Moving and Getting settled (text 8/16)

Enjoying our last moments with our amazing neighbors. Eva (in black) lives next to us, Katie (stripes) and Joey live across the street with the cutest little brother jack jack and in another year I'm sure jack jack and everett would have been fast friends playing right along with these cuties. 

Everett is over looking at boxes

Writing thank you pictures. 

Everett is getting Koala kits now too, so fun! These are the most exciting boxes to get at the door. 

This is a productive feeling. 

This is loaded with all the billion boxes and smaller things we could fit. Andre brought this truck home after work (Friday) and we had it packed by 6:30 - made it to the new place by 7 and I left him there at 10:30 after we unpacked and he was going to finish a few things. The kids had a blast running around their new house late at night but it was way past their bedtime. 

Stopping to see daddy at work.

Everett's first Koala crate was about rainbows and we made this pillow, he loves rainbows. 

Sissy loves his crates because he needs help and she can do them with us. 

We sold Clara's bunk bed with intentions of another one down the road. So, we bought the twin trundle off the previous owners as well as a new dresser and vanity too. Everett gives her new bed two thumbs up. 

Clara wrote her name in the dust of her vanity drawer... 

dolls with her gal pals

Clara enjoying her reading nook

As I empty the 999 box, this is what I find. I love their love so much...

We've swapped our swings for theirs at this point but these were a great start. Malia came over to play, so sweet!The kids love her!

The most amazing, patient, and hard-working moving crew that ever existed. We'll never be able to repay you all, thank you!

From 8 - 12 these two stayed out of our hair and played in their house being emptied piece by piece, they are the best. Clara helped with doors and anything she was asked to do, #1 daughter! 

While we moved in 999 boxes Clara played with her brother and kept him safe upstairs while putting on a show for us! (and nunu and elmo of course)

First load out of the neighborhood, bitter sweet for sure. 

Daddy's co-pilot, in life. 

First box

Last swim - sad to leave this paradise Andre has created but excited to make a new that is going to last much longer than two years. 

The last easy "run across the street" to play opportunity. (tear)

Last pic on Tallahassee drive, so many amazing memories. Clara and I have trouble parting, she cried hard a few days before we moved. She was truly sad and couldn't stop the tears. I felt like crying with her because I understand. I grew up in the house my grandpa built, stable and always felt like home, it's hard to leave what feels like home, AND amazing neighbors. She was more attached to the house than the people, maybe because I promised we would have them over. She was excited about the new house but so much attachment and fear of change. I see you sweetheart, I get it! We had lots of talks about how it's not the things in life, it's the people, and we will still have the people and can take on this new adventure together. It was about 2 days of struggle for her and we continued to talk more about all the things we were excited about and focused on that. Our last night there, Tuesday the 4th because we were cleaning up and cleaning out the last few things along with the last swim, both our favorite neighbors were outside when we were leaving. Clara got to play for 20 minutes while we talked and as we pulled away, Katie had tears in her eyes and it broke my heart. I guess Clara had accepted it by that point, we had been staying in the new house since Saturday and she left when we called her, no tears, no turning back. Atta girl! 

New big bubble bath with jets. This helped lift our sad spirits missing the comfort of our old neighborhood and home!

Clara cleaned my shower doors for me. 

Best reading spot in the house. 

I cannot wait until we can open our windows in the fall/winter and listen to the waterfall. 

This sweet little turtle hangs on the waterfall when it's not running. She has cute little babies. We are on our way to get our hair did!! It's been too long, and it's gotten too long. 

Throw back to Hawaii

Last change for the splash pad, mommy goes back to work soon! :(

Someone lost a tooth. Daddy "pulled" it. He didn't have to pull, it came right out. As you can see, the adult tooth had already been growing in for a while. This little pumpkin is going to need herself some braces. 

Closing day celebration 

We had to life the bar and couches over the fence, Darren is warming up and sharing ideas. I videoed and took pics until it was up then helped. 

Weekend #2 - putting the play room together.

Kicked out for a minute while we put the room together. 

Four inches off of hers, and about 3 for me. 

Everett played for 3.5 hours while sis and I got beautified. My friend and our school counselor does hair in her home and it's awesome! She has a cutie pie son and a step-daughter who wasn't there but the kids have PLENTY to play with. 

I'm keeping the easel in the kitchen, for now. We have to have some things to do downstairs. 

Attempted a sleepover after about a week in, Clara has a cool rail she doesn't use but it was left on her bed that we bought and Everett begs to stay with sissy and she wants him to stay but he couldn't handle his excitement and couldn't calm down, Clara tried hard to help him so he could stay but it was a bust, for now. 

Evening stretches

So, each room has a neat light fixture or chandelier, we are ceiling fan kinda people, so that's on the list to do. We will put these curtains in Clara's room and his old ones in here. His room might be painted right away, that and the bar area. We are going to keep the African theme we started with in the Seminole house and get decals for his walls. 

This boy loves to sing along. He takes the machine part into his closet and closes himself in the dark and leaves the disco lights on while he sings.