Last Week of School

Tears are still filling my eyes, even as I write (in a coffee shop in downtown Moscow---kind of embarrassing by the way), about Maggie having to say goodbye to her friends, Chris and the other teachers who have loved and supported her for over two years. Maggie has LOVED her time at school. She has learned and experienced so many amazing things at school that have supported her in becoming the amazing 2 1/2 year old she is today. Everyday I'm amazed at some tidbit of information she shares that she learned from school, I am struck by the power of her friendships with her little friends whom she adores. I'm humbled by the love, care and support she has received from Chris and a few of the student staff that have cared for her over the years---Chelsie, Brooke and Charlene especially. I keep reminding myself that her time in this loop with Chris and her friends would have been coming to an end this spring/summer anyways, and we would have been making that big transition to preschool. Zac and I knew that moving to Moscow, and the life we would have here, was going to provide new and fantastic opportunities for Maggie, but it's never easy letting go of something that is already so good.

Chris got Maggie a special "moon cake" for her last day at school. Her friends decided that the cake called for a "Happy Birthday Party" in Maggie's honor, so they went ahead and sang her "Happy Birthday." Considering how much she's "into" birthdays and birthday parties, I couldn't imagine a better last day.

Below are some pictures Chris e-mailed me of Maggie's last day of school. Enjoy...

Chris and Maggie reading Maggie's family book that she made for school. Maggie asked to take it with her, and we read it almost daily. Chris always supported a home/school connection to help Maggie and the other children feel secure.

The Moon Cake

Just a little happy I think:)

Maggie and Chris

Friends, friends, friends...this last year was all about building relationships with her peers.

Have I mentioned she loved school?

Gak....a Maggie favorite!

Maggie and her baby...Maggie has been playing with this baby for two years. Out of all the dolls in the class, she always chooses this one to play with. This doll was Chris' daughter's. On Maggie's last day she asked Chris if she could take the baby to her new house in Moscow.

Chris of course let Maggie keep the dolly.

Being 2 1/2 years old means...

• That I have to gesture a lot with my hands when I talk
• That I respond "I might" just about every time I'm told that something isn't okay
• That I think it's totally appropriate to tell Mommy and Daddy to "Stop talking!" or "NO COME IN MY ROOM!"
• That I like to tell lots and lots of stories about lots of different things.
• That when Mommy tells me that she isn't going to buy me any more bugsies, I tell her "I buy bugsies with my OWN money!" And then I do.
• That I can go potty all by myself with absolutely no help---sitting backwards on the potty with all my clothes off!
• That I talk about who is a girl and who is a boy a lot, and sometimes I ask if I can pretend I'm a boy and go potty standing up!
• That I think my friends are the best! And I can't wait for each school day to see them.
• That I like to sing a lot, especially when it's time to go to bed.
• That I STILL LOVE babies, but I also love having "happy birthday parties" too.
• That my favorite books are books about that mischievous pig, Olivia.
• That I'm getting ready to move to Moscow, and I've been helping Mommy "pack" lots of boxes.
• That I'm getting ready to be a big sister! And I insist that the baby in Mommy's tummy is a baby sister.

Maggie's Idea of Packing...

Is Unpacking!

As many of you have probably noticed I haven't been posting too much lately. I've been packing, packing, and packing some more. I've also been cleaning, raking the yard, and trying to keep as many of Maggie's typical routines in place as possible. I figure everything will seem really boring once I get to Moscow and get all unpacked, and settled into our new home.

I'm still feeling pretty good, which is great. No more broken ribs or anything. After raking and cleaning up the whole back yard today though, we'll see how I feel in the morning:)

Thanks Auntie Sara and Grandma Tara for helping as much as you could this weekend! Especially for giving Mags some extra playtime and loves!

Sleepy Magnolia

I go to wake her up, and I'm stunned by how beautiful she is. I just sit there and kiss her sweet cheeks, then have to grab my camera so I can keep the moment forever.

Here's a little of my beautiful moment shared with all of you...

Magnolia's New House!

We found it! Thank goodness!!!!!!!

Zac and I fell in love with this older home the moment we saw it. Lucky for us it all worked out. There were two other families that inquired about the home right after us, and it was really the only option we had at such quick notice. It's in a fantastic location, right near the library, within walking distance to East City Park, near a school with a big play ground, and close to downtown. I've printed some pictures to create Maggie's social story to prepare her as much as possible for our move. When her and Uncle Brad picked us up at the airport she asked, "Can we just move to our new house right now?" I hope she loves it there! (She will get a playroom now!)

Zac and I are feeling much more at ease. Don't get me wrong though, we're still extremely frazzled by how we are going to manage this move, and everything that comes with it, so quickly. Luckily we have FANTASTIC families that are providing us with lots of love and support. We are also leaving jobs we love, and co-workers that support us. We're confident though that we couldn't pass up on this opportunity. We owe it to ourselves to be a bit spontaneous, the offer was too great to pass up, and we simply adore Moscow, and know it will be an amazing place to raise our young children. So keep checking back for updates...soon to be coming to you from Moscow, Idaho!

413 E. First Street

The spacious closests!

Yes, that's a joke.

This was Maggie's favorite photo---her new potty

(we will actually have 2 potties now though---a huge bonus after sharing one)

Magnolia's tub

Of course I had to take pictures of the antique hardware!

I'm sure all of you that know me well, are just picturing how giddy I was getting!

The garage, also the largest storage/Daddy play space ever!

We thought we'd take a photo of the "baby bulge" in front of peanut's first house

"I guess this is it!"

The historic McConnell Mansion is RIGHT BEHIND our house!

The view of the mansion from our backyard

street view of the house

Moscow Public Library is a block away!

A photo of the picture books at the library for Maggie's social story---we're trying to help her associate her new home with activities she's already involved in regularly. She did ask "Do they have Signing Time there?"---Mommy forgot to take a picture of the videos to check out though.

Going, Going, Back, Back, to Moscow, Moscow

Yep, it's true! We're moving back to Moscow. Zac accepted a position with the U of I, as the new Financial Manager for the Vandal Stores. I will be a stay-at-home mom (temporarily), and then plan to go back and get my master's degree. We leave in 3 weeks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

More updates to follow.

Letter to Papa

Some of you may not know that Maggie's grandfather, Zac's dad, or "Papa" as she calls him, is currently deployed in Kyrgyzstan. Maggie's talks to Papa via Skype, but is still missing him. Maggie told me that she wanted to write Papa a letter. She dictated this letter (word for word) to me...

Dear Papa,

I love you Papa. I love Grandma Crist, and Issac. I love my paintings. I made hand prints for you, and a circle for you. Where's the moon Papa? Where's Grandma Crist? You're welcome for your paintings Papa. I made you 1, 2, 5, 6 (paintings). Where's Issac Papa? I miss you Papa, I miss you Papa.

Love,

Magnolia