We have arrived

So to speak, anyway. We've settled into our humble little abode in Dallas Texas in a second story apartment a midst a quiet neighborhood. We back up to a beautiful golf course, surrounded by trees and lush greenery. Not a bad find for an apartment complex in this vast city! The girls seem to enjoy it, especially Thea as she's gained her own room and space away from her sisters. Petra, on the other hand, begged not to have to share a room with 'Ivy.' Can't say I blame her~ Thea tried her best to console her, (with a boastful undertone I might add) "Petra, it's okay- You get to have the top bunk." Petra was not sold. They've been adjusting well, perhaps better than Andrew & I. They've run us a bit ragged, especially since we're in the midst of re-establishing a routine & accomplish some sort of order around here. Re-establishing a 'household' is what it is: work. Between juggling the little ones, unpacking one box at a time, I might have time for a bath (or a phone call) but not much. Then hang a picture here, perhaps one there~ I here my youngest daughter, Ivy~ 'Mom! I need help!' It's really not until they turn about 4, they figure out the whole 'hygiene in the bathroom' thing. Cleaning, laundry (a lot of hand washing btw- my washer hasn't operated since we arrived) more cleaning-up 'stuff.'  I hate 'stuff', why do I have all this 'stuff'?!  fill up the car, hit the grocery store (find the local thrift !) keep up with the kids energy levels- and might I add, since it gets up to about 104 degrees midday, it's unbearable to go outside, so we've had to get creative with the girls. and the Dallas Arboretum is one of the  places we've been frequently visiting. It's a stunning 66 acre 'conservatory' type attraction here in town (only about 1 mile from our place!) Tho it's outside, it's very shaded & we go early enough to beat the heat. Today we went after breakfast & attended 'Family day' with a small petting zoo, face painting and lunch. The girls come dressed in there suits and play in the large water fountains til their little hearts content. Between that and the pool here at our complex, we're trying to stay cool! Andrew rarely goes outside, I think it'll take more than a couple weeks for our burly-mountain man to adjust to such extreme heat & humidity! We end our day around the kitchen table to enjoy a family dinner together & then it's off to bed for the ladies. (ya~ that's not as easy as it sounds and a whole other 'blog' entry for another day ;)  Love to our beloved friends and family back home in CO, we love you, miss you and we'll be posting again soon.  Ami out.