Not much going on

Just thought I would end the first month of 2011 with one final post. We have not been doing much since my last post. Daniel has been working too much, like always. Olivia started school and seems to really like it. The weather has been way more desirable than in the Midwest, especially since all my Midwesterners are bracing for a history making winter storm. We are still anxiously awaiting an offer on our house. We have had quite a bit of showings but no offers yet. I know the weather isn't helping and am really hoping that with the dawn of warmer weather will come a heat up in the housing market. Please, please, please keep your fingers crossed that we get it sold soon. Apartment living is ok for a single person or married couple but not ideal for a family.

Rodeo season is getting ready to start here in Houston. The Houston Livestock and Rodeo is a HUGE deal. It starts March 1 and goes for 3 weeks. We are hoping to take the girls at some point as I think Olivia would love to see all the animals. We continue to try to get out at least one day every weekend and do something new as a family.

I hope February brings more house showings and fingers crossed an offer.

Olivia's 1st Day at New Preschool

After much looking, calling and visiting we found a new preschool for Olivia. Today was her first day and she was super excited. She has been asking for a few weeks when she got to go back to school, so knowing she was actually going this morning was almost too much to handle. Last night she asked Daniel and I if she would make new friends. Bless her sweet little heart. Her new schedule is M,T,Th 9-12 with the option to stay till 2:30 for an extra fee. Her old preschool's schedule was T/Th 8:30-11 so we thought the longer time in school would be good for her. I am really excited about her new school and all the activities that they have planned. I know I don't know all of them, but a few of the things they have planned are a Princess and Pirates Day this coming Thursday, which means Olivia can wear a princess costume and bring her favorite princess book to school. I think she was born ready for that.  They are planning a Rodeo Day. At the end of the year they have a Bike Day where all the kids can bring their bikes. Olivia's Christmas present will come in handy. She will have to start practicing riding.. I am sure there are a lot more activities planned I am just unaware of them.

When I picked Olivia up today she was very excited. She made some new friends-Savannah, Ellie, Courtney and Diego. She got to have playtime in the gym and she learned a new song. She asked me if she could stay for extended care tomorrow. I told her she could stay sometimes but lets give the new schedule a week or so. I am so glad she is happy with her new school as she was so sad to leave her old preschool and her friends and teachers.

Trip to Galveston

Today we went to Galveston Island for the day. It was a lot of fun, but not quite what I had envisioned. I thought it would be more touristy, it is a beach town after all. But it seemed dirty and kinda rundown. We did see some super nice houses but since there is no zoning laws in TX, next to the super nice, super expensive houses were some really rundown and broken down houses. Enough of that, I didn't write this entry to talk about houses. So, back to our trip. We took Olivia to the beach so she could gather seashells and see the "ocean" AKA The Gulf of Mexico. She loved it there and if we had let her probably spent all day there walking around and playing a little seashell scavenger. We really wanted to take a DUCK ride in the Gulf but it is not running because of the season, so that will be something to put on our itinerary for our next trip. So instead of doing a DUCK ride, we took the ferry ride across the island and then rode it back. We saw a couple dolphins swimming in the Gulf which we haven't seen since Alaska so that was cool.  It was only about a 45 minute round trip and that was enough for me. As most of you know, I get motion sick real easily and a moving boat(where I can't see land) and having to constantly follow with my head down as Cameron practices her walking skills to keep her some semblance of happy doesn't make for a well feeling Brittney. Speaking of Cameron, that sweet little girl, she was a good girl all day yesterday but she thought it was funny to scream most of the day(including in the car the whole ride home). After the ferry trip, we took the girls to a park on the water. So that was a win win for all because Olivia could play and run around, Cameron could have free reign for the most part and Daniel got to look at boats. All in all it was a great day. I am loving Daniel having weekends off for the most part(as I write this he is driving back from work, go figure). It gives us opportunity to get some valuable, memory making family time in that I feel we missed out on when he was working so much in STL.

on the ferry

Daniel and Olivia on the beach chasing seagulls

the bubble video

hopefully this works and you are able to view it. This is the video of Olivia in the giant bubble.

No Fear....

Over the weekend we went to an outlet mall in Katy. In the food court they had a merry-go-round that Olivia wanted to ride on. So after lunch, Daniel took her and they were going to go ride. Well, in front of the merry-go-round there was a makeshift pool with these giant balls that kids can get in and walk on the water. So, after watching a few kids Olivia decided she would rather do that instead of riding the merry-go-round. The girl got her into the ball, filled it with air and sent it on it's way onto the water. Let's just say, the girl spent more time getting her ready to go than Olivia spent in the ball.  I do have to give her props though, she was brave and tried it out and realized it just wasn't for her. Another good note, the girl didn't charge us. Daniel was in the process of handing her the fee when Olivia was freaking out and getting pulled back in.


*I took a video but am having trouble loading it. As soon as I am able to get it uploaded I will post it.

Bath time fun...

Just a couple videos of my little monkies enjoying bath time.

New Year, New City

With the changing of the calendar came a change of address for our family. I wasn't and am still not too excited about moving into an apartment but am SO very excited to have my family together under the same roof again. I know this apartment is only temporary and I have to remind myself of that several times a day. I know that in due time(hopefully sooner rather than later) our house in Illinois will sell and we will be in the market for an amazing house in Houston. I think I am just feeling a bit blue as I view myself as a social creature and it is oh so hard to meet people in an apartment complex, especially when you are the minority and encounter a language barrier. And to top that off, the way the roads are laid out down here is like nothing I have ever driven before so I am way too scared to venture out on my own yet so that doesn't leave us many options but to stay cooped up in this apartment. Alright enough of my Debbie Downer attitude. Like I said, I am so happy to be together again as a family, very proud of Daniel and his new role at Longhorn Glass and excited to see what new adventures await us here in Houston.

Here are some pictures of our apartment.

Kitchen

Olivia's roon(it is a lot bigger than the picture shows)

Master bedroom(again picture doesn't show true size)

Cameron's room

Olivia and Cameron's bathroom(they LOVE the big tub)

another view of Master



Master bath(same tub as O and C's bath, I am very excited about that)