I have a feeling we'll be doing alot of this, this summer...
and this.
Zoe prefers to just go up and down the stairs.
while Athena likes to sit on them.
It's perfect weather this week, a sunny breezy 85 degrees. It feels great to escape the cold and damp New York spring (that followed the cold and snowy winter), but everyone I meet tells me it gets HOT here and the heat is coming, soon...
So, we'll probably be doing alot more of this!
We've made it to California, and I have to say, it is not half bad! I think I was expecting a truck stop, but instead it is lovely here. The weather is perfect (so far), the houses all have spanish tiled roofs, there are palm tree lined streets, gated communities next to golf courses, super trendy teenagers and flourishing shopping centers but not too much traffic. My first impression is not only good, but excited and happy to be starting our new life here.
Athena tells everyone she meets that she now lives in California and has a special, new home. So far, she thinks it's "awesome" here. It is pretty cool, from a three year old's perspective:
There's a playground just a few steps from our apartment with a fun, purple dinasaur 
and fish ponds with an abundance of tadpoles and frogs. Athena wants to feed them all grass and bugs.
Yiayia is with us for our first week, helping us get settled and assuaging her fears about us living so far away.
Jet lag has been an issue for our napless wonder. She crashes around 6, sleeps through dinner time, wakes up long enough for a jam sandwich and bath and then crashes again. 
But most importantly we are whole again and together as a family. We have been fragmented for too long. I'm anticipated a fresh, new life here and many, many more adventures to share in this bright, sunny land.
Home is a tenuous concept lately. We've lived like displaced people scattered all over the world. Chris in Bakersfield, our stuff en route to California and the girls and I living out of suitcases at Yiayia's house.
Although the girls love staying at Yiayia's (cookies for lunch, etc), Athena kept asking to go "home" and I did't know what to tell her. That home doesn't exist anymore? That's not very comforting.
The girls have boiled themselves down to a couple small boxes of toys and books. With all the stress of moving, I feel so guilty for disrupting them and changing all that they know, their routines, etc. Athena asked if we remembered to pack the refrigerator.
As I cuddled with Athena during quiet time today, I was reassured that I am her home. And with Chris coming to pick us up our family will be whole again soon.
Off we go tomorrow to our new home. A home we have never been to before.
Today was Athena's last day at her Montessori school. The day ended with lots of hugs all around and a wonderful book of drawings from everyone in her class. In my stupid haste, I did not bring the camera, so no photos of her fabulous teachers, nor pictures of her friends or of "the Heathers" (the scary clique of Moms who all seemed to be named Heather) who have been so much a part of our daily routine this year.
And no photos of Nick. Nick who has been Athena's sweetheart. A five year old heart throb whose mere name mentioned would get Athena to school each day. Nick drew the photo pictured above for Athena as a going away present, and she promised to send him a "letter" in return.
Apparently, they were caught kissing behind the tree, but Athena has not fessed up about that, she sticking to her story "Nick hug me alot today, it's my last day, we had muffins."
Does it really start this early?
As many of you may know, Julie, her husband Chris, and our two blog worthy little darlings, Athena and Zoe will be moving to California next week. This will be my last weekend being able to spend time with my wonderful nieces. I have had the great honor of being with both nieces for the majority of their short, action packed lives; from living close by in Kentucky and watching newborn Athena open her eyes to the world to helping Zoe feel comfortable in her first steps across the living room of her New York home. Their smiles and laughter continue to warm my soul and I truly enjoy every minute of their presence. We can enjoy inside jokes as parents and relatives look on in confusion, we can run around in circles until breathless and collapse into a giggling heap, we can take ordinary household objects and create a magical adventure, we can paint and color until we are red in the face (literally), we can dance and do somersaults until we don’t know which way is up, and we can simply sit and enjoy the warmth of each others company reading countless stories.
I will treasure these days past and look forward to many more. I will miss you all more than I currently know as the weeks go by, but I know I will be out to see you all frequently for future adventures and family gatherings. I truly wish you a smooth transition and a beautiful new life. You will be always in my thoughts.
All my love and see you soon my darlings,
Uncle Stu
Unca Stu came to visit this weekend and turned an ordinary Saturday of nothing planned into a visit to Mimi's restaurant, which turned into a trip to the "general store" in downtown Rhinebeck, where we then purchased a fabulous owl kite for Athena (how could we not) and Fireman's cap for Zoe (she really, really wanted it) and punch balls for everyone. And then, of course, we had to go to the Vanderbilt mansion to try out our new owl kite. I was reminded how lovely it is to have two little "excuses" to go and fly a kite for no other reason except that it's fun.
Uncle Stu put it together and had it airborn in seconds flat.
Athena caught on quickly and soon did a great job of flying it by herself. Although she kept running and running with it until she was so far away, I started to get a bit nervous.
Zoe hung back and watched. Looking cool in her new cap.
And politely posed for a few shots.
NAME: Athena
KNOWN ALIASES: "Athena-beana" "Ah-tina" "Teeta" and "Coco LaRue"
AGE: 3 and a half
HEIGHT: a little bit higher than the kitchen table
WEIGHT: 32 pounds
HAIR: Brown and tangley
EYES: Blue
COMPLEXION: Fair
WANTED FOR:
- Three counts of sibling assault.
- One count of impersonating an authority figure.
- Two counts of resisting a rest and fleeing the scene.
- One count of practicing medicine without a license.
- Four counts of not listening and/or blatant ignoring.
- Eight counts of blanket hiding.
LAST SEEN:
Vandalizing the north end of the porch with stickers wearing a green and white striped dress with pants and orange socks.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of this suspect, contact local police immediately. If you come in contact with this suspect, please do not attempt to apprehend yourself. Suspect is considered armed and dangerous.
See Little Sister for a description of her partner in crime.
NAME: Zoe
KNOWN ALIASES: "Zo-Zo" "Baby" "Zoe Monster" and "Theresa Chang"
AGE: 18 months
HEIGHT: a little bit shorter than the kitchen table
WEIGHT: 27 pounds
HAIR: Brown with very messy curls
EYES: Blue
COMPLEXION: Fair
WANTED FOR:
- Three counts of indecent exposure.
- One count of aiding and abetting a known felon.
- One count of misdemeanor destruction of property.
- Three counts of perilous furniture jumping.
- Also wanted for questioning regarding a recent bear dismemberment.
LAST SEEN: Impersonating a dog and traveling westward wearing Dora the Explora pajamas.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of this suspect, contact your local police immediately. Suspect is considered armed, dangerous and slightly sticky.
So, Ah Katie scored some huge points today by sending the girls a DVD of "The Little Mermaid." Athena has Disney princess shoes and a recently purchased Disney princess bedtime book. But, up until now the only princess she knew was Cinderella. Suddenly a whole new world has opened up for her...the world of Ariel. After watching the movie we read two of Ariel's stories. Following the last one was a story about Belle from "Beauty and the Beast." Athena asked me who she was and what was her name. I told her and she said thoughtfully "Hmmm....maybe Uncle Stuart get that for me..."
Here's the girls rocking out to the "Under the Sea" song on the credits of "The Little Mermaid." Who was that who swore she would never let her girls fall into the slippery slope that is Disney princesses? Whoever she is, she is long gone.
