London, Part II

Scott finally got some time off, so we headed off for some fun. Scott really wanted to see the London Eye. B was excited to go back to the Transportation Museum, where I have my year pass! So we walked together and then went our separate ways.

Ready to go back to the Transportation Museum.

The wheels on the bus......

This was his favorite car. I feel like he looks so old in this picture!

'Riding' the old train.

B driving the streets of London.

Driving in the Tube.

The London Eye

After meeting back up we went to a pub for fish and chips. 

Cheers!

Cheers! A cider at noon, I love London!

I love B holding the tarter sauce.

I thought my fish came with guacamole, but I guess they were mushy peas. B loved them!

Piccadilly Circus

No big city is complete without China Town.

Such a funny smile!

B had a matching robe and slippers to Scott. He didn't love the robe.

The next morning we headed to take a Big Bus Tour. We could hop on and hop off at different locations and be given a tour.

As you can imagine B loved being on a bus.

St. James church

St James church

What a big boy on the bus!

Who loves this tour?

You know you are in London when you see red phone booths. Who uses phone booths these days?

Our trip was a total success. It was fun to see new sites, eat wonderful food, and create new memories.

London with a two year old Part I

The flight over to London was a very empty. Here is how B spent a majority of the 5 hour flight. Unfortunately he got a really bad cough, so while he looked cute, he sounded terrible.

We arrived in London at 6am London time, or 1am Indy time. Scott was very determined to help us switch to London time, so he set about a no sleeping when we got to London rule. First we had breakfast at the hotel, no sleeping allowed!

We found a near by park. It was empty at 8:30am on a Sunday morning. I wonder why.

By 11am we were all really tired. Scott allowed B and I to take a little nap, which was a good choice because B and I were dragging. After nap time B wanted to get some energy out!

The rest of the day was spent walking and chasing B through the National Gallery. Once home for the night B was thrilled to have matching slippers to Dad.

The next morning Scott took off to work and I headed to the Transportation Museum. When you by admission you get a year's membership. I know you are jealous. As you can imagine B

                                                        LOVED it here.

I decided to be adventurous the next morning and take the tube, underground train, to the Science Museum. I'm really glad I did it, however having to carry B and the stroller down 4 flights of stairs and then up 4 just to get to the museum wore me out!! Where are the 'lifts' when you need them?

B was the only one yelling 'tutu!' while waiting to catch the train. I guess the train isn't so exciting for the other commuters.

There was a children's play area at this museum. While it was small, it was a fun adventure.

Whoever thought of this is a genius. B loves to play with the door stoppers at home.

Unleashing his inner Rock Band.

What children's museum is complete without a water table?

I decided the next day not to go on the tube due to the amount of stairs. I'm so glad I decided to walk with B to the Aquarium because that is when I started to see some of the iconic places in London.

London Eye, Big Ben, Parliament.

B was more impressed with his box of cereal.

Unfortunately for me the time change really hit B as we entered into Sea Life, the aquarium. He was a ball of energy that wanted to run and not listen. This fun outing turned into time outs next to shark tanks and a frustrated mom.

Actually paying attention to the huge sting ray.

The touch pool should have been called the splash pool.

This cool tube had sharks swimming all around. I doubt he noticed as he ran through.

What fish?

Hey, a croc!

His favorite part of this adventure, the hat.

Lots of love for the hat.

" I love this hat!!!!!"

As you can tell my the photos B and I had a lot of time together exploring while Scott worked. Lucky us. I feel like we did a good job entertaining ourselves and generally staying out of trouble.

Loved you London

Sadly our trip had to come to an end, actually rather dramatically. Scott had Friday and Saturday off which meant I finally was with someone who knew where they were going yippee!!! Scott had a desire to go up in the London Eye, however at about $35 a person I decided I could pass. B and I headed back to the Transportation Museum and Scott headed to fly in the sky. I failed to mention earlier that when you buy your ticket into the Transportation Museum you actually are buying a year membership to the museum. You knew I looked more cultured, but didn't know why. Yes, it's because for the next 12 months I can go into the London Transportation Museum whenever I want! Jealous yet? That also means that since B and I took two trips there it cut the price of my membership in half.

After a few hours of driving buses, the tube, and taxis we joined by up with Scott. That evening we headed to China town. Aren't all big cities required to have a China town? This helped cap off all the different cuisines of London. Here are all the types of food we ate:
Chinese
Thai
Indian
BBQ
English
Italian
One funny moment at a pub my fish and chips came with a blob of green things. I said to Scott, "Why do people in England eat guacamole with their chips?" Um, I guess they were mushy peas. Yuck!

The next day we headed on a Big Bus Tour, one that tours of all of London and we take pictures out the window to claim we have been there. It was a good site seeing tour, however we didn't get to full feeling of London from that. We decided to take a walking tour to our hotel so we could get a better feel. B was just thrilled to be on the bus and scream at all the other buses that passed us. He was such a good sport.

The way back to the states wasn't very smooth. We arrived early at the airport to realize our passports were still safe and sound in the safe! They were delivered to us 10 minutes before check in closed! No stress there!!!! We were stopped at almost every possible opportunity. I guess when you linger for over one hour in the ticketing area we seem suspicious. We finally got on the plane for an 8 hour flight. Of course B only slept 1 hour, however after all the turbulence coming into Boston I don't know how anyone could sleep. I got off seasick, but knew we had to go through customs and security again, this time feeling ill. Brayden only laid on the floor 3 times spread out screaming in the customs line. I guess I wasn't the only one tired and feeling sick. Yes, we were those people in the line. Thank You B.

We then quickly jumped on another flight to get us to Indy. We were all exhausted, tired and ready for bed. The good news is that we are home, have some wonderful memories and have pictures to prove it!

Oh London

I'm thrilled to let everyone know that B and I are okay and made to and from the aquarium just fine. You weren't worried? You should have been! The three mile trek was really quite the adventure in such a large city such as London. Mind you, Brayden hasn't been very much help in terms of being a traveling mate. Actually pushing him around and hauling up and down stairs has really impacted by trip. Who would have thought that would happen? Well, the good news is that we made it back and the doormen, who I gave strict instructions to come find me if not back by 10pm, did not need to leave their post.

After 5 days in London there are a few things that have yet to master. First, money. This country has so many coins. 1 pence, 2 pence, 5 pence, 10 pence, 50 pence, 1 pound, 2 pounds that I'm constantly looking through change to finally use a bill because I can't seem to figure it out. Second, traffic. Just as in Australia I have no clue where the cars are turning because they drive on the other side of the street. There have been a few times I close my eyes and thrust the stroller into the intersection and hope for the best. Third, the stairs!! Don't they have people who are handicapped or have broken legs here? I have no clue how they get around. I'm very frequently grabbing Brayden and ludgging him up and down huge stairwells. It's not a pretty sight and I'm pretty sure it scares the junk out of Brayden.

We have been very busy during the days. B and I have gone to the British Museum, Science Museum, Aqaruim, countless parks and down random streets when we are lost. Scott, on the other hand, has seen ExactTarget and pubs. So between the three of us we are very cultured. On a humbler note B has owned us for the past two nights. He did well sleeping the first two nights, however I guess the time shift hasn't set in yet and so he likes to sing, dance, and throw his blankets until midnight. We put him down by 9:30 at the latest. But, apparently the next few hours are party times in pack and play de Brayden. I tend to have to wake him up around 9:30am, which normally I think it's a sin to wake him up. But, the free breakfast is over at 10am and I'm just too cheap to not get in on that.

 B and I are excited for Scott to join us tomorrow for a day is site seeing. We are jumping on a big red bus and seeing the site in true tourist fashion!