Part 3 But does it really have to end....

So our last week of our England trip had come upon us and it was a bit of mixed emotions...I and the kids were really missing Bombshell, who we had left at home, but I was also becoming comfortable being back home to the point it was becoming natural.

Monday we just chilled out resting from our trip the previous day at Chessington.   Packed up and made our way over to Grandma's house.  It was a windy day but we made a trip down to the marina so the kids could do some crabbing.  Now the sun was shining and we had the Carolina blue but oh my the wind was sure whipped up down by the water, and here I was in my shorts freezing my ta-tas off.

Bambeano loved throwing the line into the water and catching the bite but when it came into actually seeing the crab or unhooking that was another story, the darn kid didn't realize that although the crab was on the end of the line he was still holding the other end of the line so no matter how far or where he moved to the crab followed, that was until it got loose and start to crawl to find the water.  I tried my hardest not to laugh but it was interesting to watch to say the least.  

Now Boo Boo on the other hand was getting a real hang of the whole thing and loved trying to beat the size of the crab she hooked with the next one, she too was a little squeamish when it came to unhook, I was having none of it, and you wonder where they get their fear from.  Grandma on the other hand came to the rescue.

With the wind and movement of the jetty it wasn't long before we decided to leave.  Poor Cilla (Grandma's dog) was not too impressed with the whole thing.

The next day we pottered around the house, took the dog for a walk and had lunch before we ventured out to Tiptree Jam factory for a true English afternoon tea, clotted cream and all.   Boy was this just heaven, good ole English tea, jam, scone and of course not to forget the cream!!!!!  We left there and ventured back to Grandma's.

Card games and wine flowed and we even caught some of the Euro 2012 soccer which Jack loved.

This was also the great week to catch up with some great friends.   Tuesday was an afternoon at the Castle Park again meeting up with my oldest friend from college who also happens to be Boo Boo's godmother.  After the kids burned out their energy it was time to grab some dinner before heading back to Grandma's.

Wednesday was an afternoon catching up with more great friends.  Darren is also Boo Boo's godfather and spent 18 months in Charlotte with Chris when they were interning.  His wife, Martine, and I first met when we both traveled to Charlotte for one Christmas while both Darren and Chris were living there and we hit off immediately and had a very memorable night New Years Eve 2008 at the now defunct club, The Hut this was followed up by kicking up a storm on the dance floor on my wedding day, glad YouTube wasn't so popular back then!!!!  Their 3 boys and Bambeano hit it off just as well when we walked up to the "Rec" and they kicked around a soccer ball.  I think the fact the boys all had on soccer strips, 2 of which were Tottenham, Bambeano was super excited.  Martine was able to stop by before she had leave for a school function she had to attend with her being a teacher.

After freshing up and handing off babysitting duties to Nannie and Grandad.  Grandad dropped me back off at Darren's so Darren and I could enjoy dinner, you've guessed it another Indian!!!!

Saturday came around real quick and this was Boo Boo's long awaited request, a trip to Buckingham Palace and a chance to catch up with their other cousins.  Grandma drove us up to Uncle Paul and Auntie Liz's house in Enfield and from there we caught the train into London.  We made our way through the crowds to the front of the Palace, this palace was HEAVING!!!!!  My first thought was surely this cannot be the lines to tour the Palace, I was kind of nervous as this was the opening day of the palace due to the Jubilee events but we made our way to the gates.  It turned out to be the ending of the changing of the guard, how neat, of all my years leaving in England I never experienced this.  Boo Boo grabbed her brother's hand and her cousin and squirmed their way to the front, Boo Boo armed with her camera took some great shots.

After some lunch we made our way to the Palace for our tour, it was busy but interesting, the crown jewels exhibit was a bit of a shambles but that is the British way I guess.  No air conditioning and the lack of controls of crowds in large spaces made for some uncomfortable times, I think a training session from Disney would fix that right up.  The gardens were unbelievable and the sun was shining what more could you ask for.  It was quite amazing that this beautiful Palace and grounds were smack in the middle of the hustle and bustle of London.

Sunday the kids spent time with their cousins before leaving Grandma's and making their way over to Nannie's to catch up with their other cousins.

Bowden & Humberstone Cousins (Bombshell's sister's children)

Now the time had come to start packing up for our return home, mixed emotions came as I was excited to see Bombshell and friends but so so emotionally draining to be leaving.  We had spent so much time at home catching up with family and friends that it really did bring home what I miss living in America.

A final hurrah dinner Monday and the cousins (my sister's kids) got to enjoy each other's company before having to say goodbye

Bowden & Cooper Cousins (My sister's children)

Tuesday was a day of drizzle and some final shopping before we left for the airport hotel.  Picked up Bambeano's soccer cleats (Football boots to my English friends) for his birthday and some other last minute goodies before packing it all up to leave for the hotel.

I was hoping the day of our flight the kids would do just as good as they did flying over and maybe US Airways had my name flagged in the system in a good way after our experiencing flying to England.  Well the morning did not start good as both the kids were both very tired and Boo Boo was not feeling too good, geez cannot I not catch a break!!!!

After several trips to the bathroom throwing up and a nice episode on the curb outside Gatwick you could say I was just about done.  However, not to be out beaten by his sister, Bambeano started to join in on the act, so make that 2 kids throwing up before our flight, FUN FUN FUN.  To make it a little easier Gatwick now has a family and need assistance immigration so after some tearful good byes we made our way  through immigration, it was a breeze.  This was  a VERY hard good bye only made easier by being strong for the kids.

Until next time England, thanks for the fun times, great memories and last of all the weather!!!!!!

Can't wait to write about our next adventure, ATL BABY!!!!!