Парк "Сосновка"

One of the biggest blessings of our new home is the large wooded 'park' nearby. We've enjoyed snow, snow and more snow so far. But today, the rain began. It's 36F (3C) and raining. So, after weeks of telling the boys, "We better enjoy the sledding because next week the snow might be gone," it will finally come true. On that note, yesterday I finally took some pictures.

Yesterday, Danya celebrated his 7th birthday! We made a day of it, spending the morning at the nearby Aquapark, and the evening with a few friends. It was low-key but fun for all!

And now, we’re moving! After a delightful month with the Huddlestons (see photo below for Chris reading the typical bedtime story to all five. How did the Birdsalls do it?) we are finally moving in to our new apartment today. The landlords have already had the furniture constructed, we’ve bought some groceries, and taken the kids to see the new place. I think another trip to IKEA and a big grocery store is needed, but hopefully we’ll be settled in soon!

If you want to see where in the city it is, check out this map: http://www.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=115934531538879988704.00045ba65e85b385ab881&t=h&ll=60.022925,30.370502&spn=0.002557,0.009613&z=17
However, we won’t have internet set up until at least Tuesday. Eric will be checking email often, and I’ll try to get to someone’s house occasionally, but don’t expect any responses for a few days!

Ella's Markers

Playpen time is usually without incident. Ella plays happily in her crib every morning for an hour or even more. But in a new environment, she's become more adventurous.

One day last week, she was very quiet, for a long time. I should have known.

And it turns out that Ella can reach the dresser and shelves next to her crib. She found Nate or Nick's pencil case.

Yes, her arms were covered, as well as lines into her mouth, nose and both ears.

A Flat!

This morning, we had the idea to see what two room flats were available in the neighborhood. This evening, we looked at one that we LOVE! It is in a new building, the tall one behind the Edings. It is remodeled beautifully, and no one has ever lived in it. The landlords are a young couple with two girls who live in the same building. They are taking us to IKEA on Saturday to pick out which furniture we want, and anything else we need!

It will be an adjustment to live with only two rooms. That's a one-bedroom in American terms. But Eric and I are ready to take the plunge to having a living-room/bedroom like most Russian families. And the kitchen is large enough for our family to all sit at a table--which was the one thing we weren't finding in the older buildings.

We'll move in March 14th, after the furniture is delivered. Danya is very happy that we get to stay at the Huddlestons' for his birthday on the 13th.

Life in St Pete at the Huddlestons'

Right outside the Huddlestons building is this very decent playground. There are at least five others within less than five minutes walk.

From that playground, the view of the huge forested 'park' across the street. It's the best part of this neighborhood. Old men on skiis, young kids learning to ski, sledding everywhere, and even a pond for skating. Last week, we took the kids there--it's about 10 minutes walk at their pace. Even Ella insisted on trying, though she had to wait for Tima to first get tired and give his up!

The Huddlestons beautiful, new building. The nicest I've ever experienced in Russia.

Coe kids cuddling on the couch in the morning. This red couch has a comfortable bed which Eric and I unfold to sleep at night. When Eric was in Moscow for three days, I didn't bother! And the kids still wanted to crawl in to cuddle in the morning.