Visit from Rebecca

We were all so happy to have our second visitor...Rebecca!!!

She arrived around 3:00 on Friday, and let herself in as the kids and I were at school at the International Fair.  I think she was appreciative of the quiet and Shower!!

Friday night was a  quiet night, as Lauren went to stagecoach, but we were able to watch some March Madness games.

Saturday, we had a somewhat lazy morning, and then went to Easter fun Day at church.  Lauren had a great time playing Just Dance on the Wii, and Alison made some cool crafts.  Then, we headed into London to go to Neal's Yard to try some cheese!  Along the way, we saw numerous street performers in Covent Gardens

and the kids had a great time checking them out and giving them money.  I was very impressed with the girls because they tried numerous varities of cheese at the cheese shop.  Wow, was that place amazing!!!  And we got some yummy cheese!  Then, we went to this amazing whiskey shop that Brad had discovered.  They had numerous kinds of bourbon, and of course an entire room of scotch!!  We had dinner at Pizza Express near Trafalgar Square and then came home.  We left Rebecca to watch the UK-Indiana game in peace, but the outcome was not so favourable for her.

Sunday, Brad and I headed out to Wembley around 6:45 for our half-marathon.  Drew and Alison were up when we left!!!  I was hoping they would let her sleep in for a bit.  I think they had a good time.  The race was good, it was nice to run with Brad but I am not sure I would run the race again.  There were very few spectators and it wasn't all that exciting.  And watching races in London is different than the US because no one has signs and if they clap it's not very enthusiastic.  I am sure the marathon will be different, but it was similar at the Richmond Half Marathon and the Royal Parks as well.  It was kind of chilly and there were 3 hills between miles 10 and 13, which were BRUTAL!!!  But I did get a PB 4 minutes off the last one, so I will take it!  When we got back, Brad went out and ran 7 more miles (he is quite a dedicated marathon trainee!) and then we went for a late lunch at our favorite Sunday Roast, the Crooked Billet.

Monday, Rebecca went into London to meet up with a couple of friends.  And Drew was home sick, so I was able to get some things done around the house.  She explored the Bourough Market and came home with a Lemon Meringue beer to try from her friend the brewer.

Tuesday, we headed to Brighton!  It was the perfect beach day and we had a great time!

 The beach is stones rather than sand, which was actually really nice because you don't have to worry about sand getting everywhere.  Drew was having a great time finding rocks and playing with his planes in the rocks.  We had a great fish and chips lunch right on the water, and found several really great art shops!  We could have spent at least another hour there I think but we had to hop on the train back to collect the girls from school.  We made it back in plenty of time!  Tuesday night, Rebecca and I went out for a curry, although she caught Drew's cold so she was not feeling so well.

Wednesday, we took the kids to school and then went up to Wimbledon Village for a bit.  We had a coffee and then popped into a few shops and then walked by the Tennis stadium and Rebecca purchased some souveniers in the shop and then we walked through Wimbledon Park before collecting Drew from school.  It was a typical London day, so I am glad we were able to get to Brighton on Tuesday.

Rebecca left at 5:30 on Thursday morning, and it was a quite a journey for her that included a night in the ATL airport.....she could write a book on her travel adventures.  We had a great time with her!!!  So glad she made the trip.