Hot hot hot

It has been hot here, but we are enjoying the summer and time with our Virginia family. It reached 102 last Thursday! We have had lots of evenings out, but slower days. I feel like a "normal" American mom, taking the boys to the pool in the neighborhood a lot. We have also had a lot of fun with family...here are a few of the things we have been up to.

All the girls together...with Bennett. our first weekend back everyone came over to hang out...unfortunately Bennett had a fever that Charlotte, Em and I all got. Maybe from this picture? Still fun to be together.

The long-awaited fishing trip with Bop. Bop had been telling Austin he would take him fishing for months...Austin picked out a Batman fishing pole at the store with Bop and caught a blue gill. He had a great time and is waiting for the next trip.

Nana and I took the boys to the Richmond Metro Zoo, where Austin was excited to get to feed a giraffe....something he had been wanting to do at a zoo ever since he got to in Chiang Mai, Thailand almost 2 years ago. It was a hot day but we all had fun. Austin also had his first snow cone there and enjoyed it. Bennett squealed and pointed out lots of animals that he knew.

A swim meet kept us from the pool one evening so we went to a local outdoor mall where they have an outdoor fountain. Austin and Bennett both enjoy it, but are a little too scared to run into the middle where the water gushes hardest. Bop treated us there and to dinner while Chris had an appointment out and Nana had to work. AND as you can see, Bop got the clearance from his doctor to lift up to 30 lbs, so he can now hold Bennett- which they both enjoy.

Austin and his noodle...Austin loves the noodle and has enjoyed the pool. He is still very cautious in the water...he won't float by himself with his wings if he can't touch the bottom and will blow bubbles but won't put his face under. But it is still plenty of fun and he is getting more used to the water. Bennett also likes the pool, though he mostly wants me to hold him in the water most of the time.