Sisters

I've delayed posting this next one because I've had such an emotional last two weekends saying goodbye to my sisters and nieces and nephew. This was what I've been dreading since we made the decision to go to Saudi.

Nevertheless, we had so much fun just like always! We avoided the inevitable until we had to face it on the last day. I cried the hardest when I drove off. Elise was also crying, not because she understands-but because she wants to ride in LeLe's car. I heard that screaming and crying for the next 10 minutes, while I'm also crying, and finally, she fell asleep from pure exhaustion from the weekend.... Poor Claire is wondering, what in the hell have I gotten myself into? 

It makes me even more sad that Elise has no idea. I don't want her to know though either. So, I guess I would be sad either way. It's great that she has the innocence of thinking the summer is not that long away. I just hate that sooner or later, she's going to start asking, when are we going to see Marissa, Gregory, and Larkin? I dread that day.

These two have the best cousin relationship ever! They love each other so much! As soon as they see each other, they run up and kiss and hug like they are an old married couple that hasn't seen each other in months.

San Antonio has an awesome children's theater, called The Magik Theatre. I wish Houston had something like this. Children of all ages can experience the arts! After the show, you can meet the characters! Elise loves seeing them, but DO NOT ask her to take a picture with them--that would be crazy.

Before we leave, I had  wanted to get Claire's ears pierced! So, where else do you take a Claire to get her ears pierced??? Why, Claire's of course! The girls did a fabulous job and so did Claire! So proud of my 10 month old!

The kids had so much fun playing at the park!

Alecia should be a model for the Ergo Baby--she makes it look good.

Of course, my sisters gave us amazing going away presents. They were very time consuming and well thought out. I cry every time I read this book, but yet I can't stop looking at it!

There was a lot more in this bag, some of which I already packed...and some of which I already ate....=/

I have favorites and slumber party fun!

I taught 2nd grade for 8 years and I never had .... never will admit...never had favorite students. I can however admit online to having favorite parents. Oh wow--a good parent in your classroom can make your year 100 times better! In the two districts I taught, I  had mostly...amazing parents--don't have my sisters drink too much and they'll spill the bad ones.....

 Most of my close ones are even my Facebook friends! I love that they want to keep in touch with me and I love seeing their children grow up! Two of my favorite moms wanted to see me before we left. I taught both of their sons in different years. I love hearing about the boys and how they've changed and grown! I also just love these women! They are not only amazing people, but spectacular moms. One day those boys will show their appreciation for it!!

Thank you for supporting me as a teacher and as a friend!

*Still working on Elise's ability to smile for the camera*

Erin and I have been wanting to let the kids have a "pretend" sleepover, so we finally got around to doing it! Elise had to have her hair in pig tails--because that's just how it goes! We got a pizza and popped popcorn! The kids had so much together--Claire really wanted some popcorn!

Packing, Saying Goodbye, and Wine....and more Wine

This is a long one--so get a glass of wine and take a sip after each paragraph. It will be more enjoyable.

They came to get our air shipment this week.

For those of you who aren't aware, when you move over seas you have 3 categories in which you organize your belongings--air, sea, and storage. We can only fit 900 pounds on the air shipment...which is NOT MUCH!  

We needed to do the air shipment early because it only takes 2-3 weeks to get there. This way we do not have to wait on the major necessities --i.e. toys, towels, sheets, crib, exercauser, high chair etc. 

We will do the boat shipment when we physically move to Saudi. The boat can take up to 3 months to get there! 

Our Storage container will have all of our furniture and things we don't want/need to bring with us-- fine china, crystal, a majority of our seasonal things, anything that is special that we don't want to lose. 

The air shipment really went fantastic. The company uses Graebel Movers and I have never experienced a moving company who worked as well as they did. 

You may think, how would a 31 year old know about moving companies?? Well, growing up, we spent a lot of time MOVING STATES/CITIES. In fact, I lived in 3 different cities/states in high school--that doesn't count all the middle school and elementary moves.

That explains a lot.

Moving on, when the truck pulled up I was overcome with emotion again. Memories flooded back to me from when I was a child, teenager, and adult. That moving truck only means one thing to me CHANGE IS COMING. There's no turning back now. I wish I could have had Green Day, "Time of your life" playing in the background while the truck pulled up and drove away. "So take the photographs and still frames in your mind..."

My dear friend Erin threw me an amazing going away party with some close work friends from Robinson. She had everyone bring something special that reminded them of me. It was the sweetest idea. She is such a good friend to me and I will miss her more than she knows. 

It is so much fun to hang out with your friends away from work! Ha! We have the most fun! Teachers are WILD! My Robinson friends are a family to me, especially my second grade team. They will always hold a special place in my heart!! This is a picture of our team --missing Norma, who's traveling of course!!=)--

Yes, they know I like PEEPS! 

Some of my friends helped compile this book from my past students. This is just too special to  not share. I couldn't include everyone! I just picked the first couple to share!

Saturday was yet another hard goodbye. I had to say goodbye to two of my best friends--We spent the day shopping and having lunch. It was so nice to see them. I love that whenever we get together we pick up right where we left off. Claire came along for the ride and she had a blast! She loved being spoiled by them! It's always been hard to say goodbye to them. I wish we could all live on the same street and get together every weekend.  It just makes our time together more special. Until June...