The move, part 3 - the zoo

After the parents left, we ran to swim practice.  While the older girls were swimming, Claire and I went on a hunt for painted rocks.  

 Their town has this fun summer project where the children paint rocks and hide them.  When you find one, you are to post it on their town site and then re-hide it.  So much fun!

When the girls finished with swim practice, we decided to go to the zoo one last time as I have a grandparent pass.  We knew it would be a hot day but we did it anyway.

Sophia had injured her ankle at the last meet.  Because league was coming up, I decided it would be best not to have her walk too much on it and I got a wheelchair for her.  

Claire enjoyed it too!

 

 

  

 We were happy that the boats were operating but disappointed that the elephants weren't out in the water at that time.  Can you tell how disgusted Hannah is to have to wear the life jacket?

                       "We're on the swim team and shouldn't have to wear this!"

But Kansas law says age 0 - 12.  Next time she comes to the zoo, she may be old enough to not have to wear it.

Look how hot they are!!  We did take advantage of the mist sprayers that were everywhere!  

And drank LOTS of water!

Sophia probably wishing she could swim with the turtle!  

Always leary of bird contact after our church e-coli scare.

So grateful for God's hand in healing the children who were affected!!

I made sure the girls washed their hands.

We didn't spend as much time at the zoo as normal. 

The heat was getting to us.

I let the kids pick out one gift from the shop.  Claire adopted Oreo.

It really was HOT!!

 Luckily thunderstorms were brewing and it rained that night!

The move - part 2, Silly waves

I'm not sure how it got started - probably one of the children was sad about their parents leaving on a date so we began to do these "silly waves".  And it distracted the child from being sad about the leaving.  Now, anytime one of the family leaves, we go outside and make silly gestures and dances.

The morning came when Jill and Adam were leaving for Wisconsin.  The children were staying behind so that the older girls could finish out the swim team and league finals.

There were lots of hugs and kisses good-bye

 followed by all our silly waves....I wonder if the neighbors ever notice?

Hannah was all ready for us to take her to swim practice.  Got to be all ready for swim league!  It didn't take Sophia long to change into her suit!

The move - part 1

Our kids have lived close to us for 11 years.  But now God was calling them to serve Him far away.

 The movers came.  They were so good and fun to work with!

 No need for them to go to the gym to buff up.

When all the furniture was gone, we took the girls back to our house.

Jill and her friends were going to clean the empty house one final time.

 But before we left, the girls HAD to say good-bye to their neighbor and her dog!

 At the house, we decided the van could use a good wash.