Sayonara Summer (For Real This Time)

So I'm officially caught up on the Summer blog posts. And to officially send Summer on its way, we had a little photoshoot in the yard last Sunny Sunday.  Enjoy!

Oh yea, we moved

So this is the Moving Post.  While there's been no shortage of instagram posts and facebook updates on the matter, there's yet to be an official blog. So here it is.

The entire month of August was pretty much dedicated to packing and moving. Looking back, it was a pretty sucky way to spend a big chunk of our summer. But, it was also really nice to close out summer there and start anew here at The New Home.  

Already, our just-over-two years in East Walnut Hills feels like such a brief moment in time.  Lots and lots of really important things happened in that house. (Most notably the miracle that is Baby Bea!)   So, while I'll spare everyone the details of why we had to move, then didn't have to move, then decided not to move, then decided maybe we should, then went through some crazy negotiations, then decided to abandon the whole thing and stay put, then found "The One" - the "game changer" - well, suffice it to say it was some dramatic stuff. But, all's well that ends well and we are blissfully, insanely happy with our new home.  I'll do a post eventually about all that makes this house so special, but really it's just "Us" in meaningful ways.

But, this is the moving post. So, in the ongoing pursuit to document the lives of The Four Schneiders for us to return to and reflect upon over the years...here it is!

We own it!

And celebrate!

Time to pack!

And pack!

And pack!

And pack!

And deliver!

And unpack!

And unearth!

And organize, according to the priorities. First up- playroom!

And celebrate the SPACE!

And pull into the driveway of a new home!

And make progress!

And face some unloved spaces.

And deny the stuff you don't want to tackle. In this case, my office.

And then realize all the craziness of the move was totally worth it! When this happens:

A trip down the Yellow Brick Road & A Circle Around the Sun

Yes indeed. Our Josephine turned five. Sure it was several weeks ago, but the whole turning five thing is a big deal. So in my efforts to fully catch up on all the joy of the Summer of 2012, here's the recap of our big girl's birthday.

It started with a pretty awesome Wizard of Oz themed birthday party at the Winton Place pool (the site of her second birthday party back in the day).  Even though rain threatened to ruin the whole thing (and we spent the 48 hours leading up the big event talking through every possible Plan B scenario), the clouds literally parted when Little Miss Sunshine walked through the pool gates.

Thanks so much to everyone who made the journey, from near and far, in storms and cloudy skies to make Josie's 5th birthday such a joyous celebration. She is unbelievably blessed to have such generous and caring friends and family!

On the date of her actual birthday, we headed to Kokomo, Indiana to celebrate my Aunt Pat's wedding. (More on that here.) And we even managed a pic of Josie in her annual birthday crown, as well as a surprise hotel party before the wedding (Thanks so much Tia!!)

And there were some big presents this year! Her favorites including a new doll "Lacey Lizzy" as she named her, a microscope she'd been begging us for since the previous birthday, and her first bike.

In other birthday excitement, this week we got to visit her school for the ceremonious montessori "Circles Around the Sun" - made even more special this year since she didn't have to wait for her half birthday.

While there, she shared with us her awesome Kandinsky-inspired masterpiece hanging on the bulletin board.

Here's the real Kandinsky piece. Pretty cool, huh. (Color me impressed.)

 

SO, HAPPY HAPPY FIFTH BIRTHDAY SWEET SWEET JOSIE!!  

Every year you amaze us even more with the gentle, loving, compassionate, daring, intelligent, curious little girl that you are.