Busy few weeks

We've had a busy few weeks since mum arrived, trying to get lots of things done that I've been trying to do for months but just haven't managed to, or haven't wanted to with 3 children in tow. I'd forgotten how easy it is to get anything done without having children traipsing around behind and wingeing....let alone getting them into and out of the car each time! At the same time when we have gone anywhere it is 10 times easier having an extra pair of hands and someone else to cajoule them into hurrying up! Although, I do feel like all I have done is shop for things!

We've spent a lot of time by the pool too, Fearne has grown in confidence so much that she no longer ever needs her swim vest on and I don't feel at all anxious about her swimming around on her own. She's even quite fast when she's trying to get to to lilo before granny!

We decided to venture to the zoo last week on Tuesday afternoon as after 2pm on the first Tuesday of every month it is free, however so did all of Houston and we drove around and around and around the car park for about 40 minutes and decided to give up! But we went back the following day first thing in the morning and had a great time. Mum bought us an annual family and friends membership so that we can now go whenever we want, which is fantastic. I can't wait for the weather to get cooler and just go during the week for a wander round with Martha and Henry while Fearne is at school. It just gives us somewhere to go when we need to get out the house. There's also a really good kids park, and a children's area where there is often painting and various activities going on. Thank you very much mum!!

It was Martha's birthday on 29th July, so we had our very own pirate tea party at her request. I made a chocolate cake treasure chest and filled it with chocolate coins and edible necklaces, she seemed impressed. We also took her out to lunch at a restaurant I came across in a local mums magazine, which had a small petting zoo, a sandpit and we got to eat in a room with a huge oak tree growing in the middle of it...it was good fun, so much so that Fearne has asked to go back for her birthday lunch next week. http://www.claysrestaurant.com/

Chris has spent the last two afternoons kiteboarding down in an area called Texas City, which is (I think!) on the estuary south east of Houston. He's very pleased with himself as he learnt to gybe in both directions and even managed a little jump yesterday....although a jellyfish swum up his shorts and stung him (:-s) and then when he got out he stood in an ants nest and got furiously bitten by the little buggers. But he didn't seem to care too much, he was just rather happy to have had 2 days of fun.....so thank you again mum for keeping me company so he could go off kitesurfing 2 days in a row!

We've also been and got both girls kitted out in their new school uniforms, I've organised their immunisations which they both need before they can enter a Texas school (Hep A and Hep B), they're both going to be seriously unimpressed when they realise whats happening, but thankfully mum and dad will both be here so there will be 1 adult per child on the day! I've also ordered their school bags from school, Martha's is a lovely sensible red book bag with her name on, Fearne's is a suitcase on wheels with a metal handle.....its compulsory! She could take enough clothes in her bag for a week!

Fearne has her ballet and tap recital this Thursday which she's very excited about, and so am I as I haven't seen anything she's done in her classes. She loves the dance class but we've decided we need to find an earlier one for her to go to as its at 5.30pm during the week. I think starting school full time is going to be tiring enough for her at the moment without adding early evening activities into the mix.....and besides I don't think I can juggle doing a ballet run, tea, homework and bedtime with children all at the same time and on my own!!!

I can't believe its the end of the summer holidays here, yippeeee dippy doo!!!! They both start school on the 22nd August. I'm going to a new parents coffee morning on Friday and then taking Fearne into school at 10 to meet her teacher and her classmates and it's a chance for me to meet other parents. I'm really excited at the prospect of actually meeting the other parents, since it won't happen much during term time due to the car drop off routine.

and finally....my dad arrives this week, which we're all excited about. I've just booked 2 nights in a ranch b&b/cabin near Fredericksburg. We're planning on spending 3 days visiting some vineyards, going into Austin, maybe a State Park and we may even get the chance to try a little Western style horse riding. http://www.grapecreekranch.com

I'll come back next week and update all that we have done....oh and I'd better start thinking about Fearne's birthday too. Can't believe she's going to be 5 and starting school 2 weeks today....let alone Martha now being 3 and starting Pre-school too!

bye

Freya xxxxx