horizon 22 + kiwi comedy

Today we got moving quickly to take a long tube ride into the business district of London for a date at the tallest skyscraper’s top floor, called Horizon 22. I’m so glad that the Kiwis loved and recommended it because it was really spectacular, even amidst fog, to see London from above. The space is beautiful and impressive and all of us were unanimously wowed.

From there we had a quick lunch at Ben’s favorite fast food sushi restaurant, Itsu, and then got back on the tube but hopped off at Sloane Square so that I could show them the holiday lights I’d seen last week. There happened to be some talented teenage carol singers in the gazebo, and we found a place with fancy donuts and splurged on four since the Kiwis accepted our invite to come over for a casual dinner.

Bill and I wanted to head to M&S but didn’t want to drag the kids along, so it was kind of fun to have them get off at our usual stop to walk home together while we continued one stop further. We got a bit overexcited at M&S and got more than we needed, along with me impulsively deciding to make an enormous batch of mac and cheese. We came home and cooked up a storm and then the Kiwis barreled in to join.

I wish I had some photos that captured the joyful chaos: Ben and Sully dancing around the living room as they decorated the tree, four of us playing Dominion at the coffee table, David playing guitar, Gina topping up my champagne glass repeatedly, and then all of us agreeing that the fancy donuts were terrible. Fortunately I had back-up shortbread. One amusing conversation stemmed from the realization that the Kiwis have no idea what American biscuits are. They just kept confusedly asking us, “like scones?” until I melted down (life without biscuits?! how?!) which will be solved when Bill and I bring our belated Thanksgiving to fruition.

Later they walked their kids back home and we got ready to head out for a comedy show at the George while leaving the boys solo for the rest of the evening, a routine that’s become normal and comfortable. James used some of his time to elaborately decorate the legs of the couch and chairs with extra fairy lights, which feels on brand because there’s something airport runway-esque about it.

The Kiwis and us reunited at the George for a comedy show that turned out be pretty excellent; a really varied group stylistically that kept things fresh and entertaining. My favorite was the very weird and existentially-oriented guy who everyone else claimed was just blackout drunk (quite possible) and my least favorite was the American who went the tired route of “I love England where I can say whatever I want because Americans are too sensitive!” Meh. I did enjoy a new favorite beer aptly called “Tiny Rebel.” And fortunately coming home at a reasonable hour allowed me some time to snuggle with a reawakened Ben and make myself a bonus mug of mac n cheese.