Random Summer Fun

We are having such a good time in our summer holidays! Up until the end of the school term I had been so unbelievably busy with my volunteer work and my commitments as school governor and on the PTA --- so now it feels SO good to have some very treasured time with Cowgirl when we can just have plenty of fun together, playing lots of games with our imaginations, creating artsy things with our art supplies, spending time chatting on long walks with the dog, going to the cinema for some genuinely good entertainment, enjoying playdates, exploring, dreaming up new adventures!

Since Cowgirl has a summer birthday (August) - the celebrations tend to get spread out over a long time, with her school party happening mid-July, then our family party yesterday, and one more celebration with an excuse for a reunion with Cowgirl's 'china sisters' next weekend. I love that she has a summer birthday, especially as we can have a very leisurely day when it falls on a weekday. And that's just what this Thursday will be --- Cowgirl will wake up to presents surrounding her on her bed, I'll make her favourite breakfast, and daddy will take the day off work so we can have a fantastic family day doing whatever she wants to do on the day.

Here are some random summer memories so far. But come back soon for some glimpses into Cowgirl's birthday celebrations and our favourite moments from the summer holidays!

Cowgirl and I take Bella (and sometimes Bella's doggy friends) to the seaside most days

so Bella and Cowgirl can have a swim. Cowgirl has collected so many 'treasures' from the seaside and she just loves the water. And I love how dogs are so protective ... both of them never strayed far from her side.

And then we often go in search of 'fairies' in the nearby woods. We found this door to a fairy's home and gently knocked, but the fairy was either not home, or sleeping. We decided not to disturb them!

Further long our travels, we caught a range of glimpses into Fairyland. And we even managed to capture this rarely seen image of a fairy's wing that was hung out on the fairy's line to dry! Cowgirl was amazed (she thought they used teeny tiny tumble dryers). ;o)

During the reunion of Cowgirl's 'china sisters' in early July (marking our 4th anniversary since becoming 'forever families'), we released a sky lantern which we had 'filled' with our wishes and heartfelt messages for our daughters' birth families back in China.

The lantern took off beautifully, making its way to China with hope and grace.

Carrying the sentiments in our hearts --- a long, long way.

E xxx