Soaking Up Summer

My 13 year old had his first official American "playdate" the other day. Several of the boys he knew from when he was here in the winter came over for soccer and swimming. One of the boys was another boy who had been hosted and then adopted by another family at church. I still find it amazing and a gift from God that both of our families had the opportunity to walk through this whole adoption thing together.

They played a little soccer...

Drank lots of lemonade (boy was it hot out!)...

Horsed around for awhile...

And then cooled off with some swimming...

Sergei had so much fun. And he said to me several times, "Thanks, mom." He truly appreciated the opportunity to have his friends over. I guess those are things that most of us probably take for granted.

Ian also had his best friend and cousin over to play. I love when these two play together! They have so much fun! Look at how cute these two are...

Last night after Brad got home we packed up some yumminess and enjoyed a picnic at Buttermilk Falls. Then we went to the river for some rock-skipping.

After getting home, we made homemade ice cream and ate it in waffle bowls with hot fudge and sprinkles. Yummmmmmy!

Then we finished off the fun day with Sparklers left over from the 4th of July.

Sigh. Is tomorrow really the last day of July??!!

I. love. summer.

Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time. ~John Lubbock

P.S. - Thanks to everyone for their prayers for Ian's health and our family as we adapt to our new life. We take Ian for further testing next Tuesday.