July

Summer is in full swing and we are super busy.  Aiden came down and spent a week with us. Sophia always loves to have him around.  Steve also went up to Aiden's college orientation at Ithica with him.  Aiden is really looking forward to starting college.

The biggest event of the July was Sophia getting her braces off.  She was so excited and her teeth looked great.  She now has retainers and is being super responsible taking care of them.

Sophia kept us busy with her swim team practices and swim meets.  She enjoyed herself and improved her times at every meet.  She won two of her races in the novice meet.  This was a great way to end the season.

Sophia and I visited Grandma in July.  We were there one day and then she ended up getting sick (we did not infect her!)  She had pneumonia.  I am grateful I was there so I could get her to the doctors, pick up meds, help her with grocery shopping and around the house.  Sophia spent two days AND an overnight with her Aunt Linda and the kids.  This was her first sleep over and I feared my sister and I would have to be meeting up at midnight but she did EXCELLENT.  She didn't even call me in the morning.



























Sophia and I took a couple of walks on the beach while we were visiting my mother.  There was a full moon one night and it was beautiful.

Sophia and I also went to Maine for our "China Family Reunion."  Five of the six families that adopted together eight years ago were there.  The girls had a blast.  It amazes me to see how they all get along.  We went to the beach.  The kids and a couple of the fathers swam in the 64 degree water.

Sophia has been hanging out with Steve because they are both off all summer.  They are having fun at the pool, doing outings and even babysat for Steve's co-workers five month old baby for a week.

Shadow, who normally runs away from Sophia, let her cuddle with him one day.  Noelle has been sick and we are hoping she feels better soon.  She doesn't want to eat or play.  We hope it is a temporary set back but it has been four days so far.  Sigh.

Noelle was glad when we got home from Maine.  She had her sleeping buddy back.

Sophia and Shadow