We told her

Last week we told Elena about moving. It was pretty terrible. First there was crying and we got out the maps to talk about where Blacksburg was. Through the sobs she asked if her toys could come. We said, 'yes' and her markers, and her drawings...then she asked, 'will the market come?' Ug......no, the market stays in Utrecht. 'Will Tony come?' No honey, Tony stays in Utrecht with the market. 'Who will sell us fruit? Do they have fruit?' It took every once of parental will power not just to lay down on the floor and cry with her. We put on a brave face. We explained that there is a market in Blacksburg (although, it pales in comparison and I doubt there will be a 'Tony' showering her with toys, raisins and fruit gifts.) We talked about how there will be a new 'ukkie' and new school. We talked about how Gram will be there to help us move (will gram sleep in my room with me? - yes...I'd have promised her the moon at this point, of course, what she wants to to stay in Utrecht, not the moon). We talked about how there will be unlimited cheerios and oatmeal with raisins for breakfast. We get to have Levi back (our pigeon in 'foster care' with Grandpa Scott). She gets a purple room. And lately the big news is that in Blacksburg we will have special drawer for knives, since she likes to put away silverware, but there is only one drawer in the kitchen, so it has the knives in it too and she can't. Nana and Big Opa can drive to see us. Little Opa can come more often. Gram will be there. We will buy a taxi car. Don't worry, we'll get bikes as soon as we can. It was pretty terrible for two or three days, anger, crying...and we were starting to regret telling her so soon (stupid internet websites, what do they know anyway...). But now we think it was a good idea. She is starting to get used to the idea. We get out the calendar and talk about how many days until we move and what we will be doing until then. She is really excited about the silverware drawer, Levi and the cheerios. But I know that we are in for a long road ahead, its even hard for me to imagine leaving sometimes.