Let's play Virginia trail
Yes, the final day, we are busy chucking stuff left and right in hopes that it will all fit in our luggage. It's like we'v just hit the rocky mountains and realized that the oxen won't make it.
Actually, we aren't doing too bad. The bags are very heavy - we are estimating three will be charged for over weight. But we have alot of papers and electronics to bring back with us in preparation for the upcoming school year (its quite likely out international shipment will not have arrived yet). On the way over we had one bag over weight. But last time we brought mostly clothes. This time we really only have three bags of clothes and three bags of 'stuff' and that is what will get you.
It's been rainy and cool here, making 80 degrees and sunny in Blacksburg sound good. Last night we met Davide, Luca, Maria, and Brett for roomijs and the kids ran around the garden until 8pm - it was sunny and everything was blooming. Lovely light. We forgot the camera (which explains why it didn't rain). Today we all had our goodbye parties - elena took her cadeautjes (little gifts) to everyone at Ukkie and got her diploma. Laura and Sandra were pretty sad - we felt a little sad too (but not like at the UCSC toddler center where I really did almost cry). Elena took it in stride, excited to be on to the next thing. We can't tell if it is really bred into her like this - or if she still doesn't understand - or if it is just denial. In case 'it hits' over the Atlantic, we have emergency drugs for the airplane. Really, she's been acting out just a little bit, as much as you would expect a toddler. But given the magnitude of changes, movers, bags, boxes, saying good bye, she has been remarkably cheerful. Hopefully it stays that way. We had to say goodbye to our bikes today - mine is locked under the geology building where I hope to use it on my return trips; Jake's found 'a good home' with my labmate who in exchange for not cost agreed to let Jake use it when he comes back for visits. But it was really hard to lock it up and walk away - all stripped of its bags, baskets, and children seats. Jake and I both had little coffee and tea tart parties with our respective groups then returned home for mad packing. We managed to get it all in checked bags while elena slept, she woke up, we did the carryons, then headed out for a much deserved dinner.
We dinned at Chez Willy's - of course. Around 2pm when it seemed it would all never fit (before we gave in to paying extra for all our luggage!), I thought, I'll just run out to the AH and we'll have pasta. But I'm so glad we went out - just to get out of the house and boxes and not be tempted to 'finish something up.' We all ate a good dinner (which is good because being this nervous kills my apetite, so I was in need of a good meal). Then skipped dessert to get roomijs on the way home from Venezia.
Elena took a bath while I finished gathering up the trash and recycling in the apartment. We left some things in the basement for our friend Sharon (who we will just miss, as she is arriving the day after we leave), now jake is busy fitting the last few forgotten things in. Time for bed soon. Thankfully the monkey fell right asleep. It was hard to sing to her for the last time, 'good night to you, good night to you, the finest kid of all Utrecht....'
Actually, we aren't doing too bad. The bags are very heavy - we are estimating three will be charged for over weight. But we have alot of papers and electronics to bring back with us in preparation for the upcoming school year (its quite likely out international shipment will not have arrived yet). On the way over we had one bag over weight. But last time we brought mostly clothes. This time we really only have three bags of clothes and three bags of 'stuff' and that is what will get you.
It's been rainy and cool here, making 80 degrees and sunny in Blacksburg sound good. Last night we met Davide, Luca, Maria, and Brett for roomijs and the kids ran around the garden until 8pm - it was sunny and everything was blooming. Lovely light. We forgot the camera (which explains why it didn't rain). Today we all had our goodbye parties - elena took her cadeautjes (little gifts) to everyone at Ukkie and got her diploma. Laura and Sandra were pretty sad - we felt a little sad too (but not like at the UCSC toddler center where I really did almost cry). Elena took it in stride, excited to be on to the next thing. We can't tell if it is really bred into her like this - or if she still doesn't understand - or if it is just denial. In case 'it hits' over the Atlantic, we have emergency drugs for the airplane. Really, she's been acting out just a little bit, as much as you would expect a toddler. But given the magnitude of changes, movers, bags, boxes, saying good bye, she has been remarkably cheerful. Hopefully it stays that way. We had to say goodbye to our bikes today - mine is locked under the geology building where I hope to use it on my return trips; Jake's found 'a good home' with my labmate who in exchange for not cost agreed to let Jake use it when he comes back for visits. But it was really hard to lock it up and walk away - all stripped of its bags, baskets, and children seats. Jake and I both had little coffee and tea tart parties with our respective groups then returned home for mad packing. We managed to get it all in checked bags while elena slept, she woke up, we did the carryons, then headed out for a much deserved dinner.
We dinned at Chez Willy's - of course. Around 2pm when it seemed it would all never fit (before we gave in to paying extra for all our luggage!), I thought, I'll just run out to the AH and we'll have pasta. But I'm so glad we went out - just to get out of the house and boxes and not be tempted to 'finish something up.' We all ate a good dinner (which is good because being this nervous kills my apetite, so I was in need of a good meal). Then skipped dessert to get roomijs on the way home from Venezia.
Elena took a bath while I finished gathering up the trash and recycling in the apartment. We left some things in the basement for our friend Sharon (who we will just miss, as she is arriving the day after we leave), now jake is busy fitting the last few forgotten things in. Time for bed soon. Thankfully the monkey fell right asleep. It was hard to sing to her for the last time, 'good night to you, good night to you, the finest kid of all Utrecht....'
posted by Erin K. | 12:38 PM
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