Salem

We live in Salem now. It seems like each weekend we have a huge amount of cleaning to do... probably because there are so many large projects still to take care of and boxes to unpack. Actually, we have done okay unpacking the boxes. It's sorting through everything and creating order that has taken awhile. We have been here over a month now and every day gets a little better and a little easier. 

 I used to think I might like to be more like a nomad and move around with very few personal belongings. While getting rid of unnecessary stuff is always a plus that comes along with moving, I don't think I care for the moving itself very much. Leaving behind friends, family, and familiar places is really hard. Adjusting to something new, even if it isn't too far away, is hard. Sometimes it still just feels so....

...scattered....

EWEB water fountain

Apparently the order you select the pictures in makes a difference.... 

Anyway, we went to Alton Baker Park last weekend to enjoy the nice weather. Isaac ran around in the EWEB fountain across the river. He is so athletic. He ran and fell too hard and scraped his shoulder and elbow though. Poor guy. So many injuries in the last few weeks! 

 Which of these two pictures do you like best? I can't decide. Either way, I know I love the subject.

 "I get to put my foot in the water!" exclaims Sonia.

"Oh no, my little face got sprayed..."

 I guess Isaac is just flying most of the time. 

 Look at that form! The next Uncle Mikey in the making, for sure.

moving

Why yes, we are moving after all. We are moving to Salem. We are doing it today.

Mama got a job at the last minute (for this school year) up in Salem, so we are going to move so there will be no more commute. That part will be good. Otherwise we are going to really miss all our family and friends in Eugene, as well as Eugene itself. 

Here is Sonia at her last day of daycare. Sleeping on a cot like a big girl!

 Isaac stopped by his old school to say goodbye, and got a dogpile hug. 

 And here is Isaac with Teacher Sandy, his favorite. My favorite too. All the teachers were great at the Little French School, but Teacher Sandy and Isaac had a special bond. Luckily Isaac was not sad (I'm sure he doesn't see this as final), because I sure shed some tears!

We were talking yesterday after we got our new place, and we remembered that when we were moving to Eugene four years ago that we weren't too excited about it either. Now we love it and don't want to leave. So I am sure we will both adjust. I think Papa and I are both like that. We do get attached to places but we don't mind a new adventure either. 

First day of Pre-K!

Here is a picture of Isaac on his first day of Pre-K!

He really likes his new school and teacher. 

Here are some photos from the same evening.

the clip-on tie

Ukrainian Day 2013

August 17

We went to Ukrainian Day for the first performance, and ended up staying for hours! 

Isaac loved watching his cousins dance!

 And watching the big boys..

 Here he has dragged Sonia up closer to the stage. You can just see Isaac's head and Sonia's hair.

 Isaac loves Sonia so much! He always makes sure she can see. Notice Sonia's red tights in this picture.

 After awhile, he decided to hang out with Malachai instead.

 They were great little dancers!

Sorry for how shaky this video is. I think I was zoomed in. Either that or I had one too many piroshkies. I had to capture Isaac's crazy fast dance.

 Then Sonia lost the tights, because it was getting too hot.

 We got some bread and zucchini bread to munch on. Sonia loves to eat everything. She even ate some piroshki filling. 

 Cute baby cousins!

 Notice Chloe's cute shirt with the poppies! 

It was a really fun day! Oh, and in case you are wondering, no, we are not Ukrainian by blood at all. But that music sure is in my veins. 

wading pool