More kids=more fun!

 When we got to the orphanage the younger kids were being entertained by the older group of dancers...I'm guessing it was part of their Christmas celebration.  Unfortunately, Dema had to go back to his group to complete his homework before he was allowed to come and play with us, so we used to opportunity to find Denis and Nastya.  Neither of them have been permitted to play with us, but it was good to see Denis healthy and out of the hospital!

I think Artur is becoming more comfortable with us--we are seeing him more often and for longer stretches of time.  He wanted to arm wrestle Mick and I--he ended up "beating"  both of us!!!


And, I think Nastya's face might be stuck!  My mother always said, "if you keep making that face, it will be stuck like that forever"  I don't think this was the face she was talking about though! 



 

 A strange phenomenon happened today, more kids showed up to play than normal--they were outgoing and eager to join in on our games and activities.  It just seemed odd that for the first time,  the caretakers didn't show up to shoo them off!  We were just glad that we were able to get to know so many kids beyond our group!

As we communicated with them, (can't really call it talking) we found out that each of them have 2 or 3 additional siblings in the orphanage with them...hmmm, could there have been an agenda behind allowing these specific kids to join us????

Momma had a great day with Dema--he spent nearly the entire 3 hours at her side playing!

Here is one of the new little girls that came to play, (Vola) she had a tough exterior, but the shell was easily cracked!  I got to do a couple word American word searches with her and teach her some English as we played. There was something about her smile that reminded me of my niece Lucy!

 Play Doh (I just learned how to spell this!!) is a great item to bring, the artistic kids create some amazing things, while the "less creative" kids (and adults) love squeezing, cutting, and rolling the stuff into balls!  I don't think these kids have ever had the opportunity to experience this little tub of joy!

We sure are enjoying our time with these kids!

The art teacher showed up tonight all gussied up!  Plenty of make-up, and a fancy dress...I told some of the others that I thought the kids might not be the only ones looking for an American family...guess I might have been wrong--Cindy said she was wearing a wedding band! 

Cindy was playing Bingo with a couple of our new friends.  Dan's sister Nastya was one of the kids that got to spend the evening with us... 

 AND...we finally got to meet Dan's oldest brother-- so we have met the entire family...our "source" was right!  This guy is 13, definitely the patriarch (which is a sad place for a 13 year old in my mind), but he never quit smiling!  It is official, this family of 4 kids is great!


We still haven't found out if they are eligible for adoption, but the way our evening turned out...we are guessing that they are!


We'll try again tomorrow to find out more information...

Nastya, Vika, and Vika ALL LOVE to pose for pictures...Cindy is excited for the first birthday to be celebrated in the US--she is suggesting a spa day type of party where these gals can be pampered, dress up, and have a photo shoot--they would be in their glory!

 I don't believe it, but there are no pictures of Tina!  Thanks for praying--all her problems have been addressed, she will be getting Dema's birth certificate tomorrow!

Nastya...

Vola....