The long road

Started out in Isleworth up at 6:30 couldn't sleep. Brewed my last pot of coffee in the French press (last time!) checked email and facebook. Dennis was up by 7:30 showering and finishing up the last bits. We crammed the last bits into our suitcases. Found a couple stray socks. We left two bags of kids clothes -mostly P's that were shot due to lack of mommy's lack of stain fighting knowledge. I'm hoping they won't notice. If they do i'll play the 'sticker book' card. "we needed room for your sticker books.

The girls were up by ten dressed and ready to peel out. "we get to see Cody!" followed by a list of names of kids they want to have play dates with. Basically if you live within a 150 mile radius, you're in :)

Nick our go to guy for the house came by at ten. We had broken a chair and wanted to let him see we hadn't trashed the rest of the place -ala Airbnb. The break was an old one that had been repaired badly. (whew) Apparently the leasing place had another renter coming by to see the place an hour after we left.

The cab got lost - not an unfamiliar issue, we had learned to ask them to come half an hour earlier. We got to the airport by 11:30 our flight was at 1:50.

Went through the "family lane" security check. Rainbows on their metal detectors! How could we resist. We should have. Dennis pegged it when he said "I bet some business dude thought 'how can I get all these families and children out of my way'". One family in front of us -thinking it's all good. Not. One family of three, five bins. Five plastic bins. Our turn with the security lady speaking slowly like we're maroons "put everything in a...bin. No you.. Put everything in the bin.. Do you have any liquids? Annnnny liquids".

We had lunch at Giraffe Cafe -plastic giraffes are a huge draw and the foods good. Well, let's back up. I'm dying for Mexican food. Have not seen a taco or a real nacho anywhere. Nachos in London are made with dorritoes. Not even joking.
I know better than to order Mexican food any where but Mexico or California. I do, I just can't resist. And so I pay the price; my veggie burrito was 3" with chunks of potato and zucchini, doesn't sound too bad until you add a tomato sauce and.. Goat cheese. Now, I love all that I just listed, but not together. Meh.

Both girls had promised, promised us that they could carry their sticker books in their back packs. Each had at least an added 10lbs on their backs. No shock, guess who had the packs? One for Dad and one for Mom.

We peeled out, headed to our gate. Down the escalators, on the subway, up the escalator. Up another escalator and finally to the gate. Spent our last ten pounds on cadbury chocolates. Sorry Deb no violet crumbles to be found.

The flight was long. Finally saw "Paul" tried to watch "Thor" juust couldn't get into it.
The food was exceptionally bad. P ate a packet of butter and a couple shots of apple juice. Not to worry we had packed Smarties.

I'm loosing steam here so I'll wrap up. Plane flew in air. Plane landed safe. Took van home. TiVo good. Shower and pajamas good.











Shout out to Ms. Gail, bag of Cheerios, coffee, juice and milk.








Massive thank you for the adorable cherub art work welcoming us home; cannot tell you how grateful we are, we're feeling the love.

Right, so off to bed with us.. Will we see you in the plaza? Music starts at 1pm.