Bus Tour

We decided to take one of the double-decker bus tours today.  Without a doubt, it was a good decision. I’d like to think we are ‘cooler’ or ‘better-than’ the typical touristy-things. But I don’t know how else we could have seen as much and learned as much about London in a 2 hour span.

London is somewhat of a magical city. It’s easy to see how great fictional worlds are imagined here (and throughout the UK). Everywhere you turn there is something to marvel at.  Even the lone tree, in the middle of brick and cobble, with its sprouting green leaves creates a magestic scene full of wonder.

I think my favorite building may be the British Parliament. If I lived here, there is no doubt I would seek out a political career just to work every day in that building.

The kids did well on the tour. They played with each other, sang songs (Sam started on his own version of the wheels on the bus. It was cute, and of course, included a line about ‘loving mom’ – his favorite topic to sing about.)

To help keep the kids entertained and engaged, we played a game where they had to count the number of clocks they could find, then the number of tridents – there are a surprising number of tridents around the city.

There was also random statues and gargoyles that help create diversions when the kids started to get rowdy. “Hey kids, who can find the baby-child holding a duck?”

Though cliche, I would recommend a bus tour of London to any visitor. Daniel and I are now ready to watch a documentary on England…. or maybe a 007 movie – either works.

Videos from our bus tour

Cute Kids

The kids at our Airbnb – being cute and playing together.

They decided to play hide-n-seek in our tiny little flat. They kept hiding in the same places.

They are cute; they are fun. Samuel covers me with love and kisses – and Miah with farts and jokes. This kid says the funniest things with the craziest tones.

But they also bicker and drive us crazy.

They’re worth it.

General Thoughts and Observations

In other words – Diane’s unedited and raw stream of consciousness:

I’m running dangerously low on dry shampoo.

I’m tried of wearing the same outfits. And I’ve begun to despise my travel purse – purchased soley for this trip. It’s small (to fit in my backpack as we are only allowed one personal item a person on our cheap flights). It screams TOURIST. Seriously, it’s called ‘travelon’ and the name is stiched on the front of it. I wear it across my chest, to make it harder to steal and less likely for me to forget. But it. is. hideous.

I’m tired of looking like a tourist.

But then I remind myself that I am a mom. This ain’t no beauty contest – this is a family trip. So take that ugly purse filled with carrots and passports and strap it across your chest and go.

Europeans are still under the impression that smoking is cool… maybe they’re right. I really feel like a smoke right now.  Traveling with kids on the tube repeatedly would drive anyone to smoking.

If you are wondering what living in the center of Amsterdam or London is like, just pick a kitchen-bedroom combo display at ikea and hang out in there for a day.