Excursion

Above is a picture of Russ recieving a painting Lena did for him of a deer. She was so proud to give it to him, it was her first attempt at painting a deer.

Today we had permission to take our children on an excursion. We traveled to a really nice recreational center called ICE AGE. There was an ice hockey rink that the kids had a great time skating at. There was also a cafe there with good food at a great price. Russie your dad says the sushi there was better than at home. There was also a bowling alley and 3D Movie theater at the same place. We didn't have time to bowl or see a movie, but it is a great place that we would recommend taking your kids. It was newly built just a year and a half ago.

After the recreation center we went to the outdoor market to shop for rugs. Lena had ask that we get her group a rug as a gift from her rather than individual gifts for the girls as we did when we adopted Ana. So we went shopping for a rug so she could pick it out. The girls were so excited when they saw it, they rolled on it, giggled and took their pictures with our camera while on it. They kept saying over and over thank you thank you thank you very much. Lena was so excited to see their appreciation, she enjoyed so much being able to do something kind for them. She kept hugging me and thanking me for making the girls happy. Even the teachers were excited they sat on it and ask for a group picture with them on it.

The boys were a different story. The orphanage director had told Syvette that they really needed carpet for the boys room, so we had Eddick and Dema pick out a rug for the boys room. They selected a really great rug, but didn't seem real excited about it, we weren't sure why but we found out once we got back to the orphanage. First they were locked out of their area and no one would let them in even though the teacher was inside also. We had to get another teacher to get the boys to let them in. When they saw the carpet they thanked us, but there was no enthusiasm like the girls displayed. This group of boys has alot of really tough little guys, emotionally tough. It is actually very sad, it is as if they are preparing for life on the streets outside the orphanage, they are getting hardened, getting prepared for what lies ahead. It was hard for me, their response, but I have to understand they are preparing to survive outside the orphanage and being soft will not work. Lena was upset by their response, she walked away into the hall and had tears in her eyes she said, "It's ok mama, girls very happy, go see girls." and she took my ahnd and led me back to the girl's dorm room. There the entusiasm was still building. Dema, Eddick and Artur stick together like glue, it will be hard for Artur to seperate from them when we leave. I am so thankful Joe that your family is coming for him soon. There are boys here who are so innocent and sweet who need rescued there are others who are preparing to make it on there own.

The rugs were put in a seperate area until our court date. The children have to wait until after then to accept any gifts. We were told it would not be appropriate to give them the gift before then. Thr rugs were a good choice as the cement floors are cold for the children to sit on.

We also made a trip to McDonalds today after the market. McDonalds is always a favorite for the kids.

We still have not been able to get the kids their coats. We were told we have to wait until Saturday and the orphanage director will meet with us and Syvette.