We had a mini Christmas celebration with presents, good food, wine & company. The girls did a bit of sight seeing around the woodlands on the local trolley ride whilst the boys had an interesting outing of their own . . . will fill you in shortly.
Monday, December 28, 2009
V.I.S.I.T.O.R.S ! ! !
Christmas Day
We had a lovely 1st Christmas in Texas. A 6.40am start followed by lots of squeals of delight, wrapping paper and playing together. We had christmas green pancakes for breakfast then spent a late lunch with our friends Alice & Jason, their family and extended family. It's never quite the same as home and we missed our family terribly but we had a lovely time all the same.
Kids 1st ice skating
Every Christmas the woodlands erects this massive tent and makes a temporary ice skating rink for 2 months. I think its a bit novel for Texans plus it caters to the residents from interstate who grew up with skates on their feet. For me it was the second time I've been ice skating and the kids 1st. Liam lasted all of 5 mins then wanted to get off "It looks like fun Mum but I just can't do it!". Ashley had a ball - the little frames boosted her confidence immensely. So much so that she insisted she go it on her her own. Well she charged off full blast and lasted about 3 seconds before she was splayed like Bambi across the ice. After that Ash and the frame were best friends!
Ice Cutters Christmas
We travelled to a 'ranch' about 20 mins away from home to see a farmer who was once a top chel in New Jersey who then became a self taught ice sculptor. He came 4th in a world competition so we went to check out his chain saw skills - pretty amazing how you can turn a block of ice into a 3 D creation using work tools and your imagination. We threw in a hay ride and marshmellow roasting too. Apart from being very cold it was lots of fun
Ashleys school xmas
No shepherds or donkeys in sight at Ashley's school - in fact she had a winter party not a Christmas party for fear of being politcally incorrect! People say Happy Holidays because maybe it should be Merry Christmas or Happy Honika or Happy Kwanzaa. Seriously say what's relevant to you and be happy. It shouldnot be an issue. So MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all.
Liams xmas play
Liams school did a little Christmas play and sang carols which was just gorgeous. Apparantly Liam was upset about being a shepherd and made numerous attempts to stop participating. When the teachers asked him to be a dokey it was all systems go! At the end of it Simon asked if he 'could go and kiss my ass?"
Monday, December 21, 2009
Family escape
Simon came home from 4 weeks in Australia which was bittersweet on a few levels. He had a great time, was busier with work and networking than originally thought but he enjoyed himself with family and friends none-the-less. I asked him to take photos of his time at home which I have placed for you here:
. . .
Did you like those? Oh I'm so glad, they're a permanent record of his special memories!!!
Moving right along. The upside of Simon's travels is that he has racked up a few hotel points along the way. So we took advantage and escaped for a 4 day break to a place in Texas called San Antonio - this was our first time away together where Simon hasn't had to work. We enjoyed it immensely despite the bitter cold weather we had. The hotel we stayed at had a kids club and one day a company brought some unusual animals along.
Although a wallaby isn't as rare a sight for us it was a nice taste of home.
A tarantula is not so inviting but intersting none-the-less. I thought it was fake until it started moving and decided to move to the back row - ugh.
We had the male Mexican stand off!
We had free SeaWorld tickets left over from May when we went with my Mum and Dad so decided to venture back to the scene of the infamous Shamu meltdown. Fortunately all went well and we avoided any dramas, just battled the cold.
My oh so favourite part of the trip was feeding the dolphins at SeaWorld. Many moons ago when Simon and I were young and dating he took me to swim with the dolphins. Unforunately this numskull couldn't master the whole snorkel beathing thing to the point that I missed all the dolphins. So when I saw this I was all smiles (and so were the dolphins).
The Shamu show was just as spectacular just not as wet this time. They kindly refrain from drenching the seating area in the winter months.
We were able to stay one night on the reknowned Riverwalk of San Antonio. It was all lit up with beautiful Christmas lights and was a very pretty sight.
We took a boating tour along the river walk the next day, got a little history and took in the sights.
We had a ball just taking time to BE a family. It remains in our hearts a lovely memory (and in our photos of course).
. . .
Did you like those? Oh I'm so glad, they're a permanent record of his special memories!!!
Moving right along. The upside of Simon's travels is that he has racked up a few hotel points along the way. So we took advantage and escaped for a 4 day break to a place in Texas called San Antonio - this was our first time away together where Simon hasn't had to work. We enjoyed it immensely despite the bitter cold weather we had. The hotel we stayed at had a kids club and one day a company brought some unusual animals along.
Although a wallaby isn't as rare a sight for us it was a nice taste of home.
A tarantula is not so inviting but intersting none-the-less. I thought it was fake until it started moving and decided to move to the back row - ugh.
We had the male Mexican stand off!
We had free SeaWorld tickets left over from May when we went with my Mum and Dad so decided to venture back to the scene of the infamous Shamu meltdown. Fortunately all went well and we avoided any dramas, just battled the cold.
My oh so favourite part of the trip was feeding the dolphins at SeaWorld. Many moons ago when Simon and I were young and dating he took me to swim with the dolphins. Unforunately this numskull couldn't master the whole snorkel beathing thing to the point that I missed all the dolphins. So when I saw this I was all smiles (and so were the dolphins).
The Shamu show was just as spectacular just not as wet this time. They kindly refrain from drenching the seating area in the winter months.
We were able to stay one night on the reknowned Riverwalk of San Antonio. It was all lit up with beautiful Christmas lights and was a very pretty sight.
We took a boating tour along the river walk the next day, got a little history and took in the sights.
We had a ball just taking time to BE a family. It remains in our hearts a lovely memory (and in our photos of course).Elf on a shelf
This year we had our very own elf show up at our house. He bought his own book and sack and told Ashley & Liam he would be here every day to see if they were naughty or nice. Each night he flies back to the north pole and reports to Santa. In the morning when the kids wake he is back but perched in a different spot in the house. The kids get great pleasure when they first wake running around the house to try and find him. He has special rules, he can't talk to you but you can tell him all your wishes. You can't touch him or he'll lose all his magic. On Christmas eve he flies back to santa till next year. Ashley and Liam named him 'Snowflake" and have been behaving very well. We ALL love Snowflake.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
Deck the halls
There is absolutely nothing better than Christmas and children. It's uplifting, it's heart warming, it's . . . just how its meant to be. I can't get enough.
I have bugged Simon for years, to no avail, to have lights at Christmas. This year a friend returned to Singapore and left all her lights with me. I can't wait to see his face tomorrow when we pick him up from the airport! Ha!
Can't catch me I'm the . .
The kids are great admirers of Bill & Helen Wilson who took them to a Christmas Bash at the Children's Museum 'downtown'. They had a great time with all the hands on exhibits and were given a gingerbread house kit which we did today. Ashley was gunning for the minimalist look thinking she could eat any unused lollies. With some gentle persuasion she agreed that the lollies should probably go on the house as intended.
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Say what?
You heard right - it snowed in Texas!! It melted on your hands or before it touched the ground but it was pretty amazing none-the-less.
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