We’ve been staying inside for our morning visits, and enjoy showing her new and ‘wondrous’ things - like a crayon, stacking blocks, a little potty and diaper for a doll. It is fun to see how excited she gets; she seems to really appreciate both the toys and the attention she is getting. We can’t get over how long she is entertained by even the simplest toy.
The weather has been nice on most days, so we’ve been going outside for our afternoon visits. The baby house has a large, albeit-Soviet-era (!), playground. It is so cute to see her toddle along, and she’s got us trained to go to the activities to which she nods “da” (yes).
Another adventure in its own right… we did our first load of laundry. 7 hours and 2 blown fuses later, we had drip-dry (and hopefully clean) clothes. Each cycle takes 2.5 hours…the instructions are all in Russian and we have not been able to identify “quick cycle” yet.
Also including a pic of laundry day at the baby house.
Okay...I'm all caught up now. :o) I have thoroughly enjoyed reading about your visits with Lera (I love that nickname!! :o) ). She is just precious! I bet you just want to kiss on those sweet cheeks all the time! I'm glad things are going well. The pictures you've shared have definitely brought back some memories from our trip to Karaganda 6 years ago. Tell Vadim that Brad and Janet Ball say "Hello". Vadim is great...just a little shy/quiet at first. ;o) Ask him how his daughters are and tell him we think of them all the time. :o)
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your evening! Can't wait to read all the future blog posts!!
Sincerely,
Janet
wpajanet@yahoo.com
I think the second word down on the list to the left of the round knob on the washing machine is "delicate". Okay so that is the extent of my Russian ha ha. Enjoy your second honeymoon :-)
ReplyDeleteNo dryers?! Good thing it's just you two and not the whole family...or a whole baby house!!!
ReplyDeleteCole has a girl in his class, Laura Vilardo, who was adopted from Russia a year and a half ago. I told him to learn Russian from Laura so he can talk to Lera (a.k.a. Val). ...if Laura was a boy we'd probably have a better shot of this actually happening!
I miss YOU! I miss our coffee's...I'm lonely. I have soooo much to tell you. But you have bigger and better things on your mind now. Enjoy!
I haven't seen much written about any efforts to learn a little of Rooskie language? What's up with that? I am sure you're new daughter would get a big chuckle out of that!
ReplyDeleteGuess who posted; Jim or Mel?
Alison...I had yout washer translated...
ReplyDeleteThe left column reads:
Wool
Delicate
Synthetics
Cotton
The right reads:
Hand washing
QUICKLY 30 (!!!! thats the one you wanted!)
Rinsing + Spinning
Draining
Happy Laundering to you!
I apologize if this comes through twice..it didn't seem to appear the last time...more laundry assistance (from angela's friend Polina)On your left it says: (read from top to the bottom): wool, delicate, synthetics, cotton
ReplyDeleteOn your right it says: (read from top to the bottom): hand wash, fast wash 30 min, rinse and spin, flush
The yellow-green digit 12 in the black window stands for the time left till the end of the cycle
800- 600- 400 stands for spinning grade (to press out the water out of the items). The forth option is no spinning. The last one says delay (no idea why).
The next column is temperature 95C is about 155F - the last one says cold water.
If they want to do quick cycle I would pick the second option on the right side of the circle and use spinning 600 and cold water.
Wow - how'd you like to be responsible for that much laundry?? Not me! Cleaning up after Jim's continual food droppings on his clothes is enough fun for me! I'm not quite sure how he misses his mouth so often...
ReplyDeleteGlad it's the weekend soon. We are on a trend of great weathered weeks and lousy weekends, but we'll take them anyway. Hope to go camping over Memorial Day. Jim is going to Kris' next Friday through Sunday and then driving up to Cleveland for a few days. I love reading your BLOG; very cute! Lillian sent me my first grandmother Mother's Day card. She is already showing her artsy talent!
Alison here: Lisa, thanks for the laundry tips... after 2.5 hours per cycle, we are thrilled to learn of the "quickly 30" option!
ReplyDeleteJimMel... we are assuming that Mel wrote this post. Otherwise Jim is referring to himself in the 3rd person, a la Bob Dole... and also talking about dropping food on his clothes. Too young for that, Mountain Man!!
Hi Al and Russ,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the postings. Anne and Jane want to look at them everday after school. They love hearing about and seeing Lera. Anne is somewhat worried that I may want a cutie too. I told her not to worry, we can just visit Lera.
Wow, the Joy on her face when Russ is pushing her in the big stroller. Just think how much she will like Coney Island. Maybe the Big coaster at Kings Island, not so much. Anyways, know we are thinking about the three of you. Let any of the cargivers to please call me if they need any help with Krissy and Aidan besides my scheduled time.
Miss you,
Angie
You are so right - those slow, simple days in Kaz are to be treasured. I *love* the photo of Lera coloring - she is blossoming more by the day!
ReplyDelete