No, not Friday!

We went to bed a little earlier last night at 10:00, so getting up at 7:00 gave me nine full hours of sleep. John was up before 8:00 also having slept well. When he’s awake, though, his lower back has been quite uncomfortable. He cooked omelets for breakfast. He’s a good cook and attentive husband!

We were at the orphanage just before 10:00. Dennis was quickly brought for us with no hesitation on his part. Nick was at music so we found a place outside – same area we started yesterday afternoon and then vacated thinking another group wanted it. This time, when Nick came out with his group, they stayed in that area near us. Bill, Sue and Losha were just on the other side of the bush and play equipment behind us. The proximity of Nick’s group led to an altercation with one of his group-mates, Vanya. For the most part the other children were encouraged to keep their distance and play with the many toys that had been brought out and emptied from a cloth sack. When Vanya came over Nick had the drawing paper and a few crayons up on the bench next to John. He initially offered Vanya a crayon, but then vehemently objected when Vanya started to color with it. John intervened and Vanya had his chance to color, but he got clobbered a couple of times by Nick. John made him apologize, at least once, and we encouraged him to come and play on the blanket which was situated on the side of the bench away from the group. We assured him that the “machina” (truck) that we brought today was Nick’s, not Vanya’s, and that he had the privilege of the blanket, Vanya being told “nyet” (no), when he tried to cross that boundary. Nick tried to make the other children jealous too, showing off the truck and water bottles. We understood, but made him stop. Vanya may have a career as a lawyer someday, given the chance. He addressed John directly, and clearly was making the request, and then stating his arguments as to why he should/could be allowed to play with our other toys quite eloquently and with endearing passion. He was patting himself on the chest, tilting his head just so, using his most charming voice – oh to have that on video and know just what he was saying!!! John was not persuaded (but I was ducked behind Dennis chuckling) and when a few more of the group came over the caretakers called them all back. John retrieved the purple crayon from an unpleased Vanya who even refused to take his drawing with him. Nick, however, was now content to lie against Papa in peace.

Last night we prayed that the boys would grow in wisdom and stature. Do you suppose that is why Dennis tried to eat my flexible ruler today? It was pretty easy to get smiles from him today – cuddling, funny voices, raspberries or simple kisses on that marvelous bare belly (back to leopard skivvies for the entire group today). He did manage to eat bits of crayon when I wasn’t paying attention. I know that won’t hurt him, but I wonder what the caretakers will think of my parental diligence as they change his diapers over the next day or so . . . 

When Nick’s group cleaned up toys and headed in at 11:40 they called Nick, too. He wanted to take the machina, but we held on to it so he would have it this afternoon. He was as reluctant as we to have our time cut short, but we all acquiesced with many “paka”s (good-byes) as they made their way around the perimeter bushes. Dennis readily took Papa’s finger for the walk inside, and reached up when Papa reached down to lift him. When we got to his room it wasn’t his favorite caretaker who brought him into the room, and he actually looked reluctant, too. And today is Friday . . .

We took four Metro stops to Pushkinskaya Street to find the department store (Andrushka) Bill and Sue had heard about. It is a children’s store with strollers, car seats, clothes, toys of all sorts and even bubbles. We bought a hat for each of the boys and the last bottle of bubbles. We were looking for a few linens, but only saw stores for shoes (shoes, shoes everywhere), expensive clothing, purses and cell phones. We had dessert first on the way back to the Metro stop. It was very sweet peanut butter filling an ice cream cone with a layer of chocolate on top (two for 3 grevna, about 60 cents). Back at our Metro stop we went to the cafeteria for some kroshki (for those of you wondering, it has a milk base, and we find diced cucumbers, potatoes, chives, chicken, boiled eggs, dill and a hint of lemon). Never really thought I’d enjoy cold soup, but on these hot days I think I could eat it every day. That and a coke were actually all that John had. My appetite, however, doesn’t seem to dissipate in the heat, so I also had two cubes of beef with mushrooms and onions on the side, a tomato and cucumber salad, and a poppy seed-filled roll (only one grevna) with a Coke Light (or Coke “White”? The bottle is actually opaque.) Our Sasha, now in Kiev called to check on us and our plans for the weekend. He has the paperwork we need to proceed with the court date on Tuesday – hurray! By the way, court is closed Monday because of “Trinity” (Pentecost) on Sunday. Interesting.

We have noticed as we walk or while we wait that the older adults are much more likely to respond to “Zdrastfootya” (formal hello) than the younger people. The other day just as we left our apartment building I gave the formal greeting to an older man, then the informal “preevyet” while giving a little wave to his toy poodle. He seemed to think that was very funny, stopping to laugh and comment. I only know he repeated the “preevyet” looking down at the dog and back at me. I think it made his day.

We were back at 4:20, and both went for Nick first. It looked like they bumped him up in line so he could get a drink before coming outside. Then we let him lead us to Dennis. He likes to be in charge, and seems happy enough to include Dennis. Dennis was ready quickly, shoes and hat plus the skivvies. We camped out at the bench close to the main entrance. The sun was already behind the building so we didn’t have to worry about moving or providing bodily shields. It was also good to be away from all of the other children this time. Nick was most interested in the nearby sources of dirt, using the sand shovel and dump truck to move it back and forth, back and forth. We tried to keep him from destroying the small green plants that looked to be deliberately planted and weeded: tough job. Dennis had time with each Mama and Papa. He got bored, though, and wanted to go on an adventure (for a walk). Unfortunately it got cut short because Nick, fearing to be left out and running to catch up, wiped out and needed to be cleaned up, yet again. Nick remains fascinated by bugs, until he discovers one on him, then he is frightened. We said “Das vadanya” to many people who work there – outdoors, indoors as caretakers, administrators and probably cooks as they left for the day, perhaps for the weekend. Everyone was very friendly to us and the boys, some asking Nick if we were the mama and papa. Once Nick pretended he was going back inside. We asked “paka?” (good-bye?) and made very sad faces. He quickly changed his direction and said “no, later” in Russian. Too soon, however, it was time to take them back to their groups.
Nick managed to hold onto the Koala beanie. Since the caretaker allowed it so did we. After all, it will be a very long weekend apart, and we doubt he understood we won’t be there tomorrow. We tried to tell him “Monday”, but what does that mean to any three-year-old?

We walked back toward the Metro with Bill and Susan, exchanging phone numbers before stopping at the Billa grocery store. I stocked up on chocolate: comfort food and for anti-accidents, of course (maybe Nick needs some…) We also bought a few staples.


John’s back seems worse tonight than this morning. He did take some aspirin for our afternoon visit, but I’m not sure it helped much. We’ll certainly be able to take it easy this weekend. Plans include shopping for a few things, getting some digital pictures printed and church on Sunday.