Mom Visits London!

My mom recently visited us in London for a fun-filled 10 days.  After a LONG delay in Green Bay, she finally made it here early afternoon on Friday, May 9th.  The first day of her trip was spent relaxing, taking Colin to the park, and trying to adjust to the new time zone.  After Day 1, we were extremely busy for the rest of her trip trying to cram in as many activities as possible.   Pictures are the best way to share all the fun we had during her visit.

Day 2:  We started the day by taking a long walk from our flat to Regent's Park.  Mom admired the flowers and how green everything was, and Colin enjoyed stops at two playgrounds.

Day 2:  After Regent's Park, we walked to Camden and spent some time at the Camden Market.  We got caught in a major downpour and had to hover under umbrellas to eat our lunch (a quesadilla and a Turkish wrap).  Mom was excited to find this donut cart although we ended up eating ice cream frozen by liquid nitrogen at Chin Chin Laboratories for dessert instead. 

Day 3:  On the third day of Mom's visit, which also happened to be Mother's Day, the two of us took a day trip to the Cotswolds. 

Day 3:  Burford, one of the four stops on our Cotswolds day trip.  Mom is modeling the new scarves we bought since it was so cold.

Day 3:  We enjoyed a lunch of trout at the Swan restaurant in Bibury during our Cotswolds day trip.

Day 3:  Bourton-on-the-Water, Cotswolds day trip.

Day 4:  Colin wasn't feeling well this day so we spent a relaxing morning at home.  He stayed home from school due to his fever and joined us on a trip to the Borough Market in the afternoon.  I don't think we will ever get sick of the Borough Market, which will be one of the things I miss most about London when we move back to the States.  

Day 4:  At night, we went to see Mamma Mia.  The tickets were my Mother's Day gift for Mom.

Day 5:  After spending the morning at the US Embassy getting extra pages added to my passport while Mom stayed home with Colin, we headed to the Shard for lunch.  The Shard is currently the tallest building in the EU.  The view wasn't the greatest on this day though due to the rain.

Day 5:  Mom at lunch at the Oblix Lounge in the Shard.

Day 5:  Enjoying a mother/daughter lunch at the Shard.

Day 6:  The weather finally started to improve by the sixth day of Mom's Visit.  We decided to get outside and enjoy a picnic in the morning with lunch from Pret.

Day 6:  After dropping Colin off at school, Mom and I walked through Chinatown and did some shopping on Oxford Street. 

Day 6:  We found out that John Lewis has a newly opened rooftop garden at their Oxford Street flagship store.  A great place to enjoy some sun on a beautiful day.

Day 6:  We went to our second show of the trip, "Once".  It was my second time seeing it, and I think I will be seeing it a third time someday!  

Day 7:  We climbed 528 steps to get to the top of the dome at St. Paul's Cathedral.  It was worth it for the great view on a beautiful day! 

Day 7:  We rewarded ourselves following the climb with tea at Bea's of Bloomsbury.

Day 8:  We started the day by heading to the London Eye.  We figured Mom should go on the London Eye on this trip since we didn't get around to it during her visit in October with Dad.

Day 8:  Mom on the London Eye.

Day 8:  Colin's fourth time and my fifth time on the London Eye.   After the London Eye, we enjoyed a sushi lunch and then enjoyed the beautiful weather by taking a long walk and a trip to the playground for Colin.

Day 9:  We started the final full day of Mom's trip with a food tour in the East End.  I had heard great things about the Eating London tour, and it didn't disappoint.  The tour made eight stops: bacon sandwich, bread pudding, cheese shop, fish & chips, salted beef bagel sandwich, beer (virgin cocktail for me), curry, and caramel torte...yum!

Day 9:  Mom finally got to spend some time with David who was busy with work most of her trip.  No trip to London is complete without a pitcher of Pimm's & Lemonade!

The following morning, we said farewell to Mom.  We had such a good visit exploring London, checking items off of my London bucket list, and eating way too much food.  I can't wait until July when we move to Wisconsin and get to see a lot more of my family.

Thanks for visiting Mom!