Kew Gardens
From late March - late April, Olivia had a four week break from school. (The schools here have breaks ALL THE TIME!) The break gave us the opportunity to have flexibility in our daily routine and to do a few things we can't typically do on a weekday. One thing we did was visit Kew Gardens in southwest London.
Other than the chance to see beautiful flowers, the main reason we went was because they were having a Willy Wonka festival of sorts with various chocolate inspired activities for children. Olivia was able decorate her own chocolate bar which she then promptly ate! The Gardens also had a nice playground for Olivia to exhaust herself at while Ashton napped and I relaxed in the sun.
From late March - late April, Olivia had a four week break from school. (The schools here have breaks ALL THE TIME!) The break gave us the opportunity to have flexibility in our daily routine and to do a few things we can't typically do on a weekday. One thing we did was visit Kew Gardens in southwest London.
Waiting for the train to come
Other than the chance to see beautiful flowers, the main reason we went was because they were having a Willy Wonka festival of sorts with various chocolate inspired activities for children. Olivia was able decorate her own chocolate bar which she then promptly ate! The Gardens also had a nice playground for Olivia to exhaust herself at while Ashton napped and I relaxed in the sun.
Deep in concentration
Enjoying some of the blooms at the Gardens
Wimbledon Tour
I had the opportunity to visit Wimbledon a couple weeks ago. I've watched plenty of tennis matches played there on TV over the years, so it was exciting to actually set foot where the excitement happens. The Brits are still in celebration mode over Andy Murray, the first male Brit since 1936 to win Wimbledon, winning last year. There was Andy Murray stuff everywhere.
I had the opportunity to visit Wimbledon a couple weeks ago. I've watched plenty of tennis matches played there on TV over the years, so it was exciting to actually set foot where the excitement happens. The Brits are still in celebration mode over Andy Murray, the first male Brit since 1936 to win Wimbledon, winning last year. There was Andy Murray stuff everywhere.
Media room where all the players give their interviews
The process to get tickets for Wimbledon is based purely on luck. Tickets available to the general public are distributed based on an annual lottery whereby each household submitting an entry into the lottery is only eligible for two tickets per year. The tickets include your name on them so there no secondhand market to purchase tickets from. So the likelihood ever returning to Wimbledon again for the chance to see a match is pretty slim. A tour will have to do!
At centre court
Little Venice & Science Museum
The first Monday in May was a bank holiday so Geoff had the day off of work. He had just returned from 10 days in Houston so we were ready for some fun family time around the city. Our first stop was Little Venice. This is an area of town not too far from us with a maze of canals along with houseboats lining the canal walls. Little Venice was hosting a festival that weekend with some of the boats decorated up and activities for children.
The first Monday in May was a bank holiday so Geoff had the day off of work. He had just returned from 10 days in Houston so we were ready for some fun family time around the city. Our first stop was Little Venice. This is an area of town not too far from us with a maze of canals along with houseboats lining the canal walls. Little Venice was hosting a festival that weekend with some of the boats decorated up and activities for children.
Giving the bumper boats a go
Ashton in her happy place with snacks
From the festival, we hopped on the Tube and headed to the Science Museum. Probably about 90% of the museum is too old for the girls, but they do have a section in the basement designed for little kids with lots of hands on stuff to touch and do so that's where we spent the majority of our visit.
This little one just wanted to climb the ladder over and over again.
Enjoying lunch at the pub
Visit to the Fire Station
One of the moms in Olivia's nursery school class arranged for the children to visit a local fire station. Olivia continually asked when we were going to go for weeks before the big day. However, the event didn't quite turn out how we were expecting. Shortly after we arrived, a fireman pulled the engine out of the station in order for the kids to get a good look. Olivia is sensitive to loud noises and unfortunately, the fireman left the engine on in the truck. It was pretty noisy which resulted in Olivia becoming a bit fearful. The firemen let the children take turns spraying one of the big hoses and they could touch some of the tools, but she wanted nothing to do with any of it and instead kept saying she wanted to go home.
One of the moms in Olivia's nursery school class arranged for the children to visit a local fire station. Olivia continually asked when we were going to go for weeks before the big day. However, the event didn't quite turn out how we were expecting. Shortly after we arrived, a fireman pulled the engine out of the station in order for the kids to get a good look. Olivia is sensitive to loud noises and unfortunately, the fireman left the engine on in the truck. It was pretty noisy which resulted in Olivia becoming a bit fearful. The firemen let the children take turns spraying one of the big hoses and they could touch some of the tools, but she wanted nothing to do with any of it and instead kept saying she wanted to go home.
Fortunately after some coaxing and promises that mommy would stay right next to her, she was brave enough to climb up into the cab of the engine.
We finally got a brief smile out of her!
Ashton had no fears and was very happy to touch everything we would let her get her hands on.
Sweet moment with Daddy
