Finally July arrived and we left for the airport. We survived the flight non-eventfully and both boys were remarkably good on the way there. M was no problem at all since he could be easily entertained with the in-flight movies, some games, reading and lots of Lego. The snacks and meals kept him busy too. We were expecting Chip to be more challenging, but he was good as well. He watched a movie and played some games with me. A little nap and some meals and by then, we were already over the Dead Sea!
The first week passed quickly with the kids spending plenty of time bonding with grannies.
It was the biggest family gathering ever for us. The kids got to meet their Uncle M for the first time. His sister and fiance also returned to UK for the Summer hols during the same period.
It is just wonderful to watch how the boys played so well with Uncle M. The first day was barely over and we could already hear M running around the house calling 'Uncle M, where are you? Come and play Lego with me'.
My boys were crazily early risers, probably due to jetlag. But by the time they woke at 5am, grannies were already up, all ready to take them over from the sleepy parents. That was real nice. And they did that daily for three weeks! Whoohoo!
Grandma ensured they were well-fed at every meal as she lovingly shopped and cooked for them. She also single-handedly stocked up toys, books and clothes for both boys over the last few months. Grandpa was not to be outshone. He also had lots of surprises in store that he would pull out every few days to delight the kids.
Despite our list of activities that we wanted to do/show the boys, they were most interested staying home to play with Uncle M and be in the garden with grannies. So we did a few touristy stuff for a few days and just let the kids be where they were the happiest.
M loves the changing of guards at the Buckingham Palace, the Big Ben, National History Museum and London Transport Museum the best. Chip enjoyed some of these but I think chasing squirrels, feeding ducks and dashing about in the vast green pastures probably top the list with the London Transport Museum. Oh.. we can't forget the dinosaurs.
The youngest driver at the London Transport Museum.
The London Summer which I don't miss. 17 deg cel at midday in mid July.
We had a similar shot taken in April 2001. Real nice!
Mesmerized by the Changing of Guards, just outside the Buckingham Palace.
Some boyish stunts at Greenwich after our picnic and squirrel chasing.
Their pile of sticks. A pile at every park.
At the National History Museum, with the giant sloth.
Showing appreciation for a busker by dropping coins into the bag.
Feeding ducks enthusiastically at the Hyde Park.
More to follow...
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