Plant Sitting and No Hot Water

Our favorite babushka is away for a little while so she asked if we could water her plants for her. This is so exciting for me as I have never really been in a real russian apartment (the kind you see in the russian tv shows and the kind we were thinking we would be getting) You almost feel like you've had a little too much to drink and aren't seeing things quite right as the big floor rugs are hanging on the walls. Our babushka has 3 rooms which are all set up the exact same. A little bed (sort of couch but no back pillows) and a big bookshelf along the other wall and a big rug on the floor and a big rug on the wall. I thought I wouldn't like it but I do like it. Just like the mullets:) I am getting into this. It really looked kind cozy and warm and almost fancy if you squint your eyes and imagine it is an expensive hotel or something. well anyway thought you would like to see it too. Her apartment is the exact same layout and size as ours but just the decorations make it feel so completely different than our place. maybe we should take turns studying in her place, might make the russian come faster in a more natural setting. it is so quiet over at her place too:) Maybe our new home will look a bit more like this.
What else is new.... We had some crazy thunderstorms (even with hail) yesterday but otherwise it has been very pleasant out. I've found a group of russian ladies and their kids that gather (not intentionally) everyday at a park not too far from here. I've "joined" in their little group twice now- plan to everyday that I can now. They love having me around, guess my funny russian and strange family situation (a husband! and three kids! no babushka! no nanny! homeschool?!) adds a little to the conversations. They mentioned that Josiah and Hudson were twins so I said "no, not twins". Then they said "they are of the same age" "no different ages" I said to which they said "they were born in the same time" and on and on finally asking me again "they are twins right?!?!" They really thought I just didn't understand what they were saying so they kept asking it different ways. Finally after much convincing they believe me though I bet next time they go they will ask me again if they are twins- they might think my russian will have improved over the weekend:)

Another funny thing that we talked about is David:) Part way through a conversation one of the ladies asked me if my husband was tall and beautiful- I said yes!. Then she said that "they know who he is.... he is the tall, beautiful man that speaks russian and english and plays in the other playground with his 3 kids." Kind of neat eh.... David is famous amongst the moscow moms. I love saying he is my husband!
Oh. ya this is new too. We have no hot water- we missed out on this part of the summer last year because we were home in Canada. Every summer the hot water is turned off for a month while they do a yearly routine checkup or something like that. We had our last shower this morning. We should be able to have another shower before we head out to Finland around July 22nd:) At first it is kind of fun boiling the water and filling up the tub but I'm sure after 20 days I will not be enjoying it so much. It is strange to be living in such a huge city with millions of people and there not being any hot water. Especially when the rent is so high.
Anyway, things are good, thanks for checking in on us...

Just wanted to pass on that Vanya posted from New York, so glad that he is there safe and having a great time. Fun to read his first impressions of american culture. I bet most of us would find NYC pretty strange too though. Colorado should be less strange for him- I think:)

all three in one picture

We miss you Vanya....

It is our first day without Vanya around. Last night after Vanya left Emma was quite upset- she cried herself to sleep even. It won't be the same around here without Vanya. He has been like a big brother to the kids and they love him so much. Josiah is sitting here with me right now and he just said "i wanna hug banya all day" :(
Vanya should be arriving in New York pretty soon. His mom is a little nervous- well maybe quite a bit nervous. Please keep him in your thoughts, that he would have an easy time travelling and especially that he would meet just the right people who will take good care of him as he makes his way to his summer job in Colorado.
I put a little video together (below) of some of our times with Vanya here in Moscow so that when we really miss him and just want to see him we can at least watch the video:) It is Vanya's favorite song right now.

bye bye Vanya

Today is an emotional day (well if you know me you know that I am never really very emotional) but even if I don't show it much today I am sad- sad because Vanya leaves for America early tomorrow morning so this is our last day with him for who knows how long. He has been such a huge part of our lives here that I can't really imagine not having him around. Last night when he left our house we said our usual "da zaftra" meaning "till tomorrow" and we were saddened thinking how strange it was to be saying that for the last time:( We have been saying till tomorrow almost everyday for the past two years. Usually Emma looks forward to Sundays (the day when she gets to go to her little sunday morning class and usually McDonald's afterwards:) but this is one week that she was always saying "oh no!!- only 4 days left till sunday:(" Josiah and Huddy won't understand right now but I'm sure in a few days they will be asking for Banya and looking out the window for him to come. I'm sure it will take the kids awhile to stop shouting "Vanya's Here" everytime our doorbell rings... We Love you Vanya! Thanks so much for loving us, teaching us (more than just the russian language), trusting us and being our friend.
Please keep Vanya in your thoughts especially this week as he gets settled in Colorado and gets used to being in America- it will be very different for him to say the least.... I sure hope they take good care of our Vanya...
(the picture is from yesterday- Vanya took David to the Kremlin)

Emma's Drawings

It's been awhile since I've put on some of Emma's drawings- I guess that is because she was stuck in a real rut. The only thing she would ever draw is princess pictures- sleeping beauty, snow white, cinderella, belle and on and on. But as I was looking through the pictures she has done in the last few weeks (since turning 6:) I can see she is out of that rut and thinking about other things besides princesses.... the last one is really good don't you think:)? There were quite a few like the first two so I just picked two of them to share.

Nature within walking distance...

We had no idea before but not too far from us is a beautiful park with a river and forest and interesting playgrounds. Last night Vanya took us for a walk and we had so much fun. I loved the smell of the woods and the kids loved playing at the new playgrounds. This weekend Vanya leaves for Colorado:( We will miss him soooo much but we are very excited for him- I think he will have a great time in America. It will be so strange for us here in Moscow without Vanya. He has been like part of our family and we won't feel quite complete without him I think. But even if he wasn't leaving now we would soon be leaving him anyway. I am so glad he started a blog so we can keep chatting and see what he will be doing. To see it click here. I think I might make more mistakes in English than he does:) Two years is definitely enough time to make some really good friends...
I will be changing our blog to a different address in a few days so keep checking. We will be cutting back on some information perhaps but all the old archives and things will be there so don't panic (mom:) that it will all be lost.

Happy Father's Day!

We have been pretty busy lately- so busy that I almost forgot about Father's Day:) (which wouldn't be too tricky to forget seeing as it isn't Father's Day here in Russia). We had a busy day (though very fun) and now it is almost not Father's Day anymore and I am just trying to think of something to do for it:( I just called to david before he drifts off to sleep to wish him a Happy Father's Day... I know it is the kids who really are supposed to say that or is it the wives too? Anyway, I didn't call you dad, I suppose I could now but I am really ready to sleep. I love you Dad- I love that you are fun and easy going and gentle. Living in russia makes you really appreciate the majority of Dads back home. We only know one Russian here in Moscow that has a dad that they still know well and have a good relationship with. (and he isn't from Moscow so maybe he shouldn't count). We come from a different culture, one where it is pretty normal to have a dad who does things with you (though I know it often doesn't quite work like that even at home) and I think I take it for granted. I love walking a few steps behind David when he is pushing the double stroller just so that I can see the delighted onlookers at this strange sight- a man and his kids- especially rare seeing as there are 3 little ones. Anyway- I am a lucky woman. I'll post again tomorrow- too tired to type tonight:)

Grandpa Peter

A couple of days ago my Grandpa Peter passed away:( It doesn't seem quite real to me yet. It was like that when Grandma Inga died too. It wasn't until I went to back home and to their house this past summer and she wasn't there in the kitchen anymore fixing something for me to eat that it really sunk in that she was gone. It seemed so lonely without her there at the house but at least Grandpa was still busy working in the garden. Now it will really be lonely when I visit their house once again someday and even grandpa won't be out in the backyard taking care of his tomatoes and strawberries. This picture was taken last June 10th on Emma's birthday- almost exactly one year ago. That is Huddy in the picture but I just noticed as I started writing this that Josiah is wearing that shirt today- the boys haven't changed much so it is hard to realize that Grandpa Peter has.
I will miss seeing grandpa smiling at the little ones- he really loved the kids, he loved us all. I will miss him a lot. Living here in Russia and getting to know the culture has helped me know Grandpa Peter better in a way. He is Ukranian so a lot of his culture is the same as here. I now understand why he ate so differently from the rest of us. He didn't like it all on the plate at the same time- he would have a little veggies or a little soup and then a little potatoes maybe and then some meat and so on. If you go to a russian restaurant here you order about 3-5 plates per person. a salad plate(sliced cucumbers, tomatoes maybe or some pickled things), a plate of mashed or boiled potatoes, a meat plate, a soup, a plate of bread... they even like a little glass of Kefir with their meal (like he liked his little glass of buttermilk:) And I think I also understand his character better now too. He Loved his family and was very serious about it- he didn't take things lightly in my opinion. Russians are not the friendliest or easiest going people at first- they aren't ready to open up to strangers quickly but after they trust you and know you really are seriously interested in them and know that you aren't just using them they will do anything for you- they take responsibility for you and will not let anyone mess with you. I think Grandpa was kinda like that. He didn't want to trouble anyone, he didn't like to draw attention to himself. He loved to gather up videos for us all- if he saw a tv program that had to do with something one of us liked he would video tape the show for us. I imagine there is a huge collection by now in his room! I wish I had more time with him to get to know him even more but I am so thankful for all the times I had with him. I remember him always going down to the basement to find me some magnets and metal shavings to entertain me with. I remember how handsome and charming he was when I went squaredancing with him and grandma. I was so proud of my dancing grandpa- he was good at it:) And I remember the pride he had that is little granddaughter Erin liked radishes and beets and dill pickles. and then the pride he had when his little great grandaughter Emma loved his tomatoes. Living here in Russia makes me think of Grandpa Peter very often. I can picture him here. Well I could go on forever about all the things that I like about Grandpa Peter but I will just think about him some more without typing:) Please remember my mom and those who it is very real to right now.

something to read

Here is an article about Tuva/Russia that is kind of a good read. Tuva has the lowest life expectancy in all of Russia- I'm definitely middle aged there:) Moscow on the other hand has the highest life expectancy rate... though it still ain't so impressive. To read the article click here.

more tuva pictures

good music and pics

busy week

sorry no pictures- haven't taken any for a while but I will again soon hopefully. We are having a very busy week with team meetings and social gatherings. I love this kind of busy- I'm never too tired for another dinner party or another game night or another meeting (as long as I can fix the coffee and snacks for the meeting:). So I haven't been posting and probably won't again for another few days. Thanks for checking in on us though- we are doing very well:)
Another reason I haven't been taking pictures is that we got Emma a leappad thing for her birthday which requires 4 AA batteries so I gave her the 4 rechargeables that i rotate between for my camera which leaves my camera empty right now. We saw they have rechargeable batteries now at Ikea though so we'll have to head over there again. Emma spends way too much time on her leappad though I'm not complaining. She has learned quite a bit from it already and it certainly keeps her quiet for long periods of time. She has a few books that go with it but at some point I may have some of you send a few more books as she advances as they are not easy to find here and rather costly. Does anyone have ones that their kids have outgrown?
I may put on another Tuva video that has some good pictures on it that I found on youtube just so you have some visual this week:) It really isn't long now till we will be living there- hopefully by the end of next month we will be in the land of the throat singers...

Emma's 6th Birthday

Just thought I'd put this on as I'm getting the house ready for a little party for Emma. 6 seems so old! Didn't she just turn 5?!? Gotta go make some cupcakes...

Caviar Party

Last night we had some of our russian friends over so that they could meet the new american family. We had such a great time, lots of laughter and great food. David made blini (russian pancakes),we had cold boiled potatoes (which are supposed to be good to eat if you are having a lot of vodka which we didn't), we had dark chocolate, pears, cucumbers, tomatoes, black bread and of course we had caviar. The red caviar was better than the black but still is not on my favorite list of foods:) Vanya was a great help rolling up the blini and getting everyone drinks etc. We really had a great time, we are very blessed to have such fun friends- I think we will have to do this again.... I didn't get many good pics so you don't get to see the whole gang- guess I was too busy enjoying the party!

Baby Steven

Here is little baby Steven. I get to look after baby Steven every morning for the next two weeks as his mommy and daddy take the phonetics class (he even slept over once already). I am really enjoying this little guy (the kids love him too). he is lots of fun- very smiley. I'm sure I'll be taking more pics of him- give our kids a break from the camera:). He is 6 months now, just a little older than Huddy was when we first came to Russia. So now I know how fast this little guy will grow up while they are here in Moscow learning Russian. He is having a little sleep right now and my 3 are watching a russian movie. I'm gonna go do a few things around the house (funny i always say around the house- guess i should say around the apartment:) and then he will probably be up and ready for his apple juice. Thanks for letting me take care of him B&J!

Run...

We don't often get exercise these days. Too much time in the apartment and then when we do go outside it is mostly just to the park where they run a little but mostly swing and teeter totter etc. So the other day we took them down to the track at a school and let them run. Huddy looked so cute running around and around the track. Something about a track just makes you keep going and going.

Before Supper

Huddy always comes into the kitchen when I am making supper, he gets very frustrated that it isn't time to eat as soon as I get in the kitchen. He usually is very unhappy while I make the food and eventually he gets sent to his bed until it is all finished and ready. But yesterday he was strangely happy sitting there patiently waiting for supper to be ready so I had to take a picture of him smiling before the meal- a rare moment.

Kongar-ol Ondar on David Letterman's Late Show

Soon we will live where this guy lives. Strange. Exciting. Yay!

Yay! It's cool!

We are finally out of that +30c spell. It is so nice to feel cool- almost cold today. (15 C I think) We had a great time exploring the woods around our apartment. I just put in a few pics of David on too just because I like him. I am reminded or I guess I think about what an amazing daddy (and husband) he is especially when I am outside with the kids and then they see him coming home and they take off running towards him. Huddy almost always trips and falls cause he is so excited (the ground here is not exactly smooth) I too felt like running up to him with a huge smile too but I didn't. why don't we adults do that... anyway... I think he was gone for 3 hours today- probably looked like we haven't seen him for days:)