Tickets

Yes we got them! Finally the e-tickets for all of us 5 are issued, just in time I guess. Thus we will fly out of Amsterdam direct to Seattle on August 11th. Now the excitement rises. But the last couple of days were full of ups and downs, eventfully days!

In the moment I visited my dentist for the last time, the shipping company called - our pallets don't meet the requirements for U.S. imports! Oh dear, we thoroughly studied all available pallets and decided for THEM, because of certified for all exports. ... as we found out, all but U.S., N.Z. and a few others. The company will restack our boxes on certified pallets that may go to the U.S., which will probably result in a delay of our boxes of one week. This is a little annoying since at the new estimated time of arrival my parents will have left us in Seattle. It was originally planned that they can help us unpacking. But who cares, they are on their way and not my duty any more - only my duty to pay in the end ;-), as long as they arrive all is fine with me by now!

Today Theda and Jonte had their last day in kinder- garten. It really is fascinating; kids don't seem to feel sad in the moment of good bye. They explained to the whole group with a big smile on the face how the next days are planned, whom they are going to visit in which order until we fly. I suppose they still don't realize in full detail what relocating to Seattle means, or maybe they do and I completely underestimate my kids. They are very excited and really looking forward to Seattle. Personally I had doubts about relocating because of the kids, but they proof me wrong. Up to now they are very content with the whole situation - that does not mean they don't need extra time, more cuddling, more bluster than usual, they do!

Narne in the meantime is developing great. He turns from his back to front in both direction and is laughing with a hoarse sound continuously - spreading a lot of joy. Now and then we realize that he is getting unsatisfied with so little attention and have to adjust our eagerness of packing boxes. Still no reason to complain, concerning the chaos we have, the stress and planning all kids do much better than we ever expected previously.

We will leave Europe in only 17 days. Already tomorrow the twins will leave Kiel with their grandparents. It is their final good bye until goodness knows. As soon as they are gone we will have our final party: garage sale, flea market and BBQ party. We hope we get them all drunk that they take all our junk ;-)!

Boxes on the way

Today the three europallets got picked up. They are on their way to Seattle - and we? We have just 1 day and 3 weeks left until we fly out of Europe. We arrive (probably) on the 11th, the boxes will arrive around August, 18th, with harbor handling, customs and so on, we will be probably get them on August 21st. Exciting! We hope to have a place to rent by then, but we are very confident.
Time is flying by, so little time left and still so much going to happen, to organize and do - freightening, but also very productive.

Two days ago on the weekend, the kids gave their farewell party. Even the weather turned to good for that afternoon. We had some fun games and a small BBQ - I personally really enjoyed the red wine at late afternoon, relaxing with friends, while the group of kids took over the garden - impossible to stop and great to watch. In the beginning everything was a little bit more organized. Katrin did prepare a match-box-cord-turning game, egg-on-spoon-run and the personal decoration of the crowns with the kids. They loved it. The group got along perfectly and they enjoyed all the gear they found in the garden.
Everyone brought a little to eat and thus we had a great BBQ at the end, though most of us were still full from all the cake, cherries and strawberries. That was the reason a couple of us mainly stuck to the red wine.
A sudden, but predicted, strong shower ended the event just at the right time to send the kids to bed. Otherwise we would have probably stayed even longer outside than we already did.

The only thing we are still waiting for are our flight tickets - since I insisted on direct flights, due to traveling with 3 minor children and the prices went up since the original travel authorization got approved - the travel authorization has to be checked again ... and it takes ages - at least it feels like ages if your luggage is on the way, a holiday home booked, money invested and you still got no ticket for that day!!!
We keep our fingers crossed, we might get the positive mail to night ... we hope!