The second installment of London in pictures!
(covering aprox. the second week.)
Library story time!
The second Saturday Graham was meeting a SA friend Mark who now lives in Mauritius in the city so Shell and I took Josh and Dani to the local library for some reading. Joshie chose the books and we did the reading. This enclosed oval chair was so great, Joshie loves it!
'Read it again!'
The same one? Again? Really?? 3 or 4 times in a row. I kid you not. With the books at home he pretty much knows the story word for word, lol.
Taking a break from reading with a colouring in session.
Shell and Dani in the background.
Library nap time!
One of my favourite pics from the holiday. I loved holding Dani for her naps, and she loves being held too. When you hold her for a nap it doesn't feel like her little squishy is resting on your arm, just feels like you are holding her, you only notice it in the photos, lol.
I felt bad touching her skin because my hands were always so cold, especially her warm little head; and she was still so bald then too, lol.
Baking chocolate cupcakes in the afternoon after the library.
Joshie loved feeling the different textures while we were baking, lol.
Paddington Bear at Paddington Station.
Sunday lunch!
On Sunday I met David, Dan and Sam at Paddington Station and we ended up in a delightful pub in South Kensington for lunch. Colin (friend from UCT) joined for a bit too but missed out on the selfie. Thanks for a super fun afternoon guys, was so great to see you, share some laughs and catch up. All the best for all the exciting things you all have going on this year!
Sunday was reasonably mild so the Finnemore Four went to Deen City Farm and enjoyed a nice walk to the Morden Hall Park Garden Center.
Mr Cool at the farm play area.
That first week I came down with a nasty cold and slowly gave it to everyone else in the house, except Shell, she managed to escape it. Graham and Shell very graciously said it wasn't me who made the kids sick but I'm pretty sure it was, no immunity to the London winter bugs anymore!
So the second week saw more indoor activities such as:
Making a toilet paper roll train!
Joshie painted it one day and we helped him assemble it the next. Joshua loves painting and arts and crafts and was super excited about his train!
Messy play!
Joshie loves messy play and Shell is so creative with fun ideas for him and is so relaxed about mess, it's so great, it's only flour and water after all. There is usually water, pouring instruments and other toys involved and sometimes flour, rice, rice crispies, food colouring etc.
Dr Josh checking that his doggy is healthy and giving him medicine.
You are so sweet buddy! Stay the loving caring little boy you are.
Super Josh!
Joshie loves superheroes and capes at the moment so I got him this Batman set for his birthday. He just loved it and played with it often. When he gets a new favourite toy he takes it to bed with him, it is the sweetest thing. The new Lightning McQueen Mr Bump (gel pack for the freezer for owees) I brought him and the Spiderman action figure from his Uncle Brian and Aunt Tracy were firm bed time favourites for a few nights.
An icky Dani having a nap on Shell's lap with Astro the Zebra.
One of the first days I said to Josh, I love you small person!, he quite spontaneously said, 'I love you big person!'. This is still a favourite phrase we say to each other, sometimes varying with I miss you.
Baking a banana bread!
Multi-tasking!
Making tea and cereal, chatting to Justin on skype and rocking Dani to sleep!
I enjoyed a 2.5 hour Dani nap on my chest that week, really unusual for her to sleep that long; she usually only does 30 minutes at a time. Good job sweetheart, you really needed it and it was very special to hold you and help you sleep.
One of the days Josh really needed a run around so I took him to the park for a walk and scooter around while Michelle kept an icky Dani indoors at home.
Park Selfie!
Sneaky burger treat!
By Thursday Dani had picked up a bit and as it was a lovely sunny day and we all had cabin fever, we headed out for some shopping in Wimbledon. The fun kind of shopping, not the admin grocery kind. And squeezed in a burger date treat =)
Dani snuggles!
Playground fun!
On Friday we went to Deen City Farm for a run in the playground and to see the animals.
Joshie watching Edna the Barn Owl flap about.
Josh has a really good nature but sometimes he can break out some real threenager moments. Leaving the farm he had an epic meltdown, a good combo of hangry and I'm not ready go home now, it was pretty hectic. Fortunately he calmed down on the way home so there was hope for a sunnier afternoon.
We decided to rescue the afternoon with a walk to Waffle Jacks.
Mr Grumpy Pants decided to go in his stroller, which he is almost too big for and hardly uses but suited us fine that day.
A waffle Jacks date!
Waffle Jacks is an American style diner about 15 min walk from home. A lovely South African couple own and run it and it's become a firm favourite in the Finnemore household.
Still a bit grumpy but can never resist a photo! Or a waffle ;)
Waffle Jacks selfie fun!
Hot chocolate with marshmallows!
Marshmallows are Joshies favourite and always save the day.
You can choose from a quarter, half or full waffle and two toppings from a long list. We optimistically chose to share a half waffle, next time was definitely a full waffle!
*insert photo of dinner with Mark here*
On Friday night Graham's friend Mark came over for dinner. Was a fun evening of playing with kids before bath time, spaghetti and meatballs, fellowship, and hot cross bun bread and butter pudding (with custard). Fail for not getting a picture!
The London Eye and House of Parliament on the Thames.
On Saturday I was meeting a friend in the city for lunch and went in earlier for a quick walk around the city since it would probably be my only opportunity.
Piccadilly Circus, with an ad for Graham and Michelle's church, lol.
*insert photo of lunch with Lisa here*
I met with Lisa, a good friend from Cape Town, for a lovely afternoon of catching up. Thanks so much for a fun afternoon Lees, was so great to see you and hang out. I only wish it was more often! Fail for not getting a picture together!
The Finnemore Four went to a birthday party on Saturday afternoon and Joshie won a prize in a dance competition. I was sad to miss out on the party but was also good for them to have family time and for me to see Lisa.
Sunday morning sippy cup milo in the big bed!
Sorry Graham, there aren't many pics of you from this trip, lol.
Squishy marshmallow and Astro the Zebra
On the train to South Kensington.
Josh loves going on trains and busses!
The Science Museum in South Kensington.
Because you are never too young to start.
Twinny museum selfie!
A moving lit up globe with all sorts of statistics.
Rockets!
Trains!
Some of them had parts that move when you press the button.
Graham wasn't feeling well (sorry G), so Shell and I took the kids to the Science Museum. We had a really great afternoon exploring the museum including a bubble show (Joshie loves bubbles!) and fun in the play area with bean bags down a shoot (gravity), lego, and toy boats down a river and dam area (hydro-energy with mini-turbines); it's really well done for kids. Graham met us at the station on the way home for a Starbucks and saved us a walk home with the car, thanks G!
And then there was only one week left. It all went by too quickly.
A jam pack last week in London to follow!
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