It's been more than three months since we landed in Pittsburgh. I think if you did a poll in our household tonight, all would agree that those three months have lasted forever and a day. It has often seemed that time has been suspended, that we would never come to the end of this intermediate time period of waiting for the next stage of our lives to begin. But now we are staring into the face of another big change, and time is speeding up again.
We are all anxious and excited for what the next two weeks will bring. The mixture of emotions is nothing new, but beginning school on U.S. soil will bring a boatload of novel experiences for our crew. I am sure I will be checking in more than once about their impressions as they attend school for the first time in America. Already the older two have picked up on several key differences. In the meantime, here are a few of the things they have been doing while waiting.
1. Climbing trees, riding bikes, catching fireflies and playing ghosts in the graveyard (along with other neighborhood favorites such as sardines and capture the flag). What fun to be a kid in the summer.
2. Chasing the deer from our backyard. We wouldn't mind sharing the space so much if it weren't for the threat of lyme disease.
This is what you see when you walk into our local library:
3. Enjoying lazy summer breakfasts of homemade pancakes and waffles.
4. Reviving the Rainbow Loom Bands craze. S has been watching Youtube videos to learn how to make many new versions, and even J has joined in the fun, although I think he likes buying the supplies and shooting bracelets at targets more than actually making them.
5. Husking local sweet corn and baking cookies.
6. Putting together furniture. The older two have found it challenging to stay busy this summer, although I did find them a math tutor and sign them up for music lessons (fun times!). A welcome distraction came last week when we converted a downstairs office into a bedroom, rearranged furniture and then purchased a few new pieces. They did a great job assembling it all without any help from me.
It reminded me of when we assembled IKEA furniture back in 2010, just weeks after landing in Melbourne.
We even bought our older son the identical chair he had in his bedroom in Melbourne, because the boys in our family (R excepted) aren't big fans of change. They like things to stay the same. I sympathize with them. Recently I asked each of them if there was anything I could do to make them feel better about all of the changes in their lives. The older son requested a chair, the younger son, more hugs. Too easy, I thought. One chair, and lots of hugs coming right up, I replied. All three of us have been happier ever since.
Too sweet- more hugs! I hope the next two weeks are filled with good changes. :)
Posted by: Suzanne | 08/19/2014 at 03:30 AM
Earlier this summer he insisted that what he needed was an iPod, a Wii, a personal TV, and an iPhone to be happy, so yes, I was thrilled with the request for more hugs!
Posted by: Christie | 08/19/2014 at 04:02 AM