Across the Bridge and Through the Tunnel...

Moving with two young kids at 35 weeks pregnant is hugely overrated.

It's an especially bad idea when your two stuffed-to-the-gills moving trucks pull up in front of a house that is still a hive of remodeling activity, with no less than five men applying a second coat of paint to every single surface in the house. Add in four burly movers anxious to begin unloading their freight, a cleaning crew of two who were doing their best to clean up the construction debris, an enormous pregnant girl who was quietly hyperventilating over the chaos and kept getting in everybody's way, and a husband who kept insisting she sit down... and I'm amazed we had the time to take these two pictures that day. They do a really good job of capturing 1) just how huge I am, and 2) how disorganized the unload was (how often are movers actually instructed to deposit all boxes on the front porch??).

Thank goodness we didn't have two more little people underfoot! After living in a mostly packed house for three or four days before the move, making do with movies on the laptop, and creating "box mazes" in the absence of toys, they earned a reprieve with a stay at Camp Stecher, under the supervision of Mop and Aunt Loretta! Thanks to all involved in keeping them entertained and happy!!

Before they were whisked away, Joey and Clara got to soak in the excitment of Moving Day itself. We had read "Moving House" at least 55 billion times -- a helpful primer for both kids and moms. While Joey giggled over Sam Sparks being hoisted around in a chair by super-strong guys, Mommy fretted over Mrs. Sparks' harried look and messy 'do on every single page. It turns out that little boys are NOT looked upon kindly by busy movers, but Mommies will almost always look like death warmed over for at least two weeks during this kind of upheaval.

Our Irish moving crew needed our rugrats/ tripping hazards to say 'hello' and 'goodbye,' so after posing for some pictures in front of the truck, we headed down to our beloved Parkside Playground for one more romp at the park.

We'll miss our half-block jaunt!

Here's to new adventures in Moraga! After three days without any interior doors, and only one working toilet, we finally are enjoying the luxury of doorknobs, faucets, overhead lights, and curtains. Our stream of visitors so far has been lots of fun -- a break from unpacking is always welcome -- so our shingle is officially out! Stop on by :)