On Saturday I took the kids plus Bella’s bestie to explore the delights of China Town in London.  Charlie, freed from the constraints of school uniform opted for a cunning combination of shorts over jogging trousers..

Accessorised with a pink umbrella..

That was until he spotted this tiger hat..

Not that he didn’t fit in..the place was buzzing..

And tigers were a trend..

It’s not long till Chinese New Year and all the shops were red, vibrant and humming with life and such a variety of whacky and wonderful stuff that blew the kids minds.  They spent their pocket money on dresses, silk pajamas, paper dragons, fortune cookies and fans..

Checking out the weird and grotesque in the restaurant windows.

Charlie, being Charlie..as only Charlie can be..with his fan..

We looked at the Chinese supermarkets..so worth a wander..

Before stopping for a conventional drink and a bite to eat.  Hot chocolate with cheese and onion crisps anyone??

Charlie was more interested in doing peacock impressions..

Looking at our purchases to offer an unsuspecting Daddy..frogspawn juice was a bit of a fav..

And how have we survived this long without a can of Kickapoo?…

The girls came back to change into their dresses and choreograph a fan dance..

Charlie wasn’t going to be outdone..

A slug of kickapoo later..

And it was sword dancing!

Laters, Kate x