London Calling: Fish and Chips, Fancy Mocktails, and a Touch of Magic!

London, baby! We touched down in the land of double-decker buses, questionable weather, and enough history to fill a library (bigger than Hogwarts, probably). This trip was all about my son, Enzo, living his best British life, and let me tell you, it was a rollercoaster – in the best way possible.

Hyatt Regency London Stratford: Our Basecamp of British Blunders

Our digs were the Hyatt Regency London Stratford. Fancy name, sure, but let's be honest, most of our time there was spent deciphering the tea kettle and convincing Enzo the power outlets weren't portals to another dimension (thanks,outdated movies!).

Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, and a Big Ben Fanboy

First stop: Buckingham Palace! We saw the changing of the guard, which was impressive, but Enzo was more fascinated by the pigeons strutting around like they owned the place. Then, Big Ben! Enzo, bless his heart, had been dreaming of seeing this clock tower for ages. Let's just say, his excitement was enough to make Big Ben blush (if clocks could blush).We topped it off with a ride on the London Eye – a giant Ferris wheel offering stunning views, and a guaranteed opportunity for Enzo to yell, "Look, Mom! It's so tiny down there!" at every passing landmark.

A Wizarding Weekend and a Duck & Waffle Detour

Next on the agenda: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter! This was Enzo's heaven, and as luck would have it, we met my cousin and her twin daughters there. Let's just say, my son suddenly became less interested in spells and more interested in comparing Quidditch strategies with his newfound cousins (thank Merlin for cousin sleepovers!).

To celebrate this magical reunion, we booked a late-night dinner at Duck & Waffle. Now, picture this: a fancy restaurant with breathtaking city views, and two kids sipping on "mocktails" that looked suspiciously like Shirley Temples with umbrellas. It was a night of giggles, skyline selfies, and enough sugar to fuel a Hogwarts Quidditch match.

High Tea with a View and a Tower Bridge Surprise

Day two brought us to The Shard for Enzo's first high tea experience. Tiny sandwiches, miniature pastries, and enough clotted cream to make a cow jealous. Let's just say, dainty finger sandwiches weren't quite Enzo's style, but the view?That, he could get behind. Later, a chance encounter with a former coworker led to a Tower Bridge tour (thanks,[coworker's name]!), followed by a delicious Filipino dinner at Reyna. Because, let's be honest, fish and chips are great,but a taste of home hits different.

Harry Potter at the Palace Theater and a Fishy Finale

The last hurrah? Two glorious parts of Harry Potter at the Palace Theater. This wasn't just a play, it was an epic marathon!Enzo was glued to his seat, practically levitating with excitement (or maybe it was all those jelly beans we snuck in?).After the curtain fell on part two, we refueled with the classic British staple – fish and chips. A perfect (and slightly greasy) way to end a magical trip.

London, We'll Be Back (But Hopefully with a Tea Kettle Translator)

Flying back home was bittersweet. We were exhausted, our suitcases were overflowing with souvenirs (mostly wands and Bertie Bott's Every-Flavour Beans), and our bellies were full of fish and chips. But most importantly, our hearts were full of memories. London, you were a whirlwind of double-decker buses, overflowing museums, and enough Harry Potter magic to last a lifetime. See you soon (and maybe this time, we'll figure out that tea kettle)!