Changing of the Guard

Mariana flew back to Brazil today. We were going to go to the airport to send her off, but she asked us not to so that the kids wouldn't remember her leaving sad. So we said our good-byes on Friday afternoon before heading to the airport to pick up our new au pair, Lara. Mariana was a wonderful addition to our family and she will definitely be missed. She on to bigger and better things and we wish her nothing but the best as she embarks on her next adventure, college in San Francisco.

Elliot was very excited to pick up Lara at the airport. He brought the "welcome" sign that he and Mariana made for her and he gave her a hug when he met her. He got to spend lots of time this weekend getting to know Lara and he really likes her. He does miss Mariana though but as he told me the other night, "I am sad about Mariana, but not sad about Lara."

Beatrice also seems to like Lara, but has also had a little separation anxiety. I expected this and hope that it won't last long. Lara, like Mariana, is from Brazil. Given how far away from home she is, she probably has a little separation anxiety of her own. Hopefully we are making her feel right at home.