Meanwhile, we've had a very mellow 4th of July. Rachel Claire did get to try out her first sparklers (photos for a future post) and really that was about the excitement for the day (other than visiting the cute little puppies at Amy & Jeff's house). Carson, meanwhile, is no fan of fireworks or the thunder and rain that is dousing Indy's fireworks tonight....
One funny thing Rachel Claire has been doing lately is singing songs, with her own version of the words. Like: a, b, c, d, m, m, m, o, p....and rock-a-baby (instead of rock-a-bye-baby). It is pretty cute! She also loves Ring Around the Rosey and gets most of the words to it right. She has also been very loving and huggy lately and has learned how to say I love you, which is always precious!
So, for those of you who don't know our travel group buddies, on Friday night we hung out with Josie, Gracie and Maddie who are all from Rachel Claire's orphanage (Zhanjiang) and also Maya who was in our travel group but is from a different orphanage. Saturday night we hung out with Josie, Gracie, Maddie and Sydney (all from Zhanjiang) and Alivia (who is from the same orphanage as Maya). I think it is so important for the girls to know each other and spend time together because they have shared experience and heritage in Zhanjiang. I am thrilled that many people from our travel group have made an effort to stay in touch and I truly enjoy hanging out with them and hearing how their daughters are doing. And I think the kids love to play with each other too. Its great to see their little personalities developing! So without further ado, here are the pix!
Rachel Claire and Josie starting the evening off right!
Lounging poolside....
Rachel Claire didn't really want to get in....
Maddie's sister Finney
And Maddie herself - Maddie & Finney are quite used to the water...since they currently live in Hawaii!
Gracie, checking things out
Maya and her big sis, Aria
I just want to make my mom put on her swimsuit, but I really don't want to get in the water...
Maddie & her dad, Tony
Josie & RC sticking their toes into the water
Maya, on the inflatable crab...which was a big hit!
Robin is so crafty!
bubbles!
Maddie in the little boat
Maya
RC playing with Maya's dad, Tom
Gracie showing off her snappy swimsuit
Maddie with her mom, Emily.
mmmm, the hot tub
All the girls after a fun evening of swimming (and eating)!
Maybe you're wondering why I put all of these photos in here....well I figure each one is a little different and I want to be sure everyone can download their favorite!
Maddie & mom
Here we are at the Great Wolf Lodge (by Kings Island) and Rachel Claire is riding in the luggage cart (and luckily she's smiling becuase she didn't nap at all on the drive)!
Maddie in her snappy cover-up
Gracie with her life vest on
Maddie
Robin & Josie in the hot (really, the warm) tub
Sydney & her mom Julie in the hot tub
Sydney, Josie & Rachel Claire
Sydney hamming it up!
Since we were in Cincinnati, Grandma & Grandma Carol came to visit
Watching the show in the lobby - rivited
w/ Grandma Carol
Wiley the wolf during story time....now we often talk about "the wolf" and we really mean Rachel Claire! :-) For example, the wolf needs a bath!
Sydney and her mom during story time
a few brown couch photos
Playing in the arcade
Gracie riding the tiny little carousel in the arcade
Sidney
Gracie driving the bus.....
....while Sydney & Rachel Claire rode in the back
Alivia on the roller coaster
Sydney loves to give hugs! And would you believe Sydney is YOUNGER (by less than a month) than Rachel Claire!
Rachel Claire and Sydney played together on Sunday morning outside Starbucks (always a favorite!)
Rachel Claire looking out at the water park with Sydney's dad, Kurt.
...and with Sydney
Here's the show, which we got to see again on Sunday morning - yay!
In the luggage cart again!
Alivia with her pal Gracie & her mom Kim
Anne, this one's for you! 
Sydney & Maddie
Josie & her dad, Shannon
Josie & Rachel Claire in the big bear chair
Maddie, Josie & Rachel Claire
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