One year mark!

Well, a year ago, yesterday,we left Kyiv and flew to JFK. Today has been a year since we arrived home to Virgina. I can't believe its already been that long. I can remember it like it was yesterday. I don't know how we did it, somehow we were able to understand each other, or at least communicate, a little bit, what was wanted or needed. It seemed like forever that I carried around the English-Russian dictionary so I could show Kristina one word to try to get across what I was trying to say. Now she can't even read most of the Russian words, which is sad. They have learned most of their English thanks to the Disney channel, especially 'Hannah Montana'. Kristina is reading short books and John and I can no longer 'spell' words so the kids don't know what we are saying because Kristina can figure out the words.

I have noticed a big difference this summer in running errands. Last year I could go to multiple stores and not even hear any complaining, now they want to know how many stores we are going to, how long it's going to take, and if I'm going to buy them anything. I guess at the beginning we had to buy everything for them so everytime we went to the store they got so much. There have been times I just want to go by myself in the evening if John is home because I can fo through the stores so much faster.

Today I took the girls to the beach, along with my sister Allison. (John played at the house with Michael and took him out to lunch.) This was the first time the girls had been to the beach to 'swim'. They had no concept of how easily they could be pulled out by the waves. Since there were quite a few waves we didn't go in much past our ankles. We did see a lot of dolphins and a crab who was running along the shore line. The girls enjoyed trying to build a sandcastle and just running around in the sand.

Later in the evening for dinner we went to Red Robin to eat. They all love to go out to eat. They are starting to learn which restaurant is which, and they are always asking 'have we been there before'. They love going to McDonalds, (which used to be the yellow M), and Chik-fil-a if they have a play area. They like almost every kind of American food now, although Kristina always prefers the salad bar if there is one.

Mom x3

More Disneyland Pictures

arriving at Disneyland

Matterhorn line Tea cups


Big Thunder Railroad

Jungle Cruise

Watching a parade

On a roller coaster

Michael in Toontown End of the day

Lazy Summer Days

I was told Dennis was tired of looking at the cake picture, so Dennis this is for you. These are pictures of the latch hook rugs which you guys gave us. They sit in the girls room on the floor on either side of the dresser. They love them. Michael loves to play with the John Deere tractors. Of course, as you can see the jungle is right next to the farm, which is next to the race track, but he loves it all.

Not much has been going on these past few weeks. Kristina was going to go to summer school, (she even went the first day before we left for California), but they wouldn't let her come back because she was going to miss more than three days. During the day the girls love to color and watch TV. Michael loves to color also and play with whatever is his favorite toy of the day. We go swimming in the pool at John's mom's condo complex a few times a week. One day I'll take the camera with me, but I don't want it to get wet. Kristina is doing very well with her swimming and doesn't use a jacket at all. Luba needs to wear the jacket when she goes to the deeper end. She is doing well swimming in the three feet without a jacket. Michael wears a jacket at all times. He has no fear of the water. He even dove into the three feet one time, he went way under but didn't hit the bottom because he had the jacket on. Of course this resulted in him sitting out of the pool for a few days, I think he learned his lesson. They also enjoy riding bikes and we've gone for walks around the neighborhood after dinner.

We make weekly trips to BJ's and Wal-mart. I have to try to stick to my list or I would end up buying so many things we didn't need. I also have to check to make sure items haven't just mysteriously appeared in the cart.

John and I went to see the new Indiana Jones movie, (it was not worth it), with Allison and Brian about a week ago. Aliens in Indiana Jones, Please!!!!!! We took advantage of the fact that we had a sitter and also went to Cold Stone and Starbucks after the movie. Hey, it was only the third time we've gotten a sitter.

Last Friday, Michael decided he was going to shave using Kristina's razor. (I happened to be outside with an irrigation contractor at the time.) Kristina came running out saying Michael had 'blood coming out!' He had cut into his lower lip, there was blood on his shirt, the floor and the toilet. They had gone through a whole roll of toilet paper, putting it all in the toilet, which then became clogged. I had to hold pressure for 10 minutes before the bleeding stopped. We went to the ER just to make sure he didn't need a stitch. Michael loved the attention. He ended up having the laceration glued together, which then meant no swimming for a week till the glue dissolved. He has not been happy about sitting out and watching everyone swim. I suppose he won't try to shave again until he has hair to shave.

I am so excited, I have gotten all the needed school supplies already. Also, the kids have all gotten new shoes for school. Michael's shoes are blue and orange.

Mom x3

Two Anniversaries

Today we celebrated two anniversaries. Per the court order in Ukraine we became parents July 5, 2007, so this is the kids first anniversary. Also our 7th wedding anniversary is July 6th. I'm not sure the kids fully understood what their anniversary meant, but as they get older it will mean more and more to them. (Many people say they celebrate the child's 'Gottcha date', not sure if this would be the day of the court order or the day we actually took them out of the orphanage for good, which was July 20th. It is probably the latter, but we celebrated today anyway.)

We had John's parents, Cliff, Kathy, Kendall, Allison, and Brian, (my parents are still in CA), over to eat. We were able to cook hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill before it started raining. Of course, we were done eating the meal, we enjoyed cake and ice cream.

Mom x3

Relaxing and flight home

Yesterday morning we sat around my Aunt and Uncle's house to relax. They have a long driveway which has an orange tree, lemon tree and peach tree. Kristina, Luba, and Michael all enjoyed picking oranges and I have no idea how many peaches they each ate.

For lunch John wanted to eat Mexican which shocked me since he doesn't ususally like to eat it. I quess there was the thought that since we were closer to Mexico it may be more authentic food. Well this place was very upscale and expensive. The beef tacos were little squares of steak and the tacos didn't have cheese. But hey, we can say we tried it. After we ate we walked around a little out door mall. There was a chandelier hanging over the street and John, (being the lighting man), had to have a picture.

For dinner everyone, (13 people) went out to SoupPlantation to eat. Then we went to be early since we have to leave at 4 AM to get to the airport.

This morning we arrived at the airport at about 5 AM for a 6:30 flight, by the time we got our luggage checked and went through security we didn't have much time to spare. The kids slept the whole first flight which was 3 1/2 hours. We arrived home at 8 PM. Boy was it good to get home. It is so much more difficult to travel trying to watch out for three kids as opposed to just John and me. The kids really did have a good time though. Hazel was very excited to see us and followed me everywhere.

Mom x3