Down By the Bay [for 1001 days]: Our first week in Panama City Beach!

We're here! On our first afternoon in Florida, I registered the kids at Beach Elementary. (You know you're doing at least something right when the school is named "Beach.") I also went to pick up our mail that had been held for a month in Panama City. If you've ever been around for a natural disaster recovery, you know that mail back up is a real issue! Thousands of people had their mail rerouted to pic-up points at local post offices because their mail couldn't be delivered. I was excited to find some packages I ordered before the evacuation (like some awesome confetti-speckled recycled material- Zak! brand- kitchen goods,) some housewarming cards, and most special, a photo album made by friends and family in St. Louis and elsewhere!! That album was a real treasure for us to enjoy during our first Shabbos in PCB- where we as of yet, knew no one!

Shabbat went really well. We had brought some carry out foods from Atlanta (bye Atlanta!! we'll miss you!!) and thank G-d had enough time to move in and get set up before Shabbat. Robert and the girls walked to Friday night services at the shul, about .7 miles from our rented townhouse. The locals here (mostly Sephardi/Moroccan Israelis) were very welcoming. With short winter days, Shabbat passed with playtime, meals, and exploring on foot around the neighborhood.

Our townhouse is in a gated "casual" resort community very close to the beach. PERFECT location!! We couldn't wait to walk down to the water on Saturday. And what do you know, because everyone (i.e. David) is waking up so blessedly early, like 5-6am, we had some quiet morning time to do that. It was so peaceful and beautiful! (We let Robert snooze while we went- just the nice kinda mama I am ;) ) The kids had a blast just digging around with toes and fingers in the sand, and I can't wait to take them often.

Sunday and Monday (no school yet-Vet's Day) we had an extra weekend day. We got everyone some new toys at Target (great stop-gap measure!) and went to a great trampoline park, see pics below. We also got to have a really nice meet-up with our new friend Rena and her 1 year old daughter. Rena and I have been chatting since we found out we were moving and I got her number from the Chabad folks. She is super nice and we knew we had a lot in common. We hit it off really well and had fun visiting them in their panoramic-water-view condo and then playing on the beach. I am so grateful that I've already found a friend! She used to be an ER nurse, and was able to help me later in the week with a bad cut on my finger! Helpful.

Tuesday the girls started school and that went pretty smoothly. Nesi was anxious at first but ended up doing great and coming home with not one, not two, but three new best friends. (You have to appreciate her flexible definition of the term!) We were thrilled that she merged so well with the class. Her teacher seems very good and is highly regarded. I got to sit in for a little bit and observe. Adira also did great, making new friends and jumping right in to all the subjects. I thought her teacher looked really organized with a warm personality. We're so proud of them. They also rode the school bus home!!! Wheeee, what excitement that was for David! He is obsessed with school buses (and city buses, trains, cars, trucks, and especially construction vehicles.)

We are having a newly large share of challenges with the girls at home, so send your positive thoughts our way on that one! It's just been unexpectedly hard on their relationship with each other to go through all this. We're trying our hardest to help them resolve conflict and I'm grateful Robert has been able to be really involved in that. We've thought in great detail about how to make successful schedules for mornings and afternoons on school days, and still have to figure out more of a rhythm for weekends. We need to reinstate reading time for Adira, independent play time for Nesya, and try to use all the available spaces in our smaller than usual house.

Here's some pics of that first week!

David is speaking so well now!!! it's awesome to hear him develop

Congrats to my sister Elly on her engagement to Evan!!!!!

adira's class gave her the warmest goodbye with posters and cards and a little party!!

see you soon, dear friends!!

at the florida welcome center, where they also serve orange juice :)

Beach Elementary day 1!

Danny the Israeli's beach store, Monkey Shack!

beautiful beach so nearby!

starting the Jewish calendar project with Daddy. Part of our idea for them about staying connected is being aware of the Jewish calendar from a couple minutes a day attention to it at home.