The Goodwins Came, They Went, They Came Back, Then They went...again.

Oh My Gosh!  We missed them sooo much!  Those Goodwins!  The afternoon they arrived was also the FINAL CHAMPIONSHIP game to determine the little league's supreme team.  After an amazing game, Ethan's team won the championship 16-12!!  So happy that our friends were there for the victory.   Riding lesson was another highlight of the visit.  The kids enjoyed sharing their equestrian knowledge, and Mimi, Jessie, Heather and Jason loved snuggling the animals.  A group date to "The Guardians of The Galaxy" did not disappoint, and whoever got to watch as 8 people tried to find just the right seat got double the show!  Most of the time last week was spent with the kids in the pool and the adults relaxing in the shade.  Mixed with some serious parent playing and water volleyball.  Then it was time to say goodbye.  Such tight, sad hugs.  Tears, promises to see each other again soon, and a final farewell.
THEN.........
Their flight got canceled, and the soonest available leaves this Friday at 6:30!  So, back they came...after being traumatized at the airport!  Three more nights!  AND we got an additional guest.  Heather's mother had been staying with her brother, and decided it would be more fun to stay here.  She was right!!!!!  So, now we go through the goodbyes again tomorrow, except I think this time we may be more prepared.
Big happenings!  We got our truck yesterday!  Now we need to get the perfect trailer and we are ready to rock!

I've been waiting!

At the Championship Game.

The winners with their new rings!!

During Ethan's end of season party we bowled a few strings.

We will miss Coach Ben.

"Donkey; Heather, Heather; donkey"

Love at first sight.

Horse selfie!

Love at first sight...again.

Photo Bomb!

Tried to pick up the "n", but couldn't hold on to it.

Mimi

Jessie

Ethan

Mud mask time!

Look at these tiny cuties!

First sleepover in 2011.

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.