Trick or Treat (Daddy!)

Harry Potter (yes, those are his 1-day-old glasses!) and Harry the Pumpkin.

 This is Violet (of the Incredibles) the Princess Cat. (I just do the painting, don't hold me responsible for the design!) She wanted a very happy pumpkin, not scary at all.

 

Angry Wolverine cut  his gourd himself, and wanted another one to look scarier.

No trick-or-treating, no fall festival, but at the last minute I decided to carve the cooking pumpkins and let the kids dress up. When Eric was in the elevator, the kids snuck out and came back to ring the doorbell. They were somehow very excited with this option. Too much fun for all--they didn't go to sleep until almost 11:00--and I can't blame the one piece of candy!

Shame on you!

"These children are rascals."

"I feel bad for all of their other teachers--the gym or music teachers."

"I am being honest with you, your children are very difficult to teach."

"Now I see why your kids are the way they are! You don't listen either."

"I had help from the parents of my previous class... no one here volunteered."

"I see, it's going to be just like it was with remodeling the classroom--no one is going to help."

"Well, I see I'll have to ask the previous class' parents, since no one here will offer to help."

This is a sampling of what Tima's teacher said  to the group of parents at the first parents' meeting this fall.  We have always heard that Russia's system of education is 'shame-based'. And we've had glimpses of it from preschool teachers and even Danya's teacher. But it was very interesting to see how it works with an old-school teacher. By the end of the meeting, she had a few grandmothers scolding her ("Now, that's not necessary!") but most of the young mothers were jumping to raise their hands to volunteer to write names on books and do projects for the teacher. And we had no idea how we could teach our children to sit still, listen to directions, and ask to leave the room to blow their noses. (One of her pet peeves is how many children have not been taught that it's rude to blow your nose in the room.) She had trained us well, and I'm sure will continue!

On the positive side, Tima is enjoying school. He has a few friends that he loves to see everyday. And his favorite times of the day are at the cafeteria (sweet porridge!) and gym (three times a week!) So far, we haven't heard that the teacher has criticized him at all. And he is surprising us with how open and talkative he is about everything that happens. So, we are continuing to intentionally build him up at home, as well as evaluating what is happening in the classroom.

September Highlights

A series of rainy days with fast-moving weather has given us spectacular rainbows. And made us grateful for every glimpse of blue sky (let alone sunshine!) that we are given. While I try to remember to enjoy the sun in Colorado, there's nothing like living without to make me grateful for every small gap in the clouds.

Because Eric and Lena were both sick this weekend, our planned team overnight at the Goz' dacha was canceled. The kids were very disappointed. They had dreamed of cooking over a campfire, sleeping in a tent, and ... well, a lot more. (Their proposal was that we hunt for all of our food.) We even found real American marshmallows at a grocery store. So, instead of a campfire, we roasted them over candles in our kitchen. Although it took patience and low expectations, the process was pleasing to all.

Instead of spending the day with our team at the dacha, the kids and I drove out to a family's house out of the city. It's the first time we've visited friends who live in a house in St Pete. (Well, not really, 'in' the city!) Though we met the Rivers last spring, we've never gone to their home. Their two boys are both older than ours, but are very good playmates. We had a great day of grilling hot dogs (on a grill, not a campfire) playing in a big house, picking apples and berries off the trees. I enjoyed digging bulbs out of Christine's garden--I love playing in the dirt. She has an amazing spread of berry bushes, flowers, and an incredible vegetable garden, with two greenhouses. One of them shelters grapevines! It was the perfect time to visit--the hardest part was leaving!

Ella's First Day of Preschool- Year 2

Ella enjoyed meeting her new teacher, Natalia Grigorevna. She is very young--quite a contrast from last year's experienced Nadezhda Vladimirovna. But I'm happy that Ella only has a 7 syllable name to learn! None of our kids have ever had teachers with less than 8 syllable name-patronymic combos. And that is how they address their teachers.  There are few students in the group yet--about 8 total, though there will be 15 eventually. Three kids are new, and so far, they are all very nice! Ella loved her first day, and loved her teacher. She said there were no 'yuck duck' things from preschool at all!! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Ella's teacher has a daughter who is two. She was in her own 'nursery' group at the preschool for two hours. But she spent the rest of the morning in Ella's group. 

 

 

 

But the second day, her new teacher was not there. A woman who was Tima's teacher last year often subs in for the off-days, and she was there. Ella started whimpering right away. And by the time she was ready to go in, she was full blown crying and clinging. Eventually, she did go to her teacher's embrace. I was impressed the teacher would hold her. I don't know why Ella doesn't like her. But Tima told me that the teacher did yell a lot in his class. However, Ella ended the day saying that it was wonderful. And her new teacher promised to be there every morning for the whole next month!

Tima's First Day of School

All ready, with required flowers!

The boy next to Tima was in his preschool class. He knows two other boys in his new class.

Speeches were thankfully shorter this year. But Tima was sad that a few traditions were missing. The 1st years didn't get the banners to wear announcing their 'first year' status. And no button with their class. And, the 11th graders didn't  'escort' the 1st years to their classroom as happened for Danya. Tima did well listening, watching, and said that it wasn't too boring.

But when balloons were released, and one group was entangled in a tree, Tima kept looking backward to see them.

Finally, in the classroom. His teacher didn't have the parents come in to watch anything--just quick photos, then she corralled everyone out and closed the door! But Tima reported that after drawing a picture, writing their names, then they played a 'Name Game' with a beach ball. That seemed fairly hopeful to us, that his teacher is investing in the kids feeling comfortable and knowing each other.  He actually finished the day and said, "That was fun!"

So far, we are so grateful for many answered prayers. Tima, though scared, was excited to go. His teacher seems okay, and he has a few known classmates.

Now, on to day 2, and so on, and so on. From our previous experience, the excitement of day 1 wears off, and then the real prayers are needed!

Preparing for School

School Uniforms
         White button down shirts, one that fits, one to grow into, $20
         Black pants- $10 cotton, too heavy for every day?
         Clip-on tie, and spare $10
         School shoes, nice black shoes with no laces!
         Gym shoes (Nike soccer shoes on sale! $15)
        New backpack- Clone Wars, to bring a smile!

        Green Blazer 1900rubles- $60, ordered too late for 1st September start date,

        Dry-cleaning of old blazer to use until Sept 15th -290rubles- $10

        Wool-blend black pants - 900r $30

         Hemming of new pants - 280r $10

School supplies

       School textbooks and work books- purchased through the school  1400r ($45)

       2 exercise books with graph paper, 2 with diagonal lines. $2

       4 colors of pens, pencils, colored pencils, pencil sharpener, eraser, ruler ?

       many many many more clear plastic book covers (bought a few at a time)
       2 more sets of colored pencils, because we had no orange pencils in our collection.
       preschool supplies-- a list hotly contested by the parents, totaling about $100.

Remodeling of Tima's classroom 1400r ($45) on accounting sheet. Another 1600 ($55) requested... perhaps due to some parents lack of agreement to pay.

Flowers for teacher (required by custom!) $20 for each child.

    

 

July photos

We were so blessed to have our teammate Lena stay two nights with us. And our former teammates, the Huddlestons, came for a day as well. Such delight to be together!

MTI's Debrief and Renewal Program was a four-day rest and retreat for our whole family. The best part was the childrens' program. One of many activities was the transplanting of flowers--to illustrate what a person goes through when they move from culture to culture. So far, our kids (and their impatiens) are thriving, despite their recent chaotic environment. Hopefully the fall won't kill us as it will do the flowers!

After watching The Princess Bride, our kids reenacted the fighting scenes. Tima played Wesley (who he calls the Ninja man.) Danya played the various opponents, even the giant. And Ella alternated between the Princess (above) and the "Inconceivable!!" man.

This summer we have seen many people for the first time in 10 years! Above is our CC friend Kaleyke (Rachel) and her husband and daughter. It was a delight to see them, finally!

Family gatherings with first and second cousins, many friends and faithful supporters who we haven't seen for  years. It has been a busy summer. This is a record of where we have slept in the last two months:

Bundy parents
Coe parents
hotel- Amarillo
Boyds
Jeff and Amber
Hudds
Uncle Reggie and Aunt Becca
hotel-Pueblo
A&J Miller
Coe
Thiessens
DAR retreat
Thiessens
Coe parents

and the next three weeks:
Almontes
Glenwood hotel
Colemans
Coe parents
Bundy parents

Aug 12th, we leave for our own beds! Very mixed emotions about that right now... the summer is going way too fast.



more photos of all of our fun!

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May in Colorado

 We landed in Colorado May 16th, after the easiest trip ever. Travelling with all our children four and older is wonderful!! We highly recommend it.

The first week was spent with family and recovering from jet lag. Then, we began seeing friends and supporters. We enjoyed the swimming pool with our nieces, and the restful rural/suburban environment where our parents live. Above, we enjoyed baseball with the Dupras, while the youngest members played inside

 

 We enjoyed a home gathering of our church in Boulder, reuniting us with some of our kids' longest term friends--the McCulloughs.

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 And we enjoyed breakfast with a high school friend and her family! It was so good to reconnect with Heather (Stock) and Steve Stock, and their three boys.

Danya is Nine!

Since I forgot to color the frosting, he dripped colors on it himself and swirled to make a very interesting pattern.

The day before his birthday, six classmates joined us to ice skate at Megamall: Pasha, Sasha, Sonya, Erik, Elya, Ksyusha,

Yes, he actually turned nine two weeks ago. But just received his gift! He's been counting the days, then the hours until the long-sought Boba Fett ship arrived. And though it was more complicated than any LEGO set he's ever done, in a few hours it was put together.

So, thank you Grandma and Grandpa, for joining with us to get him an unexpectedly amazing gift! And all the more so, having anticipated it for two weeks.

Tima Shines for Women's Day