Their second week was as packed as their first one, with butterflies, beaches, kayaking, and - most enjoyable of all - a trip to Crocodile Encounter! We returned with the same number of children and limbs that left.
The other revelation was how much these kids enjoy thrift stores! They flew back to the UK with cases full of cowboy boots, hats, belts, etc. Bethany even came away with a genuine Stetson for $5! We'll see if they get pulled aside when sneaking through the "Nothing To Declare" channel.
All in all we had a fabulous holiday with everyone, and as I tread the empty halls of my home, and the local supermarket wonders why it's no longer seeing me before breakfast everyday, and the charity shops of Houston wonder why there's such an uptick in their profits these last two weeks, I can only shed a tear and hope they'll all return next year. Just enough time for me, our dishwasher, and Texas, to recover.
Do you know how much foliage these things can get through in a day?
Caterpillars and butterflies.
Katharine, sweet as a flower.
I've got my eye on you.
Butterfly selfie. Really?
In the planetarium.
Picnic breakfast before kayaking. Less cleanup!
Hannah goes for advanced level.
Rebecca usually kayaks on the ocean. "This is nothing."
Forgot my banjo.
At the kid's museum. Now you know how I feel.
Katharine works off her diner order.
Jacob on the indoor assault course.
Fluid mechanics.
Bethany tests her strength.
Galveston.
Oliver gets ready for a spot of surfing.
Having demolished the "Cardiac Arrest" burger (yes, that's what it's called).
Scott finally gets into the American spirit.
Watching an approaching storm while we wait for bats.
There are the bats! Look closely.
Decisions.
Going to meet some crocs. Or mostly alligators, actually.
And if you don't listen to Uncle David, this is what happens to you.
Slightly more docile.
Cheese!
We can wait here all day for one of you to fall in.
Serving suggestion.
Nom nom!
Some things eat you, some things you eat.
Crocodile wrestling.
I may have told a teensy fib about my "daughter" and I looking to buy a grand piano in order to try out some rather fine instruments at a local warehouse.
And finally, a trip to Yogurtland (the real reason they came to see us).
Arrive English, leave Texan.
