Lawrence, Part 2: Megan's Birthday!

Megan asked to go shopping with Caitlyn for her birthday. So, Marie and I tagged along. And then no one took pictures. I did manage to snap a picture of the bookstore we popped in to.

 and Megan bought herself a bookshelf. And put it together herself.

We did have a few other presents for her to unwrap. To a very captive audience:

Birthday math!

Happy birthday!

What Megan Has Been Up To This Semester

I figured it was time for an update, so I hounded her for pictures (she prefers Instagram, in case you want to find her over there) while she was home. This is what she sent.

A Room Re-Do

When Megan turned 15, we re-did her room into the lovely India room that we have now. Ever since then (it's been 4 years!), Caitlyn has been waiting patiently for her 15th birthday and a chance to re-do her room. (I wanted to actually build a new room with a window and a vent by now, but, yeah, that's not happening.) And finally, the time came to turn this blue room (which hasn't been painted since before we moved in)

We had a whole crew working (it took 3 coats!) to turn the blue white:

And in the end, it looks lovely. It's not quite done yet... we painted some color on the walls, but we need to install the new ceiling fan, and get a lamp, some sheets, and some picture frames, and I need to do a bit of touch-up work (which I should have done yesterday...). But here's a teaser of the artwork that Caitlyn did:

It's going to be fantastic when we're done!

Visitor from College

Megan came home for the weekend. Mostly just to say hi, but also to eat home-cooked food, chocolate chip cookies, and pick up cooler weather clothes.

It was wonderful having everyone together again, even if it was just for a really quick weekend.

And nice to know she's still just as goofy.

Some Pictures from Lawrence

I get a text about once a day from Megan, and from what it sounds like, she's doing well. (They tell me at work that once a day means everything is good.) She sometimes sends pictures of things that are going on around campus.

The view from her window:

She found a Quidditch game:

and a store downtown with a Diagon Alley display

She won dorm bingo:

And went to a football game, in which she offended her roommate by declaring that the marching band was the sole reason for going. (The marching band isn't half bad, she says.)

Ah, college.

And... She's Off (to College)!

Russell and Megan headed up to Lawrence last night because today was MOVE IN DAY for freshmen at KU. I stayed home 1) so I didn't cry and 2) because I had work and the girls had school and we all could't go. I did get to say goodbye, though.

They stayed the night a Baden and Mary's (we have relatives in Kansas!! That's still a novel concept for us.) and got their fill of playing with their adorable kids. (And talking.)

And then, this morning, the controlled chaos of moving in.

Outside her dorm.

Waiting in line.

And she finally got into the dorm:

Then Russell headed off..

and Mary took Megan shopping, so she could make her dorm room homey.

She's off to a good start! I'm sure it'll be a wonderful experience.

When You're 18

You go shopping all day with your friends and buy yourself clothes.

You have to work on your birthday.

You get more cards

than presents.

(On the upside: you get to open ALL your presents first thing in the morning.)

You get to choose cheesecake for your cake.

And even though you have to deal with annoying little sisters

you're mostly patient with them.

And then you go out with your friends again.

Ah, the Joys of (finally) Being 18!