It's a Sign......No, seriously...

     O. K..  So we have mixed emotions about "The Sign".  It means A LOT!  It signifies the fact that we are in fact leaving.  It is an ugly thing that makes our friends feel sad when they come over (a definite reminder that our time here is quite limited).  It means that with only one hours notice "Becky" can ask us to leave for an hour, which can be very inconvenient.  Plus I hate having strangers walking through my things.  

     BUT there are some very positive connotations.  It signifies that we ARE leaving!  This is exciting!  The adventure starts here.  So much of our furniture is gone.  I have met some very interesting people through out the selling journey.  People who wanted to know our story, or if there was a narrative about the piece they were getting, people who were just wanting to chat while they looked around the house to decide if what we had enjoyed was something that they too would enjoy.  Rude people, sweet people, people I wish I had met sooner so that I could have gotten to know them, quiet people who seemed embarrassed to be buying what I was selling, peoples kids who make them selves at home in my space in the 10 minutes they are here.  I can't wait to meet all kinds of people along the next leg of our journey.  Yes, we are curious about the state parks, and the new landscapes that are ahead of us, but the real curiosity lies in the human encounters we have yet to experience!   

     All that aside, we have had a relatively normal week.  I was super spoiled on Mother's Day.  Kids made me the best cards yet.  We have had some play time with the Duty's.  Ethan's team has gone and won another play-off game, so they will play for the championship this Wednesday night.  The Goodwin's will be here to see the game!!  We are about to explode with anticipation for their arrival!!!!

I found my old gym uniform from grade school!  Makes for a cool retro T-shirt for Fiona.

This is just the beginning...

The kids set this up for me on the morning of Mother's Day.

Oh, my babies.  All grown up now...

Fiona made Ms. Elisabeth a special birthday card!

Goofy friends.

Having no furniture really opens up the floor for play.

We went and got our passports!

Wonder what I will think of this in 10 years when it expires!

Mexico and Canada here we come!

Cutest kid ever!  She likes to sit with Fiona at Ethan's games.

Paul...you scare me.

Gammy Gone!

And just like that she vanished!  We all drove Gammy back to the airport yesterday afternoon.  Such sad faces once she was out of the car.  The morning was one of yoga, bike rides, duck feedings, and playgrounds...all with the haunting thought that Gammy was getting on a plane within hours.  We are all learning to deal with the heavy sadness of goodbyes, but it is never easy.  Poor Ethan felt sick to his stomach in the car, and turns out he was just anxious about the farewell.  After some tickles from his sister he made a full recovery in time for his baseball practice later that afternoon. In the night, when I finished two chapters of our "read-aloud" book, the kids informed me the "Gammy reads to us for way longer." And she did.  She would sometimes read to the kids until well past her own bedtime!
Today it was back to school for Fiona and Ethan.  They were both ready to hit the books!  This week I would like to try to get them to finish their spelling and math workbooks (Fiona for math, Ethan is already a grade ahead there...)  We must prepare for some more time off from our studies when the Goodwin's get here the end of May!!!!!  In the meantime, Scott and I continue to narrow down our belongings to just what we need.  It is a long process, and I am glad that we started early, and have been able to take our time!

Hermit crab race begins!

These crabs are hypnotizing!

Gammy got this image of the mommy fitting all her babies under her wings!

Hanging out at the playground with Gammy.

Mom took this the last night of her stay.  We were out to eat at Jasper's, and there was a lovely full moon.

Gammy is Here!

Gammy arrived Monday afternoon, and we have been enjoying her company for five days now.  Hard to believe her stay is half over.  She just fits in so well with us and our routine.  Maybe she should stay.  Sorry Dad.  Anyway, Monday was all about getting her settled in.  A stop at H.E.B. for yogurt, berries and wine and Mom's food needs were taken care of for the next ten days.  The weather has been extraordinary this week.  High 70's, low 80's and sunny, sunny, sunny.  Gammy went on a great field trip with the kids and I back to The Sam Huston Museum.  This time we actually entered the museum (last time we just toured the historic homes on the site, never realizing there was an actual museum building.  Home school high five for that one!)  After that we headed further north to the Texas Prison Museum.  Wow.  It was pretty powerful.  They had the electric chair that killed 361 people.  Also listed some of the last meal requests of the inmates, the gun used by Bonnie and Clyde, and tons of fascinating artifacts crafted by inmates past and present.  On our way home we ducked into Annette's for some ice cream sundeas and milkshakes.  Yesterday Gammy was able to watch as the kids cantered, and trotted with out using their hands!  Tough on the legs!  Mom and the kids have taken walks to feed the ducks (and 23 new ducklings), bike-rides around the neighborhood and Fiona and Ethan taught her how to play "Four Square".  We all went to the movies on Wednesday to see the new "Beauty and The Beast".  The girls loved it.  Ethan is still not sure...it being a musical and all.  Today was a beautiful day for a ball game, and was made even better by the fact that Ethan's team beat the top seated team in the league 10 to 3!!!!!!

On our way to the airport!

Got ourselves a Gammy.

Their puzzling has begun...

On the drive to riding.

I will miss this road.

Proud momma with one duckling.

Ahhhh!  There's too many!!!!!

Gammy really has an eye for fungus.  Look at this disgusting and suggestive one she spotted.  That's just wrong.

Playground for 12 and older.

On Sam Houston's homestead.

Right??????

In case you forget you're in Texas.

Those nice inmates make children's toys.  Thank you inmates.

Disturbing.

These two prisoners were just going about their day.

Visitation time is so bitter-sweet.

Gammy and Fiona switched glasses.

My quilt is coming along.

Kitty and Gammy get along swimmingly.

Just before the big win.