The long awaited blue stone has finally arrived and the mason showed up the same day. The stars have aligned.
september 25th - get to da choppa
We went to the new house this morning to get a few things done and Alex and Gemma got to play in their new toy room together. Spent the afternoon at the Montgomery FunFest at Princeton Airport. Alex got to go on his very first helicopter ride. Alex, Daddy, and Big Uncle Mike took a spin around Montgomery County and he LOVED it. He was absolutely mesmerized the entire trip. This FunFest was like Alex's idea of heaven. Firetrucks, antique cars, airplanes, helicopters, hot air balloons, motorcycles, school buses, CUPCAKES...mind blowing!
september 24th - back pain
We got some assistance to move Mommy and Daddy's bed into the house this morning. It was potentially the heaviest be east of the Mississippi.
The kids got to help Daddy finish up their bedrooms and they were great helpers. Mommy and Daddy made it back to Philly for an adult night out.
september 23rd - uuuuuge day
Possibly one of the most exciting days at our house yet, due to the level of activity. Mommy was up and out at 6:30am to orchestrate. Seeing our stuff coming in and doing some preliminary organizing was the first time this whole thing actually felt real....
- 7:30 container store arrives to stage
- 7:45 daddy takes kids to PJ's pancake house for breakfast
- 8:00 movers show up with our stuff
- 8:30 container store begins installing 8 closets custom designed by Mommy
- 9:00 daddy takes kids to school
- 9:30 new mattress for master bedroom delivered
- 10:00 water department to turn on water and set meter
- 11:30 movers finish unloading
- 11:31 mommy and daddy re-organize everything the movers did
- 12:00 tv for living room delivered
- 2:00 container store guys finish
- 2:30 mommy, daddy, and beeps put kids beds together
- 3:00 mommy installs temporary blinds
- 4:30 mommy takes two showers to get the smell off 😁
The closet installers were amazed at Gemma's closet. They were astonished when they found out she is only 2 years old!
september 22nd - в конце концов
That means 'Finally' in Russian...or so says Google translator. Damn Stone Tech finally made it out to cut the hole in our marble for the island down draft. What a process it has been. The tension has been so high that even our kitchen designer got into a full blown argument with the technician. A large Russian and a large Austrian coming close to physical violence. All while Caroline, the project's newly appointed foreman, caught up on emails. Mommy has taken on 12 new direct reports and is making real time decisions to get us into this damn house. Probably shaved three weeks off so far ❤️.
september 21st - our shoot
We just had a first look at the photos from our family portrait session that we did in our old neighborhood. Lots and lots of great photos. We are going to spend a fortune. So great, so sad.
september 20th - a piece of philly
We had curriculum night at the kids' school and then dinner with Grandmom Burger at Nomad Pizza. They just built a brand new Nomad two blocks from our new house. Even closer than it was in Philly...we should have our own table in this place by next month. The kids were very excited that 'their' pizza place is in Princeton. So excited they ate a whole pizza themselves in about 3 minutes.
september 18th - 13.1
Daddy ran the Rock & Roll Philly Half Marathon this morning and lived to tell about it. Mommy was the hero of the day pushing around Alex and Gemma to see Daddy along the course. Not exactly a personal best, but not bad for next to no training these last couple months. At the end, Guster headlined a free concert near the art museum, so Alex and Gemma got to see one of our favorite bands perform. Lots of fun.
We also made it over to our old neighborhood for a late lunch with Chip, Mickey, and Sandi at Hawthorne's...plus a quick visit with RUFUS!!! An awesome day, but we have to find less physically draining excuses to get back to Philly for visits.
september 17th - sense of community
Alex had soccer this morning and Grandpa came to watch...by special request. He is a bit less shy each week, but still just wants to shoot on goal. Not a fan of drills and instruction.
He got to be part of a real game during the block party at Beeps and Grandpa's neighborhood. He and Gemma played lots of games, ate lots of food, and even got their hands painted.
september 16th - settling in
Alex is really starting to get more comfortable at his new school. He is getting to do lots of fun stuff during the day and making new friends. He tells us that Ella is his girlfriend and his favorite person. They still say they miss Philadelphia once a week, but getting settled. The campus their school is on is kind of a wildlife preserve so we get to see deer almost every day. They LOVE that!!
september 15th - tomato pie
Our anniversary present was seeing our island stone being delivered today...finally. The kids got to go over and see the house progress for the first time in a while and they were really excited...mostly to wear the booties.
We went to DeLorenzo's Pizza tonight for dinner. This is the pizza Daddy grew up on and we explained to Alex and Gemma how we had to go wait in line on Hudson Street.
september 14th - solidarity
Gemma and Alex have been sleeping in the same room and have been inseperable...now they are even using the can together. Mommy and Daddy had a night out at the Peacock Inn to celebrate 9 years of marriage. Amazing meal. Amazing wine. Amazing wife. Really amazing husband.
september 13th - walking shape
Apparently floors are done differently in 2016. We don't have flying cars, but we the time of fast drying floors has arrived. They were finished yesterday and we will be walking on them tomorrow. Sprint to the finish to live in our house.
september 12th - floors
The floors have been sanded, stained and sealed. One step closer to a finished house. Garage door has arrived and is installed. Impressive but still not sure how to react to a driveway and a garage.
september 11th - parks and rec
We spent the morning walking around town, having a picnic, and watching Alex ride his two-wheeler all over campus. He is amazing riding all around as if he has been doing it for years. Gemma just jogs next to him the whole time, so she had a great nap today. This afternoon we went to the park next to Beeps and Grandpa's house and had a quick stop to throw rocks in the creek.
september 10th - princetonians
Alex started soccer in Princeton this morning and his biggest fan (Gemma) was there to support him. He was a bit shy meeting the new kids and coaches but he says he really likes it and can't wait until next week. Had dinner in Princeton and classic dessert at Thomas Sweets. Mommy did not like what the funny mirror did to her butt.
september 9th - cookie monsters
Gemma came home from school today and demanded to bake pizzelles for big uncle mike. Mommy spent the better part of the afternoon looking for chocolate chip cookies....unsuccessful, so she and Alex baked a batch. It was pre-diabetes level of sugar flying around the kitchen all at the same time.
september 8th - learning to appreciate gifts
Another good day for the kids at school. Daddy went to pick up and Gemma ran and gave the biggest jump into Daddy's arms and a bear hug. When we went to get Alex at his classroom, he immediately went to his cubby to get a picture he drew for Gemma.
Alex: "Gemma I made this picture for you."
Gemma: "A-ga, me love this...why isn't it purple?"
Hilarious. We went for pizza and playtime with all of the cousins at Uncle Ryan and Aunt Erin's house tonight, but did not compare to the excitement for the construction trucks on Fairway Drive this afternoon.
september 7th - gemma's here
Day 2 and Gemma walked in like she owned the place. She went to her classroom and sat down for her second breakfast of the day, gave daddy a kiss..."bye Dad"...and that was it. Alex met some new friends and is already showing off his intelligence.
september 6th - scholars
The kids' first day at their new school and they are very excited. Gemma is a koala and Alex is a froggy friend. We had a good breakfast at home and then Mommy and Daddy dropped them off for their big day.
Alex was a little anxious when we left him but was super brave. He finally got to play with the big red barn that he has been talking about since orientation. After he got settled in, he ate two sausages for breakfast.
Gemma was soooo excited to get to her classroom and meet Miss Victoria. She went right in, but got a little upset as we left. Her teacher told us she only cried for 20 seconds and then had a great day.
When we picked them up they were so excited to see each other...the full day apart is probably the longest they have ever been separated. They are now BFFs when they get home at night. We heard all about their day and all about the food they ate...sausages, cucumbers, cheesy pasta with broccoli, blueberries, and gemma drank 4 cups of milk.
september 5th - he rides
Alex has given us many things to be proud of since he was born. His kindness, personality, sweet nature, and consideration for others' feelings. For Daddy, all crap compared to watching him get on his first two-wheeler and pedal up the street with just 15 seconds of instruction. Absolutely amazing to watch our little four-year-old to take a step. Alex asked Daddy..."are you very proud of me daddy?" Heart melting.
Now that he has transportation, we are working on finding him a part-time job.
september 4th - suburbanized
Getting acquainted with Princeton and cannot get Alex to stop marking his territory. In Philly, we were never more than two blocks from the nearest bathroom. He is accustomed to quick relief. Breakfast at PJ's Pancake House and then Daddy took Alex and Gemma to check out the playground at their future elementary school, Community Park. They were impressed with the variety of equipment and had a great time playing. Gemma worked on playing dead to avoid bear attacks.
september 3rd - wrapping up summer
We did some shopping for a new TV and a new mattress for Mommy and Daddy this morning. Alex and Gemma did a lot of climbing and bouncing to help us decide. Went to the Schaefer's this evening for a Labor Day picnic and the kids had a great time playing with all the kids. Alex did construction work with Brayden and Gemma sat back and made Lucas push her around in a car for two hours. She is the queen.
september 2nd - the doctors are in
The kids went out today to run around town with Mommy and Beeps. Had a pit stop at Grandpa's office to play doctor. Very excited to tell Daddy about all of the stuff. Daddy asked Alex if he thinks he would like to be a doctor when he grows up...without hesitation, "no, I want to be a bus driver." We are giving him time to decide.
september 1st - suburbanized
Mommy is very happy with her car choice and grins ear to ear while driving it. The kids bathroom tile is finally finished and the house is continuing to move along. Alex and Gemma are getting accustomed to mosquito bites, gardening, and building things out of natural materials. Pictured lower right, is a house Alex and Daddy built today....complete with the utility pole....for electricity.
august 31st - our intermediary home
We are homeless, but thankfully Beeps and Grandpa have put us up for the foreseeable future. We feel right at home, even though we have fully invaded 12 Fairway Drive.
august 30th - moving day #1
It's moving day and, apparently, Gemma is not ready to leave. The truck showed up a little before 8am and five guys packed all of our stuff in for transport within three hours. As Mickey put it, "Alex and Gemma stood and watched their whole world get loaded into a truck." Alex carried his bike out to the front by himself because he wanted to be sure it was done to his standard.
All the neighbors were out to chat and wish us well...including a few newsbags who decided today was the day to be our friends. The kids went over to say goodbye to Katherine and she was a crying mess...sobbing and mild convulsions...sad for her.
704 S Hutchinson will always be our favorite place...and we already miss our neighbors at 706. Many memories that cannot be replaced...
- bringing both of our kids home from the hospital to their perfect rooms
- watching them become awesome city kids
- watching them SLOWLY become best friends
- watching them SLOWLY become best friends
- watching them learn every minute of every day experiencing our favorite city
- when alex knows what street he is on and gives us directions
- when gemma hails a cab because she is too hot to walk
- taking mommy to good dinners when she needs a break...WINE
- alex and gemma feeling like it is perfectly normal to play out front in their underwear
- alex's first day of preschool
- running home from dinner and scaring mommy
- returning from long trips knowing just 15 mins until home...and mommy's first poop in days
- alex's first day of preschool
- running home from dinner and scaring mommy
- returning from long trips knowing just 15 mins until home...and mommy's first poop in days
- watching mommy find a place to stuff things in the house...that daddy can never find
- knowing mommy is always at the top of the steps for a hug
- looking for trains, planes, boats, horses, cranes, bulldozers, and backhoes 24/7
- getting a parking spot the first time around the block
- trying to get every bag into the house in one trip...daddy is the champ...mommy won't admit it
- walks and watching alex become a true master of his balance bike
- walks and watching alex become a true master of his balance bike
- holding hands to cross the street and understanding why
- hearing alex yell "car" to alert everyone on hutchinson street to pay attention
- hearing alex yell "car" to alert everyone on hutchinson street to pay attention
- seeing the skyline after a long day away
- the philadelphia song
- carrying home a case of beer with alex on top
- skinned knees on every sidewalk located in 19147
- laughing during renovation projects
- having no back wall during a hurricane
- our picture staircase and watching the kids come down it christmas morning- having no back wall during a hurricane
- mommy always trying to find the tallest christmas tree and never being satisfied
- mommy complaining at least twice each day about how she does not like shiny hardwood floors
- the unknown reason that alex always chose the zebra at Franklin Square's carousel
- watching gemma walk the street in three backpacks, two purses, and her baby doll...and owning it
- those times when visitors complain about how far we are walking before our 4 & 2 year old kids
- trash night helpers and the ensuing giggles
- every holiday and every birthday that mommy never let pass without making special
- the walks home from todd and tracey's- the unknown reason that alex always chose the zebra at Franklin Square's carousel
- watching gemma walk the street in three backpacks, two purses, and her baby doll...and owning it
- those times when visitors complain about how far we are walking before our 4 & 2 year old kids
- trash night helpers and the ensuing giggles
- every holiday and every birthday that mommy never let pass without making special
- adult nights out for the pops at the kimmel center
- jackie, emily, and fred
- dar-dar
- rufus, katherine standing guard, bob, lucy, remy, william, sydney, jules, benjamin, gustav, mikey
- that goddamn BMW out front
- walks to whole foods...and their cookies
- palumbo, seger, three bears, starr garden
- palumbo, seger, three bears, starr garden
- italian market festivals, winter barrel fires
- the fire hydrant
- watching the trees on our street bloom in the spring
- snow days and day drinking
- slice, santucci's, stella...we ❤️ pizza, hawthornes, anthony's, chapterhouse, insomnia cookies, isgro, sarcones, little italy, dibruno's, claudio's, esposito's, fiorella's, anastasi's, mandarin palace, circles
- those first days of spring when a whole year of city wage tax feels worth it
- those first times at a new restaurant...and the 15th time at a favorite restaurant
- those looks on the kids faces when you know they are happy and feel safe
The next adventure is beginning, but we will always keep 17 years of calling Philadelphia home close to our hearts. Princeton has a lot of work to do.
- slice, santucci's, stella...we ❤️ pizza, hawthornes, anthony's, chapterhouse, insomnia cookies, isgro, sarcones, little italy, dibruno's, claudio's, esposito's, fiorella's, anastasi's, mandarin palace, circles
- those first days of spring when a whole year of city wage tax feels worth it
- those first times at a new restaurant...and the 15th time at a favorite restaurant
- those looks on the kids faces when you know they are happy and feel safe
The next adventure is beginning, but we will always keep 17 years of calling Philadelphia home close to our hearts. Princeton has a lot of work to do.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)