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A bit later than I would have given it, but here it is.
We closed on the house last Friday...yes, it was over 2 weeks since we should have closed on it and a week and a half since we moved into it. Still not completed, but they are working hard to get it done (and get us off their backs).
I am deeply cleaning rooms that are complete and putting finishing touches on them if possible (think hanging pictures).
The kids are doing great in school! No really, so much better than I imagined. G's class is about in the same place and he was on top of school work anyway so he has blended right in. G's teacher sent info that let his new teacher know that they are actually using the same reading series and are in the same skill area as math. E fitting in was more questionable as he has had some struggles in the past and academics here are a bit ahead here; they have also completed a hundred or so years of Virginia history but still have a couple hundred more to go. He rocked Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death" speech today. I think I will have to schedule some conferences with his fourth grade teachers to see if they have a feel of where he stands and where his learning gaps are. We did Sylvan tutoring last summer and will do it again this year if needed-- by the end of last summer's tutoring he actually liked it. He will never admit that.
Comcast is up and running. Hopefully for good. I got a comment from a 'comcast cares' service person on my last post where I vented about problems getting hooked up with phone and internet that worked. Dale was my miracle man today--worked hard to get the problem diagnosed. I think my frustration with this has been the same as others:
1- they are a technology company. it is a phone--the technology has been around a while. I know that is simplifying it.
2- the comcast survey department is on top of it. If they couldn't get me on my home phone they tracked me down on my cell to get the feedback on every service appt. scheduling and service appt. If they could get the problems fixed as quickly as they get the survey call to me everything would be peachy keen.
3--the service is so fractured. One tech can hook it up but not do anything with lines at the street. The next tech only does phone and the guys who work on the box at the street are not supposed to work in the house. It may create specialists who know the most about their area but after each service person leaves and the problem isn't solved it is another 2 day wait for the next specialist to show up. Today as I waited for my tech I almost went ahead and called to schedule my next appointment to make the wait shorter. Disclaimer: no part of this blog is sponsored or otherwise underwritten by Comcast (if it was they would be angry because I haven't written the best review). This was not written to attract attention of comcast or any other company but only to vent my own frustrations.

Finally, a funny. I have this great general construction guy who has been working on and off at the house on finishing projects for the past week. Today he was framing the 'fake' chimney for the vent free fire place we are installing. M was fascinated to no end with the process and was watching it like a show while he started lunch. When T took his lunch break M walked around and gave the work a good look; he then asked if after lunch T would cut the hole in the roof for Santa to come in.
Also, a terrific afternoon! After school a spontaneous neighborhood gathering happened with 5-8 parents and a giant gaggle of kids playing together and it felt like this might be OK. This all might be home someday and we will all find friends again. Doesn't mean we miss the Harbor and Cromwell bunch any less.
Looking forward to having the house settled enough to take some pics and sit back and enjoy.
love and hugs, B