An Emotional Weekend

This weekend was an emotional one for Walker (the first of several to come, I'm afraid). To start with, Ben "moved" to Florida on Friday. He and his dad started the road trip early Friday morning and arrived in Plantation, Florida on Saturday afternoon. Ben started his job today in Tamarac, Florida! So crazy! Additionally, one of Walker's best buddies, Declan, moved out of the neighborhood on Friday. The combination of his dad leaving and his best friend moving was pretty tough for Walker. :( I felt bad for him and tried to do what I could to cheer him up (it turns out that a trip to the art supply store, Subway, some drawing time with Mom, and a little outside play time helps him a lot).  

the neighborhood boys

They will stay out there for a couple of hours if the weather is nice. I love it.

I did find this in Walker's planner, written in Monday's column. :( "No Declan, No Dud" (short for Dud-ita, which is what he calls Ben). Poor little dude. :( 

Happy Halloween!

Celebrating Halloween at dance: a sunflower (Lucah), a rose (Lainey), and a Gerbera daisy (Brooklyn) :)

Walker (Wild Card from Fortnite) and Nicco (Merry Marauder from Fortnite)

"Chill" and Wild Card

Alina and Lainey

neighborhood boy gang (plus two sisters)

Camryn, Daniel, Ayaan, Walker, Prahlad (in orange), Declan, Nicco, and Cohen

Izzy, Lainey, Alina, and Laylah

Rylie, Izzy, Laylah, Alina, and Lainey

Stopped by to get candy from the firemen! Lainey is back there somewhere...it's hard to see her!

the boys trading candy...

SO much candy! 

***

I hope that everyone had a fun (and safe) Halloween! We will certainly miss this neighborhood; we love this group of kids and their families. 

WHAT a WEEKEND!

Lainey got Christian as her big sis this year for dance! She is OVER. THE. MOON. She is thrilled!

After Lainey learned that her big sis was Christian, we went to our neighborhood Halloween party! It was so much fun! The kids ran around for hours and chased "zombies" (a.k.a. older brothers). They had a blast.

Lainey and Alina as "Netflix and Chill" which is just hilarious.

We will miss this crew!

Walker and Knox...they've known each other since they were babies and have grown up playing baseball together. I'm thankful that Knox's mom, Tracy, got a picture of them at their last game together. 

pre-game chatter

Walker and Coach Brad, who has coached him since the age of four

Walker and Weston... Walker looks teensy here... :) 

The boys won 2nd place in the league tournament!

So exciting!

Due to baseball running late, Walker and I missed Ben's going away party and Yiyia and Bud's birthday celebration. :( Thankfully Regan was there for the occasion.

AND! I went to see Belle today! She's been at the vet because our house is on the market...and look at her! She melted! She practically fell asleep in my arms. I loved it! She's not very cuddly so I soaked it  all in. :) See you soon, Boo Bear. ;) 

October!

October has been a busy month for us! We found out that we are moving to Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Ben was offered an amazing opportunity/promotion within his current company (HCA) that he (we!) could not turn down. We are filled with all of the emotions...excited, nervous, scared, sad, anxious, eager...all of them. We've been busy getting our Plano house ready to sell and it's been really hectic! Ben begins his new job in Florida on November 4th. The kids and I will move over Christmas break, we think. The entire experience is full of unknowns! But we are going with it...with the most positive of mindsets. :)

Lainey spinning her baby cousin Tom...over and over again. Building up those vestibular and proprioceptive portions of his brain! (I only have recently learned about the importance of this with young kids!) 

We took a took to Fort Lauderdale to look for homes and Walker was invited to sit in the cockpit! So fun!

after breakfast one morning in Florida

We had to spend a little time at the beach!

Walker's cousin Brooke has been teaching at Walker's school as part of her high school curriculum; she accompanied his grade on a field trip and sent this picture to me!

Lainey and Tom, celebrating Emmy's birthday last Sunday

He is so darling!

Walker working with Coach Alan, whom he's seen pretty regularly since he was five years old. 

I got a picture of the two of them in case it was our last time to see Coach Alan!

Walker with his buddies Declan and Thatcher at a Halloween carnival at Thatcher's church

They had a blast together. :) We're trying to fit as many of these experiences in before we move!

***

And that's it for now...lots of things are happening in our world yet as a family, we're trying to remain as positive (but as realistic) as possible.

September!

Lainey and Kaitlyn...friends since forever. ;) 

Serious discussions with Cousin Tom...

cute cousins

Walker and his friends caught some fish!

This was Walker's contribution! :) He was SO excited!

Lainey, Morgan, and Faith...waiting in the audience to see their friends Brooklyn and Allyson perform in Pearce High School's production of Newsies. :)

Lainey's preschool teacher sent this to me the other day. She was SO tiny! :) What a cutie!!!