Settling In

The girls and I have been here in Virginia for a little over two weeks and I am shocked by how much this place already feels like home.   We have met our neighbors, made friends, enrolled Sarah Avery in a little preschool, and sent Susannah off to her first day of Kindergarten Prep, which is a week that the school is open only to the kindergartners and they spend the morning learning about daily life at public school.    Susannah is really excited about eating in the cafeteria and she loves the rules and standing in line.  (Total type A, just like her mama!)    Here are the pictures from the past couple of weeks:

We have adjusted to our lives without our furniture, and have purchased a few things to make it a little more manageable.   Like these bean bag chairs.

And this little sofa which is a sleeper and will eventually go in the guest room.

We have continued checking out the local restaurants, including this ice cream spot right around the corner from our house.

Quite possiblythe first ever picture of SA smiling and looking at the camera.   Wahoo!

I know I've said it before, but I adore our new neighborhood.   Tree lined streets, friendly families, lots of playgrounds.   It is picture perfect and I'm so grateful.  

Susannah wasted no time learning to ride the new bike Daddy bought her.   This is the lot behind her school and it is perfect for practicing.

She learned last summer in France, but because of the traffic and hills in our neighborhood, could never practice.   But now she has it down again and loves it. 

Last weekend Meadow arrived!   We are so happy to have her back where she belongs, with her family.   The girls are beside themselves and fight over who can feed her.   

Meadow seems pretty happy to be here too.  Susannah took this picture.

We had our first pancake night with our new griddle.    I burned them, but the girls didn't mind because they were full of chocolate chips!

"Just dunk the extra crispy parts in syrup girls.  Mommy promises to turn down the griddle temperature next time."

Last weekend we tried to beat the heat by spending the morning at the museum of Natural History.   Susannah was so excited and loved every minute.   Sarah was less sure and pitched an epic fit by the famous elephant that sits in the center atrium of the museum.   

Susannah loved all of it, but she really loved looking at all the jewels.  

She said this one looked like Elsa's ice castle.   Also, please note how German she is with her jacket on even though it was literally 100 degrees outside.   

This was when Sarah Avery was still on board with the museum experience.   They had just done a little hands on exhibit about graphite. 

Checking out some fossils.

We also paid extra to do the butterfly experience.   Susannah and I loved it.   

The butterflies were so beautiful and fun to watch.

Susannah got to drop water on some wings to see how water-resistant they were.  

The blue ones were so beautiful.  (SA and Peter missed out because they were busy having a fit by the elephant.)

This was right before we made our exit.   See how pleased Sarah Avery looks?

Washington Monument.    We are so excited for cooler weather and less tourists so we can spend our weekend mornings checking everything out. 

We were over the heat in the district, so we headed home and set up the sprinkler after lunch and nap.

The girls are so happy to finally have a backyard.

Summer fun, American style!

Meadow kept drinking the pool water, much to their dismay and amusement.

Pure summer joy.

The girls are so happy to be back with their Daddy.

We checked some new books out from our neighborhood library, including "Silverlicious."

Saturday morning we continued our education in suburban American life and headed to Home Depot to buy some things for our mudroom.   Then we had an early lunch at this amazing restaurant.   It is called Cava Mezze and is the healthy, Greek version of Moe's.   So so good.   

These two loved it.

Even SA took a few bites.   

The one downside of the past two weeks is definitely the heat.   It has been over 100 for several days now and our AC is not keeping up.   But Peter and I agreed that after seven years with no air conditioning, 83 on a 103 degree day was actually a miracle by our standards.   

Yesterday was a big day.   Susannah started her week of Kindergarten Prep at her new school.   Sarah Avery, why won't you look at the camera?

Susannah was so excited and didn't seem nervous at all.   

I, on the other hand, found myself constantly swallowing the lump in the back of my throat.   

She was so excited to carry her new backpack.   

I marvel at her confidence, courage and poise.   So proud of this girl!

And that has been our life lately.    Thanks again for all the prayers!    We are so incredibly grateful for this beautiful new life we have started and can't wait to see what the Fall will bring.   Love and miss you all!