We have managed to keep ourselves very busy since moving to Virginia. We spent the first week or two unpacking and getting settled. There is still unpacking to be done, but who knows if we'll ever get to it.
We finally got Carmen registered for Kindergarten! The principle was so kind to her. He spoke to her as an adult and treated her very much like a big girl. He took her to all the classrooms to show her what they were like. It got her very excited to start school. We were even allowed to play on the playground afterwards! We've also done some fun family outings like putt putt golf! None of the girls really could grasp the concept of the game. Once David and I were able to let that go, we all had a good time.
We've enjoyed some really beautiful sunsets here. This was while we were waiting for 4th of July fireworks. We were told that if we sat on the hill near our house we'd be able to see them. We were greatly disappointed. We won't sit there next year. The girls dearly miss playing on the court and all of their friends. They've been confined to the driveway or the sidewalk in front of our house. Which is not nearly as fun! The first week or so that we were here I about died from the humidity! It was awful and I couldn't get past the feeling of never feeling dry. We have eaten a lot of Popsicles to try to stay cool.
We have met some new friends. The Borgs invited us over to play on their slip and slide. Carmen really had a fun time sliding down the hill. She was a little cautious at first, but once she got the hold of it, she couldn't be stopped. The Budges also invited us over to play in the water and on their trampoline. Both these families have girls Carmen's age. We've tried to beat the heat and stay inside watching movies and reading books. But one Saturday Charlotte and I went to Waynesboro to Summer Extravaganza craft show. It was fun for me to see some old friends and stroll along the booths. I even bought some fun things for the house. Charlotte just loved riding in the stroller and running through the park.
At the Extravaganza I got the girls some princess crowns and wands. They just loved them and danced around all day while wearing them. Another weekend we took the girls to the downtown mall. It's beautiful down there and has a lot of quaint/swanky little shops.
While at the Mall David insisted we try this gelato place. I was a little hesitant about it. I really just wanted normal ice cream. But I'm so glad I gave in. It was so yummy! You got to pick three different flavors. I got a chocolate hazelnut/mint chip/something else I can't remember... cookie dough maybe. The girls also started taking swim lessons and have loved every bit of it! And they are doing amazing on their progress. Their classes are at different times, so Charlotte and I set up camp and wait the morning out while the big sisters swim. She really enjoys playing in the little playhouse and slide. We were able to see more fireworks with a much better view a week later over in Waynesboro. I was so impressed with this picture I took with my iPhone! Fireworks are hard to photograph and so this one turned out amazing for using a phone.
This is another beautiful sunset from our back deck. I have to admit, Virginia is gorgeous! And so is this little girl! Aliza discovered that bubbles in the jet tub = LOTS of bubbles! It was crazy how many bubbles they had in the bath with them. You could barely see their faces.
To add to the beauty of where we live, Carmen spotted this deer in our backyard during a rain storm yesterday. It was pretty exciting for them to see one so close.
All in all, I think we are adjusting just fine. It has been challenging at times and I finally had a breakdown the other day. There is a word in the Portuguese language "saldades" that doesn't really translate to English all that well. It kind of means homesickness, but not really. It's more like a yearning for something... But, hopefully I can move past my saldades or "homesickness" for California and really grow to love it here.
