Have we been on the Piccadilly line before?

The boys & I are off of school this week. Its a beautiful little thing called half-term! We've been busy with three different play dates which have included a sleep-over, swimming, exploring the nearby woods and building forts. Yesterday we took a break from friends and decided to go see one of the many great museums in London, the Science Museum. We had a blast exploring the space gallery, watching an Imax film about water reptiles of the dinosaur era, learning about climate change, recycling, and many, many more. The highlight of the museum was definitely the Launch Pad gallery, which was hands on science. Owen said a few times 'I really like this place, Mom!'

After 5 hours in the museum we decided it was time to get some food...so we hopped the Piccadilly line to Leicester Square and found CHIPOTLE!!! There are 3 in London, we went to one once when my parents were visiting, and were so happy to go again yesterday. We then caught a double decker to Victoria Station and headed home.

Owen's eyes get big when we are out exploring. I see him trying to understand the tube & map and I get so excited as I love this stuff, too. As we figured out how we were going to get from the museum to dinner, he asked me 'Have we been on the Piccadilly line before?' When I told him we hadn't, he smiled...which I interpret as being excited to explore somewhere new. Oh I do love that boy.

Standing a few feet from Walter & Mom...gaining a bit of independence & confidence...

Wow, that's really big!

My wonderful husband and the boys' super dad is 37! His birthday was Wednesday and there was much anticipation leading up to the big day. Walter and I were scooting home Tuesday after school while Owen was at chess club and he asked me 'how old will Dad be again?' When I told him 37, he said 'Wow, that's really big!'

Tuesday evening the boys and I made a cake and frosting, made our cards and found some wrapping fabric for his present. We woke him up with lots of hugs and kisses on Wednesday morning and made plans to pick him up from the station to go out for his favorite - Indian.

All was going as planned and we were happily celebrating Jeremy until we sat down to dinner and I ate my first popadom. I realized the headache I'd had wasn't just from adjusting to my new job but it was that I was about to get really, really sick. We made it through dinner, impressed by Owen's new interest in trying new foods (even the waiter commented on him eating the spicy masala), and headed home. We managed to sing, the boys all enjoyed the cake and present opening, and Jer tucked the boys into bed...just in time to start caring for and cleaning up after me. I won't go into the details, but his efforts were heroic and I'm just standing up for the first time since Wednesday evening now, 40 hours later.

I think he deserves a mulligan on this birthday.