Marble Falls

On Monday it was Columbus day and the children were off school, so Allan and I took them out to Marble Falls for the day( well not Jack who wished to chill at home- we think with an x-box or u-tube). The reason we picked Marble Falls is on our journey to the Texas, we had a particularly awful change over at Chicago, which resulted in us nearly missing our plane. They were calling for us and about to close the gates, we were all tired and on our body clocks it was midnight. Alex and Ben were hungry and when we got on to the plane, none of us were sitting next to each other. Ben was particularly distressed which did not help me- so why marble Falls, because the lady Ben was sat next too runs a book shop there. Dortha was so nice to him, he settled down and slept on her. As a mum you could not have asked for anything better. Dortha was on the plane with her three daughters, they had all had a holiday in Europe away from the husbands and kids and by chance we were seated next to them independantly, so once in the air, shuffling happened so that Alex could go next to cara and we sttled down for the remainder of our journey. all we knew was that Dortha had a book shop in marble Falls, so we went exploring. We found Dortha and her book shop and had a lovely time in a quaint town in the hill country.

sorry been busy- here's the weather for you all

The weather has been more interesting recently, not just sunny and hot. we have had higher humidity and yesterday and today we have rain- real rain. the temperature outside is still in the 70's and rain is warm, the sun still shines but at least it is a variation for you.

Yet more weather

The weather is getting colder, although I am sorry to say Alex and Ben have worn hoodies on top of there shorts and T-shirts to go to school these last two mornings, then when they come out of school, mum is there with her trusted basket to carry backpacks and hoodies home!! I still have my uses!

Monday 6th October's weather and extra details!

I have included today extra information on the lake levels, they keep our lakes filled up from the lakes higher up the Colorado River, their is a dam system in place to control the flow. A map of the States and the weather expected for today, the weather information on the back of the Austin Statesman is really interesting and they give us so much more information than I was use to seeing in UK, it could be of course because the range of weather is much more varied, but to a Brit like me it is fasinating.

The weekend weather

It has been another dry weekend, although they are forecasting rain for today, with glee I might add, we are low on water in the lakes and everyone gets excited when rain is forecast and disappointed when it does not arrive.

Marathon for kids

Today we took Alex and Ben down to the Mike Myers stadium to start their 'marathon for kids'. they have to walk, run, hop etc, 26.2 miles in 4.5 months. The final lap of the stadium on 21st February next year will earn them a medal. 54,000 children have signed up to do this in Austin, so it was a great morning. you needed some enthusiasm for all the yippee's and general congratualtions that go on to start any event. We must have clapped most VIP's in Austin, but once the event got under way it was well organised and although we were one of the last groups on tot he track- they had us sitting in the stadium in school alphabetical order, then they started with Z and Alex and Ben go to Baranoff, so D - A was the last to be hearded to the start line! I would have to confess to many 'when is it our turn' to be uttered while we waited, which was not helpped by people not wanting to wait so just moving sections, this frustrated A and B quiet a lot, but Allan and I were quiet happy to sit and wait for our turn. The frog Ben is holding is one he had to take home from school this weekend and look after, so 'Froggy' came with us. The man out front with the children on the Flag lap is Lance Armstrong, we also had the Chief of Police running and the Mayor. Alex managed to get a high five from Lance as we did our lap, although I would say he is oblivious to who Lance is at the moment - he will learn, Austin is very proud of him.

Our weather

Another great day