London with Grandma and Grandma--Take 3

Our last day in London with Grandpa and Grandma was a museum day. First, we took them to the British Museum. Everyone who visits London needs to go there at least once! We had lunch as soon as we arrived, then headed straight for the Rosetta Stone.

I like seeing the Rosetta Stone, but my favorite bit is just beyond that--the Parthenon Gallery! I like to run around in there and look at all the stone carvings. There are also a couple of steps that I like to go up and down and up and down. Grandma and Grandpa liked it because there are benches in there where you can sit and just look. I sat with them so they wouldn't get lonely.

When we were all done looking at the exhibits (we only went to a few) Mummy said I could choose something from the gift shop to take home. She and I found an awesome little bus! It's squishy, so I can squish it with my hands. First thing I did, though, was to drive it on my tray on my buggy. I did that all the way out of the museum. I like to make noises when I drive my cars and buses, it sounds like this "woooo, woo mmmm, mmm"

After the British Museum, we took the Tube to St. Paul's. We didn't go in, just looked around outside and went up and down the stairs. That is always fun. We sat on the benches and had a snack, too. Grapes, cashews, and some water. It was a perfect break. Of course I carried my new bus with me everywhere!

Just around the corner from St. Paul's is the Museum of London--probably my favorite museum in all of London. They have lots of videos to look at, things I can touch, and toys I get to play with. I was so tired though, I fell asleep as soon as we got there. Luckily, I woke up just in time to play with the Underground diorama and with the pretend well (it has things that move on it, that if you touch them they tell you about what it was like to get your water from a well).

After the museum, we took the Tube to Oxford Circus and Mummy and Grandpa ran up and got us a few Ben's Cookies (yay!) We ate dinner at Pret in King's Cross before we took the train home.

It was a really fun day!

--Little Brute--


 

London With Grandpa & Grandma--Take 1

On our first visit to London with Grandpa and Grandma, we spent the day in Westminster. Of course we had to take them to see Big Ben first, Mama says that is the most important thing for everyone to see! We took the train and then the tube. The Circle Line was closed for engineering works, so we had to change at Baker Street and get on the Jubilee Line. Baker Street is a very confusing station, but it is also one of the oldest. Mama really likes it because it has all the old brick and station signs from the early 20th century.

When we got to Westminster, we came outside and Grandpa couldn't believe how beautiful Big Ben was. Mama said that was one of her favorite moments of the day: watching Grandpa meet Ben. We took a whole bunch of pictures. Like Mama says: you can never have too many pictures of Big Ben. She's right. 

Grandpa seeing Big Ben for the first time!

We went in to Westminster Abbey first thing after that. No pictures inside (remember that from when I took Nana?). I enjoyed seeing it again, and, just like with Nana, it was so nice and quiet that I fell asleep. When we were getting ready to leave, they closed the Abbey from more visitors because they were getting ready for a service. We were so glad, because that meant we got to hear the choir and the organist warming up. It was beautiful! 

After Westminster Abbey, we went down by the Houses of Parliament to have our lunch. PB&Js, grapes, Pringles, and apples--my favorites! I liked being down there, because we sat on a bench and looked out over the Thames while we ate. There were also some pigeons to chase! Grandpa did get in trouble, because he fed one and more and more came. Mama and Daddy got after him for that--so many pigeons! Daddy had to spend the rest of our meal chasing them away so they wouldn't take my sandwich or my crisps away from me. 

After lunch, we went for a walk up Whitehall to the Churchill War Rooms. I had just eaten and woken up from my nap and all I wanted to do was run, run, run! I liked the War rooms, but Mama said I had to be a good boy and stay by her. That was really hard. 

Do you know what the War Rooms are? Well, when Great Britain was at war with Nazi Germany from 1939-1945, the Prime Minister, Winston Churchill, had some underground offices built for his Cabinet. They ran the war from there! They had bedrooms, offices, and map rooms. When the war was over, they took their personal belongings, locked the doors, and left. Quite a few years later, they "rediscovered" the rooms and turned it in to a museum. They tried to leave everything as they found it, though. They actually found a man's sugar ration in his desk, still in the envelope with his name on it! They put the sugar on his desk for us to see when we went to the museum. That was really cool. 

I liked the museum, but all it was so hard not to just run around everywhere. I was happy when it was time to go, because we went and sat in St. James' Park for a while. I was so excited, because there were a whole bunch of little rocks that I could throw. And then, while I was throwing them at some of the birds, a friend came up to play with me! She helped me through the rocks and we laughed and laughed. I was sad when she had to go. 

We took Grandpa and Grandma to Trafalgar Square to get sandwiches from Pret for dinner, and then we went on the London Eye! On the way there, we walked across one of the foot bridges across the Thames and saw some beautiful views of the Eye and of Big Ben. 

I LOVED the London Eye. I was running around to all the different windows, playing with two girls who were there, and looking at all the lights in London pop up as the sun set. Mama said she might want to take me again when we are in London at the end of September, when there is more light. I hope we get to go!

After the Eye, it was time to go home. We took a few pictures, then we got on the Tube, to Kings' Cross. While we were there, Grandpa wanted to try to go to Hogwarts. I think he's too old, but we tried anyway. It didn't work. But that was ok, because our train was there to take us back home! It was 11 o'clock before I got in bed. But even though it was late, we had so much fun in London. I can't wait to take Grandpa and Grandma again next week!

--Little Brute--

Punting with Grandpa and Grandma

We took Grandpa and Grandma punting their first full day here in Cambridge. The weather was perfect, the river not too crowded, and we all had lots of fun.

Typical Summer Day with the Brutons

For us, this summer, a typical day consisted of the following:

• 7:30-8am-ish--Henry wakes us up. He's decided recently that 9am is overrated. I disagree, but whatever. 


• 8am-ish--Derek or I, we take turns, gets up with Henry, changes his diaper, gives him some milk, and then plays for about an hour. Then, whoever was still in bed comes down to play with Henry and the other goes back to bed for 30-60 minutes. Yes, seriously. we are that lazy. 


• 9am-ish--we all have breakfast together. Derek usually has granola with dried strawberries, Henry has buttered toast and helps me with my bowl of cereal. 


• 9:15-ish--Derek and I take turns showering. I have to run into the bathroom and close the door before Henry figures out what I'm doing, because he thinks he should get to shower with me. I let him jump in with me a few times (ok, more than a few. It was easier when Derek was gone early in the morning) and now he thinks my shower time is his shower time. * sigh * 


• 10am-ish--once we're all ready, dressed, hair done, the whole bit, we go outside. Derek has been working every day up until the last week, so he was usually upstairs writing his dissertation and Henry and I headed to the park to play. We love the playground at Lammas Land, but if I have errands to run in centre we play at the one in Christ's Pieces. It's closer to the shopping. 


• 12:30-1pm-ish--I make lunch for us all. Pasta or PBJs are our staples, with quesadillas thrown in here and there to add variety. I know, so exciting. Once in a while, we have chicken salad sandwiches. 
• 1:30-2pm-ish--Henry goes down for a nap. He gets a bit of milk and a snuggle before he goes up to bed, and lately he has been so tired from running around outside he falls asleep in my arms. I LOVE that. While he's napping, I usually read for a while or work and then take a nap myself. 


• 3:30-4pm-ish--Henry wakes up, which means I get woken up. We come downstairs and have a snack. Our favorite is strawberries with cream or something chocolatey. The best. We also like to read stories for a while. Like, 8-12 of his books. 


• 4:30-5:30pm-ish--We either go for a walk (all 3 Brutons) or we play with Henry's toys. We prefer getting outside, though. Our usual destination is the Botanic Gardens, but sometimes errands or a playground win out. 


• 6pm-ish--Dinner! We try to stay consistent with dinner time, because Henry has a hard time if we don't. 


• 6:30-7:30pm-ish--Derek and Henry play while I get the dishes done. Honestly, I enjoy doing the dishes because it's "me" time. I don't have to worry about what Henry's doing, and I can just stand there, wash, and think. Or talk to Derek. When I'm done with the dishes (that doesn't take an hour, people), I play with Derek and Henry. We like blocks, the train, and reading stories. 


• 7:30pm-ish--Henry's bath time. We can't use the words shower, bath, tub, or clean without him running to the bathroom trying to pull his clothes off. He loves taking a bath. Especially bubble baths. 


• 8pm--ish--Henry gets "lotioned and potioned," and then we go downstairs for milk and story time. Derek reads to us from our book about Cambridge while Henry drinks his milk, then we have family prayer. Lately, we've been reading Owl Babies every night. He LOVES it and has even started mimicking Daddy's voice. We caught it on video tonight, and I hope that the video turns out (check back another time to see that, I hope). 


• 8:30pm-ish--my favorite part of the day: family hugs and kisses. Derek or I hold Henry, and he puts his arms around both of us. We have a good sqeezy hug, then say "Give Daddy kisses!" and Henry and I both kiss Daddy. Then Derek says: "Give Mommy kisses!" and I get kisses from both my boys. Then "Henry kisses!" you get the picture. I LOVE it. Now that Henry gives kisses, I ask for them at any opportunity. But this moment, this 20 seconds of hugging my boys, is the BEST time of the day. We are awesome. 


• 8:32pm-ish--Henry goes up to bed, waving "nigh-nigh" to whoever stays sitting on the couch. He goes to bed like a champ, talking to Duxford (his bear) for a minute or two before falling asleep. 


• 8:35pm-10/11pm-ish--Derek and I get to work. I actually work work, like, for Ancestry, and Derek either works on his dissertation or works on something he's designing or he reads the news/comics. This is quiet time for us, but it's still work. 


• 11pm-ish--we usually decide we want to watch something, a show on BBC or a movie. I know it's ridiculous to start something that late, but we both enjoy the winding down time and the chance to snuggle just the two of us. 


• 12am-ish--We haul ourselves up to bed. 

Honestly, it's a pretty busy typical day. I'm not going to miss juggling school, work, and Mommying, but I know I will miss this routine. The chance to stay in bed in the morning, or take turns, is wonderful when you keep the kind of schedule we keep. About once a week we go and visit Peter after Henry's afternoon nap, or we meet up with friends at the part around 10am, or something like that. Notice all the "ish" tied to the times, too. We're flexible. We like Henry to have a routine, but we also want him to be able to adjust when we are out adventuring or when we have other plans.

All I can say is, when I look at this, I'm proud of myself for making it through without becoming an insane person. Thank goodness Henry takes good naps so I can squeeze one in, too. 

Little Brute, Little Brute, where have you been?

I've been to London to visit the Queen!

Well, I visited her house anyway! Mummy and Daddy took me to see Buckingham Palace yesterday. I don't mean just the outside, I've seen that a million times. We actually got to go inside this time!

First though, we watched part of the Changing of the Guard. I was pretty excited when the soldiers walked right by us! We didn't stay to watch everything, because we weren't right up next to the Palace, but I enjoyed seeing the soldiers and the horses go by.

Buckingham Palace is only open for people to visit two months every year. It's been one of Mummy's dreams to get to go inside, so Daddy said we had to just do it! Man, it was awesome--I loved it.

Just like at Windsor, we aren't allowed to take pictures inside. But, I'll tell you about my favorite parts.

When we first walked in through the Ministerial entrance, we saw big windows straight ahead. They look out into the courtyard of the palace, which is very plain. The buildings are very nice, but there aren't any plants of anything to look at. Daddy explained that that's where the carriages come to pick up important people and take them out of the palace and out in to London. Daddy also told me, that when Queen Victoria moved in to Buckingham Palace, the front part wasn't there--it was a palace in the shape of a "u"! They added the last bit while she was Queen.

After that, we walked along a hallway and into the room with the Grand Staircase. That was Mummy's favorite room. She told us that she wished she had on a pretty dress to walk up and down the stairs, then she would feel like a princess! It would be fun to see Mummy all dressed up like a princess and wear a crown. She let me walk up the stairs all by myself. It took a while, but I like doing that sort of thing on my own. The carpet is bright red, and all the walls are cream with lots and lots of gold trimming. It definitely lived up to its name!

After the Grand Staircase, we walked through the other 18 state rooms that were open to us. We saw the Throne Room, which I really liked, but Daddy said I couldn't go sit on the thrones. I thought they looked comfy, but I don't know why the Queen's husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, wants a pink throne! I bet the Queen told him he had to. (Daddy had to have pink in his bedroom when he first married Mummy. I guess even daddies have to do what mommies say.)

Right now, Buckingham Palace has a special exhibit about the children who grew up at Buckingham Palace. This includes the Queen, Elizabeth. They had all sorts of toys, clothes, and other things that belonged to the Queen, her sister, and the other kids that lived there. Mummy's favorite was a beautiful dress that Queen Victoria wore when she was a child. She also liked the Queen's copy of Black Beauty that she had when she was little. I didn't care much about that, but I really wanted to play with the  miniature James Bond car that Prince Andrew had when he was little. Aston Martin made it just for him!

I was getting pretty tired as we got towards the end. At one point, I just didn't think I could go on, and I laid down on the carpet. I wanted to just take a nap right there in the middle of the Dining Hall, but Mummy said I had to wait until we went outside and I could have a nap in my buggy.

**Mummy's note: he seriously did lay down, put his hands down by his side, and closed his eyes for a second. I seriously thought he was going to go to sleep! I guess the carpet in Buckingham Palace is really comfy. And no--I don't usually let my child just lay down on the floor when we're out and about, but he laid down faster than I could stop him!

When we finally reached the end of the tour, we walked out into the garden at the back of Buckingham Palace. A huge lawn of beautiful grass was waiting for us! I wanted to run out on it really badly, but they had it roped off. Daddy said if he lived there he would play golf on it all the time. Mummy said she would ride her horse on it. That's fine, but all I wanted to do was run and run and run on it!

After Buckingham Palace, we went to visit the Royal Mews, where they keep the Queen's carriages, horses, and their cars!

Of course Mummy was the one who wanted to see this the most. She was so excited to see the horses and where they lived! When we first walked in, we looked at some of the carriages that the Queen has ridden in. There is a new one that the Queen bought for her Diamond Jubilee a couple years ago. It is really fancy and so pretty. One cool thing about it, is that it has 100 years of British history items on it. Including a crown on the top made out of wood from the HMS Victory, which Mummy said was an important old ship. I thought that was amazing.

I got so excited, that I ran out of there to go see more. But unfortunately, I tripped and hit my face. There was a lot of blood on my lip. It hurt so badly, I cried and cried. A very nice lady came over and asked if we wanted first aid, but Mummy said that I would be all right. After she checked to make sure my teeth were okay and we stopped the bleeding, I felt better enough to keep going.

We went in to a cool room where a lady showed us all about the different uniforms the drivers get to wear when they work. Did you know, that they don't make any new uniforms? They have been using the exact same uniforms for 100 years, just altering them for the people who use them? Cool huh? She let Daddy try on a wig and a hat for a driver. I thought it looked awesome! Mummy made me put on a hat, but i didn't really like it.

We walked through the stables and saw where the horses lived. Mummy was so sad because there weren't any horses there. Just their names over their stalls (the Queen names all the horses herself!). She was feeling so sad when we turned in our audio guide and headed out, but then, just before we left, there they were! Four of the horses waiting to see us!

Two of them were Windsor Greys, the horses that pull the carriages. The other two were Clevland Bays. They are for visiting people to ride on. Mummy was so excited, she made Daddy and me laugh.

When we left there, Mummy put me in my buggy. I didn't even make it through the shop before I fell asleep. I was SO tired!

Our last bit stop was the Imperial War Museum. It just barely reopened in July, and it is awesome! They have real planes hanging from the ceiling, including a Spitfire. Mummy and Daddy wanted to go to make sure and see the new First World War exhibit that just opened. There was a big line, so we went to see a few other things first.

In one area, we learned about what life was like for one family during World War Two. I got to play with some radios and sit in a real Andersen Shelter! I wanted to stay there all day. I liked singing along with the Air Raid Sirens when they went off, but the bomb noises were a little scary. When Mummy said it was time to go, I was so sad. She let us stay a little longer, and then when they sounded "all clear" again we left. I think I would like an Anderson Shelter to play it, but I hope we never have to go in to a shelter for real. Those people were so brave!

In the Anderson Shelter

We finally made it in to the First World War section. There was SO much to see and do! I liked playing with a little ship that went along the map and looking at all the videos. My favorite part was probably seeing if I was tall enough to be a soldier. According to the chart, I was a little too short. I also didn't have a big enough chest size--you had to be at least 32 inches around your chest to join the army. Daddy made it, but I would have had to grow a little more.

In the trenches--there was lots of mud. 

These are real signs from the trenches!

This is a piece of the Red Baron's plane! A British soldier took it as a souvenir. 

While we were there, Mummy talked to me about all the people that fought and died so we could live in a free world. I felt very sad that so many people died, but Mummy explained that if we always stand up for what's right, we will honor them. I think the museum did a really good job of honoring those people.

At the very end of the day, we had dinner at McDonald's where I got a new dragon toy with my Happy Meal. That was fun, and we took it back to Buckingham Palace to take some jumping pictures--those are my favorite. I knew exactly what Mummy was doing when she set up the camera and she and Daddy held my hands. I got so excited, I couldn't stop laughing and started jumping right away! I think our picture turned out pretty fun--what do you think?

--Little Brute --

We also went and looked at the Victoria Monument that is right in front of the Palace. It was pretty cool.

Being a real American--drinking soda from McDonald's in front of Buckingham Palace!!

Grantchester

We made a spur of the moment decision to walk out to Grantchester. Originally, we were just thinking a walk would be nice, and maybe grab some ice cream at the end, but it turned in to way more fun than that.

It's a few miles out to Grantchester (2.2 according to Google Maps), but it is a lovely walk along the River Cam and through the Grantchester Meadows. Henry really enjoyed seeing all of the cows ("maa maa!" he said. We're working on the "oo" sound.) and we let him walk a good portion of the way once we hit the pastures. He does a really good job keeping up, and he knows the rules are he must go in the right direction and he musn't stop to look at dirt and rocks and grass for more than a minute or two. I only had to pick him up once or twice to avoid some rather exciting Cow Pats (eww, gross). 

When we arrived, we headed straight for The Orchard. At the turn of the centure, the Bloomsbury Group and others, including poet Rupert Brooke, used to sit and have tea in the afternoon. Brooke even wrote about Grantchester in one of his poems. 

After taking a look, we decided we could splurge and have scones, jam, and clotted cream. Oh and our best purchase--a bottle of absolutely delicious sparkling Raspberry Lemonade. 

We found a table with some of the beautiful and very traditional chairs out in the apple orchard, and settled down to have our treat. Oh, the fruit scones were delicious, especially with the cream and blackcurrant jam!! Henry could have drunk the entire bottle of lemonade himself, I'm sure. He LOVED it. 

We had a really wonderful time, enjoying the weather and the atmosphere of The Orchard. Henry was far more excited about the lemonade, the accompanying straw, and the little jars of jam, but that's ok. We had so much fun. 

It's the moments like this that we really treasure. We snapped a lot of pictures, but we also just enjoyed each other's company and our beautiful surroundings. Derek and I watched Henry as he guzzled down the raspberry lemonade, kicked his legs in the chair, and told us all about the jam jars he was banging together. I love our little family, and I love that we can do these kind of things together. I wish we could have stayed longer, but I had a meeting to get to, and we weren't sure how much walking Henry would want to do on the way back, so we only stayed about 45 minutes. But those 45 minutes were sure wonderful!