Early Spring! (forgot to post a few months ago!)

 This has been the strangest winter we've experienced in St. Petersburg. We had a few weeks of snow in early December, and then two weeks of frigid temps in late January. Other than that, rain and darkness. However, we are enjoying the earliest spring ever in Russia--with temperatures above freezing starting in February! Although many days we have a freezing wind, we have enjoyed more sunshine in the last few weeks. It actually feels like spring.

Ella has been sick a lot, with a nagging cold and daily headaches. She actually missed her birthday at school--but I had to go teach Tima's class for the last hour, and brought her along to celebrate with her class. Here, Miss Lyuba presents a cake that our generous friend, Ani Toncheva, made!

To me, there is nothing worse than rain dissolving the snow away. But my kids wanted to take a picture of the interesting pattern the rain created under the swing.

The river in front of our building is thawing. I'm amazed at how long it's taken--we've had temperatures above freezing for weeks now. I took this photo on Monday, and by Thursday, the river is clear of ice.

Flashback to January--Ella was very excited for her first trip to the Hermitage, on a frigid day during our brief winter.

Touring the City

Our friends sent a Flat Stanley to tour Saint Petersburg. Though we've lived here over five years, we don't explore the tourist sites much. But today, Tima's teacher got married in the center. He helped usher and sang with his class. Then we spent the afternoon in the part of the city that most people travel here to see. 

And thought we'd share our (and Stanley's) adventures with you.

Stanley witnessed the wedding vows at the German Lutheran Church.

Across the street is the Kazan Cathedral

Down  the canal which runs along Our Savior of the Blood Cathedral.

Picnic on the grass. Stanley is hiding by the chips and soda.

Baseball on Mars Field

The police were out in force for a small protest on the other side of the field. I guess they were expecting a lot of trouble.
Ella and I went as close as we felt was prudent.  Which you'll be happy to know, was very far away. (Some of the paddy wagons are just visible here.)

Enjoyed some strange and beautiful percussion-bowl music, and ice cream, on the way home.