The first (very cold!) swim of the year

This morning I decided it was time that I started to get fit again. Living in Houston is very bad for my fitness. We drive everywhere – we even have to drive to find somewhere nice to walk or to get to the park. At home I’d walk the girls to school, walk to the … Continue reading »

We’ve been in Houston 1 whole year

This time last year we left our house in Reading early in the morning, when it was still dark, having said goodbye to our friends and family during the previous week.   I cried all the way to the airport, at the airport and on the plane!  The plane left for Houston at 10.25am on 24th … Continue reading »

2012 – a good year

If you’d asked me what I’d wished for at the beginning of 2012 my answer, if I was being brutally honest (which I only was with a handful of people), would have been that I hoped that the planned move to America in January wouldn’t happen. I was as positive about it as I could … Continue reading »

Guns

The events in the Sandy Hook Elementary school on Friday were completely shocking. All those children and their teachers killed by a troubled young man who was able to access 3 guns with no problem. 26 families affected forever and a town that will not recover from this horror. I cannot begin to imagine how … Continue reading »

Happy Halloween part 2

If you’re a Halloween traditionalist, then you’d better look away now.  Our evening of Halloween activities on Wednesday was traditional in some ways: we were all dressed up, (my Lovely Husband and I included), the girls had baskets to collect candy (sweets) in and we even went to two Halloween parties before we went out … Continue reading »

How to work out who’s an American

This was a conversation that went on between the girls on the way to school yesterday. It made me laugh and appreciate the simplicity of the world when you’re three and six. Little One: I think Camilla is English. Big One: Have you asked her? Little One: No. But she’s very nice. Big One: You … Continue reading »

Pre-school gymnastics and very enthusiastic parenting

  The Little One started back at gymnastics again a couple of weeks back. For the first time I got to watch rather than having to join in with all the gymnastic moves myself, which is a relief.  (Although I’m sure completing all the gymnastics moves is better for me…) She is by far the … Continue reading »

A birthday abroad

It was the Big One’s birthday on Friday and she reached the very grown up age of 6.  It’s astonishing to me that she can be that old when I distinctly remember her being tiny and new born and that seems only very recent.  But 6 she is and she is having a divided birthday … Continue reading »

Mermaid birthday cake

I’ve been very busy this week organising the Big One’s birthday celebrations.  This has included lots of baking, including cookie cakes for school, 2 mermaid birthday cakes and cake pops for the girls at her party to decorate. Here’s the cake: I had to make two so we had a small version for the Big … Continue reading »

Brazos Bend State Park

Last weekend (it’s been a busy birthday week here, since the delay!) we headed out to Brazos Bend State Park, about 40 minutes South of us here in Houston.  The park is 5000 acres of lakes, oak woods and lots of wildlife. We headed for the nature discovery centre first and where there are exhibits … Continue reading »