We just hung out today, taking walks, doing laundry and packing. It has been an excellent trip. We will be heading for home tomorrow. Should we expect to be wearing sweaters back in Texas? ha ha ha
As usual, there are more pics at flickr -->
Monday, August 21, 2006
weekend update
Over the last few days, we have done some neat things, but I have no pictures to show from them. It has been raining off and on each day, so I haven't wanted to lug the camera around and get it wet. Our memories will have to suffice.
On Friday, A wasn't feeling up to a big journey, so he stayed home with his grandma and grandpa and ate homemade chicken noodle soup. YUMMY! T, O and I took a day trip over to Windsor to see Windsor Castle. We were able to see some rooms inside that were closed the last time we visited. That was nice. Unfortunately, we didn't make it into St. Georges Chapel on this trip. Time just got away from us.
We made up for not seeing the chapel by visiting Westminster Abbey on Saturday. This was my first time to go inside the Abbey. I have to say that I was amazed at the height of the ceiling. The Abbey was built in a Gothic style architecture, which is not really my favorite, but I have to give them credit for creating such an enormous space without the aid of modern machinery. I can't even imagine how the did it.
Sunday was great! When visiting Hampton Court last week, we saw a flyer advertising a jousting tournament to be held at the Tower of London this weekend. We knew we had to see it! Parking is tough around the Tower, so we parked in Greenwich, which is only 5 minutes from where we are staying. From Greenwich, we took a river cruiser up to the Tower. I love seeing London from the river. It gives a completely different perspective of the city.
The jousting tournament was a recreation of a friendly competition which might have happened during the reign of Elizabeth I. This was something that none of us will soon forget! There were four men dressed in complete armor atop beautiful horses with very colorful blankets. It was amazing to see the horses and men going toward each other at full speed and then hearing the crunch as the lances hit armor. Wow!
While at the Tower, we also got to see the Crown Jewels and hear gruesome stories of torture and beheadings. Another highlight of our day was lunch at Wagamama. We have made a point to eat there on each of our visits. I wish they would open in Texas!
On Friday, A wasn't feeling up to a big journey, so he stayed home with his grandma and grandpa and ate homemade chicken noodle soup. YUMMY! T, O and I took a day trip over to Windsor to see Windsor Castle. We were able to see some rooms inside that were closed the last time we visited. That was nice. Unfortunately, we didn't make it into St. Georges Chapel on this trip. Time just got away from us.
We made up for not seeing the chapel by visiting Westminster Abbey on Saturday. This was my first time to go inside the Abbey. I have to say that I was amazed at the height of the ceiling. The Abbey was built in a Gothic style architecture, which is not really my favorite, but I have to give them credit for creating such an enormous space without the aid of modern machinery. I can't even imagine how the did it.
Sunday was great! When visiting Hampton Court last week, we saw a flyer advertising a jousting tournament to be held at the Tower of London this weekend. We knew we had to see it! Parking is tough around the Tower, so we parked in Greenwich, which is only 5 minutes from where we are staying. From Greenwich, we took a river cruiser up to the Tower. I love seeing London from the river. It gives a completely different perspective of the city.
The jousting tournament was a recreation of a friendly competition which might have happened during the reign of Elizabeth I. This was something that none of us will soon forget! There were four men dressed in complete armor atop beautiful horses with very colorful blankets. It was amazing to see the horses and men going toward each other at full speed and then hearing the crunch as the lances hit armor. Wow!
While at the Tower, we also got to see the Crown Jewels and hear gruesome stories of torture and beheadings. Another highlight of our day was lunch at Wagamama. We have made a point to eat there on each of our visits. I wish they would open in Texas!
Thursday, August 17, 2006
3 museums in 1 day
We didn't get to see everything, but we saw plenty! Dinosaurs in the Natural History Museum; rockets, airplanes and ships in the Science Museum; and Raphael and Rodin in the Victoria & Albert Museum. After such an amazing day, A actually ASKED if he could go to bed after supper. O didn't even make it that far. He fell asleep in the car!
Our family, in the garden
of Hampton Court Palace. We visited Hampton Court for the first time, yesterday, and loved it! Wow! The scale of this thing is overwhelming. We didn't get there until 3, so our tour of the inside of the palace was quick. I wouldn't mind going back for another look.
O is absorbing a little history as we go. He started pointing out all of the Henry VIII portraits as we went through. "Look, there's Henry the 8th!" said O. Cool!
Photos are on flickr -->
O is absorbing a little history as we go. He started pointing out all of the Henry VIII portraits as we went through. "Look, there's Henry the 8th!" said O. Cool!
Photos are on flickr -->
Tuesday, August 15, 2006
a beautiful day in Greenwich
We went to see the Cutty Sark, the National Maritime Museum and Greenwich Park. More photos are on my flickr.
p.s. A wanted to remind all of you Texans what green grass is supposed to look like! His idea, really!
p.s. A wanted to remind all of you Texans what green grass is supposed to look like! His idea, really!
Saturday, August 12, 2006
Leeds Castle
One of our favorite day trips from London is to Leeds Castle in Kent. The grounds are more beautiful than any park I have ever seen. This was our third visit to Leeds, and each time we love it more!
The kids found their way out of the full-size maze 3 times. We saw a birds of prey exhibition, had tea and lunch in an old cottage, toured the castle and maidens tower, and walked the beautiful grounds. An excellent outing! For more pictures of the day, check out my flickr page -->
The kids found their way out of the full-size maze 3 times. We saw a birds of prey exhibition, had tea and lunch in an old cottage, toured the castle and maidens tower, and walked the beautiful grounds. An excellent outing! For more pictures of the day, check out my flickr page -->
Wednesday, August 09, 2006
Happy Birthday (a little early)
Had to post this one before we leave. It is my favorite picture of my Astro A in such a long time. It was taken last week at our neighborhood park.
While we are on vacation, my little boy will turn 9! Oh, I can't believe it!!!
While we are on vacation, my little boy will turn 9! Oh, I can't believe it!!!
Friday, August 04, 2006
taking a break...
I will be busy around the house for the next few days, and then we will be off for our family vacation. I will try to post some pictures from the road, but I can't make any promises...
Stay cool in this August heat!!!
Stay cool in this August heat!!!
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We are...
- WeLive.WeLearn.
- ...a homeschooling family, learning more from life (and each other) than from any set curriculum. We love travel, books, museums, music, parks, friends, Legos, bugs, dirt, rocks, plants, water, bubbles, dinosaurs, things with wheels, gravity, stars, cameras, sports, and more...