Three weeks in

Well we've been in Louisiana for three weeks now.  So far, so good! The transition has actually been much easier than I thought it would be.  My MIL came and stayed that first weekend and I think it really helped the kids to have something familiar.  The kids are embracing their new surroundings.  They have helped build a fire pit in the backyard and LOVE roasting weenies around it.  That's some great memory making potential right there.  Owen has decided he wants to kill a squirrel and eat it. Yeah.... He really misses his BFF, Aaron, but so far there haven't been any breakdowns thankfully.  He is definitely on an emotional roller coaster some days.  Night time comes and he turns into the demon spawn. Just kidding. Sort of.
Kennedy is loving the space she has.  I knew she'd do well.
Landen has made a new friend, Emma. She is a doll and will definitely keep this boy on his toes.  He's enjoying facetiming (THANK YOU TECHNOLOGY!) his bestie, Brenden, and showing him the new place.
Speaking of Landen....he has completely and totally surprised me in so many ways lately.  The first day or two we were here he was down the street knocking on doors looking for kids to play with. MY KID?! No way. For one, that is something I would NEVER be able to do, even as an adult.  Two, this kid used to super glue himself to me anytime I tried to introduce him to a new situation.  I was SO proud of him that day.  He has really been quite the "go getter" when it comes to making new friends.
Yesterday we went to a local strawberry farm with a homeschool group.  This group is a field trip group, doing a trip or two a month.  This was our first trip with them and I was NERVOUS. Like....I almost peed my pants.  The boys were too, obviously, by their nervous, bouncy energy when we got there.  Being rambunctious and getting into trouble (MY KIDS?! Never!!).  It subsided pretty quickly and Landen had a friend or two to play with. I really enjoyed several of the moms and felt silly for being so nervous.  Even being a large group, it wasn't overwhelming or unfriendly.  After the strawberry picking they did a little history on the farm and farming in general.  The woman in charge asked a question of the kids. Landen raised his hand and answered.  I did a double take. MY KID?! No way.  Again, so dang proud I couldn't stand it. He surprises me everyday.  I love that kid...he's crazy...and challenging...and drives me B-A-N-A-N-A-S but he is AWESOME.  I love seeing him grow up and become more confident in himself.  At nine years old he is more daring than I am as an adult.  He definitely teaches me as much as I teach him.

       Landen, Darius (aka funniest kid I have yet to meet), and Owen thoroughly enjoying their strawberries.

                                  Kennedy and I at the farm. Selfie, I know, but I wanted a picture.

                                                     Landen showing off his strawberries.

                           Landen offered to push Owen on the swing. It was an "awwwwww" moment.

                                                     Kennedy was in strawberry heaven.

                                               Not at the farm (in our backyard) but a cutie.

 

Oh yeah, Owen's fish died...either from trauma from the five hour car ride...or me putting too much water conditioner in his water...sooo Owen got two hermit crabs. Here's Hermie. The other is Hermbot.  Owen loves them and is actually taking really good care of them.  I just want them to get bigger so I can dip them in some melted butter. 

Anyways, there is a small recap of the past three weeks.  My mom and Rich are coming to stay with us soon and I think we are all pretty EXCITED about that.  I think we're going to go to the zoo and probably eat a lot of good food.  Fun. Times. :)