John Turns 11 and Other July Fun

A lot has happened in the last few weeks since we returned from Wild Dunes.  First, my mom and dad bought a new house!  They've been talking about "downsizing" to a ranch for years, and they have looked many times at various houses around our neighborhood.  Our neighborhood is fairly close to where they live now, and there are many one story homes that are ready to be updated (just what Papa specializes in!).  We had lunch with them the day after we returned from the beach, and they told us about a home they had gone to see a few days earlier.  They really liked it, but after discussing it, they decided to stay put (which is what I've alway thought they would do!). We said we wish we could have seen the house because it sounded great, so my mom called the realtor and she let them in again.  Something must have took the second time around, because less than 24 hours later they made a bid and it was accepted.  The house is just what they've been looking for...good layout, good "bones"...all it needs is their special touch, and I think they are looking forward to making it their own.  And I'm looking forward to having them down the street!

The new homestead

It did feel a bit strange to pull up to their house a few days later and see the For Sale sign.  

I'll be sad for them to leave here, but excited for
the fun times to come in the new place

On Friday we celebrated John's 11th birthday.  He was so excited to get the present he asked for - a bow and arrow.  He's been learning to shoot and has recovered most of the arrows he's lost in the ground!

Who too!  Just what I wanted!

That night we had the family over for a cookout.  John got some new UK items and the gift that always fits - cash!  

Every year I make my little jock a different "jersey" birthday cake.  Since he turned 8 I've done the Lakers, the Celtics and last year was the Red Sox.  This year he decided he wanted a Team USA jersey for the 2012 Olympics.  Since the jersey is mostly white, I got off pretty easy this year!

This was also the first night we got to see Taylor since he returned home from Romania for his summer break.  He's all finished with his first year of school there, and it will be great to have him home for a few months.

Being silly with his mama

On Sunday we had a swim meet against the Boat Club.  Lawrence got to assume his role as the "Voice of the Hurricanes", and the kids had fun swimming.  

Love my Hurricanes

The meet ended up being called early due to an incoming storm, but this actually worked out well because I needed to have John up to Country Lake for camp by 6:30 that night.  He was so excited to bunk with his buddy Daniel, and when I picked him up on Wednesday he couldn't quit talking about how much fun he had.  He loved every minute of it and can't wait until next year when he can go for a whole week.

Happy campers

While John was away, we celebrated Meme and Papa's June and July birthdays with dinner at Corbett's.  Lawrence had to miss it because of football practice (he's coaching this year!), but we enjoyed having a delicious five course meal.  

Happy 69th!  

This week football and field hockey both start up in full swing, and I feel the summer racing by.  Sarah and I bought her high school uniforms last week, and I know school will be starting in the blink of an eye.  Gotta keep checking things off our summer bucket list!