We’re in!

The documents have all been signed—we are official homeowners! The past 12 days since we closed on the house have been extremely long and exhausting. But we are slowly (and, boy, do I mean slowly!) starting to get unpacked. There is still a lot of cleaning left to do so I am not rushing the unpacking part. I don’t want our stuff in those dirty spaces. Am I paranoid? Probably. Do I care that I am paranoid? Not one bit. I highly value a clean house, and it has been years since we have had one. We have come a long way from my Nazi-tendencies of requiring a Saturday morning cleaning spree every week!

Our closest neighbors
Shortly after moving in, we realized that someone else moved in right after us. Not that we mind—they are pretty cute, have sweet little voices, and haven’t really caused a problem with excessive pooping. Not to mention that they live outside. Maybe I should just show you a pic:


Only one little guy would pop his head up for me, but he has three brothers and sisters in there with him. It has been fun to watch them grow, interact, and try to take off flying. Speaking of birds, there is also another peculiar bird phenomenon—a man with a bright yellow cockatoo walks down our street. The cockatoo just sits right there on his right shoulder as he moseys along. Yesterday I started to wonder what would happen if I let Chester out the door. Wow, talk about getting a rap as a bad neighbor! I’d be “the lady that killed the bird” for the rest of our years here! I think I’d rather be known as something else. I am not sure what, but definitely something less violent!

Kiddo update
Here are some semi-recent pics of the kids. Most were taken at a new downtown water/sculpture park. It has waterfalls, fountains, sprayers, you name it! Very fun. And totally free. Even though they weren’t wearing their suits, the kids joined right in the fun.

Our first night at the new house—while cleaning—P. started cruising along the stairway rails. Now she is pulling up on everything and has even climbed up the landing to our steps. She is growing so incredibly fast. S. has been doing better keeping her diaper on and staying in her new room by herself to sleep. Last night was the first night where I found her sleeping outside her bed; she was lying on the floor at E.’s doorway. I have no idea why! E.’s latest thing is that he loves The Magic School Bus (do you remember that PBS show?). At his last eye doctor appointment he watched almost an entire episode while we waited for the doctor. Then yesterday he found a DVD with numerous episodes of it at the library. He was so excited! Even more exciting than that, he met some other kids in the neighborhood this week and played baseball with them in the common area. (Between the two streets of homes in our subdivision is a large grassy area that is considered “common area” for anyone in the neighborhood to use. From what we have heard, it is a huge stomping ground for all of the children because it is away from the roads.) Now, he is constantly on the lookout for his new friends so that he can go out and play with them. Tyler just bought and installed a gate to our fence so the kids (and dog!) will get to go outside more and play without Tyler and I having to supervise every step they take. Having a yard is going to be so nice!