A Day in Ukraine

Our days have fallen into a routine now that the paperwork is out of the way. Natasha (translator) is only coming back on Monday, we seem to be getting along fine with communication and the bonding is coming along very well.
We are up early and Igor arrives at 8am to drive us to the orphanage where Nastya goes to school until 2:30. The drive takes about an 45 minutes there and back. We come back to our apt. and hang out till about 11am and than walk to the market(love the out door market) or store to pick up anything we need or just look around. We stop at the internet cafe for about an hour. Igor picks us up and we go back to get Nastya.
When we arrive the children are usually singing in there class. Most of the children know who we are now and will come and talk with us. They are so sweet, always well dressed and polite, even though it is so sad they live here, they are fortunate to have good care takers and teachers as many orphanages are not so lucky.
Nastya usually comes quickly and grabs our hands and heads for the macheena (car)as she calls it. We stop at a park on the way home for 15 or 20 minutes to play and go home or for groceries.
Once home we get the cards out and she whoops us, game after game till supper. After supper she likes a video on the DVD player usually russian fairy tales or english barbie. Than she makes the swim signal which means time for the tub where she plays for an hour. Our reading lessons come next :)and than bed time.
It has been wonderful to have had so much time without any distractions. We don't have a tv or computer at the apartment so all our time is together and I think by the time we come home she will trust us to be able to be mom and dad.

Debbie

Comments:
YDG... great to hear from you, I can't wait to bring Nastya in to see you all when we get back. We will have some pictures to show also. Sorry Karen P, but I am having trouble convincing Nastya to go with the name "Karen". I think it will be Anastacia in Canada as that is the only name she will answer to except Nastya.

Annonymous... We are still working on that riddle, if anyone can figure it out let us know.

Kelly.... Nastya has added hockey to her english words, she recognizes the hockey player on her cards. Say hi to all the gang home. Was thinking of Randy and his Tarp skills (Kedji) this morning as we were going through a sea of tarps over the market. If he is ever out of work???

Bea... Glad you like Ryans CD, he has some at CD plus and also FJ d'eons.

Keith and Candace... When we talk to Lesya on the cell we have to hold it out from our ear as she talks so fast and loud. Her famous saying is " It's not your problem it's my problem, don't worry about anything" so far she has not let us down.

Debi & Harland... you were right girls are very different than boys. When she is on her knees with hands praying in front saying poleeeese, it's hard to say no.

Our Boys and Kim.... Love you all, missing you, hope you are getting along fine.

Mom & DAD... Keep the home fires burning. We are sooo going to miss superbowl Sunday. If you all get together, Randy is betting on the colts.