London- Day 1

Bri had to go to England for work and was telling B and I about it a few weeks ago.  B said, "I want to go!"  We thought it was ridiculous, and then thought again, why not?!  The big kids didn't want to join (swim meets and school), so B, Bri and I headed to London for a week.  We arrived at 9 in the morning.

But we managed to get 18,000 steps in that day and saw SO much wandering around different areas.

We saw Big Ben and Westminster Abbey, but WA was closed that day, so B and I went back another day for a tour.

We wandered along the river for awhile, it was cold, but miraculously not raining this day.

It happened to be Valentines Day and my friend suggested one of her favorite Vegan restaurants.  I made reservations, not realizing it was a set 5 course meal that took FOREVER.  We were exhasuted and full, but made it through and stayed up until 9.

 

Some Radom Fun

Bs teacher sent me this photo of a building they built at school.

One of our former students invited my co worker, his teacher and I to indulge in a free meal at Fugo De Chao (he works there).  Such an amazing human.

Perfomative day, which LT will tell you I don't fully get, and he's right), but I think its an over the top feminist boy.  See the tampon in the pocket.

Some VV mom friends and I went to see Dirty Dancing at the DCPA.

And this girl snuggled with her rooster that her amazing dog sitter bought her.

 

Ice Castles

 

Stock Show!

Our friends asked if we wanted to go to the stock show.  We had taken the older boys, but apparently hadn't taken B.  He LOVED it.  I can't believe we had deprived him of this very unique experience.  We also went to the extreme dog show, which was mheh.

 

1/2 days are the best days

These guys had a half day a few weeks ago, so we went to lunch and Dave and Busters for the afternoon.

 

Randoms from Japan

These guys did A LOT of shopping on our trip.  Things were very reasonable!

The bathrooms had some pretty funny signs.

We did a lot of eating, which was also reasonable.

And wandering/exploring with no real agenda.

B loved these capsule stores which were EVERYWHERE.

We stayed on this little alleyway, but these were all over Tokyo and so cute to explore.

Ads really wanted to buy a nice knife while we were there.  Pretty much the only stores open around New Years were knife stores, so that was what we did!

And ate many meals at 7-11, very common for Japanese as well.

This little ramen restaurant was one of Nicholas's favorites.  And my favorite bathroom signs.  The next 3 photos go together.

You order your individualized ramen on a kiosk and then eat in silence in individual booths.  If you need anything, you put it under a little garage door and they bring it out.  No need to even ask for water, you have your own spout!

These two were getting sick as we left to fly home, so they slept a lot on the train ride, which led to a long adventure as we had gotten on the wrong train.  When we exited, it was SNOWING!  And we were ery far from our home, so we ubered.

The sweetest woman owned this gyoza restaurant close to where we stayed.  We ate here often (though she closed for NYE, NY day and several days around that time).

Vending machines were everywhere!  With WARM drinks!  It was amazing.