Term Break

As mentioned in an earlier post, the school is on break every 6 weeks.  This time it was a term break, so the kids had 2 weeks off.  The first week Calie and Isaac were visiting.  In addition to many adventures with them, we also did several things on our own. 

We visited the London Aquarium.  The highly advertised new jelly fish exhibit was underwhelming, but the huge tanks with sharks, the sea turtles, and the penguin exhibit were definite highlights.  This was Abby’s first time at an aquarium and she had fun running between tanks pointing out each and every fish to me.  Of course anytime we saw “Dory” or “Nemo” she was particularly excited. 

London Aquarium

The kids and I enjoyed exploring Tate Modern with Calie and Isaac, though I still find myself baffled by some displays in the galleries that are considered art.  I suppose if the piece leaves me wondering “what is art?” then maybe the artist did their job.  To our surprise there was an exterior installation with a fog machine.  I never did find any explanation, but the kids certainly loved playing in it.  So much so that when we parted ways with Calie and Isaac the kids decided they wanted to return to the museum and play in the fog again.  Truthfully, it was a bit frightening as the kids would disappear completely from view when venturing into the fog.  Abby was a little hesitant, with good reasons, but braved it a couple times when Kaylee or Danny held her hand.  The machine would go for 5 minutes or so, then it would stop for 3-5 minutes while the fog cleared.  They loved it!

No idea what the piece in the bottom right corner was about.

FOG!

On another day, after spending the morning with Calie and Isaac downtown, we took the long way home via a park we’d never explored.  Highgate Wood is right next to the kids’ school, but because the playground is on the opposite side of the park we had yet to venture into it.  It was a fantastic playground with a huge variety of equipment and designated areas for younger and older children.  After letting the older two run free and roam while I watched Abby in an area for younger kids, we all congregated at the sand pit.  I loved watching them all so busy and focused on building and digging and creating cheerfully.  Even James got in on the action. 

--> The weather could not have been more perfect during the term break, so there was also a lot of time playing football (soccer) and running around in the close with the neighbors.  I have really enjoyed the timeline of the new school system which allows us to focus and work hard for 6 weeks, then play hard during the break.  And play hard we do!