Warwick Castle

On our way home from Stratford-Upon-Avon, we stopped by Warwick Castle. It is owned by Madame Tussaud's company so it is, of course, a bit cheesy. But I don't think there is a more kid-friendly castle than this one! We got there at the end of the day so we missed a lot of the activities, but there seemed to be lots to do and see, not to mention just looking at the gorgeous countryside around it. It was a nice day out from London, and I would recommend it to anyone with little knights or princesses!

Here is Wiley trying out a sword borrowed from one of the knights.

The view from the top of the Castle. Wil and Wiley climbed this while I staked out our seats for the knight fight. Apparently, as soon as they started climbing past the first tower (and it's one-way), Wiley had to go to the bathroom, so they had to climb and run quickly through the rest of it. Why does it always happen that a potty is needed when you are in the middle of climbing a very old castle?

Just practicing shooting an arrow!

Wiley said his favorite thing we did that day was shooting the bow and arrow. He did pretty well too!

Family picture looking at the back of the castle.

I believe this is after Wiley had recovered from being told that the large vulture-like bird who was not in a cage but merely tethered to a stump (There was a birds of prey area.) liked to eat little boys like him. His sweet father told him this little tale that sent him into hysterics after a long day out. Ah, life with boys, I guess. But here are my sweet (and mischievous) boys.

Stratford-Upon-Avon

The other weekend we took a weekend trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon, home of none other than William Shakespeare. We took a train through the beautiful countryside. Parr enjoyed watching out the window.

Wiley looking back from the Holy Trinity Church towards the town. The tower in the background is the Royal Shakespeare Company.

The grave of William Shakespeare at Holy Trinity Church.

We played around the churchyard where Wiley and Wil climbed a beautiful, old tree.

Wondering where Parr was? Here he is!

The River Avon looking at Holy Trinity Church.

Wiley and I outside the Royal Shakespeare Company, home to the Swan Theatre.

While Wil, Wiley, and Parr went for a McDonalds lunch by the River Avon, I toured the Birthplace of William Shakespeare. After touring the house, you could listen to actors recite Shakespeare in the garden. It was so wonderful! Beautiful weather and Shakespeare! Yes!

Stratford was a beautiful town, easy to get to as well from London. It was a bit touristy, especially around the Shakespeare bits, and I would imagine that it would be not much fun during the summertime. However, if you love Shakespeare it is really cool to see where he spent a lot of time in his life. I would have loved to have seen a play while there, but I do have the Globe in London!

Abbey Road

One of the iconic images of London is the Abbey Road crosswalk where the Beatles so famously walked. We took advantage of having a photographer (thanks Michal!) and did our own Beatles-esque photo. I felt slightly embarrassed seeing as I normally am the one ploughing ahead through the tourists en route to run my errands--there's no telling how many pictures I've ruined. Sorry, but one must walk with a purpose. :-) Fortunately, we've scoped out when is the best time to do this picture (we've taken this picture for friends before), and Sunday- morning-London has to be at its quietest, so before church we headed out.

Our timing was a little off in the first few...

But we finally started to get the hang of it!

And now we have our own Abbey Road picture with our foursome. Someday when Parr is bigger, we'll just point to that stroller and say "there you are!"

Wills and Kate...in the home

Around these parts, we are getting a bit excited about a certain Royal Wedding. From the day they were engaged, watching how Brits responded to Kate and William has been very interesting. It is certainly an event that we, as Americans, cannot quite fully grasp. The respect immediately given to the "future Queen" is foreign. Hearing others joke about her being "common" was quite hilarious as you are reminded that it is actually something that a Brit thinks about--that ever-so-important social standing. Royalty and the monarchy--something to Americans that belongs in a Disney movie or the dreams of little girls--is a reality here, and it commands respect, fascination, and in Kate's case--a bit of envy from millions of young women across the world! Stores even are capitalizing on the upcoming event with loads of commemorative items. Here are a few should you wish to have your own!

from John Lewis

from Judith Michael & Daughter in Primrose Hill

from Cath Kidston

{click the item for the link to the website! some places, like John Lewis & Cath Kidston have other items available}

Considering London

You know you live in England when...

...bangers and mash sound like a viable option for dinner.

And then you actually cook it.

And serve it to guests in your home.

Confused? We are having sausage and mashed potatoes for dinner.

Technically we are eating early, about the time of children's tea. Did I confuse you again? No, the English don't give their children Earl Grey tea at 5. Although I thought my friend was doing just that for awhile and was quite confused. They feed their children their dinner at 5. Just the children. Then Mum and Dad will eat later, I suppose once Dad is back from work.

Another odd dish that I've had [English] friends order at a restaurant and eat: rice pudding. It's not a misnomer. They actually make a pudding (another word for dessert, by the way) that is similar, I thought, to creme brulee that has rice in it. When I questioned this, asking "But there isn't actually rice grains in it?" They said, "Oh yes, there is. And it is delicious." (Or something perhaps that sounded more English...brilliant, nice, or beautiful, perhaps? Certainly not the American awesome!) Taking on my brusque American tongue, I informed them that that was the most bizarre idea I had ever heard--putting rice in a dessert!! Upon which I was forced to try it. Fine. It was fine. I can eat it. But as I told them that I still declared that it was just not natural to put rice in a dessert. (In the English's defense, I had one friend say it was a "boarding school dish" and she didn't really care for it either.)

Well at least I'm not fixing bubble and squeak. Or black pudding. Or toad-in-the-hole.

Catch Up

We had such a fantastic time home! From seeing family and friends to celebrating Brian and Carleton's wedding, it was so fun and so busy! Not to mention the warm, warm weather! Here are just a few pictures to highlight our trip.

Hanging out with Aunt B who also taught Wiley (and me) to appreciate some of the more current music...we may or may not have a slight Bieber fever in our house.

Squeals!

Hanging out with Maddie! (And Allyebug came too!)

Playing with Pop.

It was a little sunny, but I'm not complaining.

Thanks to Cole and Raymond, Parr got to meet a lot of our friends in B'ham.

Meeting Gena and Charlie!

I loved getting bathed in T's sink!

Meeting NaNa and PaPa!

Now that we've enjoyed our trip to the States, we are back in London to enjoy the rest of our time here. We are excited to have friends visiting for the next couple of weeks. Hopefully I can do a better job of blogging about life here in London, too!