Cheese

And then Rick became more successful in his investigation and explorations in the Fridge....

as Rick is happy just touching things in the fridge we left him to it for 2 min......1min59 too long!

Oh well so now we have grated cheese in the couch, in Rick's shoes, in his bed, on his toys and on the camera.

Moving the outdoors indoors

The weather remains hot and it is generally really uncomfortable outside. I fortunately have temporary a VIP parking spot at work under the office, nice & cool. Eelco holds off mowing the lawn till at least 8.30 pm and even then he needs 3 L of water to recover.

"Sticky, steamy heat gripping the Houston region in recent days is forecast to continue today and much of the week. The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for the Houston region through 7 p.m. because the heat index will be about 105 degrees. Moisture from the Gulf of Mexico is streaming inland, increasing humidity levels. The conditions have increase ozone levels, prompting the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality to issue an Air Quality Alert. Ozone can be a lung irritant and officials warn people to remain in air conditioned buildings and to avoid exertion in the later afternoon and early evening. The elderly and children as well as people with chronic lung conditions such as asthma and emphysema are particularly vulnerable."

Good thing the houses in Texas are pretty large - we are moving the outdoors in. Most of Rick's garden play stuff is already in the house (remember the tent?), next thing we'll consider is moving the pool and the sand pit inside the house -;) Another 3 weeks of this at least.

Yes I promise - more Rick Pictures soon.

Nightmare

So our Neighbors yesterday ended up with a Nightmare scenario. They were on Holiday for a week coming back yesterday. Unfortunately their Air Conditioning Unit (AC) had stopped working Thursday likely at some point. It was 98F (44/45C) in their house! (see also post below). They were due to arrive back around midnight after a 12 hour road trip with their 14 month old twins. Nightmare scenario for any parent in Houston with small kids. Fortunately we found out mid evening and got the AC in our garage apartment up & running immediately. By the time they arrived it was not as cool as you would like it to be but lots better then their own home. And this morning the AC repair man showed up at 8am (you would not get your hopes up in Holland to get any service in the weekend, especially at that kind of notice & time!) and now all is well again. 

Thank you to whomever invented the AC!

Exessive Heat Warning

The National Weather Service in Shreveport has issued an excessive heat warning for all of the ArkLaTex. Temperatures will remain in the low 100s through Thursday with heat index values closing in on 115 degrees. Announcements been issued on radio and television stations across the region warning of the possible negative consequences of this intense heat wave, including signs of heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

Heat exhaustion: Signs of heat exhaustion include a general weakness, heavy sweating and clammy skin, dizziness and/or fainting, and muscle cramps.

Heat stroke: The signs of heat stroke include when an individual's body temperature is greater than 105°F, the skin is hot and dry, there is a rapid and irregular pulse, perspiration has stopped, and one has lost consciousness. Seek immediate medical aid.

The best thing people can do is drink plenty of water, and stay out of the heat when possible. Shreveport area recreation centers have opened up for those citizens without air conditioning to get out of the elements.  (Shreveport is in East Louisiana)

The Heat index here in Houston is nearing 110 (43 Celcius). The Heat Index is how hot the air feels when temperature and humidity combine. As the local paper puts it: More searing, muggy heat is on tap today in the Houston region.

The high pressure dome has helped send temperatures into the upper 90s in and the heat index into the triple digits in recent days. Today, the high temperature will top out near 96 degrees (36 Celcius) under mostly cloudy skies. The overnight low will be in the upper 70s (> 25 C). The heat index will be about 106 degrees.

Swimming Lessons for 1 year olds

Maybe we should call it a floating lesson. Anyway, from 9 months old kids here can take swimming lessons. Considering the number of kids that drown in pools here each year that is not a dumb plan at all. Survival is the main target and they hope to teach the kids at this age at least to keep their head above water, blow bubbles if they do go under and stay afloat. As you can see Rick was pretty eager to go.

First everyone had to sit on the pool wall for some instructions. Most kids in this group where quite a bit older then Rick (closer to 2) but also quite a bit more scared.

Eelco struggled a little with all the instructions. It is not easy to learn all the poses to support your child and any yoga mom's would have been at an advantage!

In the background you can see downtown. The pool is in a little park not too far from our house (near the bike bridge)

Rick was very very happy and so was dad. The series of lessons is only for 4 weeks at a time so I am sure they'll sign up for more and will practice loads in our pool and others'.

Rode Schoentjes

Rick has new shoes - sports car red. They make him a very fast walker! 

Too fast for a good pic. We'll upload a small video soon instead ok?

Luau

Rick has every week a different theme at school and 2 weeks ago it was Hawaii so the week was finished off with a Luau (Hawaiian Party) to which also the parents where invited. The party was a bit early for working parents so when I got there at the agreed time (easy as it was my Friday off) I got to witness some very very anxious kids who were more then ready to attach the food table!

As you can see Rick was very very happy. He appeared to be the only one who had the hip movement down -;). There was some stealing of food of each others plates but they must be used to that as nobody got upset and they happily created a big mess together. One boy stole everyones jelly sandwich to then throw them away. Turns out he does not like them so I guess he has decided that then nobody will have them.

Rick is very very happy at school and now I was there to he spend his time paying then running for a cuddle to Miss Sadie or Miss Irene (or me) and then playing some more and on to the next one. The good life! 

PS I also found out that there is one 15 month old girl in his group who is still not walking (not the last after all) and that Rick is the only one that will go to sleep himself on his sleep mat at nap time. We're so proud!