I awoke early this morning while London was still dark and quiet, but Libby and Emerson managed to sleep nearly 12 hours until 9am. The day was once again overcast and cool, which is a refreshing change for Floridians in late June. After feeding Emerson breakfast and getting ready, we walked to Ben’s cookies for our breakfast (delicious cappuccinos) and then on to the National History Museum in South Kensington.
The end. 
Seriously, we spent the entire day (until about 4pm) at the NHM! Emerson was utterly captivated by the dinosaur exhibits (which is admittedly her favorite topic of late – at 3, she can identify more dinosaurs than I’d previously known). Hypsilophodon, Iguanodon, Massospomdylus, Allosaurus, Albertosaurus, Tuojiangosaurus, Gallimimus, Triceratops, Tyrannosaurus, Diplodocus (named “Dippy”) — we saw them all, not to mention numerous fossils of dinosaur skulls, teeth, horns, bones, eggs, and skin. Twice!
Emerson inspecting the exhibits at the Natural History Museum in London
We also had an excellent lunch at the museum’s restaurant, the Scarf-o-saurus (which had surprisingly high quality food and a very pleasant ambiance). Libby and I enjoyed sharing a wonderful thin crust pizza and a slice of lemon pound cake. Emerson had shrimp scampi and chips. After lunch, we returned to the museum to see the mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and fish before going on our second laps of the dinosaur exhibits.
On our way home from the NHM, we walked through Kensington Gardens and picked up dinner supplies at the Whole Foods. Tonight, I made Parma ham and cheese stuffed pasta with a simple marinara sauce. We also had some delicious gorgonzola dolce on a fresh baguette. In the words of the immortal Cookie Monster: nom, nom, nom…
This is the sort of day that I enjoy the most in London at Allen House – spending the day as I imagine we might if we were full-time Londoners.
Emerson is a fortunate little lady to have such wonderful parents!