So we are in the new house. It has been 3 weeks now and we’re only just starting to feel at home. Most of the boxes are unpacked, my husband finally has his games room and the kids have their own separate bedrooms.
The house is huge, so much larger than what we had before. Which is good and bad. Good as we finally have space to spread out as a family and seek sanctuary for ourselves. Bad as there is so much more to clean and keep tidy!
What has amazed me the most is the change in lifestyle and in the way we live. In under 3 weeks we have become a more active family, ironically in a place that has less than 1/8th of the outdoor space of our old home.
Our old house had land and lots of it. But while the backyard was large it was disconnected from the house and the kids felt too scared to be out there by themselves. It did not get used nearly as much as it should have.
Now, the yard is used morning until night. The grassed area is tiny but it holds the trampoline and also hosts the totem tennis set. What really makes this place is the flat undercover area off the garage.
It is a place where the kids can ride their bikes and scooters, where we can eat outdoors and where they can set up their toys and play imaginary games regardless of the weather.
GIlbert has been starting to ride his bike, finally finding the coordination he previously lacked. He has even asked to go riding at our local bike track, something I could not have imagined him asking us a few months ago.
He is also utilising the trampoline, getting on there before and after school to self-regulate his sensory needs. This is already making a difference in a very positive start to Term 2 where is is staying on task in class and generally behaving himself quite well.
Matilda is enjoying her bike too – she’s getting faster and more confident with each passing day. She is also enjoying a hit of the totem tennis set each afternoon and loving the old Nintendo 64 console that we have set up in the garage/games room.
Actually, she is spending far less time on the iPad and watches a lot less TV which is a great result for us. Plus, she and her brother are actually playing together sometimes. It doesn’t always end happily (it never ends happily, to be honest!) but hearing them loudly playing “cops and robbers” together is something that I thought I’d never hear.
Delilah is also loving the new place. She always yearned to be outside and now she can, pretty much whenever she wants. The fact that we can see most of the yard from the house and are only a few steps away if needed means that she has embraced a new-found independence which is wonderful to witness.
All in all, the move has been great for us so far. Sure, the actual moving part sucked big time and I’m not looking forward to having to do it all again in 12 months time, but I think this is the beginning of a whole new chapter for us.
At the very least it has been a positive start.
it is a gorgeous house! Love the undercover outdoor area too.. great for when it’s raining or too hot!
It’s been awesome so far – I’ve always wanted a useable outdoor area and I’m so happy that we are actually using it. I’m really pleased too that the kids have taken to new habits so quickly – it’s a relief to see them becoming happy and settled already.
So glad you are in and settled. Yes, I agree moving sucks. The outdoor area is an amazing space. Enjoy. Cheers SpecialK XoXO
It is good that the worst is over. Feels even better today as the removalists came by and took back their boxes – the house is slowly coming together now!
That is fantastic. So glad it was such a positive move for you.
Thanks Marita – I’m really relieved. For a while there it looked dicey for the boy particularly, but he seems to have started to come around.
Although he did tell me the other day that he can see our old house from the gully at his school and that made him sad…hope that doesn’t become too much of an issue for him.
Looks awesome Kristy. Love that back area. Nothing like getting the kids outside more. Glad to hear your settling in. 😛
Thanks Caz. The increased time outside is what I love most about this house. I’ve been struggling to get the kids outdoors so having such a useable space is like a dream come true – that and finally having a dishwasher, of course!
It is a lovely new home and so glad you are all settling in Kirsty.
It is great to see kids active too.
Thanks Trish. I think the new house was just what we needed – looking back, I’m not sure how we lived in our little old place at all! And definitely seeing the kids happy and playing outside is just what we wanted to see – it’s been positive all round.
Glad the new house is more user friendly and that the kids are enjoying it.
I’m glad too E. There were a few moments when we questioned what we were doing but it seems to have settled down now. I’m certainly in love with a bigger and newer house, I’m just glad that the kids are coming to love it too. All is looking good, let’s hope it stays that way!