The long goodbye



Back in the fall of 2008 Claire was about 16 months and Andrew was 4 years old.  My babysitter at the time was moving out of the area.  Natalie had planned to go back to teaching that fall, but found out that she was pregnant with Chris, so a match was made.  We did it on a trial basis at first just to make sure that things would work for both of us.  Four years and three MORE kids later it was more than I could have asked for.  About a year and half or so ago, Natalie called me at work to tell me that they were moving.  I was shocked (and horrified and sad) to say the least!  She said that it was a very early notification and that they probably wouldn't leave for two years.  They needed to move out of the area in order for Pete to finish school.  This picture was taken in the first month of Natalie watching the kids.  I can't believe how little Claire and Elaina look!  That has been one of the great things about Natalie watching them - the pictures.  She took lots of pictures that we wouldn't otherwise have.  So, we have been trying to stop time and doing our best with the long, slow goodbye.

 

My mom made them matching capes that they loved to wear.  They were a bit large to start out.

 

And look at them now!  They are both 5.5 years old and in Kindergarten. People tell Natalie all the time that they look like sisters or twins.  I think they look like relatives, but not sisters.

 

 

The week before Christmas things became really real - they were going to leave!  My friend Britney organized a mommy/daughter date night.  Claire and Elaina both love their friend Ava and they especially love going to her house for play dates.  They were able to get in one last play date last week plus this outing for ice cream.  They all ended up in different Kindergarten classes, but they still played together at recess.  They were super silly at dinner, but had a wonderful time.

 

 

In an effort to afford Natalie time to pack, I watched the kids on Friday after school and Saturday.  Chris and Grant played trains.

 

Danny said yes to play dough (Natalie let the kids play this as well, it is not my favorite thing).  Many creations were made.

 

I believe this was a snowman that Elaina made.

 

 

Then Sunday night we did a sleep over.  The anticipation for this was huge!  Claire could not wait.  She had slept over at Elaina's house before but not vice versa.  They both slept in sleeping bags on the floor and were asleep by 10:30, which was earlier than I would have thought. 

 

The day of the move, Christmas Eve, there were many activities still to fit in.  Natalie and Pete were headed to Las Vegas for Christmas with his family.  We started out with some Wii.

 

 

And then onto bike riding.  All of the kids have a love of bike riding due to Pete and Natalie's influence.  Grant joined in the fun.  Note to Natalie - I know he needs a helmet!  You need to tell me which one to get!

 

The girls played camping.  My kids LOVE to go camping and talk about it all of the time.  They spend a lot of time packing up things for imaginary camp outs.

 

 

Time out for a snack.

 

And, like old times, a picnic in the back of Grandpa's truck.

 

And then finally, the time had arrived for the actual goodbye.  Silly hugs first.

 

A family picture out front.

 

Grant saying goodbye to Mateo.  I think they will be good play mates in a few years.  It is hard to believe by looking at them that they are only a little over a year apart in age.

 

Pete giving Claire a big squeeze.

 

Pete giving Grant a big squeeze.  Grant was afraid of Pete for a really long time and used to cry when he saw him.  He was actually afraid of his brother Rui as well because they looked so much alike. 

 

 

And then they left....van fully loaded

 

 

Claire thinks that Idaho is near where her other cousins live in Southern California.  She is not aware that it is 15 hours away.  Our plan is to try to get up there next summer for a visit as well as a visit to Yellowstone.  That is, if, they don't freeze first.  We are very sad to see them leave, but excited for their new adventures.  Claire told me that we can Skype so that we can still see them.  She already wrote a note for us to mail.  I think that it would be really hard to suddenly be missing your other half.  They have been together almost daily for four years.  I am so, so grateful for the wonderful babysitting and chauffeuring that Natalie did for my family.  Over the years many people have told me how lucky I was to have my sister watch my kids and I couldn't agree more!  We'll miss you Martins family!!!  We love you.