THIS IS MY LIFE: SETTLING IN

I am really enjoying living in London and am trying to get out each weekend to see the many tourist attractions. I find it hard to believe that I can actually say I live in London. The double decker buses are my daily mode of transportation, I don't think sitting up the top pretending to drive will ever get old! I think things are starting to gel with me and the kids. They are learning that I am not planning to leave them, like a few of their other Au Pairs did quite early on. I do feel like I am yelling a lot at them, but I guess it takes a while for them to get used to me.

Last weekend me and Chloe went to the Zoo in Regents Park. It was nothing overly special but at least I can say that I have been there now. I did manage to see the reptile house where Harry Potter was filmed so that was a bit exciting and totally worth the 15pounds... It was lovely to see Mike and Carmen again. They took me out of London to the north to a typical english country pub where I had a traditional roast that was huge!

I went up the Shard, with Chloe and Jordyn (Emma's friend). What an adventure that was! We decided to go and have lunch on saturday so turned up in our jandels and shorts to find vallet parking and men in suits everywhere! Totally embarrassed we finally plucked up the courage to go inside where a lady in a cocktail dress asked us if we had a reservation. We told her we didn't and she showed us how to get to the bar. After seeing 12pound cocktails on the menu we took a few touristy photos and made our way back down and outside. Safe to say we won't be making that mistake again! At least we didnt have to pay the 30pounds to go up it normally!

We have school holidays here at the moment and Alice, the middle child, has gone to stay with her Grandparents in France meaning there is only two here with me, it certinally makes things quite a bit easier! The eldest, Lucas, has been going to a football day camp each day so it leaves me to spend some time with the youngest, Mia, which has been really nice.

We went to a big playground in Hyde Park, the Natural History Museum to see the dinosaurs and the Tower of London to show her the poppies. It has been so much fun! It is nice not having to stick to a super strict time schedule too meaning I get to be a lot more relaxed. They have 2 weeks holidays and are going to spend the second week in France with Sophie and Jens.

While they are all away, I have been given a week off to do some travelling. Mum and I decided on Spain as it should hopefully still be pretty warm at this time of year. I am flying into Madrid for 3 nights, then taking a train to Valencia for 2 nights, Barcelona for another 2 then flying back to London. I am very excited, it will be very nice to have a break and a sleep in!

It is coming at a perfect time too as I am very ready for a break. Fingers are certainly crossed for some warm weather as London is getting really cold now. Its also very dark in the mornings until about 8am and dark by 6pm - not so nice when the kids are at school till 5pm some days!

"Once the travel bug bites there is no known antidote, and I know that I shall be happily infected until the end of my life." - Micheael Palin

I hope this has inpired you.

LARISSAJODEE x

#friends #aupair #lifestyle