apartment living

While we are in Montgomery all four of us are in an apartment.  It is the first time I have ever lived in an apartment and to be honest, I was a little nervous about it!  I was sure we were all going to be very cramped, there would be no space for the kids to play, we wouldn't constantly be hearing neighbors, and we would all be sick of each other by the end of the two months.  However, it has been wonderful.  We are taking advantage of spending time together, we don't care that toys usually are everywhere, and there are a lot more outdoor activities that we are able to take advantage of.

Our favorite place in the apartment complex, and probably all of Montgomery, is the community pool.  The kids have become quite the water babies.  They now (with floaties of course) float around by themselves, jump in to us, lower themselves in from the edge, and push off from the steps.  They get so excited at the mention of going to the pool or when they see any of the pool toys.  We have been going as often as possible and the kids are even getting tan lines!

We love being able to enjoy the weather here.  I don't know if we are just too used to the chilly days we left in Minot but we don't seem to notice or mind the humidity!  There is a good space to play in right outside the apartment.  We have taken advantage of it by blowing bubbles, playing with the dogs, rolling in the grass, looking at flowers, and watching for Matt to come home from work.

We also have a great walking area in the middle of all the apartments.  It is a third of a mile loop and great for taking the dogs on walks.  The kids like the walks just as much, if not more, as the dogs.  They ask all day long if we can go outside for walks.  I love that we are able to be active and they want to be outside!

The kids like going on walks more after it rains because they love puddle jumping!  Immediately outside our apartment there is a low spot in the sidewalk and they run to it each time we go outside to see if there is water in it.  I love watching them play and get so excited about such simple things that I would normally avoid or not even notice.  I am especially aware of this when I see the kids play in puddles!

As we drive into the apartment complex there is a field with a herd of cows.  Anyone who has spent time with Bryce in the last few months knows that cows are his absolute favorite animal.  He talks about them all the time, we have so many books about them, and he lights up when you ask him what they say.  We often get to see the cows pretty far in the distance but when they are close to the fence we make sure to stop so Bryce and Zoey can tell them hi.  The kids get so excited when they hear them "moo" and see them in the field!

Overall it has be a great experience living in the apartment.  We are getting in some wonderful family time, the space isn't too tight (although I wouldn't want to live here forever), it is a really nice temporary home, and we are going through this experience together!
.katherine.