flight. We went to the airport and ate lunch and played in the play area before going to our gate. Brennan, of course, fell asleep just about 30 minutes before we landed. We only had 1 1/2 hours in Minneapolis before we had to board our next flight. We had a great dinner at Subway, and then got right on the plane. Brennan watched Up the movie a few times before finally falling asleep. Sean and I didn't sleep at all, but compared to the 16 hour flight to Australia, our 8 hour flight to London was a breeze. I watched 3 movies....all of which I enjoyed. And, the complimentary wine was much appreciated.

We got to London at 11:50am London time, and met the Hoffman's there. They helped carry our luggage and we took a series of trains to their charming little house. Unfortunately, Cassidy got sick on the train, and ended up getting sick several more times before the night was over. She's still got a fever, but seems to be feeling better. We've all got our fingers crossed that no one else gets what she has.

We all went to bed at 10pm, and Brennan was up at 3:30am. We let him watch The Lion King on the ipod and then we all went back to sleep until about 9:30am. I think we'll be turned around tonight, which is pretty good. Brennan hasn't had a nap today, so I think he'll be going to bed fairly early.

We need to plan our adventure tomorrow.

Here are some pictures of the airport, airplane, and our first official date in London.

Impressing the Local Ladies with his Talents

When we were at the park this Sunday, Brennan caught the eye of some teenagers and really thought that he needed to impress them with his singing and dancing skills. It was hilarious.....and he went on for 20minutes or so....

Jamming on the Guitar

Throwing the Baseball & Riding His Bike

Here are some great pictures of my beautiful boy. I know I'm biased....but I just think he is such a photogenic kid - is happiness is so awesome! Here is one picture of him throwing his baseball last weekend, and several that I took at the park yesterday. The lighting was really good for getting clear shots of his beautiful blue eyes. He rode his bike to the park for one of the first times. You'll notice Sean tied a rope to the front handlebars because he's not very good at breaks yet.