We have arrived!

We left Nicholas on Wednesday morning with Aunt Chris and Uncle Nick.  Nicholas was excited to start his vacation as he referred to it while driving to their house - School spun it as a vacation since he won't be back for a while and that seemed to make him happy.  When he woke up he didn't want to eat breakfast at home but wanted to eat at Aunt Chris' house. We are sure he will be fine and Aunt Chris, Uncle Nick and David & Michelle have lots of fun activities planned so eh will be kept busy and on the go.

Our travels went as expected..................long, tiring and - long in case you missed it - it is a tough trip - 10 hour flight.........................then we went on to do our medicals in Moscow which  was the first stop on Thursday. What a racket that whole set up is but we got them done so onward to sit at the train station for 7 hours - we rented the room again which was so worth it otherwise you are just sitting and waiting - this way we could rest (I napped for about an hour) we ate and then the train was at 10:00.  We were EXHAUSTED and as soon as we got settled in our little car we went to sleep.....................waking up every few hours but at least we slept.  Train arrived and we were met by our coordinator and driver and off to a different hotel from the one we stayed at the last trip, they changed hotels due the hot weather - this one is smaller and our first room was going to be on the 5th floor (no elevator) so we got that changed to the 2nd floor,  first room had no AC so had to change rooms again which was fine.

We headed out to the orphanage prepared with lighted toys, balloons, balls, kid toy phones, beach ball and stopped at a store for some sweets.  We were prepared and expected the worse and of course the kids came into the room and although Angelina cried she sat right on my lap and Anthony plopped down on my lap as well (to be near his sister) and they both cried - it was decided we would bring them outside even though the weather is dreary they thought that would be best.  Out we went - Dennis with Angelina and I with Anthony.  Dennis and Angelina did GREAT - yeah he was with her and no crying or screaming & they were doing well from what I could see and hear or not hear.  Anthony was a challenge,  he cried, screamed and only wanted to run away back inside and not wanting anything to do with me............................finally I got him to go on one of those kid merry go round type things and he stopped crying.............actually at times he looked like he might dose off but he wasn't crying and wasn't running away so it was progress.  We walked around and met up with Dennis and Angelina who were doing great - he had her calling him Poppa and calling herself Angelina and they were playing together so we tried to get all four of us to play and it went nicely.........he would not go near Dennis but we all held hands Dennis, Angelina, me and Anthony so we have progress going on.  Our visit was over and everyone seemed very happy with our interactions and smiles were abound with our coordinator, the doctor and the kids who blew us kisses and waved when they went inside.

PROGRESS indeed!!!  We are relieved.......................................we will visit with them again at 4:15 this evening and do the same everyday.

DND