London Trip 2016- The short of it

In February 2016, we went to London, England.

It was an amazing, magical, awesome memorable experience full of sites seen, new things experienced, cool modes of transportation (planes, trains, subways, double-decker busses!), random people getting sick, lost luggage, one 6th birthday,  cool playgrounds, family, food, and love love love.

I put all of our pictures together into a video, which is super high quality, but super low quality to be able to be posted here. I have the high quality version around here somewhere...(try here: http://www.mediafire.com/file/v74kv5gm6s5ee5i/Weinstein+Family+Vacation+smaller.mp4) 

I hope you enjoyed that 30 minutes of your life! I know we enjoyed our 10 day trip! You guys are still talking about if 4 months later! It was so much fun and I hope none of us ever forget this awesome time together.

Your mother and I are so proud of how well both of you adjusted to the new and bizarre and different world we flung you into.

Aidan's, your greatest hits included when you decided that when you grow up, you want to be a guard, and when you fist-bumped Ramses II, and when you saw a painting of Perseus holding Medusa's severed head:

Julia, you loved the 'witch mask' you got at the museum, talking on the telephone, and going up in the London Eye Ferris Wheel. Though, your favorite thing was the Crown Jewels, which you wanted to take home with you! 

Amazing trip; amazing memories. Jolly good time, old chap! Jolly good time, indeed!  I hope you guys remember it fondly. 

We gained many treasures in London. Some treasured memories, some actual souvenirs that you picked out and purchased, others that were lovingly given to you inside a Kinder Egg; others that you found on the street and decided "this is cool; this is London; this is treasure." When I think of our London trip I often find myself visualizing your treasures, collected there on our table just after we got home. The innocence of finding a coin or a piece of a sardine can and pocketing it. But that's all memories are anyway- we choose to keep the ones we like forever and ever.

Julia's London Treasures

Aidan's London Treasures

Aidan's 6th Birthday Party!

A Long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...

Aidan turned SIX years old!

...and a Star Wars birthday party was held at the Little Gym by his request and in his honor.

Anticipation was high as the party started...

...and then the gates were opened up, your friends arrived, and the fun began!

You were literally climbing the walls with excitement!

Everyone knew that it was YOUR special day and they were all there to celebrate with you in style! Some of your closest friends and pretty much your entire kindergarten class was there to celebrate!

You kicked the party off with a super cool party trick:

Then you all went on a JOURNEY to OUTER SPACE!

Of course, the birthday parachute had to come out:

...and this year you were perfectly happy to be the center of attention and at the center of the parachute as your friends spun you around and sang their hearts out for you!

Out came the balls, the air track and amazing fun happy fun times!

Before we knew it, the whole sweaty bunch of you were ready for cupcakes and singing, and you pals serenaded you yet again:

You were so pleased, humble, and proud:

And we were all so very proud of you! You didn't even vomit this year*

Back in the gym for more fun, now with sugar!

You got some pretty sweet gifts that you were very happy with...and eagerly played with the next morning:

...and you shared with your sister too...

...but the best gift of all was the absolutely innocent, positive, joyful good time you had with your friends and family. May your years be joyous and full of such great friends who always bring the gift of love...and a good time! (and maybe cupcakes)

* more on that later.