The Dream Team

Monday 20/11

Last week was a slow week but this week was looking like it was going to be the opposite! We had a long trek that morning so we walked through our neighbourhood and hopped on the train. The boys had so much fun playing with each other on the train.

We finally made it to Whitechapel and then walked to the Young V&A. It's 22 stops to get to this side of London but it is totally worth it because we were meeting up with our special friends. I've also wanted a chance to come to this museum when it was term time so it's less crowded.

My Malaysian friend L was there already with her two littles. We have kids that perfectly line up as if it was meant to be! It was so good to see her! The boys were ready to play. Luckily for us some schools cancelled which meant less kids and they opened up the den-making area for the public.

I loved exploring this area. James and his friend Kai were really fast in creating something together. I got several ideas of how I can use bits and bobs to create this at home. Geroge joined us as soon as he woke up from his nap. He was so happy to explore too.

Our next stop was going to the cafe to have some lunch. On the way to the cafe the kids stopped to play with the ball ramp. They loved figuring out how to make a path for the balls. Then there was a little sand table where they could make a fun design.

As always as soon as we sat down to eat the boys were ready to get back to exploring. As our friends ate we explored the other side of the museum. They loved the different interative displays. They especially were intersted in anything that they had to go through.

They soon joined us again and we looked through the other galleries. This museum is so perfect for kids (when it's not overcrowded!). I really enjoyed seeing how much the kids had fun.

The last thing we did there was play in the open play space. Once again James and Kai went into their own imagination and created some pretty cool things. George was happy just following them around.

We left the museum together and then went to thte nearby playground. It's tradition that we come to this playground every time we come this far east in London. George ran straight to the swings. I pushed him for ages. He had the cutest smile the whole time.

James and so much fun with Kai. I can really tell James loves him. I am glad he has made a more permenant friend her in London! I also love my friend L soooooo much! I feel like I am back in high school chatting with my best friend when I am with her.

The kids loved going down the massive slide. I didn't think George could handle it on his own but he did and he loved it! I loved watching him disappear with the biggest smile.

I then joined in with the boys and chased them around the playground like a robot. They had the most exciting faces as they ran away from me. I love being part of their games.

We then let the boys run off together. Kai and James seem to love just running out into a field. I am so happy they have found each other. Kai is one of a kind and we need a kid like him in our lives. We said goodbye and then headed to the train station to ride 22 stops on the tube back home.

I was exhausted when we got home. We sang some songs together by their request. George was so cute how loudly he would sing. The boys still had so much energy and even went to bed a bit later than most nights haha! It was a really good day though.

Tuesday 21/11

We didn't have much time after waking to cuddle so we squeezed in a few minutes before we needed to rush out the door. I love snuggling them in the morning and starting off by saying how much I love them.

We made it to my Spanish friend Loira's house just after 9am. We were excited to hang out with Luca that morning. I thought James might be a bit bored since it was just Luca and not his brothers. But James seemed to have loads of fun with the two toddlers. I love how well James adapts to his circumstances.

They danced to some music and had me spin with them until I fell over. They got the food out and made some smoothies. Their favourite thing was walking the babies around the house. At noon we headed off home.

George took a nap until 2:30pm and then we were out the door to our next adventure. James was really excited to see his friend Ethan. But only 2 minutes into the playdate something happened between the boys and we had to end the playdate early. Everybody has their hard days.

We decided since the sun was still in the sky we would go to the playground. The boys loved riding their motorbikes around for everyone to see. We played in the leaves and then chased some pigeons. When it was dark we headed back home.

We lit up the Christmas tree and I began cleaning while the boys played. I loved seeing James doing some art. These days he is very self motivated to write and draw and I love that! George also did some drawing. If he could he would draw all over himself haha!

When Matt arrived we had some dinner and then went straight to wrestling. I saw that the boys were really enjoying being hidden so we created a den with our play sofa. They were in heaven in there. We then snuggled up into bed just before 9pm.

Wednesday 22/11

There was no plan for today but Matt was working from home which meant we needed to get out. George is in a phase of when he sees dad he drags him to the bed to wrestle haha! So we left as soon as we were ready. We got to Westminster just as the South Korean President was driving by! So cool!

Our first stop was Shrek's Adventure. James asks me everyday if we could come here haha! I love that we can come here as often as we like and not have to spend any money. The boys did really well during the tour.

But the favourite part is after the tour when we get to see the dragons in Berk. This is James's only purpose of coming. He loves seeing Toothless and brings his own with him. I love letting James fly free with his interests and getting into his world so we can make up stories and connect. I love watching his eyes marvel at the things he loves.

Our next stop was the London Eye. George loves going on the London Eye now. It is so unreal that this is just a usual weekly thing we go on. George has never gone on a proper ferris wheel but he has been on the biggest observation wheel in Europe! James brought out all his dragons so they could enjoy too!

Then we ran into the London Aquarium. When we come to Southbank we just have to do all these attractions back to back. Normally we only spend an hour in the Aquarium but today we took nearly two hours. The boys really enjoyed.

Each time we go we learn the name of a new fish. Soon we will have learned the name of every fish here at the Aquarium. James and George were so happy to be together.

There favourite place to spend time was going through the tunnel. They loved observing the fish from the peep holes. I love seeing them just stare off into the tanks and be immersed in a different world.

This time as we were going through the Aquarium I noticed George was a lot more interactive with the fish. He even would go up to the tanks and give them a kiss if they came nearby.

I loved staring at the seahorses. They are such incredible creatures. James was fascinated as they swam around. He said it would look like they were dancing. The boys really enjoyed spending time watching the snapping turtle swim back and forth (probably waiting for his lunch!).

We had a bit of lunch at we watched the interactive screen with the Ora and Polar Bears. George seemed so relaxed and happy to take it slow. When we reached the jellyfish George had fallen asleep in the buggy. James took his time here and learned about what a jelly fish needs to survive in the ocean. He absorbs so much.

We then made our way out and crossed Westmister Bridge. There were so many people. The holidays have begun and London is full to the max with tourists. But it's part of the magic of London. It brings us all together.

When we got home Matt was waiting for us. When Matt works from home I have to get the boys out of the house so he could have some peace and we try not to be back until he is done working. We had a quick dinner and then walked to the Elizabethe line to West Drayton. We picked up some new How To Train Your Dragons toys to play with. James was over the moon when we got back home and looked through it. After a bit of time with the new toys we then snuggled into bed.

Thursday 23/11

We started off the morning as usual. James is getting so pro at writing. He can write perfectly all the words for his level. I love that 30 minutes of lessons in the morning is all that is really needed at this age. We then grabbed some dragons and headed out the door. I love seeing the Christmas spirit as we walk around.

Once we made it to the Royal Albert Hall we went straight to our music session. James and George were mesmerised by the music and cello. Our friends joined us for the session. My friend Larlee and Maris sat next to us with their kids. I love these two women so much.

The boys were so happy to see each other. As soon as the session was over they were running back and forth laughing with each other.

We ran outside and the boys wanted a picture of each other. What started out as a photo of James and Brooks turned into all the kids joining in saying cheese. I love all these kiddos. They love each other so much. My heart begins to break as I realise we have less then a year with these friends.

We headed over to the chapel with our friends to have some lunch in the nursery. It was lovely to give them more time to play. I love seeing their relationship with each other. Both Maris and Larlee have kids the same age as James and George so it's perfect.

After they all left George went down for his nap and James and I watched a few episodes of How to Train Your Dragon together. I love sharing these moments with him. He looks at me like he does with his friends. When George woke up we played for a little more and then headed off.

We walked through Hyde Park at dusk. It was so beautiful seeing the colours around us. The boys loved seeing the horses that would go by. But their favourite bit was seeing the memorial for the war animals. They loved hugging the statues. George seemed a bit heart broken when he learned about them going to war.

We continued our journey through Mayfair. Mayfair is one of the most beautiful neighbourhoods in London. I wish I could live here (but I don't think we could ever dream of affording it!). Some of these flats can cost up to £20 million to buy! We enjoyed looking into the open doors as we stroll by. I mean, look at that beautiful chandelier at the entryway!

We finally made it to Grosvner Square for the Ever After Garden. The boys were disappointed it didn't look as cool as it did when it's dark. But they still seemed to enjoy running through the roses. They soon decided they just wanted to run around and balance. So that is what we did for the next 30 minutes.

It was just about 4pm and the old me was saying we could stay as long as they wanted but I know peak rush hour was going to happen soon and we were taking the bus home with the double buggy. So we started making our way to Oxford street to catch the bus home. It was incredibly busy but we made it home safely!

At home I got busy making dinner and the boys played with their new toys. We never have had playmobil before and the boys really seemed to like it. They played so nicely together. When Matt got home we had some dinner and then wrestled until it was bedtime.

Friday 24/11

Nothing was firmly planned for the day but I thought it would be a good idea to make it a home day. With the arrival of new toys a toy organisation day was really over due. So that morning the boys played around as I got all the toys out. My stress level was so high but I knew we needed to get this done.

Just after lunch, George went down for a nap. When he woke up it was back to the same thing. This time I feel like we made more progress as the boys helped me find toys to put in the donation bag. I finally organised the toys into their categories and now it was time to put them in the units. We rotated the toys that were on the kallax unit to be more appropiate.

I finished just as Matt made it home. He missed the choas I had made in the house haha! The boys seemed so much happier and loved playing with new old toys. But mostly they enjoyed playing in the extra drawers I used to organise the toys in. They were having the time of their lives pretending they were driving cars.

We got ready for bed and snuggled up. George slipped out of bed since he wasn't tired yet and went to play with his dad in the next room. For some reason he is staying up later but that's okay. Usually by 9pm he is ready to sleep. I take every minute I can get of him.

Saturday 25/11

When we got up in the morning James didn't realise that Matt wasn't working that morning so when we told him it was Saturday he jumped with excitement telling George we could spend the whole day with dad. I love how much they love their dad. Before heading out we made a long train track in the hallway. George was all over it!

We then got on the bike and headed to the Invention Rooms at Imperial College of London. A while back we had signed up for a Space Discovery day at the Imperial College. Basically a fun science fair put on by the PHD Astrophysics students.

We learned about the robots they send to mars and how they work. We learned about the colours of the sun and how we can see different waves and even saw how different elements look and what waves they omit. George and I loved learning about how they mine on the moon for oxygen to fuel rockets in the future!

We then learned about what comets are made of and even made one! We learned how they send satelites to comets to study them. But the coolest thing to learn was seeing the inside of a rocket and how all the stuff works on the inside.

The last things we did was make a rocket of space centre out of Lego. Students were with us as we built asking us questions that sparked thinking out loud. James and George loved it. George especially loved touching all the vehicals people made out of lego. Before leaving we tried on the space suit they were building out of home made materials. It's amazing how much you can create with the things we have access to at home.

We then cycled home just in time for George's long nap. He must have been processing all he learned that morning haha! Once he woke up we ate some food and then headed out.

We cycled to Westfield to have some fun during the dark evening. The ice skating was very entertaining for the boys to watch. I loved thw Wonka Tree in the centre. It was freezing out! James loved peeking into the unside down house.

We loved watching the people ice skating. I can't wait until I can teach them! Inside Westfield was very warm and very busy. I forgot it was black friday weekend. Oh well!

We wanted to see the Pokemon Tree in the centre of the shopping centre. James was so in love with it! He even brought his other pokemon so they could see it! He was in heaven.

We also spent some time at the Sonic display. There was a huge lego display that they could touch and climb.

And on the floor there was a sonic game the kids could play. The boys ran and jump so much. We need to come back when it's not busy so the boys can play with this better.

We soon made it to Itsu and had some sushi. Apparently James and George love sushi (as we discovered after they had all my sushi). So now we have traded our McDonald meals with sushi and the boys love it.

Our next stop was too H&M. During the summer we had updated Matt's summer wardrobe (after 5 years haha!). And now it was time to update his winter wardrobe. I shopped for him as he played with the boys. It was nice to get him some new clothes. I love that he lets me dress him.

Our last stop was to Primark were we got some slippers since our floors are freezing in the morning. The boys once again found fun wherever we went. They were dancing and jumping around as they pressed all the toys.

We then cycled home with a full bike. Back at home we got ready for bed and snuggled up together. I love sharing my bed with the boys. These moments (although hard) are so fleeting. They will never be this small again.

Sunday 26/11

I might treasure these moment more in hindsight because that night was so tough. My arm hurt so much because George could sleep without it under him haha! I was not ready to get up at all. But we quickly had to get ready since we didn't have much time. We got to church a little late because of the short morning. I hadn't finished preparing my lesson so as I did that during the meeting Matt entertained the kids.

After sacrament we went to primary. The kids were so excited for the lesson. We started learning about the sprit world and how Jesus went there after he died just like we all will one day. We talked about death and about resurrection. We then went down to the visitor centre and used the Family Search screen. I showed them my family tree and we talked about ancestors. The kids opened up there primary books and started filling out their family tree. We glued in the faces of their family members. They loved it so much!

We then cycled home. The boys fell asleep on me on the way. I love this time that I get to have being with them in the bucket and having them fall asleep on me. When we got home they woke up. But George soon fell asleep again since he hadn't finished napping. I also napped as he breastfeed. When he woke up he wasn't in the best mode so we watched some family videos and slowly he felt better. The boys played together as I video called my parents.

We had dinner and then got ready for bed. Iasked James in bed if he missed when it was just him and I before `george was born. To my surprise he said no because it's funner with George around because his family are his best friends.We cuddled close as we finished the week. James slept on top my left arm and George on the right. They fell asleep holding each others hands on top of my chest next to my heart. A moment to treasure forever.