Celebrating the Queen's Diamond Jubilee!

We really lucked out with our timing in moving to London.  We were here for Will and Kate's Wedding, this last weekend we were here for the Queen's 60th anniversary as queen and later this summer, London hosts the Olympics! 

Perhaps it is patriotism (or simply that they have a super styling flag) but everyone and everything was decked out in the Union Jack and/or red white and blue for the festivities.  The shops around Crystal Palace all had festive displays:

And outfits like this were not an uncommon sight:

Jason, Charlotte and I joined in the festivities at Jason's office.  What I originally thought to be a simple invitation to watch the flotilla from the water-view offices, turned out to be a super swank, fully catered party with free-flowing alcohol, live music, jugglers, kids activities and a dress code appropriate for "having tea with the Queen."  Oh my.

But before we got to the party, we had to brave the crowds:

We decided to leave the pushchair at home and opted for the Ergo carrier instead:  

We were escorted in by two "bobbies" on stilts (and later a staff of women in matching dresses).  Jason and I got a kick out of it, but Charlie is apparently not as impressed as we are by exceptionally long legs.

We were greeted by a live band and a huge screen showing live coverage of the Queen.

Everyone had flags and festive Union Jack hats.  Even the atrium of Jason's building was dressed for the occasion:

We spent most of our time in the kid's area.  Normally that would sound pretty lame, but the bar and decorate-your-own-cupcake station provided just about everything we could want out of a party.

Jason's office overlooks the Tower of London and London Bridge, so it was perfectly located to watch the flotilla.  Charlie spent most of her time waiting for the Queen by doing this:

But did manage to watch a little bit of the flotilla as well:

Look!  There's the Queen!  And Wills!  And Kate!