Levi & Mama take on London!

Levi and I spent 9 days in London, a trip that was long overdue. It was one of the greatest gifts I gave myself and him. Levi was finally able to explore his "birth" city, reconnect with friends and spend time with his mama 1 on 1. We actually did quite well traveling too. Levi adjusted beautifully to GMT time,  and was so curious about the architecture, the history and 'his' story. It definitely was a trip I will always remember.

Levi bounding past our favorite spot in our old neighborhood 'La Fromergie'

 

1st night in London, and once we got the boys in bed, we scurried off to a delicious curry dinner and to see the lights on Oxford street. London lives and breathes Christmas.

Levi at midnight (up b/c of jet lag) and Maureen couldn't wait to snuggle him

Levi playing at his old playground by our flat

A new la boulangerie opened on Marleybone high street, and it is incredible

Our high street

 

We spent an afternoon with one of our most favorite families...The White Family... Simon, Serena, Felix, Freddie and Oscar.

The boys happen to be home from boarding school, so Levi was in heaven with 3 older play mates.

 

 

They past down their beloved Chelsea 'Terry' jersey.

Levi fell in love with the tube.

 

Levi celebrated his 6th birthday with his BFF Harry, who was born a few minutes after him, in the room next door.

 Kristi planned a beautiful party in Notting Hill.

The blue chicken is new accent in Trafalager Square, and you can't miss him. He's huge! We did a big bus tour around town and Levi loved him.

 

Levi was most excited to see 'Big Ben.'

 

We even went and checked out our old building. 

Levi was able to catch up with Thomas, our favorite door man.

This beautiful door was just down the street from Kristi's flat, and every time I walked by it we had to stop. Look at those leaves?!

For a California boy, Levi felt right at home in the drizzle.

Harry & Levi

 

We went ice skating three times- this is in front of the Natural History Museum. This particular time was a little challenging, because it had been pouring all day!

I always point out UCLA Santa Monica hospital when we drive by it so Felix and Gus know where they were born. Finally, Levi was able to see the hospital he was born!

Levi was mesmerised by the window display at Hanley's

The window display at John Lewis was out of this world. Meet Monty and his penguins.

Levi took this picture for John, since Monty is sitting in his favorite chair!

Sometimes we just had to take 5 after doing so much walking!

We had a yummy lunch with Courtney at Liberty's, one of my most favorite dept stores! 

Levi even got to play with Manjola, our sitter who first help us parenthood as expats!

Walking through Regent's Park was a definite highlight

Serena and Simon took me to a play in the West End, which was fantastic

We conquered Winter Wonderland at Hyde park with our dear friends Amy and her girls

More ice skating with Georgia at Winter Wonderland

Amy, Lola and Georgia

I met this beauty my first weekend in London and knew instantly we would be life long friends

We had a slumber party at Amy's new flat in Hamstead and Levi and Georgia didn't miss a beat, picking up where they left off this summer when Amy and the girls visited LA

Thanksgiving walk through the Heath!

Levi and I made Thanksgiving dinner for Kristi and Ben and the kids

Levi and Harry had so much fun. Emily was ready to see Levi go, she was ready to have her brother back!

Natural History Museum!

A day with Darren...LOVE!

 

Santa in Covent Garden made out of 30K lego pieces!

 

 

Ice skating at Somerset House, which is absolutely beautiful

 

We spent our final day in Barnes with Kristi, Ben, Maureen and Ulrik and all the children. They have the most amazing movie theater. The kids watched Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, while we brunched.

 These three are inseparable. We were all shocked by how well they played. A kinship from the beginning that is surviving the geographic distance. 

 

 

Love these girls

 

 

Sweet Nikolaj having a heart to heart with Ulrik

 

 

Such a treat to be with these two special girlfriends for a week!

Just like old times, we laughed the evening away, while the children destroyed Maureen and Ulrik's house

Levi still asks me when he can go back to London. Don't worry darling. It will always be a part of our story.

Levi's turning 6

We celebrated Levi's 6th birthday today with his friends in LA. He started planning his party early and was dead set on having 'the worlds biggest bounce house' AND everyone from his class.  We had a fun filled party at the PARK (not our house) complete with a Pinata, huge bounce house with obstacle course and pizza. Levi loved having 23+ friends there.

His real birthday is in 1 week, so it hasn't quite hit me he's turning 6, however it is hard to believe that he's growing up so quickly - he has an incredible wit to him and inherited his mother's 'cruise director' skills, so he spends a lot of time trying to project managing.

Levi continues to be extremely compassionate, fiesty at times, extremely creative and very athletic. I love watching him share his gifts with the world!

I bounced for a good 20 minutes before the other children arrived and I could have stayed in this bounce house for hours. It was awesome!

Two of Levi's best girlfriends from pre-school - Niamp and Sierra

Levi's Pinata (Candy picked out)

Candy and Dianna with baby Gus Gus

Grace and Jennie (my BFF from growing up)

Penelope, Siera and Niamp (that hair)

All Felix wanted was Dusty Crophopper from the top. Levi promised he could have it after he blew out the candles. It was one of those brotherly moments- he had made a promise that morning and he absolutely stuck by it.

We've entered the world of legos 

Levi's other best girlfriend from pre-school Paige, wrapper her present up like a robot and made him a book- so incredibly thoughtful! We had such a fun day celebrating our sweet boy, Levi! 

Laser Sharks Finish Strong

The laser sharks played one heck of a season and it's important to mention that they had John coaching who's #1 was was to have fun. On top of that, they one all but 1 game AND each boy seeme to fall in the love with the game.

Treasured Moments in November

Here are just a few favorite moments I have to remember from the past couple of weeks! 

Dinner w/ our cousins 

Fro-yo with the cuzzies 

Levi and Baby Gus having an early morning snuggle while I make breakfast 

Felix sneaking in a snuggle after a full belly of pizza at Whole Foods

A morning snuggle on a lazy Sunday 

Nostalgic For Seattle

It finally rained in LA, and I got the boys dressed as quickly as possible so they could experience jumping in the puddles (a novelty for them, but a childhood pasttime for me).  I realized how much I miss for Seattle weather, or just even a slight change of seasons. 

Of course when we returned, the boys were freezing and wanted to take hot showers and drink hot coca. They definitely are California boys...

A Rocket, A Dinosaur & a Robot by day and an Octopus by night!

Levi made his robot costume and was so proud. He proudly strutted around the school yard w/ his other Kinder friends. Felix was dead seat on being a rocket (John made him into rocket man) and Gussy bear wore his dinosaur costume that he wears regularly and didn't miss a beat trick-o-treating.

Felix and his dear friend Katie

Felix & Connor...new friends, but old act like old ones

#Gibbonsboys trick-o-treating as a wolf pack

I learned something about Gussy Bear...

Gus and I have been going to music class once a week at Felix school, and it turns out he's painfully shy. He enjoys the class, but he refuses to smile!