last dance

phew.

emotional day. big time.


it was the last day that we could say "good-bye" to our old house. it was hard to have to hang on to it for 3 weeks after we moved. kind of like the blanket that you knew you had to finally give up. or a toy that you were too old to play for. a comfort that you had outgrown.

it was not our choice to hang on to it for as long as we did....but i'm glad we were able to.


our first home. we lived there for nearly 11 years. changed nearly everything ourselves. brought both of our babies home to that home. so many memories. a long time.


the kids had one last dance in the living/dining room.

this was a special little playhouse. their grandpa olsen helped daddy build this. even Aidan had a part with this project. they played in this EVERY DAY until the snow was too deep and the air was too cold. but as soon as it melted and they could make a path...it was played in again. so hard to say good-bye....we all know that we won't have anything in this caliber again.

Aidan and grandpa olsen built this flowerbox. great memories. soooo happy that i'm a shutterbug! i have some amazing photos from that day it was built and installed.

this pear tree was not much taller than the fence when we bought the house. it does need pruning. but the leaves were so lush. and it provided a beautiful background....pruning the top became something we chose to avoid! and yes we got pears. every year.

this apple tree was only planted two years ago. this was the size of the pear tree nearly 11 years ago. amazing to compare.

the neighbors with whom we shared this fence are honorary grandparents to our kids. we already miss them. i do look forward to visiting and peeking over the fence to view the growth and changes in the yard. half of the yard was messed up with the building of the garage....so the new owners will have a bit of a clean slate to work with as they green things up and put on their personal touches.

both of the kids had one last climb on this tree. it really is not the greatest climbing tree. but they both hung out here a lot.


our first little home was built in 1949. the same year that the community school was built. we learned that the property the school used was once a dairy farm. i think the original farmhouse or an old barn (now converted to a house) still stands on the original land. even last Christmas we still got mail for the man who had built the house! last summer Zbig told us that the house was too small for his family (in the 1950's), so they rented it out; while they had purchased and lived in a house that was larger and closer to downtown. after their children left home, they returned and retired. the next owners were a postal worker and an airline stewardess. they did not have children. then came the family which we purchased from. they were both academics and she had completed her Ph.D at the UofA just before they moved. they also had a one year old at the time. Barb is insistant that the home attracts "nice" people! i was concerned about who would be living there following us and the care they would have for the house. we renovated nearly everything during the time we lived there. for awhile we had seriously considered a demo and rebuild. it took us a long time to process the fact that we would then need to destroy all the work we had done! painful. however we knew that the way it was presently done was no longer working for us and we simply needed some space. it came down to the cost. the financial decision and the physical decision. would the cost of re-building be the best choice? it was tough. it was either to stay and work it out creatively or see if there was a possibility to purchase a home that would meet our needs. truly all of the details were God's handiwork. that might sound fluffy, but it's true! the new owners fell in love with the house immediately, and that love stayed. how fortunate we are that they loved the house as it is and saw the beauty that we did. i don't expect the paint colours to stay. or the little details we added to make it our home. but i feel assured that they are the type to not let it waste away....these old homes do take more time to care for. it would be so tough to visit Zbig and Barb, and see the house fall apart. as the city grows in size and condos seem to be multiplying, we have wondered how long it will be before the house becomes replaced. will these new owners be the last? or will it be spared? sixty years ago it was just a field for some dairy cows.....

i closed the door behind us for the final time. we are now only welcome as guests.

i studied the view from the alley. the new garage. the lush pear tree. my beloved clematis. so green. it was so beautiful. it was exactly as we had hoped for when we planned the placement of the garage. so private. a sanctuary. no longer for us to enjoy.

we had grown accustomed to people walking by and staring...starting with the south corner where they could get a view of the backyard...then you could see them study the house...the front yard. a compliment.

no more.

but pride that we were able to uphold a home that was well built. and has been filled with happy people. and lovingly cared for by several owners over the years. love.

lots of tears today.

we're moving away from some very special people too. we haven't known them for long. it was our kids that enabled us all to meet and get to know each other. so nice to not have to run away from a problem community, but to leave with tears and sadness. and if any of my amazing neighbors are reading....please note that you are only 20 minutes away from us....and that includes bridge wait times!!!!! after all these years the community is building a brand new playground that includes a fancy splash park. we do not have a splash park here. sooooo we are definitely going to arrange some large group play dates with all of yous!!!!

how wonderful to have tears and be sad about a move. we are blessed.

having

some laid back time....

this is one of the best buys for our kids! i love how it squirts the water in any direction and makes them giggle. Kiara is enjoying this sprinkler more this summer than last year. it's so fun to have the two of them enjoy getting wet and giggling at each other getting wet. Kiara is working on using the water gun and so far has some pretty good aim too.

as soon as i saw this shot i HAD to photoshop it! i brightened the dandelion and changed the background. so fun!!

we're finishing up a busy, busy week. last week of preschool. last full week of "owning" two homes. almost done hauling stuff away. just have a few things left to clean and tidy up. i can't believe that i am still having to clean our new house. the house that was given an extended possession time so that they could clean it....argh! yesterday i finally had the courage to clean the freezer in the garage. and i mean COURAGE. you should have seen it. it was too gross for pictures. i think they had a leak of some frozen juice or fruit or something similar. so they left it. that was probably the day they decided to sell it and let someone else clean it. i am tempted to sweep up their garbage, box it up and mail it to them. i have decided that if they call and ask for "one more favour" then it will be time for me to speak up. no more giving them the benefit of the doubt....not that they ever deserved it!

despite the dark cloud that we moved in under, we're still happy with our choice. there is enough space here so that we're not stepping on each other. we have some neighbors that are also making the deal sweeter! most houses are very quiet and keep to themselves...but a few are outgoing and welcoming. we're so happy about this. we really liked our neighbors at our old house....and that was the hardest part about leaving. i keep telling them that i'll find some houses for them to move into down here....{you know who you are!!!}

well....off to get some more stuff done. sooooo looking forward to more days of relaxing!

anyone have some recommendations for a good central vac system? apparently we will need to buy one!

feeling

more at home....


we're still exploring our new surroundings. getting to know the area better.



Aidan takes advantage of any opportunity to ride his bike on our adventures. this trail is on the edge of the neighborhood. so cool to look out and see fields and farms.




Aidan refers to his drainage pond as "our lake". this was the first place we brought the kids to when we bought the house. we all had to wait a month before we moved in. Aidan found a rock that night and had wanted to throw it in the lake and make it "skip". he didn't get an opportunity. BUT he kept that very rock and saved it until he could go out and toss it in. that was a huge surprise! he was SO HAPPY to be able to toss it in last weekend. ever since we got the keys he had been asking to do it.



we meet more and more of our neighbors each day. yesterday there was a couple of kids playing ball in the greenspace. Aidan biked over and joined in. then Kiara joined. then another neighbor kid joined. and a few more. then another game started. and then they went into one of the yards and played there. then they moved on to another yard.

today they joined another young neighbor and crashed a hot tub party next door!

i was relieved to find out that Kiara was not the only one who has trespassed into the neighbors houses. one of our young neighbors searched through our house today too.

Kris finished installing our new washer and dryer today. we had to purchase 3 appliances because the previous owners took them. kind of weird appliances to take, but i'm happy with what we got.

the basement is still a zone of boxes...crazy! we've put some of the larger toys down there too. i think the boxes have added to the interest of the kids as well. it was really cute listening to their chatter as they played. they had their "house". and then they went "camping". it has been neat to watch them discover their old toys again.

and one day we'll get some routine back!

and if anyone from the "old 'hood" is reading....we miss you! but you would LOVE it here too!!

welcome to the hood!

we are thankful for some good neighbors. one of them brought over this card yesterday. so sweet!


moving makes for some pretty long days. the packing seems endless. well...maybe it is endless! our first visit to the house we brought the portable DVD players for the kids. running around an empty house and trespassing the neighbors lawns and houses can only bring enjoyment for so long.

seems so funny to see them watching little tv screens in such a big room.

their first snack in the house! corn pops and fruit loops. on the floor. we all agreed that the floors are lovely. brazilian walnut. not what we would have picked, but it sure looks nice.

now the furniture is here. and most of our stuff. i think someone is breaking into our house and putting more stuff in there....crazy!

there are still boxes everywhere. we can't park in the garage yet. but the kids and i need a break to do some fun stuff. there are walking trails all through the community. it's our mission to find everyone of them! Aidan loves exploring.

Kiara loves the treasure we find along the way!

one house on our block is mostly patio stone. i think they have one shrub. but they have the healthiest dandilions i have ever seen in the city. and there have been some pretty healthy ones that grew across the alley from us. Kiara spends a lot of time picking every dandilion in sight.

and she also likes the ones that go to seed.


oh! i forgot to mention a 'not so sweet' thing she did last week. usually one or both of the kids is ready to get the day started before i am. every once in awhile they get quite silly. especially when the sillies hit both of them at the same time. on Tuesday, Kiara was off the wall. i was less amused when her head hit mine. ouch! it hurt. bad enough to make me cry. i put ice on it right away, but knew there was going to be some kind of a bruise.

by Thursday it looked like i had a 'port wine stain' birthmark.

which was good. for first impressions. with people we never knew before.

we also had a wedding to attend on Saturday. thank goodness for make up!!

i had hoped that we could have gotten their outdoor toys here already. for now they have been doing well improvising. isn't that deck in the background amazing?

here are some pics of our adventures:

cool fort!

Aidan is LOVING riding along the trails. he's definitely his fathers' son!!

we've left Kiara's bike at home for these bike rides. she isn't up to the skill level required. mostly because she is stubborn and impatient. i'm sure she'll be ready to join by the end of the summer. for now, she loves to run and chase her big bro. this time around the BMX track.

i thought this was adorable. Aidan had fallen. i love how Kiara offers him the dandilion to cheer him up. very compassionate children.


today was another big day for them. we ran from one activity to another. we had to buy another washer and dryer. and we'll get it delivered tomorrow! there are still errands to run and more junk to haul. it is supposed to be a great day tomorrow. Aidan has been asking to have a water fight for weeks now. thankfully we now have a hose and sprinkler to entertain them. so if we get stuck waiting here all day, we won't be bored. because i am avoiding anything to do with cardboard....

one week

this girl needs to take up acting or something. the facial expressions are amazing. she has soooo many!!

our little goofball!

our backyard is a bit of confusion for our kids right now. we didn't get many of the outdoor toys moved over. all they have is their balls. and the weeds! we also don't have any fences between our neighbors. THANKFULLY they are very easygoing and don't mind our kids tromping across their lawn. or their house. but that is another story.....{sigh}.

if anyone reading this is about to move or sell their old house....here are some KIND and simple pointers:

[one] do not ask for an extension on the possession with the excuse to clean....and don't clean!

[two] do not leave drywall anchors or holes in the walls. or stickers on the windows. really. even when you ask for an extension on the possession.

[three] please leave things like....garage door openers...stuff that goes with the house that we purchased....if some stuff weren't bolted down or difficult to remove....i think we would have to replace things like mirrors....good grief!

[four] do not ask to have an extra week to pick up the mail....or have the new owners forward the mail....and not mention what the mailbox number is! yes. for real.

maybe it is just us. but we happen to move into homes that the previous owners were a little selfish....and cheap! and maybe even a wee bit difficult. is there a warning sign that maybe we're missing?

our neighbors on either side were anxious to meet us. and apparently even more anxious to see the previous owners drive away permanently. so far, we all have a spot where we agree!

here is the "funny" part: i did meet the previous owner for this house. and mentioned the scratches and dents "the movers" left behind. the response? a look of surprise and then, "we did leave paint for you." yes. paint. we'll leave the holes and dents in the walls, and cover them with paint. where do we begin to thank them for their kindness?!

in all seriousness. what would be a decent response to that? because i fell to my knees and wept in joy, begging for forgiveness at my own stupidity.....

for now

taking time.

to pack.

play.




Aidan is excited to be able to help with the packing this time. it should be interesting to see what he ends up choosing to pack in his own personal box. and Kiara as well.


only a few more sleeps before we move. we can hardly believe it. this next chapter will be fun!


so if you don't hear from me for awhile...trust that all is well and good. and hopefully we'll have some spare time to blow bubbles or play in the sand. all work and no play is....boring!


Happy June! {and cheers to sunshine without a reckless wind!}

these are the days

i am being reminded daily in little ways that God takes care of us. even the little things He cares about! even those little things that we initially thought were problems have turned into blessings. who'da thunk it?!

i spent nearly an entire morning trying to figure out a school for Aidan for ONE YEAR....until the brand new one opens. closed doors. or should i say closed enrollment? reluctantly i went to visit the designated school. and was happily impressed! he should be attending with several of his new neighbors. the school environment is well planned and positive. and his teacher-to-be? i could not be happier. the two years before we had Aidan, i actually had a short-term subbing position for her. so i am fully aware of what his daily schedule and expectations will be like. in fact, if i were to be in a kindergarten teaching position myself....i would have organized the classroom very much how she does it. hmmmm....maybe i will end up being his sub one day?! anyways, she was one of my favourite teachers to sub for back in those days.

blessing.

in so many ways.

and the moving details. wow!

some things just can't be planned better.

for now.....we are enjoying being here. still sad about leaving. but excited and anxious to get to know our new digs! i am very grateful for that. i know it would be miserable if we were going somewhere that didn't "feel right". we love the fact that our new community doesn't "feel like" a brand new, sterile community. we have lots of mature trees that have not been bulldozed. safe paths for little feet. we will miss our lovely neighbors and our park-size backyard. (we won't miss taking care of it! but we will miss the space and privacy.)

little K has enjoyed finding "ladybuggies". she also picks every dandilion flower in her path. a few days ago we were on a bike ride. her first. she immediately stopped to pick dandilions and poke them into her handlebars. too funny. i remembered doing the same thing when i was little.

here she is showing her faves to her big bro:

he does well. i think he is interested just because he knows she likes it. he's totally a boy! loves the space to run. throw balls. and he has discovered how to high center his bike training wheels so that he can ride stationary and FAST!

blessed.

it is so fun to discover these little parts about their personalities as they are growing. it seems like something new pops out each week! they have a zest for life and wake up happy each day. {and they stay happy....just as long as we feed them and protect them from shopping trips!}

excitement

this week the public school board announced the names and principals of the six new schools being built. all of them will be opened in September 2010. we hope!!

the public school district has chosen to name new schools after people who have made an impact on the community. and some beyond.

our school is named after Johnny Bright. the pun being mentioned that all of the students in this school will be "bright". he was an educator and principal in Edmonton. prior to that he also was a football player with the CFL, appointed to the CFL hall of fame in 1970.

my kids were the only kids in attendance. i was disappointed that more communication had not been made within the community. i just happened to be lucky and read about it on the district website as i was looking for a school for this fall. i had hoped to meet other parents and for my kids to meet future classmates. they did get to meet their future principal. and the daughter of the man whom the school is named after. and the minister of education. and the media. they got their minute of fame! pretty easy to do when the competition is eliminated!!

it turns out that their new principal is presently the principal at the very same school that one of Aidans' cousins attends. and two of his very best friends. it is a small world after all. i was impressed that he introduced himself to Aidan first and then to myself. to me it was evidence that he valued the needs of his students as a priority. how nice to have a good first impression.