Klicks in the Garden

We have had a proper winter down here in Houston and haven't been able to plant anything in our new, big, lovely yard until well, today. It was still below freezing over night just a few days ago.

Now, I know all your northerners find 32F a moderate temperature. But for our lovely Canna or happy cone flowers, 32F is cold!

Middle-bit was home from school today but was feeling up to a little shopping in the morning. We spent a fantastic morning walking around the garden center near our house. We picked up lots of supplies and $0.99 plants.

I think she may have inherited all the various gardening genes. Middle-bit so enjoyed walking through the plants, asking questions and learning everything she could. She was quick to understand what we need for our yard.

By the time we got home, she was pretty worn out and rested while I cleaned beds and started the planting. But we chatted and had a wonderful day together.

Boot-Scootin' Klicks

We are settled in our new home in Houston and back to earning those Klicks!

The two big girls are in school just around the corner from our house. It is a .5km walk from our house to the school so we are slowly but surely adding up.

Yes, this is the girls, in Houston, in winter coats. It has been a crazy cold winter and spring. In fact, it's March 24 and the high today is 53F. That is COLD for Houston! When I lived here before, I only owned 2 pair of closed toe shoes. I lived in flip-flops year 'round and rarely wore a sweater, much less a coat. This year we've been in coats and hats more often than flip-flops. It's nice but we're ready for some sun.

Ha, says the woman not in Ontario socked in with snow, snow and more snow this year.

Our shipments arrived quickly so we have our bikes back. Now all we need is some non-rainy days.

Our other hold back is that the girls and I have been ill. We have been to at least 2 doctor's appointments each week, have all been on one or two or even three rounds of antibiotics... we need some sun and some health.The girls are very aware that we are behind our goal of 500km each month but are determined to finish by May 31.


May 31 is quickly approaching. Two months and 2500km to go? Can we make it?!

BIG News!

Our big news (this just takes my breath away!) is that the sidewalk project has received a grant...

for .......

drumroll please.......

$5000

Can you believe it?!

So we are more than half-way to our goal.

And we are making a small change. Instead of "Chrissy's Garden", we are going to title the giving page "Walkway for Wistow" as the new walkway/rollway will benefit everyone in the house, not just our sweet Chrissy.

Thank you to everyone who is making this dream come true!!

Do airplane klicks count?

I know, we disappeared for a while!

Since last we posted, we have found out we are being transferred. We are going to Houston after just over 1 year in Beijing. We are sad to leave but excited to go! It has been a little crazy trying to get everything coordinated. Add the holidays in there and it has been a whirlwind of activity! Unfortunately, very little of that activity has been forward moving klicks. But we have managed to earn a few...

They were earned walking, sledding, skating, running, biking... we had fun!

And if airplane kilometers translated into klicks for us, let's see... 3 girls and myself from Beijing to DFW, to Detroit, to DFW, back to Beijing and soon, back to DFW. The Dad flew Beijing to Toronto, TO to Houston and then to Beijing. I think we would have earned some major klicks!

20 songs, 40 people, 1 bus and 4 stops

The air has been fantastic. We were "in the deep freeze" for a few days but are now having a warm up and the weather is perfect. We're earning lots of Klicks!

Last night, The Dad and I earned a Klick or two in an oh-so-fun pub crawl and caroling. I've never been on a pub crawl, no time like your late 30's to start, I suppose!

The rules were that you had to either dress as Santa or an angel; we chose Santa. 4 bars, a bus and 20 songs.

It was a bit interesting with a bus full of middle-age Santas who had all been up since 6am or so and all had to be up at 6am or so the next morning (well, at least those of us with little alarm clocks that buzz "Mommy!" at 6am). Everyone had a great time and about 1/2 the group was home by midnight. We made it home by 12:30-ish. Not too bad for a couple of parents!

A very amusing discovery... in the 3rd pub-stop we had mulled wine in a library/pub. Great idea, if you ask me! Looking at the books, we couldn't help but laugh. Check out the titles and sing (if you remember Sesame Street) "one of these things is not like the other, which one doesn't belong..."

Middle Bit with a Big Heart

Today, I was just about bursting with pride for our Middle Bit. She is so very committed to getting Klicks. She was riding her bike home from the bus and asked how many Klicks she earns going to and from the bus stop. I told her .75 there and .75 home so 1.5 total. She asked if we could take a trip all around the compound so she could earn 2 extra Klicks for today.

That doesn't sound like much but its about 5C and windy. She was hungry and tired and yet, she asked to keep going.

She seems very tuned in to how this connects us, all the way around the world, back to her Aunt Chrissy.

Dance the night away

The Dad and I were fortunate enough to get tickets to the 238th Marine Corps Birthday Ball. US Marines all over the world were celebrating and we joined in!

The evening was lovely... it was so nice to have a reason to get dressed up and use our "fancy manners" as the girls would say.

I didn't take many pictures, but did get this silly "selfie."