As Allie said in the last post, it was so great seeing them when they pulled up with Derek. I think we all had butterflies in our stomach and were all holding back tears of joy! We didn't do much that first day except show them around the base and then around our home.
Of course the kids had to open up their birthday presents. They had sent some early and they had been begging to open them for months!!
The next day we went Ely. We walked around the market and then went to the cathedral (which you have to pay to go into now. When we first went there 2 years ago we didn't have to pay!)
Then we went to Peacock's to have a traditional afternoon tea. We sat at the table looking at the menu FOREVER! No one was making any decisions and I just knew that the menu didn't sound appetizing to anyone. HA! So, I suggested that we just get a dessert and then we could go somewhere else for lunch. I think everyone was very relieved! :)
We never did eat anything. My Dad made the comment that he figured he'd lose some weight while he was here! Brits aren't known for their food. We did go back home and walked to the village playground, through the church grounds and back through the fields to our house. While at the playground we shot off some rockets and then after dinner we roasted 'sh'marshmallows.
The next day was one of my favorites! We went to Castle Acre Priory. We had a lot of fun playing hide-and-seek!!!
"They are coming! Get down!!!"
"Quick, over here so they don't see us! Stay down!"
Avery now is not the time to be trying to make us laugh! We have to be quiet.
By this point the kids were STARVING! We drove to Sandringham, the Queens Winter home, and had a picnic lunch at the playground.
This was one of our warmest days. The kids had a blast running through the sprinklers.
Cooling off with some apple juice.
Then we finished the evening in King's Lynn with dinner at Nando's. We made sure to reserve the awesome Vault Room!
Saturday was Cambridge. Another hot day! It was our first time punting!! We had the best guide!
And somehow Derek was able to talk them down to £8 per person which is a crazy good discount compared to what they are asking.
This was followed by a lovely lunch at The Eagle.
This next day we started to travel a little bit further away. We definitely tried to cram way to much into this day. We needed more time to see everything! First stop was Monkey Forest in Stoke on Trent.
Then we went way out of our way for lunch (which took away a bunch of our time) but that's okay because I think this was Mom and Dad's favorite meal. Frankie & Benny's.
Then back to Trentham Estate & Gardens. Another place I really love and could walk around for hours.
Of course we did a family barefoot walk.
Cheaters!!
Then we were off to Warwick Castle for glamping. This ended up being a highlight, I think for all of us! Well worth it!
They have nightly activities for the kiddos and they had a blast, for the most part, doing them!!
They started out with Jester School. Blake is quite the jester.
Then Have-A-Go Archery
The next morning we went to Warwick Castle and spent the entire day there.....in the rain.
A nice, dry and enjoyable lunch.
Thursday was Leeds Castle.
Me giving directions
Maze & Grotto
Friday was supposed to be Belgium. I think I was looking most forward to this. I just love Ghent and Bruges!! I wanted their amazing waffles and chocolate and those places are just so charming! Something was going on and the ferry was delayed 2 hours. It was only a day trip for us so by the time we got across the channel, drove to our destination we'd only have about 4 hours to explore before we would need to head back to catch the ferry back over to England. So we decided not to do it. Derek ended up calling and he was able to apply our journey to another date. I set out on a search for places to go. Mom and I really wanted somewhere quaint. I had always wanted to go to Rye after seeing a picture of Mermaid Street somewhere. There really wasn't much to the village other than that street. It was a magical street though!
We spent the last 2 1/2 days in London. This is where I think the exhaustion really set in. London is a BIG city. We were there on the weekend and it was crowded. It wasn't overly hot out, but hot enough....especially when underground where there is no ventilation. There was a lot of walking. Pretty sure my parents hated London. At least they can say they've been there. :) :) :)
Playing at Princess Diana Memorial Park
Kensington Palace
Underground
Saving us a bench!
We also saw some other interesting things in the park. Turns out, we have friends that do the same thing. Who knew?!?
Buckingham Palace
Then Covent Garden for lunch, playing in the fountain, watching performers, M&M world and Souvenir shopping. Finished the night with an awesome show....STOMP!
My favorite meal.
The next day...Mom & Dad's last day, we saw The Lion King. (quite disappointing)
Our tube entertainment
Derek and I ended up having a Date Night this night. Only it was cut short because I did not feel good at all. :( Super sad because that was our first date night out without kids in 14 months! We took some selfies to prove we were on a date. It's okay to laugh....we are still selfie newbies.
Allie was so disappointed we weren't gone a long time. She was so excited for us to go on a date!! She had been trying for several nights to get us to go. She was practically pushing us out the door. When we got back someone asked what we did. When we were finished she very matter of factly said, "and you kissed a lot!!" We all laughed and said, "what makes you think that?!" "That;s what you are supposed to do on dates!!!" Where does she get these ideas from!!??
And lastly, my girl....she can be so ornery. I slept with her while my parents were in our bed and I just loved watching this girl sleep. So precious!
And this was another fun night. One of the days we stayed home and played games for the evening. It was so fun....and funny! Avery was killin' it!!
