We interrupt your regularly scheduled Europe posts so I can brag about my mom.

My mom works her tail off, and I wanted to take a moment to brag about the hard work she does for her students.  This past year, she coordinated the grant and donation of a jet from Fed Ex to be used as a classroom.  Awesome. 

...and of course, since she was the one who did the work to get the jet, she got to plan the party!  (lucky?  oh yes!).

The party to welcome the jet to it's final home made a big splash in the local news, too:

"At Farnsworth Magnet School, donated jet will be classroom" - from the Pioneer Press (local paper)

"New classroom - a Boeing 727 Jet" - video from the Star Tribune

"St. Paul's Newest Classroom is a Boeing 727" - from WCCO (our local CBS station)

"New Curriculum to Take Flight in Idle Aircraft" - from the Star Tribune (local paper)

Also - I didn't realize this until now, but their entire 280 person marching band is outfitted in bright blue flight suits.  How fabulous is this, seriously?  (photo from here)

London Museums: Natural History Museum

Right after visiting the Victoria and Albert, we went across the street to the Natural History Museum to see gems, dinosaurs, and my man, Charles Darwin.

I love atriums in science museums.  They're open and always brimming with curiosity. 

The man himself.  

Their hall of gems.  I was in heaven.  Heaven!  But it's a place that's too big to absorb all at once...but still, for a rock-crazy girl like me, it was definitely the highlight of the afternoon.

This picture doesn't do the dinosaurs justice, but it was such a well-executed exhibit...dinosaur skeletons were suspended from the ceiling, and you walked upon an elevated platform to see them.  Then, you descended to see an animatronic dinosaur growling at you...which sounds very silly, but the effect was startling.  After this, you wound underneath all of the dinosaur skeletons and learned more about their habitats, how they died out, what they ate, the whole thing.  Very well done. 

London Museums: Victoria and Albert

Opened in , the Victoria and Albert Museum bills itself as "the world's greatest museum of art and design." 

While I perhaps don't agree with the somewhat arrogant motto, it's a beautiful museum.

These were scattered around the large open atrium near the entrance..I loved the colors.

This painting was hidden above a door, I absolutely loved it. 

If you're thinking of visiting, keep in mind that like most museums, it's giant.  Huge.  One could spend a single day here, all day.  The nice thing is that entrance is free, so if you want to do a bit here and there, your wallet won't mind. 

A walk through London: South Kensington

St. Mungo's exists.  Mind blown.  (though it is a homeless shelter, not a hospital for magical injuries)

Once I make my millions, I think I'll buy a townhouse off Onslow Square. 

London day three, afternoon walk
A.  South Kensington Station
B.  Onslow Square
C.  Victoria and Albert Museum/Natural History Museum
D.  Number 16

A walk through London: Marylebone to Marble Arch

I can't get over the jagged lines, so strange!

Selfridge's  (if you haven't checked out the show Mr. Selfridge from the BBC, it's great!)

A little slice of home, even if displayed on the most uncomplimentary neon green color. 

Marble Arch + life

Marble Arch on a quieter moment.

Back on a double decker bus! 

London day three, walk one (1.6 miles)

A.  Regent's Park Tube

B.  Nordic Bakery

C.  Coco Momo 

D.  Selfridge's

E.  Marble Arch