London likings

First, as dictated by Emma: We are having fun in London. We miss you. We are going to Costa Rica after we get home. I like to go hear Terry St. Clair play the guitar. I went to go see Mary Poppins on stage. It was so new. I really liked it.

Now from Mom: I think what she means by "it was so new" is that there were several new songs written for the stage production and there were a few new characters, too, like Mr. Banks' nanny, Ms. Andrew. Perhaps she appears in the book; it's been quite some time since I've read it. We called the box office on Tuesday afternoon and managed to garner tickets in the 9th row. It was just about perfect as the closer rows were all below stage level and this one was about even. The guy who played the role of Bert was fantastic, as was George Banks. Mary Poppins enters and exits the sky just like in the Disney movie, very cool. We learned a good bit about author P.L. Travers as well.

We spent Tuesday afternoon in the British museum (http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/explore/families_and_children.aspx). Emma checked out a children's backpack full of activities about Southeast Asia. We'd just finished several dealing with Buddism when we looked up and saw a group of Buddist monks. Wade went over to them and asked if he could introduce one of them to Emma. He came over and she began asking him questions. We were quite proud of her. In a "big girl voice" she asked him about his robes, why and how he meditates, and where he was from. He told her Burma and she pulled the globe out of her backpack so he could show her where that is. I wanted to take a photo, but wasn't sure if that would be acceptable. Fortunately, he returned to us a few minutes later and asked permission to take a photo with Emma, so we grabbed one for her scrapbook as well. Later, she was explaining to our college students the differences between Buddism and "what we believe". One of them, a fairly young Christian, said she wished Emma had been around a year or so ago to explain things to her so she could understand them.

It's been rainy, rainy, rainy since our arrival, but next week looks to be a little less wet. Still showers, but not as many all day. At least it's finally warming up a bit. Well, we're off to the science museum (http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/agegroups/5_to_7.aspx). They have special kids activities this week since it's a school holiday (half-term). Tonight we're going for Indian food with Sherry and McKay.