It’s 8am and I’m lying in bed listening to the birds and my noisy family. I look through a crack in my curtain, I see sunlight and I said to myself “it’s going to be a great day. I hope it’s like this when I’m on holiday but just without my family noise”.

I stand up and opened my curtains and jump back into bed and read my book.  At 8:30am I get up and get changed for the day. Then go out for breakfast. When I’m done I go to pack my bag.

I wonder if it’s going to be like this when I am away?  What will I need to pack for Houston?  That’s our first stop.

My Mum’s pen-friend lives in Houston and that is the reason we’re going.  Dad stopped off there a couple of years ago and had an amazing time.  He brought me home a pink cowgirl hat and some freeze-dried astronaut ice cream (that’s ice cream that does not need to go into the freezer). So I am guessing that Houston is where Cowboys and Astronauts came from.  We’ll see.

When I first knew about the trip I was excited that we were going. I asked dad if we were going to USA and he said that were going to Texas (one of the states in the USA).  I was even more excited* because I really wanted to go to Dylan’s Candy Bar and there is one at the airport!  This is what they say about the shop –

‘Houston, we totally don’t have a problem! We’re thrilled to be a part of the Space City with lots of big (candy) hearts. From the rodeos to roller coasters and all else in between—pass through our shop, rated T for Texas!’

Has anyone been to Houston or Dylan’s Candy Bar before?

My name is Emilie, and I will turn 10 on this trip.  I’m really looking forward to it.  I can hardly sleep.

*Donald Trump has put a damper on things, but we’ll have a great time anyway.