This week I decided to give each kid a “Yes Day” (within reason of course!) and let them choose the activity we do that day. Today for S’s “Yes Day” he chose to go to Harrod’s to buy a souvenir. In the morning the boys do reading and school work while V packs lunches, waters, and snacks. We have a family prayer, say goodbye to C, and hop on the bus to Harrod’s. We make one bus transfer, and while we are waiting at the bus stop someone thought I was the nanny! They couldn’t believe all three kids were mine! It seems to be happen pretty often here…people think I’m the nanny! We get on the bus and arrive at Harrod’s. The kids are so excited to get their souvenirs, but I insist we eat lunch first. We sit outside and eat on the bench, the kids are happy, then we go inside and find the toy section and gift shop. The boys really want a red double decker bus, black taxi, and a Union Jack double decker bus. Each boy pays with their own cash that they brought from home. They are so excited to open their new toys as soon as we are outside the store. We walk all the way from Harrod’s to the Princess Diana Memorial Playground (or “the pirate ship playground”). The boys were so great at walking through Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, and all the way to the oppositions end of the park to the playground. Since it’s late in the day, the playground is very crowded but the kids have fun and V sits and watches from the shade. We stay for a couple of hours, then V treats boys to a scoop of ice cream before walking back to the bus stop to head home. The kids were so happy to get ice cream on such a hot day after and after all their walking that they all gave me a big hug! Ice cream was so good for all of us, and the kids were so happy and we walked back across Kensington Gardens to our bus stop to go home. When we get home the kids relax, then V runs to pick up some groceries while C takes care of the kid’s dinner and bedtime. V and C have date night dinner at home while the kids are asleep! Such a great day!
Things to Know:
*Dining Hall food from Harrod’s is for take-away only. We simply found a bench outside where we could sit down and eat. The park is also nearby.
*Toys are on the 4th Floor of Harrod’s.
*Gift shop and souvenirs are on the Lower Ground Floor. The kids LOVED picking out souvenir double decker buses and taxi cabs. I loved picking out Harrod’s London-themed Christmas ornaments.
*Princess Diana Memorial Playground at Kensington Gardens is FREE to the public.
*The playground is fenced and children are only allowed to enter and exit with an adult.
*Playground has a cafe with snacks, ice cream, and drinks for purchase. Toilets and first aid office also available.