Little Artists

Monday 16/12

Time seems to be going so fast now that it's the end of the year. Last week was a lot and I think we are all in agreement that we want a slower week this week. I love being able to be present by staying on top of the tasks I have. I love being with the boys and seeing the love they share. We played all morning until it was lunch time. Then it was nap time.

When George woke up we got on the bike and cycled to my friend Ashley's house. Little Maggy wasn't in class on Sunday and she didn't get her primary book. So we went over to hand it to her. I chatted with Ashley for a bit at the door. She is such a wonderful friend to me.

Then we went to another one of my Sunbeam kid to give them their book. Little Margaret wasn't there so we stopped by my friend Bridget's house. We didn't just hand her the book but went in to play of course. I love chatting with Bridget. She is my soul sister.

They were trying to pack up for their trip tomorrow to Georgia. So I told her to go up and pack and I'll watch all the kids for an hour. I know how insane packing can be with kids. So I am glad I was able to be there and take them off her. James was so happy to be with his friends.

We left at 7pm and made it home just in time to eat with Matt. Then it was wrestle time. But soon the boys only wanted to be wrapped up in the blankets. It was so cute. They were so still and calm as they were swaddled up. They are so cute. We then snuggled up in bed.

Tuesday 17/12

We took it nice and slow as we woke up. The boys were in such a playful mood and I was happy watching them create their worlds. They followed me to each room as I cleaned. Why is there so much cleaning to do everyday...? I joined in on the fun after I was done. Then it was lunch and nap time.

I needed to run an errand after George''s nap so when he woke up we went to Primark just 10 minutes away. There was a street performer playing the harp. We stood there for ages. It was so beautiful hearing some Christmas songs on the harp.

We then cycled over to my friend Rachel's house to play. James and George were so excited to see her boys. Ethan's birthday was a week ago and he had all his new toys unwrapped and James and George were so excited to explore them all.

Then it was time to decorate some Christmas cookies. George wasn't very into it but James loved doing it. I ate just one cookie and was sugared out haha! Rachel had some guests staying around from New Zealand so it was fun to have more people to play with.

After our playdate we had another errand to run. I needed to drop off another primary book to my sunbeam Stella. It was such a cold cycle. We loved seeing all the Christmas decorations along the way. Once we got there I chatted away with my friend Mckae for an hour while the kiddos played in the hallway. James was sad to leave. They loved Stella so much.

When we got home it was dinner and wrestle time. The boys roughed up their dad and then when they wanted to calm down they asked to be made into sausages. They giggled so much together as they were wrapped up. Then we snuggled up into bed to sleep.

Wednesday 18/12

The boys were so excited that their dad had the day off for a family adventure. This was the only day off he was going take off this week because we wanted to beat the crowds at Legoland. So we got ready and drove to Windsor. It was so lovely! And there was basically no one.

Of course the first thing the boys wanted to do was go to Ninjago. They had so much fun exploring and hugging all the ninja. Then we went to the ride. No one was on it so we could go straight on! I love the benefits of homeschooling haha!

We then ran into Santa and his dancers. The boys love watching the show. Then we went at their pace and followed them. Legoland is a place with no expectation but just to be happy. We had fun seeing the lego builds along the way.

Then they wanted to go on the spinning spider ride. I opted out because I get so nauseous on it. I don't like it. But Matt doesn't mind so he spun the boys as fast as he could. It was fun to watch them spin around and laugh.

George wanted to ride the dragon rollercoaster that we rode on last time. He rode it twice the last time we came and loved it so much. Well this time we rode it once and hated it. I don't know what happened between then and now haha.

The boys then ran off to the knights playground. They begged for me to join them on their adventure. I was happy to join. I love having time with them like this. I love being part of their world. We had a very important mission to complete so we were all very focus.

I also love seeing up close how lovely James and George play. They are true friends. The best of friends. James is so loving and understanding with George. George is always up for the challenging things James asks of him.

We then continued on with rides. George wanted to ride the carousel. He loves it so much. Then it the boys ran over to the play zone. They loved racing each other on the play station. Matt also had his fun. I was happy to be out of the cold.

Then we tried a new ride. The boys loved having lasers and shooting all the things around them. Then George wanted to go on some more rides while James watched with his dad. It is hard to stop George now that he knows that he is tall enough for the rides.

We decided that we could eat at Legoland this time. We usually don't because we spend our budget on lego but this time the boys agreed with us. They love the buffet. They both eat so much. Usually around this time is when George naps but we decided we would skip it to see what would happen.

The boys led us to Mystica. They love walking through the magical forest. We have to stop at all the unusual creatures around us. James has his favourite pets picked out. There are not a lot of ride we can do in this area but they love just walking through it all.

George had a go at driving around. He does so well! I am so impressed with his focus and multitasking. He had a few goes since there wasn't a queue forming. Then when he was done we went to the puppet show. The boys laugh so hard when they see the puppets.

James really wanted to go on the haunted house but it was closed for a bit so we went over to Duplo land and played on the playground over there. Honestly, the boys only come here for the playgrounds haha! They can spend hours here.

We then saw Father Christmas passing by as we walked through miniland. Since it was darker then usual we could see the tiny buildings light up. They can never to be too far from London. They are true London boys.

We went to go see a showing in 4D of Dreamzz. George loves getting soaked in these shows. Then we were off to the racing building. Matt and I got busy at building cars for the boys to use. They loved racing our simply creations.

Legoland was going to close soon so we rushed over to the haunted house to see if it was opened again. It was! The boys were so happy. I get so dizzy in this ride but I love seeing their faces. We saw Ninjago just before heading up the hill.

On the car ride we had to keep George up which was not an easy task! He was so tired. When we got home James had a parcel waiting with his teddy Mew! He was so happy. We then sat to watch Ninjago together after dinner since Matt had to go to the chapel since he had stake presidency meetings. George fell asleep as we were watching. I had a quick call with my sibling Stevie to wish Happy Birthday and then we headed off to sleep.

Thursday 19/12

George slept really well through the night and was happily up at 8am. I was pleasantly surprised. We slowly got ready for the day and then headed off on our bike to my friend Loira's house. She was hosting a Christmas Craft for our playgroup from church. The boys loved playing and making their craft.

We got home for lunch and then George went down for his nap. When he woke up in the afternoon we just played around and had a dance party in the bedroom. We had an afternoon playdate but that fell through but the boys were happy to just have me as a playmate. When Matt came home we had dinner and then resumed the fun. Then we tucked up into bed.

Friday 20/12

It was 1 degree outside that morning and we had a morning cycle. My friend that was going to meet up with us at the Tate Britain had to cancel since she had a bad night with the kids. We stayed the course and made our way to Tate Britain that morning cycling along the riverside.

We have never been to Tate Britain so we were excited to explore it together. It was beautiful on the inside. I loved the light that would enter the room at the entrance. We have been to Tate Modern a million of times but never here so lets do this!

We came primarily because there was a special play space for kids. James saw the art table and went straight to that. He brought his Mew with him. While he was drawing George and I explored the space together. He was not feeling his best. He was constipated and in pain.

But luckily he pooped 3 times and got it out of his system so we could enjoy our time there. The boys were excited to explore the museum. We entered first through the 1900s and looked at the art around us.

As we moved through the museum we went further back in time. I was loving the famous impressionist painting that I studied in university. I loved that I was required to take one term of art history. It's open my eyes to the beauty of it.

In one of the rooms there were easels that were open to the public. James went over and grabbed his tools and started to sketch. There were beautiful painting in front of his so I was wondering what would inspire him. Well, in the end he showed me his drawing. He drew a lovely pikachu!

I was taking it really slow and the boys know me at art galleries. They know I get lost in the paintings. I would spend hours here if I could and let my eye follow every brush stroke that these world famous artists imprinted in their masterpieces.

I am grateful the boys didn't complain too much. They seem to love art galleries too. I love that they feel happy and comfortable in places like these. I just never grew up with so much culture around. I love London so much. We continued through to the other rooms and even found an artist almost named like George!

Each room had its own theme. The boys loved the room that was filled with benches that made a little village. They spent ages here just pretending to be knights. As we kept walking we made it all the way back to the earliest painting they had at the gallery from 1502.

Then we made our way down the stairs to the basement where they had Tate Draw. James loves being in this space and taking his time to create something. This time George joined in and had a lot of fun. He went round and round as he drew. He was so happy with what he created at the end.

We then went back upstairs to explore JMW Turner side of the art gallery. They had so much of his art (since he was a massive reason Tate Britain exists). We went from room to room. I fell in love with JMW Turner as we walked through his gallery.

His way of expressing on a canvas is just breathtaking. I love his strokes and the emotions they convey. The boys went as impressed as they could not find any animals in his paintings haha! We can all have our different tastes. That is what creates great art.

The boys loved being in the sunrise room. They could watch the sunrise in real life. I loved watching how calm they were as they watched the sun rise in the horizon. As we tried to leave it was quite hard to peel George away. He was mesmerised.

We saw the last room with JMW Turner's paintings. I love this art gallery. I am an appreciator of modern art but I am just swept off my feet when it comes to impressionism and historical art. One day I will come without kids and be here from opening to close.

We finally made it to the modern art section. The boys loved it here since it was a lot more interactive with their senses. They had such a good time at Tate Britain. We had been here about 5 hours already and they were still happy.

As we started to leave the boys got stuck at the entrance pillars. They are into everything that is enclosing and so we were here for a while. I am happy as long as they are. We were in no rush. I love seeing them get into the state of flow in play with each other.

When they were done we got in the bike and cycled home. Both boys took a nap. The cycled back took us through Brompton Cemetery which we do often. They filmed a few movies here so whenever I am cycling I feel like I am in a film.

When we made it home we had baths and then got ready for some disco dancing in the bedroom. As soon as Matt made it home we took a break for dinner and then it was time to wrestle as a family together. I love it when we are all together laughing. We then snuggled up into bed.

Saturday 21/12

Matt was done with work for the year 2024! We were so happy to start our end of the year holiday together. We decided the best way to kick it off was a day at the temple. So we got ready slowly that morning and after lunch we headed out.

We got there a bit early before Matt needed to go in for his session so we went around the temple together. The boys begged for us to bring the scooters along. So we did. They had the best time scootering around.

It was freezing! But the boys didn't mind. After Matt went into the temple we explored every path on the temple grounds. They loved every second. I was trying to not feel the cold haha! I had to carry George's coat in my arms because he would refuse to put it on.

We circled around the temple so many times. I love how much they love this temple. Coming every month has helped the boys fall in love with the temple. Next month is the first month I got back into the temple since George was born.

George at first had a really rough time with just Matt going inside but slowly got comfortable with it. We don't want the temple to be a stressful place for the boys so we are okay taking it slow. It's about family anyway. George now can go a full day without breastfeeding and has been okay with me being away a couple of hours. So next month will be my turn to go in and do some initiatories. I cannot wait! The temple is my second home. We drove home as the sunset that night. It was so beautiful.

We had some dinner as soon as we walked through the door and then we watched Sonic. The boys loved the film. We did too! Jim Carry is hilarious. Then Matt took the boys to wrestle while I video called my mum. She was outside the temple with my family waiting for Farrell to come out with Mili. I wish I could have been there with my brother and actually meet my lovely Brazilian sister in law. I was crying after the call. I miss everything with my family and it kills me. But what can I do. It would have been super expensive to fly just over the weekend. But then I joined my boys for some wrestling and that helped my heart. When it was bed time they cuddled up in my arms.

Sunday 22/12

Everyone woke up so happy since church started at 10:30am. So we all slept until 8:30am and then slowly got ready for church. There were lots of people at sacrament. There was only 1 hour church since we are combined with two other wards. The boys did really well.

Our wonderful Italian friends came to us afterwards with so many Christmas treats. I was so happy to take these home and try them all. They were so good. George then went down for his nap.

When he woke up we played all afternoon and into the evening. We watched Sonic 2 during dinner. The house had a hard time warming up because of how cold it was outside so we all cuddled up as we wrestled. I love being with my boys. They are my whole heart. We then got ready for bed and snuggled up. They were all excited for the next week! It's going to be fun! Stay tuned!