The Natural History Museum | London

I would love this to be a post about all the cool things kids can see and do at the London Natural History Museum. 

But it isn't.

Because, really, no matter how much you plan - or how far you travel - some things don't work out as planned. 

In the lead up to our trip, I'd poured over the website and romanticised all of the wonderful learning that would take place... Ahhhhhh! Sweet, educational bliss ;)

What I didn't factor in was life.
And jetlag.
And that one child who gets grumpy.
And the other one who doesn't like having to be in the same room as stuffed animals.
And everyone being hungry when we arrived.
Parents included.

Yes.

You know those days that make you feel like old Atlas here? ;)

So, all I can tell you is that there is a really cool escalator at the entrance to the Red Zone. (There are also Blue, Green and Orange zones but we didn't get to them) and a lot of taxidermy downstairs * See above note re. stuffed animals.

And that there is lots of information about rocks upstairs and then what I personally thought was a cool timeline of the History of Earth from the Big Bang onwards.

Buuuuut - that's about it.

I can't say that it was a complete loss...
I'm sure they learnt something? Maybe.

Oh - and we like trilobites so that was cool.

But button-pushing was probably the favourite activity *smile*

So we did the best thing...
We left. We abandoned ship and headed for a park :)

Wide spaces.
Green grass.

We talked about getting back to see the rest while we were still in London but it never did happen. Maybe one day when my boys are taller than me they'll take me back (a mother can dream ;)

Have you abandoned any outings recently? Please share in the comments.

p.s. I read this article in the Huffington Post yesterday: 'To Parents of small children: Let me be the one who says it out loud' and could totally relate. One thing T and I realised when we first took our kids traveling was that life goes on no matter where you are. You will still have good days. And you will still have bad days. Life is never perfect. Maybe you can relate too. x

Adventures of a (London Ritz) Mama

It was a 5:30am start.

We were in the car by 6. A two hour drive and 3 hour check in for a 12-something departure.

A stopover in Singapore. Another in Abu Dhabi.

It's 7am-ish when we finally land in London.

But there is still the Underground to negotiate...

We have been on-the-road for about 37 hours when we arrive at our hotel (bless my children!!) but it's still only 9am and not time to check in yet. Oh-my-God.

So we head out. We play. We investigate. And as the rain starts to fall and the afternoon chill sets in... we see the Ritz Hotel, like a shiny-warm-snug mirage right there on the London street.

We bundle in. And head towards the bar for tea and hot chocolates and other yummy delights!! Hurray!
STOP. Huh? T and the boys are in Converse trainers and they won't allow you in without dress shoes. Boo. We go to leave and then my wonderful husband - who knows how much I love drinking tea in beautiful hotels and tells me to stay.
Ohhhhhh...

The offer is too good to refuse :)

T whisks the boys off to Starbucks or one of the other coffee houses further along the street and I get to relish some mama-time - bliss! - even my camera battery dying a few minutes after I sat down couldn't stop me smiling...

Where In The World Is... Big Ben?

London. Day 1. 

Our mission is set: find Big Ben.

Hmmmmm, let's see....

Maybe this friendly fellow can help! No?

Ahhhhhh, this is better! Bobbies!! Surely they will know.

No? Really?

Hmmm, I think this guy might be telling us to look up...

Hang on... what's that we spy? 

Yes! Big Ben.

Hooray!

Mystery solved. Adventure complete.

We rock :)

* P.S. The boys are SO excited to see Bobbies! & Nikkis - their name for female Bobbies in honor of our neighbors Bobby & Nikki :)