The quirky side of the London Olympics What's an Olympic Games without some levity and humour? I'm a longtime fan of British humour. I mean, they're the folks who brought us "Absolutely Fabulous" and "Keeping up Appearances." Behind that keep-a-stiff-upper-lip demeanor lurks a nation ready to make you larf. First there was the image of the Queen parachuting from the skies during the Olympic Opening Ceremony, followed by that knee-slapping skit featuring the loveable Mr. Bean banging on the piano. (Were we expecting a staid and sobre Olympic Games?) And then there are the official London Olympic Mascots: Wenlock and Mandeville.   [caption id="attachment_12441" align="aligncenter" width="360" caption="Olympic mascots Wenlock and Mandeville (Courtesy: LOCOG )"] [/caption]

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While the look of Wenlock and Mandeville has drawn criticism from some folks, how can you not want to hug these one-eyed, over-sized high-tech creatures shaped like garden gnomes? Wenlock is named for the Shropshire town that some say first inspired the modern Olympics, while Mandeville pays tribute to the hospital which is believed to have started the Paralympics. So, there's a serious element to their creation, but just their presence in the streets of London makes me want to giggle. Say hullo to Miss Cupcake The Olympians and their families, especially the moms who were sponsored in the P&G Thank You Mom program, which is celebrating Olympic moms around the world, have been treated to a few chuckles as well. At Procter and Gamble's Global Family Home, where athletes and their moms meet up, hang out, get their hair done and enjoy a bite to eat, visitors were treated to some unexpected hospitality last week from London's affable Miss Cupcake - a definite twist on the stereotype of the matronly British tea lady. [caption id="attachment_12443" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Miss Cupcake visits P&G's Global Family Home (Photo: Samir Hussein/Getty Images for P&G)"] [/caption]

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I mean, really, who wouldn't want to sit down for a cuppa with Miss Cupcake? She strikes me as the perfect gal to host P&G's "home away from home." (The jury is out on the protein-building powers of those cupcakes but, as I'm sure Miss Cupcake would say,  in moderation...) And then there was Mary Poppins [caption id="attachment_12451" align="aligncenter" width="188" caption="Mary Poppins greats moms of Olympians at the Global Family Home (Getty Images for Procter & Gamble)"] [/caption]

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So, it seems Queen Elizabeth hasn't beent the only one to descend (quite literally) in a singular fashion at an Olympic venue. Co-hosting with Miss Cupcake at the grand opening of the Global Family Home was none other than Mary Poppins. Moms of Olympians got to pose for a pic. I bet that's one for the family album. Looking forward to more quirky Olympic moments.