London Trip with Kate

July 24th-28th, 2010

Before the river cruise

Trip to London
Chad had work outside of London so we were able to spend the weekend before in one of our favorite places! It was a special trip because our friend Kate was able to join us. Will LOVES Kate!  She only came for the weekend and after she left all I heard was, "Where did Kate go?  Where did Kate go?"

The weather was warm and we had a fair amount of sun. We were able to spend time over the weekend walking around the city and also we went on the London Eye and a short river cruise down the Thames. We are very lucky that we are able to make such trips.  It might be our last time to London for some time and it was kind of like coming full circle since our first trip in Europe was to London in April of 2008.

On the steps of St. Paul...Just like in Mary Poppins!

Now we have mastered our trip from Cologne to Stansted to Liverpool Street.  However, we arrived on the weekend and there were a few major tube lines under construction.  London is hosting the next summer Olympics so they are closing lines and working on them. Now this meant that we were very thankful Kate was along because the tube isn't pusher friendly and we also had suitcases.  It was tight from Liverpool to Paddington and we had to change lines.  Nothing like packing on with two little ones. It added to the adventure and the boys took a great nap once we arrived.

Inside the London Eye with Kate!

We know London well now!  We finally were able to go up in the London Eye and see the city. We spent a large part of Sunday walking down by the river and just enjoying the nice day.  It is nice to just walk and not have to take a map.  The boys were very good and enjoyed the time as well.

Jersey Boys
Chad and I were able to get tickets to Jersey Boys! It was as good as Jimmy told me it was before we left Milwaukee. I was very impressed and enjoyed the music. Thanks so much to Kate for watching and putting to bed our two little boys.  She was a great babysitter for them and Chad and I hadn't been to a show since before Will was born (Wicked in London actually).  I would recommend seeing this show and also should note that the average age of those in attendance that evening was 50 and most people had white/silver hair.

Will playing at Hyde Park playground

Hyde Park
During the week the boys and I did a lot of walking because the tube is hard with 2 boys, 1 pusher and only me.  So we managed to walk around Hyde Park and see Kensington Palace, The Marble Arch, and Will's favorite, Lady Diana's Memorial Playground.  The playground had the theme of Peter Pan and it was amazing!  Poor Jack had to stay in his pusher. I did feel sorry for him as Will just ran around the park and saw squirrels, horses, dogs, and chased birds.

Will also enjoyed looking for sticks and singing as he marched. He got several smiles from joggers and I just nodded my head.  My crazy little boy. He slept well in the evenings and he got tired of walking and used his buggy board like a trooper.

Will can't go by a Carousel and not get to ride...his mom is a sucker!

Jack was a trooper!

Hotel Living
I must say we have mastered hotel life with the boys. It is interesting though how well the boys do away from home.  We buy bottled water, baby food, diapers, and wipes and we're set for the trip.  I do wonder what the cleaning staff thinks of my little set-up in the bathrooms with dish soap and other supplies (spoons, plastic knives, little bowls and plates).

Jack playing in the hotel!

My next thought is: How does Will know that the thing with a cord is a phone?  In hotels once we arrive, I wipe things down with my Clorox wipes (after watching Opera and the Doctors I make sure to do this), we remove paper brochures and information, and Chad unplugs the phones. Will has this tendency to pick it up and start taking. I'll often hear what can be translated as, "Hi Stacy, how's Pudge."  

Will on the phone...a serious conversation

Jack's 1st Train Ride London to Cologne

Under the English Channel:  Eurostar

We also took the Eurostar train back to Cologne. It was about a 4 hour train ride with a connection in Brussels and we got to go under the English Channel. It was a very nice ride and Will was excited when he woke up from his nap to see breakfast in front of him.  Jack also enjoyed looking out the window during his first distance train ride.

Will's breakfast on the train!