Following the Lights

Monday 9/12

The start of a new week and Monday was free for us to recover from the week before. We took the morning slow as we woke up around 9am and played together. We had lunch and George went down for an early nap. During the nap, my friend Caitlyn gave us her Christmas at Kew tickets (which normally sell out by September haha). So once George woke up we got ready and headed over to Kew Gardens.

Matt cycled from work and met us at the gates just after 6pm. The boys were so happy to see him. The lights were so interactive and the boys loved the snowflakes they could step on and make disappear. The net stop was to the fountain show. Wow! Talk about spectacular. London knows how to do Christmas well.

We watched the fountain show a few times before we continued the light trail. It was so cold. The storm was over the weekend and Kew was closed because of the wind speed. 8 massive trees were knocked over in the storm. Today was the first day it was open again but you could still feel how cold it was.

We loved the part of the trail that was called the sea of lights. It was so cool to watch the lights in the grass. It really looked like waves. This was George's favourtie spot. He didn't want to move. BUt there was so much more to see!

James loved the laser part. It was about 100 metres of bright lasers. James felt like a ninja as he tried to dodge all the lights. Each light section had different music and honestly it was so relaxing and magical that way.

George also loved the jumping lights on the water. We made our way through the trail. It was a 2 hour trail (without stopping) and we were 1.5 hours in. But I am so grateful we brought the buggy. George sat there like a king haha!

We came up to the light tunnel which was my favourite. There were so many people here. But it was so cool to see how bright it was in comparison to the dark night. Since moving to London I have always had coming to Christmas at Kew on my bucket list and it was so nice to finally come.

The last section was the rainbow gifts (that is what the boys called it). Their faces were priceless as we walked through about 10 of these. I didn't really experience because I was walking backwards trying to see their faces.

When it was all over the boys wanted to go again. So I went back to the beginning with them. They loved it so much. It was lucky that they didn't run anybody. They were having the time of their lives. I loved the excitement on their faces.

Wow! That was so much fun. I am so grateful for my friend and her generosity. I loved every single minute here and so did the boys. We got home around 8pm and had a late dinner before getting into bed. I was so tired that I just fell asleep with the boys.

Tuesday 10/12

Another very slow morning. I can just imagine in a year time when school starts we will not have this freedom of lying in and taking it very slow. I think we will all miss it. I wish school had a start time of 10am haha! Once we had lunch George took his nap. As soon as he woke up we went to James's future school to pick up his friend Caleb.

He loved exploring the school grounds and seeing where his friend came out. I can't believe we will be doing this in less than a year's time. James will do amazing at school. I am just sad that this chapter is coming to a close where we are all together all the time. Anyway... We walked back to the house and had a fun playdate. The boys all got on so well. And I love my friend Sian so much. Once she found out that I studied Family Life studies at BYU she was all over me for marriage advice. We laughed so hard together. She is so great. Once they left we got ready for bed. Matt was coming home late that night because he had a work dinner. So he came well after the boys were in bed. I missed him.

Wednesday 11/12

We didn't have anything planned that morning so I thought I would take the boys to Harrods to see the Christmas display and also get the grandparents some gifts. It was a cold cycle. Each day gets colder and colder as the wind picks up.

The building was decorated so beautifully. Every year they have a new display and it is gorgeous every time. We went inside and I gave a quick pep talk to the boys of how this is like a museum and we don't touch. Harrods is where mega rich people go to shop and we don't classify as such so I would appreciate not paying for anything we break haha!

The boys loved going through the high fashion floor. We saw some fun bedazzled handbags. James and George loved looking at them. I was shocked to see that they all cost £8,000 to £10,000. The boys loved going to the shoe area. They thought all the sofas were for climbing on haha!

We went through the children floor. The boys saw the £5,000 giraffe and gave it a big hug. We walked through it to see the fun things they had. Luckily James only wanted £5 pokemon trading cards. After all the floors we went down to the Christmas section and got some goodies for the grandparents.

We then cycled home and had time to take a nap. It was nice to relax a bit and be with Matt who was working from home. After the nap we went over to my friend Rachel's house. Her son Ethan was having a birthday party and the boys were so excited.

They got their face painted and then sat down to watch the clown be silly. James and George laughed so hard as he performed his magic. When the snow came out they were in heaven. Meanwhile I was eating some delicious food there for the adults.

I loved coming over and seeing them spin around in the snow. There was so much snow and they never got bored of it. Maybe I need to order one of these machines haha! The boys were having so much fun with friends.

Then it was time for cake. All the kids were mesmerised as they watched the candles go out. It was such a delicious cake. The kids sat down to eat and to make a craft. Then the rest of the time they were sword fighting. We had such a lovely time.

Matt came to us there after the party finished and we cycled over to Primark. I was in need of new socks and this was the best price for them haha! It's funny to think I started the day at Harrods and then finished at Primark! The boys had fun since they could touch things there haha! We then cycled home and got into bed.

Thursday 12/12

We woke up slowly that morning and just did what felt right. Play. Clean. Lesson. And then just chilling. I love to see the things they get up to. James in very into writing these days and I love the stories he comes up with. After lunch George took his nap.

When George woke up we cycled to my Finnish friend's house to make and decorate gingerbread. I love being with her so much. The boys ran straight in to play with their friend. They loved running around and sliding together.

We started baking the gingerbread and then everyone cut out their shapes. After they were done we all sat at the table and started decorating. James loved doing it so much. George just liked eating the sweets. I did a few myself! We were there until 6pm just chatting and having fun.

We then got on the bike and cycled home in the rain. I was so happy to finally be home and out of the rain. Cycling in winter is brutal. After we had dinner we had wrestle time. The boys had so much energy to get out. Once they calmed down a bit we snuggled up in bed.

Friday 13/12

We have done really well this week at having slow mornings to enjoy each other and get things at order in our homeschooling. James is doing so great academically. We had lunch and then George took his long nap. He might be phasing out of them soon I think.

We hopped on the bike and cycled over to Jungle Monkey soft play. My friend Amanda suggested we meet here one day after school. My boys were so excited to explore this new place. We got there a bit early so we enjoyed the amusement rides just outside.

We then headed in when our session started. Amanda arrived with her boys soon after. James and George were so excited to see Reed and Grey. They were having the best time together. But of course they made us join in on the fun haha!

I had a blast chatting with Amanda (when we could squeeze it in). I love her so much. She is my ride or die. I love watching her mother as well. You can see how much she loves her boys and she is not bothered by how much they need her.

When our session was over the boys were all sweaty. A good way to warm up on these cold days. The boys didn't want to leave each other. They could probably play together all night. I can't wait for the summer days when we can just adventure all day together. We said goodbye and then cycled home.

The boys were burnt out and just wanted to cuddle with dad after their bath. They read some books before we tucked into bed. It was such a fun filled day. Matt and I are almost done watching The Clone Wars series and we can't wait to watch what comes next! We are total geeks at night haha!

Saturday 14/12

It was finally the weekend. And I made sure to get all errands done during the week so we could have a slow morning. Matt loves slow morning since he never gets them with work and then packed weekends. The boys were so happy to have their dad home with them.

As soon as we had lunch we then got in the car and drove to Bath. The last time I came to Bath was back in 2015 when Matt brought me on a date. I was excited to come back. It was sad to see that by the time we got there the sun was setting. Oh, this winter sun. But I loved seeing it out the car window.

We came to Bath to see the Christmas Markets! I have always wanted to come and since it was a free Saturday I thought it was about time! It's only up for 2 weeks so it is hard to catch. As soon. aswe parked we went out and followed the lights.

It was filled with so many people. It felt like London haha! But the lights and music were so enchanting. I was mesmerised. The boys had to keep up with me to not loose me because I was like a little girl distracted by everything.

Matt's brother Daniel and his girlfriend Hannah were there too. He studies in Bath so he's come here a few times already. It was so fun to see him and to meet his girlfriend Hannah. We walked through the different stalls in the Christmas Market.

We finally found some doughnuts for the boys. Normally the boys get chocolate pancakes at Christmas Markets but we could find any. They were just happy to get something. George had the time of his life while he was on Matt's shoulders.

We then went to find a place to sit and eat. It was so crowded on the streets so we found a little park where the boys could run around and have fun. It was so fun watching them play with their uncle and dad. James loves playing Minecraft with Daniel.

I loved chatting with Hannah. She has such a lovely soul. I learned so much from her as we talked. Daniel found a gem. It was fun to watch them be so cute together. Both of them are such amazing people and it's exciting to see where things might go!

They had to leave us to catch the train. We stayed a bit longer and just followed the boys. We were in no rush since we knew they were going to sleep in the car anyway. I need to come back to Bath in the spring time to see it in it's beauty.

Before heading to the car we stopped at Knoops to get some hot chocolate. Our boys love Knoops so much. We then got in the car and headed home. They fell asleep as soon as we got on the motorway. Matt and I had such a fun time chatting away. I love him so much. I can't believe how lucky I am to be his. All his. Forever.

Sunday 15/12

It was the last 9am church of the year. We were so relieved but still rushed that morning. During sacrament the primary sang a Christmas song. James was so excited to do it as he's been preparing all week.

Then it was time for primary. It was the last class which was bitter sweet. We went to the cinema room to watch the Christ Child. I will miss these kids as they move up to the next class. James will now have a primary teacher that is not me! He is sad but I know he will love it. Now I am hoping to be called back into Nursery so I can be with George and give Matt a break haha!

When we got home we had lunch and then George took his nap. When he woke up he was happy to see the cat we were watching for a bit. Thor is my friend Bridget's cat. George has been really wanted to play with a cat and Bridget was happy to let us borrow Thor for a few hours so we could hang out with him. We played until bedtime. Then we snuggled until we all fell asleep. We are so much closer to Christmas!