Bubbles and Buskers

This weekend, Downtown Lawrence was filled with fire-eaters, jugglers, musicians, magicians, mimes and dancers during the premier Lawrence Busker Festival. We got to see the fire/sword eaters, hear the fiddling and picking championships, and listen to the bagpipes. It was quite the weekend! I'm sure these performers felt at home in Lawrence.

We also stopped by Penny Annie's for some candy and a cherry limeade.

This weekend also marked the end of Mama's pool. Before taking it down, the grandchildren had a chance to take a giant bubble bath. The pool was filled with bubbles, and the kids (and the neighborhood) smelled like watermelon.

Grace and Ben have a secret. They've been holding it in for a few weeks and before they share it, we thought we would!

Four becomes five, this April!!!!!

First Day of School!!!

Today, our little girl went to Kindergarten!!! Brandon and I stood in the hallway for quite some time and watched as she built a block tower and watched the other students come in. It was hard for us to walk away, even though my office is right down the hall from her classroom. Each time I checked in, Grace was following directions, coloring inside the lines, and listening attentively to stories. I can't imagine where she learned that behavior, but we are proud of her! When asked about her day, she'll tell you all about gym, how she didn't like the pizza, and how she made new friends but can't remember their names. She even used the bathrooms with the automatic flushes! Again, we are so proud!

Ben has adjusted well to second grade. He has the same teacher as last year and most of the same friends in his class, so he's happy!

Things with the house are progressing. We have a "Contract Pending" sign up and are looking forward to the actual "Sold" sign. Moving date is scheduled for September 18th!

SOLD!

After just a few hours on the market, our house had a contract. The following day, Brandon and I frantically searched for a new house in Lawrence and made an offer. Today it was accepted. If all goes according to plan, we will move in mid-September! Please pray that the inspections go well! Check out this link to see our new home. The pictures don't do it justice. We're looking forward to painting each room since all of the walls are white. Oh, what is to come!!!

http://www.realtor.com/search/listingdetail.aspx?ctid=1125&mnp=20&mxp=19&bd=5&typ=1&sid=a105a7f285ce4c5bb731e2e09934cd47&lid=1101104623&lsn=10&srcnt=24#Detail

School supply shopping....

The kids and I went school supply shopping last week and we were featured in the Lawrence Journal World. Click on the link to read about our adventure! Not exactly my best material, but Ben and Grace definitely made their debut.

Yes, that's a real estate sign in our yard. With one bathroom, and two growing children, we are starting to outgrow our little bungalow on New Hampshire Street. So, today, the sign went in the yard and the house hunting begins! We've had one person look at it and we're hoping to sell within the next few months. We have our eye on a few houses in the South Junior High area (looking ahead a few years to junior high-yikes!) but we need to sell our house before we can settle on another. Put the word out...our house is cute! We will surely miss New Hampshire, but boy, these kids grow faster than you think.

Surviving the heat

Yesterday was spent INDOORS as much as possible. It has been so HOT in Kansas the past few days. Grace even told Mamma, "I think this is the hottest day in my entire life." She later commented that it was "hotter than a hootenanny" outside. What a character. Gracie finished her ballet lessons yesterday but will begin again in the fall. She's already outgrown her ballet slippers. Ben doesn't enjoy the hot weather either and will find a way out of anything involving the outdoors. After ballet, we went to the Rainforest Cafe to cool off. Then we met up with Nana and Papa at the mall for some ice cream and a ride on the carousel. Today, we're cleaning house. Yipee!

VBS comes to an end

Vacation Bible School came to an end last night. Here are the kids performing "Calling All Heroes". Brandon helped our friend Barry build the boat. Everyone but Megan thinks it would be a great addition to their backyard!

After six days of VBS, the week ended with a family fun night. Although we were under a heat advisory, we all seemed to have a lot of fun outside after the show! (Set-up was not as much fun!!!)

Gavin, Ben, and Grace enjoyed games, ice cream, and a balloon artist. Here are a few pics from the evening. Thanks to Sarah for standing in line forever to get those special pirate balloons. :)