The Best of Both Worlds

Monday started off with Petrea moving out of her house in Marsworth and into her new place in central London. This means I won’t be seeing her as much, which is a bummer, but also a place to crash when I go into the city for the night. It was a typical day so I don’t have much to write about….

Tuesday Kate and I went swimming again and we practiced our floating (she is a pro). She insisted on wearing her bikini…just look at her, how can you resist? She passed out in the back seat on the way home, such a little Craig falling asleep even on a 5 minute drive.  I let her take a shower when we got home, which was a BIG deal and the highlight of her day.

Kate getting ready to go swimming

Pate mmmm...

My favorite yogurt

 My hump day wasn’t all that exciting. I took Abbie to speech, stopped for sweeties at Aldi (such a grandma) and dropped her off at swimming. On my way back I stopped at a tiny shopping center and managed to find 2 pairs of shoes in a matter of minutes. Later, the girls went to bed and Lisa and I ordered Chinese for dinner because Gordon was gone for the night. We sat and watched Desperate Housewives and talked about crazy spring break destinations in Europe (sidenote: Ibiza is pronounced Ibitha…never knew that). The last au pair, Kayce, told me Lisa is more of a friend than anything and I’m definitely starting to feel that way more and more.

Kate after trying my yogurt

She doesn't think she has anything on her face...

Thursday I watched the girls while Lisa and Gordon went out for dinner. One by one they came knocking on my door to come sit on the couch and watch a movie. I said yes and lost track of time, so I quickly rushed them into bed before mom and dad got home and they were out in a minute.

After school on Friday was the Halloween Disco at the preschool. Beth went as a witch, Abbie as a cat, and Kate as a fairy. The “disco” was held in a big gym area with chairs all around and a big dance floor in the center completely filled with kids running everywhere. It was an absolute madhouse. Lisa and the girls left for her parent’s house in Preston so Lisa could go up to Scotland on Saturday and Gordon left for Miami so I had the house to myself on Friday night. Lisa gave me grocery money so I went to town at Tescos, came home and spent the rest of the night doing nothing but enjoying the quiet.

The fairy

Maddy, Beth & Sophie

The Cat

Abbie and her friend Amelia

Kate and Amber

Saturday morning I took the train into London to meet up with Petrea and stay at her house for the night. We went and walked around the Westminster area and it was perfect outside. After some sightseeing we went to Covent Garden, watched some street performers and looked around the market area. We headed over to China Town and Leicester square where there was a carnival going on and lot’s of cool restaurants on the square. We ended up eating at a Chinese buffet just outside of China Town where we ate WAY too much food.

London phone booth and Big Ben

Petrea at Buckingham Palace

London Eye

Leicester Square

Street performer at Covent Garden

After more walking we ended the night at a pub (can’t remember the name of it) but it was packed inside and had really cool little booths that looked like horse stalls tucked away from the main area. I could totally see myself living here because I’m obsessed with old pubs. We took the underground back to Petrea’s house, which is in a really cool neighborhood. It was a quiet, nice neighborhood but still right outside the center of London.

 Piccadilly Circus 

 

Leicester Square at night

Cider :)

 

Sunday I woke up early and went over to Camden to shop at the Camden Locke market. I got there just before 10am and it was already crowded. I grabbed a donut from a stand where all the food stalls were and walked around for a couple hours. Afterwards, I got on the tube and went for a quick stop at Primark before hopping on the train and heading home for the day. I had a Jaclyn moment while I sprinted to the train, shopping bags in hand, trying not to miss my ride. I wasn't alone though, the man next to me took off running too and we both hopped on out of breathe and falling into a seat. 

On the move early Sunday morning

Lisa and the girls decided to stay another night so they won’t be back till Monday and their uncle Ricky came in last night. He use to play football (soccer) for St. Mirren and I actually googled and he’s all over the internet (Ricky Gillies if your interested). Kinda cool. He’s having a soccer camp in Tring so he’ll be at the house all week.

That’s about it for the week. No word on Cali.