You experienced a typical 4th of July, minus fireworks, with some American friends. That is great.
I never kept my kids from hanging out with us adults, unless other kids were present. I think it has helped them mature and prepared them for adulthood. Of course my boys learned words they shouldn't have at a young age too.
:D
I was talking to a friend yesterday about swearing, as her kid swears like a trooper at 13. However, they say that people who swear are generally smarter ;)
Well, I don't know if that is true, but my oldest is a chiropractor and youngest is kinda sharp too, so maybe there is something to it :-)