We had an awesome opportunity to visit Zoo Atlanta and it was a wonderful experience. In addition to the great variety of animals - including giant pandas - they have a really fun kids area. Both Nathan and Anthony were able to scale the rock wall - a very high one, actually - and ring the bell at the top and we all got to take a cool train ride around the Zoo. Its a beautiful zoo with plenty of shady areas and exhibits. What a blessing to be able to see God's amazing creations!
The boys had a wonderfully wet time cooling off from the blistering Atlanta heat by playing in the Centennial Park fountains. The Park was created for the 1996 summer Olympic games and is really a beautiful place in downtown Atlanta. Every couple of hours the fountains are cleared and a choreographed fountain show set to music is performed. The boys enjoyed seeing the fountains shoot skyward during certain parts of the music. It was a real treat!
Wow! What a great week of Power Camp! Power Camp is an annual summer sports/performing arts outreach camp our church puts on. This is the second year the boys have participated and this year's theme was "Hold Nothing Back" based on Matthew 13:44. I was able to help lead Nathan's group this year and loved it. The children had Bible study each night and participated in baseball, basketball, soccer, and Taekwando tracts during the week. Over 150 kids attended this year and we are confident that God's word that was faithfully presented during Bible study, large group time, songs, and skits will not come back void. The pictures above show the children in each of the boy's groups, some of the friends they made, and the coveted Spirit Shark presented to a different group each night based on their enthusiasm. It was a wonderful week. To God be the glory!
This past week Nathan attended the YMCA Tennis Camp. It was definitely a new experience for him and he seemed to really enjoy it. He made new friends, learned new skills, and sweated an awful lot! The picture of the beaded necklace was an incentive/reward program the leaders do for the kids. When they notice the campers displaying a positive trait they award the camper a bead. Nathan earned beads for caring, politeness, responsibility, respect, honesty, and skills AND he earned a very special bead (the sea turtle in the picture) for overall good character and for always having a smile on his face :) We are extremely proud of him for trying something brand new and for having such great character!
What a great experience Nathan had at this year's Runner's Camp - what a wonderful ministry! Its put on by a local church and this year around 525 kids participated. Nathan learned all the track and field events - javelin, discus, shot put, long jump, high jump as well as all the running events. At the end of the week they have a track meet and they get to compete in different events. This year Nathan placed 2nd among 8 year olds for shot put and also performed well in the 100 meter, 400 meter, and hurdles. Even Anthony and Noah got to run in the Sibling Run and receive yellow ribbons. We are so proud of all of our boys!
Can't believe the annual 4th of July Bike Parade is here again! I feel like we just did it :) This year both Nathan and Anthony could ride without training wheels and Noah could peddle the entire way! The parade went through historic and beautiful Wake Forest, around the seminary, and ended with Arts in the Park at Holding Park. We visited the ice cream truck and then walked the long way back to the van. The weather was incredible and we thank God for another fun parade!
Here in the Santos household getting your first suit is a big deal :) Papaw bought this suit for Anthony a while back, but it was a little too large. He has since grown and Daddy did a little adjusting to make it just right. Anthony was beyond excited to wear his new suit to church and probably more excited to "look like Daddy". Isn't he adorable and aren't we blessed to have him as part of our family!