Lawrence residents celebrated the coming of 2009 late Wednesday night.

They also were glad to say goodbye to a tough year that included challenges related to the economy and other areas.

As adults in Lawrence hit downtown Lawrence and other spots to ring in the new year, dozens of Lawrence children also said they were ready to welcome 2009.

“I’m happy for the first day of the year because my mom makes me a happy-face pancake,” said Colton Grassy, a Lawrence 5-year-old.

Yes, it seems everyone is ready to think positive as 2009 arrives.

Colton and his brother, Max, 8, were among the 67 children who attended the annual New Year’s Eve Overnighter, at Holcom Park Recreation Center, 2700 W. 27th St.

The event, organized by the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department since 1993, allows parents to drop off children ages 5 to 12 in a fun and safe environment as the parents celebrate on New Year’s Eve.

“The kids are doing the same thing,” said Duane Peterson, special events supervisor for the parks and recreation department.

The children also got to ring in 2009 with style themselves. They played games, ate pizza and even watched the Times Square ball drop on a large projector in the gymnasium.

Then they covered the gym with toilet paper to celebrate.

The best part, many children said, is that they get to stay up either all night or very late having fun, just as adults try to celebrate the coming of 2009.

“I like the part when they count down to the new year. That’s my favorite part,” Max Grassy said.