Transition

Our lives are still a bit crazy right now; I forget half of what I'm supposed to do since I'm not on any established schedule. Michael and I spent a week on our own, finding fun activities like jumping at SkyZone:

 

 Attending story time at the church, trying new splash pads, checking out new preschools...

 But this week I traveled back to Illinois to pack up and move the house. JD stayed home to work, and Vickie graciously watched Michael so that he didn't have to travel back and forth. I admit, it was really hard to see our house (and what felt like our memories) get packed into boxes. I stood in the house and remembered trying to entertain a newborn, hosting Halloween parties, hiding from snow drifts, writing a dissertation...

 But mostly I remembered moving in five years ago, still a newly-wed, a new PhD candidate, excited about owning our first house. Saying goodbye to this house was saying goodbye to that girl.

 And saying goodbye to best friends.

 We have a lot to look forward to, like our new home in Euharlee, Georgia.

But it's still hard, and this transition is very bittersweet.

Adjusting

Our first week living in Georgia has ended, and it feels like a year has passed! It's been quite an adjustment, working on a new schedule, finding new activities, and missing everyone we've left behind in Illinois. JD has been super busy with his new job, but we did have one week with my mom before she started her new job today. We did a lot of playing outside in the backyard:

 Pico has settled in nicely.

 

Monday, Michael and I went to see the puppet show "The Reluctant Dragon" at the Roswell Center for Cultural Arts. He actually sat through a 50 minute performance. Afterwards, we had treats at a coffee shop. Tuesday, Mom went with us to the Mountainview Public Library for story time. It happened to be fireman day, so we got to explore a firetruck too. Wednesday, we went to the mall where we played in the kids' area, then we met Uncle Mike for lunch in the food court and rode the carousel. Only Uncle Mike was allowed to ride.

 

Thursday, Mom and I took Michael to the Georgia Aquarium. It was so much fun. We saw the Dolphin Show for the first time, but the lights, loud music, and scary graphics freaked Michael out, and he was ready to go home afterwards. He's been talking about dolphins ever since, however.

 

Friday, we made a Father's Day card for JD at a local school store and got together for a big Mexican dinner with the Ponds and Francesconis. Saturday, JD was home, and we got to go as a family to the Chattahoochee Race and Festival at Riverside Park. It was so nice to spend time together again; we really missed JD.

 

 Shopping at Trader Joe's.

 Sunday, we attended church and celebrated Father's Day with both families. We had a yummy brunch with my family and a great dinner with JD's family. Michael and Shiloh got some swimming time in as well. 

 It's so much fun to see them old enough to enjoy each other's company now.

 

Today, Mom started her new job, so it was Michael and I on our own again, just like the summer when he was first born (minus friends!). We ran some errands, and then I took him to the Roswell Mill where JD and I had our wedding reception. It was strange to see my three-year-old on the same bridge where we had our wedding pictures made. It was also super cool.

 

 

 

 

 

Poor JD has the new-job cold (I remember him getting one when he started working for Whirlpool too). Michael and I are heading to Cartersville tomorrow to check out some preschools for the fall and to drive by our new house that we're just dying to see again.

Hilton Head 2013

We just finished up another great summer vcation on Hilton Head. Even with tropical storm Andrea blowing through, we enjoyed the beach every single day. Michael traveled really well; in fact, it was our best beach vacation with him so far because he really enjoyed the sun, the sand, and the water this year. Everything was an adventure.

 

 

"Walks" on the beach usually turned into jumping over waves, digging in crab holes, dragging sticks, petting dogs, and finding shells, but we made some mileage.

 

This year, Michael discovered the surf board. He loved sitting in the shallows, riding the waves. It was also a first experience of salt water splashing in his face!

 

Michael also made many sea creature friends. Gigi introduced him to two sand dollars, and Daddy helped him catch a sand crab at night with a flashlight. Mr. Crabs spent the night in our condo and had to watch all Michael's cartoons with him. He was freed the next day in a sand palace that I don't think he fully appreciated.

 

Sand palace.

 

 

Michael's private beach tent.

 

He also went swimming in the "big boy pool," which was very exciting. Every time he jumped in, on his way to the stairs and fully supported by us, Michael would shout, "I'm swimming!!"

 

Tropical storm Andrea did come through, so we had one day of umbrella use, which Michael also loved because he got his very own umbrella. The rain didn't stop us from climbing a lighthouse, shopping, going out for lunch, or cooking a big Italian dinner.

 

As a break from the beach, we went at a walk in a nature preserve. Michael's favorite part was carrying the map in the front of the line.

 

 

There was a good-looking guy on the trail.

 The freeing of Mr. Crabs.

 Now that we're back, JD has started his new job, and Michael and I are settling into a new life at Pops and Gigi's house. It feels odd, but we're trying to stay busy. Yesterday M and I went to a puppet show at the Roswell Culture Center, and today we tried a storytime at Mountainview Library. Of course, we've had plenty of time around the house with the three kitties as well. There are still many changes ahead, but, for now, we're content.

Two Three-Year Birthday Parties

Of course Michael's three-year birthday falls right in the middle of moving, just to make things that much crazier, but we've made the most of it with two celebrations. In Illinois, we traveled an hour away to the Monticello Train Museum where there were stored all kinds of engines and cars. We got to take a train ride into town where we got lunch and then headed back. It was PRECIOUS to see how excited Michael and Isaac were to ride on a real train! 

 

 

 

Our group consists of the seated persons (minus the old lady in front): Sean, me, JD, the two kids, Emily, Beth, Mr. Tim, Beth, and the lady behind the camera--Randi..

 

Friends having some train fun!

 

 

Lunch time and presents.

 

 

Riding back.

 

Our second party took place in Georgia with a jungle animal theme. Michael kept sticking his fingers in the cake before we sang "Happy Birthday."

Don't spit on the cake!!

Pinata time. Michael got in some good hits, but JD had to finish it off.

 

One of Michael's presents was this beautiful art desk from Papa and Mimi. It was the perfect place to open gifts.

 

Before the party ended, a silly string fight broke out, which Michael absolutely loved, especially when he got to shoot other people.

What?! A train gift? Shocking!

 

Happy birthday to my sweet and crazy three-year-old who gets more and more fun every year.