Parks

This past week we actually moved to our new apartment. I am pretty sure Andrew is totally confused now. We only have this apartment for the next month because they are fully booked at the end of July. We are waiting to hear back from Mark's boss on where we go from here. I really wish we didn't have to do all of this moving around. Our new apartment is much nicer than where we were staying previously. 

Over the weekend we decided to have a more relaxed weekend so we could get settled in the apartment and figure out what is in walking distance for me and Andrew. On Saturday we took a walk to the park. This park was a much better walk than where we were previously located, but I will say it involves a lot of hills. This park has a little play area for Andrew and a little cafe. It is actually a really big park.

I feel like the equipment here is a little dated, but it will do!

The hair is getting a little crazy!!

On Sunday we started our morning off at our favorite cafe. When I say our it really means mine and Andrew's favorite. Mark likes it but they do not have brewed coffee and that is what Mark usually gets. That is the one thing I will miss about our old apartment! I could walk there everyday if I wanted to. I might just have to get brave and take the bus downtown one day. We had espresso and muffins!! Yum! After that we decided to check out another park that is about ten minutes away. This park was a serious park. They had a number of play sets, a train, putt putt golf, donkey rides, a splash pool, go carts, a cafe, and a craft village. I wish we lived in walking distance of this one. Of course, we had to take a ride on the train. Andrew had a blast!!

Train time!

When we got off the train we walked out to this. This could be the most dangerous thing I have ever seen in a park. This was some type of pond that had nothing to keep kids from falling in. Every time we were walking next to it I was stressed. It is in the middle of all of the kids activities!! Not sure what they were thinking with this one.

There were so many different things for the kids to do. Another nice feature is every play area is fenced in.

 

 

Warwick Castle and Stratford-upon-Avon

On Sunday we wanted to do something that Andrew would enjoy a little more so we decided to go to Warwick Castle. This castle is very kid friendly. They had a bunch of different activities for kids and there were people walking around in costume. This castle dates back 1,100 years. Millions have been spent to restore this castle into what it is today. This castle was actually built for defense to keep the settlement of Warwick safe. They were also having a car show for Father's Day. This castle was so busy compared to the one we went to yesterday.

Andrew was a little scared of this knight.

Mark and Andrew with the Queen...or at least a wax version of the Queen.

Not sure why, but my favorite room is always the dining room in these castles and houses.

Here are some of the fancy cars we saw. Andrew was supposed to be in this first one but then he ran away. Mark isn't a huge car guy, but this Ferrari and Aston Martin were pretty nice.

Andrew is constantly chasing the birds and ducks.

This castle had a ton of Peacocks. They were so annoying. Of course, Andrew loved them.

The coolest tree I have ever seen! I want it in my yard. I have no idea what it is called.

Close up of the tree

After our trip to Warwick Castle we took a little drive out to a town called Stratford-upon-Avon. This is the birthplace of WIlliam Shakespeare. It is such a cute little town. We first stopped at an amaizng little place that had the best desserts ever. Mark and Andrew had carrot cake and I had Irish cream cheesecake. We stopped at the house Shakespeare was born. We walked around the town for a little bit and then decided to check out this Butterfly Garden that we saw signs for. The Butterfly Garden ended up being such a great stop. Andrew loved it. It was the happiest I have seen him on this trip!! It was so fun for Mark and I to watch him run around and chase the butterflies. The Butterfly Garden was in this little greenhouse like place. There were so many butterflies. Andrew thought it was funny to try to scare them so they would fly around. Either way it was the perfect end to our weekend.

Shakespeare's Birthplace

Our family picture after being rained on all day

One of the streets in the town

Thought these boats were pretty cool

I think I took a million pictures of the butterflies. Not sure what I was thinking because what am I going to do with a bunch of butterfly pictures.

There was fruit cut up for the butterflies and Andrew was just cracking up here.

One landed on Daddy

The Butterfly Garden also had a room with spiders and scorpions. As most of you know, I have an issue with all things creepy and crawly. I thought I would be fine looking at them behind glass but I could only take a picture of this guy and then I had to get out of there.

Bolsover Castle and Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem

On Saturday we decided to visit our first castle in England. Before our trip we had to start our morning off with coffee from our favorite cafe.

Bolsover Castle was only about 45 minutes from our apartment. This castle was nice because it wasn't very busy. Most of the castle had not been restored, but it was still interesting to see what each room used to be. This castle was actually built for luxury and status, not defense. Andrew enjoyed running around and looking. He didn't have to be as careful in this one because there was not fancy, old furniture and art that he could bother.

We are getting a little better at our family self portrait.

Nice view

Andrew had fun trying to build his own castle

Andrew quickly identified where the water was coming from on this fountain. There is never a dull moment in England with this two year old.

After the castle we decided to go have a late lunch at the oldest inn in England, Ye Olde Trip to Jerusalem. This pub/inn was so interesting. It is actually carved out of a rock at the foot of the Nottingham Castle. Word has it that travelers would stop for a pint on their way to the Holy Land. We can now say that we stopped there for a meal and a drink. The tables are all really close together, so naturally we met the people sitting next to us. They were from Canada, and I just have to note that everyone I have ever met from Canada is so nice!

As we were sitting at our I table I looked around and saw this chair behind me...

This is the sign I read above the chair. How funny? Maybe it will give us a little luck for baby #2!!

After the pub we walked around the town of Nottingham. We came across this statue of Robin Hood and read about his history. Speaking of history, I was talking to mom about our adventures for the day and she told me that our family is actually from Notthingham. She found this out recently from my Great Aunt Jane who is 91. It was about five generations back. Crazy!!