Wednesday and Thursday

Wow...so much to blog about....

Wednesday morning was a bit of a rush while we all bustled about packing up to leave our hotel at Chelsea and head north to Bolton.

After a quick bus ride, we arrived at Reading's training facility.  I cannot express how happy the parents were to be out of the wind to watch a match.  The boys played fantastically and pulled off a 3-1 win against Reading.

The Queen Mum, distributing hand sanitizer to her royal subjects.....

One of Mr. Yonally's amazing photos.....Ryan's header for one of the goals.

Thursday was a big day for our coach....Billy was positively giddy as we boarded the bus for our stadium tour of Old Trafford, home to Manchester United.

After our stadium tour and (empty your wallets) visit to the mega store it was up to Burnley Football Club for another friendly.  The boys in Burnley were as rugged as the weather there, but even so, SB pulled off a 3-1 win!  Go SB!

You have to pass an old castle and a flowing river to get to the playing field...

Really, playing football with a castle in the background???? I hope the boys appreciate this, truly amazing.

And, because I keep mentioning how darn cold it is, I have supplied photographic evidence. 

After dinner, it was time for a little catch-up in the homework department...

except for this Little, who was having a smashing time chatting it up with the "Bigs."

Until next time.....

Tuesday

The Littles played a little hookie on Tuesday, so this post might be a little less soccer and a bit more London.

While the big brothers were having a Q&A time with the Fulham coaches as well as a friendly match with Wimbledon (Again, a tie...1-1)

(I heard it was really windy and cold, shocking, I know)

the Littles hit London!

After a successful subway ride...

It was on to London Tower and Tower Bridge

The boys loved the Little Armor that would have been for some very small Kings...

Kings who would have been their age...8, 9, 10.

After exploring the Tower...the Littles were returned to their fathers and big brothers for a Stadium tour of Chelsea

While a few of us went "Champagning" at Harrods.

The boys later that night managed to find Mexican food.....I think a few boys are missing Southern California cuisine... :)

Sunday and Monday

Yes, yes, so the blog is backdated by a couple...alright...a few days...with good reason.  London was a non-stop soccer whirlwind!  So much to do, so little WiFi... So I will try to recount for you what we have been up to, briefly, for the past few days.

Sunday started out with a Stadium Tour of Wembley, home of England's National Team.  

Deb Babineau, official laundry mom, always a VIP with or without the badge.

The entire team had their moments for Q&A from the 'press.'

We then made our way across the street for a training session with one of the Reading coaches.  

While the boys had their training session, the parents and a few of the 'Littles' (the younger siblings have collectively all been re-named) had a little friendly match of their own...I know you are disappointed, I think the documented evidence of this remains in the archives of Yonally's camera....

Upon arriving back to our hotel in London, the boys spied the Chelsea team bus...with luggage still on it!  The stake out commenced and a few hours later....

Success!  Soccer balls, t-shirts and papers were signed!  Thank you John Terry, David Luiz and Juan Mata, you made the boys (cold) two-hour wait worth it!

Saturday begun our run of matches.  The boys arrived at Arsenal excited and ready to play their first international match.  Unfortunately for you all, I was too cold to remember the play-by-plays of the game, but I do know that the boys pulled off a well-deserved tie!  Our newest player, Julian was named Man of the Match, what a great asset to the team!

Of course the boys were hungry after the game, so on to Queen Elizabeth's carver for lunch...Lots of eating pics there....not so great for looking at...but one pub (owner?) Marianne, took quite a fancy to Mr. Flood....I think she was genuinely upset that Meghan had joined her husband for lunch...

After lunch it was back to the hotel to put on as many layers as physically possible for the evening's professional match, Fulham vs. QPR.  In contrast to the Arsenal game, this match was held in a small stadium found in the middle of a residential neighborhood.  Loved the smaller size and the fans!  

As the fans grew louder and the night grew colder, we were introduced to the drink of choice for football fans across England....the one and only Beefy Drink! Seriously.

Fulham pulled off a fantastic win and it was back to warm up at the hotel to get ready for Tuesday....

The trip of a lifetime was put together by....

In case you were wondering who put together our amazing trip....check out EPL Sports put together by the one and only Barrie Love.  Even my youngest, Will, who swore that he did not like soccer prior to this trip, has had one of the most incredible experiences ever and was trying to get us to purchase all of the Manchester United gear in the mega store (uhhhh...thanks Barrie??????  ;)  ).

Seriously, if you are EVER thinking of doing something like this, check out this incredible company.

https://www.facebook.com/eplsports.org

Fun in the Tube, amazing what a pound will get you! Priceless!

Billy the Badger aka Billy on the bus

 outside Fulham

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you! Manchester Derby here we come!

Thank Goodness we were indoors!

When is SMHS getting one of these?

Phew! We need a bigger locker room!

You could fit a zeppelin in here!