Spring Break - London and Paris

For spring break this year, we decided to go to London and Paris.  We got a good deal on airfare to London and wanted to take the kids to Disneyland Paris.  We flew out early on Thursday morning.  Our flight was at 6:45am.  We landed in New York at 8am.  I found the New York Hall of Science nearby.  We originally were going to take a taxi there but realized it would be better to rent a car.  We rented a car and drove there.

The New York Hall of Science was a cool museum for the kids.  They played with bubbles and built air powered vehicles.  Austin and Sydney also built a large tower out of blocks.   We then ate lunch.  At lunch, Austin said his throat hurt.  He had a cold but the sore throat was something new.  Nervous that we were flying to London in a few hours, we drove to a minute clinic.  Luckily there was little wait.  He had all the signs and symptoms of strep throat so he was given an antibiotic.

We drove back to the airport.  Traffic is New York is crazy and we were not even in the city.  We made it back with plenty of time.  We relaxed at the gate for a bit.  However Sydney's Kindle stopped working.  Brian frantically put videos on the extra Kindle that we had packed.

Once we boarded the plane, we thought we would be going to sleep however the meal took longer than expected.  We each watched a movie and had dinner and finally went to sleep.  We only got about 2-3 hours of sleep (not good sleep being on an airplane and all).

When we landed in London we were nervous about the protests that promised to shut down the airport on the day we arrived.  We really didn't know what to expect.  Traveling with the kids makes things a bit more challenging.  However we never saw any of the protesters.  We took the Heathrow Express to Pattington station.  Then took the underground from there to near our hotel.  However our hotel was about a 15 minute walk from the underground.  That is challenging with all of our luggage.

We went finally arrived at our hotel at 10:30am in the morning our room was ready.  We were so happy!  We were able to shower and get organized for the day. We had decided that we were going on the hop on and off bus.  The kids wanted to do that in Barcelona but we did not do that.  So we thought we would let them her.  It was nice when we were at the top of the bus and we could see the city.  Some of the buses were crowded so we were at the bottom.

We stopped off by M+M store.  Sydney was very excited.  She loves Las Vegas just for that store.  She even found a t-shirt that she liked and got it.  Sydney also got some ice cream and Austin got a donut (very large donut).   We continued to take the bus around the city.  That evening we stopped at the store and got some food for dinner.  We were all very tired.

On Saturday, we went to Tower Bridge in the morning.  We went up in it as well.  The kids enjoyed walking over the glass at the top of the bridge.  After Tower Bridge, we stopped for ice cream.  Then waited for the bridge gates to open.  The we walked over the The Monument.  We climbed the 311 stairs to the top.  Austin and Sydney enjoyed the climb and even counted the steps.

After the Monument, we went over to the London Eye.  We got tickets to go up into it.  The line was long but it moved quickly.  We enjoyed the ride in the the London Eye.  After the London Eye, the kids found a slushy place and got a cool cup and a slushy.  There was a playground near by so they played on that for a bit.  Also while we were over there, we saw all the protesters.  Brian even captured a few pictures while there.  That evening we had dinner at a local cafe.

Somehow the Easter Bunny found us in London and hid chocolate and chocolate eggs throughout our hotel room for the kids to find on Easter morning.  When they woke up they were very excited about that.  They went around the room finding eggs.  Then we got ready to see the changing of the guards over by Buckingham Palace.  We were on Mall St.  We watched them come down and back.  It was interesting.

After the changing of the guard, we found waffles with Nutella at the park.  We had some of those.  That was a nice breakfast.  Then the kids played on a wall like structure that was like a slide.  They had fun.

Then we went to Tower of London.  When we first got there we soon realized the kids were not that interested.  Luckily they had a children's program with a skit pretending to steal the jewels.  It kept their interest.  Then we there was a little show and they drew a picture and won a medals.  They enjoyed that.  It was very warm.

Then we found lunch at a local pub.  We had fish and chips and the kids had waffles and chicken.  We went back to the hotel for a brief break.  Then we went to a church as the same name as our church.  It was fun to check out.  Then we went to the London Eye to watch a 4D movie.  We had ice cream and headed back to our hotel.  Brian allowed the kids to play at the playground near our hotel while I did laundry.

On Monday, we walked to London Bridge station and took the Underground to St. Pancras station.   At that station, we had tickets on Eurostar to Paris.  We had a stop in Lille Europe.  Then the train took us right to Disney.  The train was about 1.5 hours each with a 30 minute layover.  It went by fast.  I was impressed with the train.

When we arrived in Disneyland we were confused on how to get to our hotel.  Finally we figured it out however with some unnecessary walking.  We had packed way too much stuff and it was really too much to carry all around but somehow we managed.  We were starving by the time we got to our hotel.  It was also recommended that had reservations at all restaurants.  We did not have reservations.  We called and got some steak house in Disney Village.  We were in our room for 5 minutes.

We had a nice dinner at the steak house.  Although Austin did spill his chocolate milk.  Brian and I were annoyed but they were so kind and helpful.  We even got to change tables.  After dinner, we went to Disneyland.  We rode It's a Small World.  Then Austin rode space Mountain and Sydney and I rode Buzz Lightyear.  Then we rode Thunder Mountain railroad.  That was an awesome ride.  Then we stayed and watched fireworks.

On Tuesday, we got up early and went to breakfast at our hotel.  Then we went to Disneyland around 9am.  We rode Thunder Mountain Railroad again.  Then we tried to ride Peter Pan but that wasn't open yet.  The kids rode the carousal that they really wanted to do.  Then we rode Pinocchio. We also all rode space mountain.  It was not a fan.   We got a past fast for Peter Pan for later in the day.  Then we headed over to Hollywood Studios.  We watched a Marvel Superhero show.  Then we rode slingy dog.  Then we stood in a long time for Rockin Roller coaster.  When we made it to the front, Sydney decided she didn't want to ride it.  Which was completely fine with me.  When it was over Austin even said Sydney made a good choice.

There was a buffet near the Rockin Roller coaster so we ate there for lunch/dinner.  The cool part it had a ice cream machine that dished out the ice cream once you pushed a button.  The kids had two servings.

On Wednesday, we took the kids into Paris.  We rode the trains into Paris.  We started at the Eiffel Tower.  Unfortunately I was never able to get tickets to the Eiffel Tower so we didn't go up in it.  The kids understood however Sydney said next time I really need to get tickets.  We found a park near the Eiffel Tower.  It was small but kids had fun for a bit and then we took our family picture nearby.  The kids also rode a double Decker carousal.  The liked that.  We took the train to Norther Dame Cathedral.  It was sad to see the damage from the fire a few weeks ago.  We were not able to get too close but Brian got some pictures.

Our last place we visited in Paris was the Louvre.  It was a lot of walking throughout Paris.  The kids did a good job however their legs were tired.  As were Brian and I's.  The Louvre was cool to see from the outside.  I had never been so close.  When Brian and I went before kids we didn't make it too close to it. Brian has visited once during a business trip.  We got some pictures and walked back to the train station.  We took the train back to Disneyland.

At Disneyland, we had dinner in the park.  It was another buffet.  That worked out well for the kids.  We rode Peter Pan after standing in line for a while even with a fast pass.  Then we did the Alice in Wonderland maze.

On Thursday, the weather was much cooler and rainy.  We went to Hollywood Studios.  We rode the parachute ride.  Austin and Brian rode the race car ride.  Then we all rode Ratatouille.  That was a cool ride.  Then it started to rain a bit more so we stood in line for 2 hours to ride Crush's roller coaster.  That was another cool ride.  We wish it wasn't so busy when we were there though.  Sydney was starting to feel bad so s eh really wanted to leave the park.  However we convinced her to stay.  We saw the Motor Stunt Show.  After the show we went back to the buffet for dinner.  After dinner we did the Backlot Tour.  Then we did some souvenir shopping.

On Friday, we had a chill morning in our hotel room.  We were all very tried and needed a little break.  We left our room at check up time at 11am and went to the train station.  We took the train back to Lille Europe then Eurostar Train back to London.  We then took the underground to Pattington station.  At Pattington station, we had dinner at Burger King.  Then we took the Heathrow express back to the airport.  We took a bus to our hotel.  It's interesting because during this trip in Europe, we never rode a car.  Only bus, train, and subways.

On Saturday we got up very early for our flight home.  We were all ready to be home.  We watched movies on the plane and had meals.  It was a great trip.  We really like Europe and it was a lot of fun.

Almost Spring

We like going to to Great Wolf Lodge late winter/early spring.  We go for one night.  The kids love the water park.  They also love playing with the wands and doing all the quests.  We went with our friends.  It was a nice little getaway.

Austin's favorite thing this winter was skiing.  We all had a lot of fun.  I wish I could ski better but the kids really got the hang of it and did great.  The last time we went it was a great evening  We skied for a while and then the kids found some friends.  They skied with them for a bit too.  We will be getting passes again next year.

The school did a father daughter dance this year.  It was in the gym.  It was a fun night for the girls and their dads.  Then they also did a mother son bowling activity.  That was also a lot of fun.

I have spent most of my free time planning the race for the school.  I never realized how much work it was to plan a race.  I have had a lot of help but it has consumed way more time than I would like.  We are also going to London and Paris for spring break.  So I have been working on planning that trip as well.

Austin and Sydney are doing track again this year.  It's great they are doing it together.  It makes getting them to practice and meets easy.  I have enjoyed walking with the moms while the kids are at practice.

Brian had another trip to China this spring.  We all hate when he has to travel.  I try to do some fun stuff with the kids to keep them busy.  We went to Sky Zone for a birthday party.  We also have breakfast for dinner while he's gone.  The kids and I love breakfast foods.

We also love going to the Akron zoo for breakfast with the Easter bunny.  The kids enjoy the egg hunt.  Austin is lucky and have found the special golden egg in the past.  This year, somehow they both found the two golden eggs.  They were so happy.  They also went to a water Easter egg hunt.