The Kassel Family Project Life 365

The first box is packed…

John had a sleepover party for his 8th Birthday.

Three friends – Wilson, Jacob, and Forrest – came to spend the night with him.

The boys got to eat pizza and brownie sundaes.  They spent the evening playing lots of Xbox and Wii and watching movies.  It is really too bad that they didn’t have any fun…

John got some cool, new birthday presents.  He got the Sharpfire Nerf Gun from Jacob.

He got batting gloves and baseball cards from Wilson.

He got Star Wars mini figures and a bag of chocolate from Forrest.

What a fun night for our almost eight-year old.  Happy Birthday John!

Today, we met with a realtor to begin the process of selling our home of 15 years.

As I pulled out of the driveway this morning to take the kids to Camp Mudd, Laura said, “Momma? Are you sad about moving?”  It brought tears to my eyes and I couldn’t answer her.  While I am *very* excited about finally moving to that larger house that will better accommodate our family, I *am* sad.  Fifteen years is a lot of memories – move in day, decorating, nights on the back deck/patio, hanging out with great neighbors, lots of fun nights with friends, bringing home Laura and then John two years later, watching the kids grow, and being a family.  A lot of life has happened in this house.  It will be very hard to say goodbye to Harold Court.

Tonight, we met the Lowerys for dinner at Flat Branch.  They leave on Monday for Alabama and this was our goodbye as they move onto the next phase of their lives.  They brought birthday presents for Laura and John along with a special gift for the kids.

We have spent a lot of time with this crew in the last thirteen years.  It will be hard to believe that they won’t be here for all those friend moments anymore.  I know they will do very well in Alabama and wish them the best, but we will certainly miss them.  We love you Lowerys!

Yesterday was the first day of Camp Mudd for this summer.  Today, Camp Mudd lived up to its name.  Both of the kids came home dirty!  Of course, they would get that filthy on the day that I had to take them for their yearly, well-child doctor appointment and I had no time to clean them up first…  Their doctor laughed when she saw them.  She said, “Now *that* is the definition of being a kid!”

It is a big day in the Kassel Household!  First up, it is Camp Mudd!  The kids are very happy to get to spend the day enjoying camp again.  It was big hugs for the Camp Director (Julie) and Head Counselor (Kara).

Second, I realized that yesterday was post #2,000.  2,000.  I cannot believe it.  That is 5 1/2 years of daily posts.  2,000.

Happy Fourth of July!  We spent what is most likely our last year here at Harold Court (we have pre-approval for a mortgage for a bigger house!)  in our driveway with great friends.  It is also our last year with the Lowerys.  They leave on July 11 for Alabama.  It was a fun evening, but sad all at the same time.  I am going to miss that crew.

We didn’t buy the same amount of fireworks that we usually do because it is Monday night and that means Camp Mudd for the kids and work for Andy and I tomorrow.

We still had enough fireworks between us all to have some fun.  As usual, the kids were very excited about the lanterns.  They just love watching them inflate…

…and letting them go!

I look forward to the big fireworks every year.  There weren’t as many in our neighborhood as in year’s past (it is Monday), but we still had quite the show.

Right before our grand finale, the kids got to enjoy some Sour Bomb Pops.

It was a fun, if too short, Independence Day!