We moved over three days (joy!). There were laughter, tears, some good luck, and some bad luck. One major corporation made me want to kick it in the shin. Another redeemed itself in my eyes from "necessary evil" to "my bestest ever friend." I decided I'd recap for your reading pleasure, to let you know what we've been up to.
Move day 1 (Tuesday): How many play dates can we fit in to one day?
The movers arrived and started packing. We went for tea at one friend's house, did a library run to return our last couple of books and then dropped Miss A at school. Checked in on the movers, answered a few questions. Realised that I really didn't want to be home and phoned the lovely Deborah (of Lily and Mitch) and invaded her home for most of the afternoon and tea time. Got home and dealt with the anguished wails of Miss A who, left with nothing in her room but a bed, cried and cried that she wouldn't be able to get dressed in the morning since all her clothes were gone. I pointed out that I had already loaded her trunki up and that cheered her enough to get her to bed. C and I ate pizza straight from the boxes for dinner, as we had no plates.
Move day 2 (Wednesday): Good and bad stuff
I realised early in the day that there was no real way to take Miss A to preschool and arrive at a decent time to the new house, so I phoned in and agreed that I'd come pick up her paperwork on our way to Oxfordshire. The movers were finishing packing and loading, so I cleared the kids out and spent two hours at soft play. Two hours. And Istyboo still wailed and kicked when I cleared them out for lunch. Lunch at the café in town that I always thought I should go to more. Stopped by the house to check the movers got everything they were supposed to take. Stopped by the preschool and cried saying goodbye to Miss A's teachers. Hit the road with two children, a cat, and a dog in the car.
We arrived to find someone parked across our driveway. Ugh. Was irrationally panicked after a long drive in the rain that the moving vans wouldn't have access the next day. Knocked on neighbours doors to see if anyone knew who owned the car. Met lots of people including family across the street with a four year old daughter. JACKPOT. They invited us in for a cuppa and kids' tea. Wine was poured. Texted C to let him know that, when he arrived to find our home dark and cold, he shouldn't panic. Was warned of the village's Wednesday night noise pollution - bell ringing practice from 7:30 - 9:00. Wobbled home nice and toasty, car across the drive was moved (the owner came by to apologise and we were gracious). Told the kids that the bells were the church singing them to sleep. Blew up air mattresses and set up portable radiator in kids' room. Ate M&S ready meal off paper plates for grownups tea and argued over who got to snuggle the hot water bottle most closely.
Move day 3 (Thursday): Our stuff arrives
The movers come and unload all of our stuff. It's a full unpacking service, which was not as cool as I imagined it would be. If, like me, you confused "unpacking" with "putting away", you would also have been disappointed.
At one point, a funeral procession tries to come down our lane to the church and can't get past our moving trucks. Mortified.
However, sleep in our own beds in house that's finally up to habitable temperature. Awesome.
So where are we now? We're exploring the area (including soft play for Itsyboo's 2nd birthday last Saturday) and settling in. It still feels like a holiday home and the spare bedroom looks like a bomb filled with house stuff exploded, but we'll get there!
Itsyboo explores Wychwood playground
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