The Day My Sons Met The Queen - Well, Almost.

Liam was taken to the hospital as planned last week for his op. We saw the nurse, the surgeon, and the consultant. Were admitted for the day. Liam had his heart rate checked, his temperature taken and some nice tags put around his wrist and ankle. Then along comes the anaesthetist. At this point, Liam coughs. This is the first time he has coughed in 3 days. She doesn't like the sound of it and checks his chest with her stephoscope and announces that she wouldn't be happy giving him anaestetic in this condition and advised us to go home. The previous night we told the hospital he had a cough and cold and they couldn't see why that would put off surgery but this woman thought otherwise. Frustrated we left and are now awaiting yet another appointment.

So on Saturday we decided to take the kids to London again for a treat and show them a little more of the sights. The boys loved the trains as always and Liam and James act like they use the tube every single day.

They are so happy and relaxed on the trains. It suits them. :)

Liam particularly loves the escalators in and out of stations.

Some stations have 3 of these!!! The general rule in London is to stand to the right so people can ascend or descend the stairs (depending if you are exiting or entering the system). Liam absolutely loved it.

Our first stop in London was to Hamleys Toy Shop. Once the biggest toy shop in Europe, it boasts of 5 floors of toys. It IS big.

This year they have a new addition of a bigger Lego department. This year is also the celebration of The Queens Diamond Jubilee (60 years on the throne for Her Royal Highness) and they have gone all out with models made from Lego to commemorate such an event.

This explains how my 2 sons got a photo with The Queen. Ha!

 Here we have the Lego copy of the Crown that she wore on her Coronation back in 1952.

And here we have a re-enactment of last years Royal Wedding also created using Lego. On the left is Prince Charles, then Kate Middleton, Proce William and Prince Harry. Amongst them are some fools who got in the way of my photo.

After the toy shop we jumped on a tube to Westminster and saw the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben the world famous clock!

Unfortunately, the weather was very very grey (Welcome to England) and doesn't show just how much gold is used in this building. You can just get an idea of it around the clock face.

I particularly liked the above picture as it does show everything that is Iconic of London. Parliament, Big Ben, the Red Bus and a Hackney cab - a pay as you go taxi. This style of cab is usually only found in London. This view was across Westminster Bridge as we stood closer to:

The London Eye. I never realised just how big this thing is. It's amazing. Each "pod" can hold up to 20 people. Though we didn't go on it, we got very close but we know it's not over-priced should we visit London again on a sunnier day, it would certainly be in the running on what we can do.

Closer up, it's still as breathtaking:

Matthew was very impressed to have his photo taken in front of the old traditional Routemaster bus. These are no longer in public service as all busses in the Capital have to be Wheelchair friendly so this is now a rare old bus. Just look at the nice little cabin for the bus driver.

We then hopped on a train to the O2 arena. We went there before and Matthew loved it. We met up with hubbys mum and sister before going to a chinese buffet in the area surrounding the arena. That night, it was St Patricks Day and the big show for the night was The Commitments.

The O2 looks much better at night than it does during the day:

We got home rather late that night but the kids had the best time.

Sunday was Mothers Day and I got a lovely pair of cards made in school with flowers on them and a card daddy picked up at the shop. I also got a couple of jigsaw puzzles and one of those big jigsaw transporter/safe keeping folder so I can start bigger puzzles and leave them out without fear of the kids dinner being spilt on it or Liam taking apart the pieces. Jigsaws are a rare treat for mums, it's one of those things you take for granted when you don't have kids. haha.

We had my mother in law round for Sunday lunch and had a relatively easy day.

On Tuesday we had a trip to neighbouring village Lavenham as hubby had a doctors appointment there. Our two surgeries are linked so if we can't get in at Melford, we go over to Lavenham. The weather was beautiful and I couldn't resist a "first day of Spring" picture.

I have a little more to say but since this is a pic heavy post, I will save it for another day. Wishing one and all a wonderful weekend.