The Kid's Park...

Irina & Vova - we'd be lost without them!

The guns! Argh! The guys enjoyed as you can see!

More shootin' and then a ball toss...

Funky rope thing. The kid climbs on and parents shake it to make 'em, then the bounce house.

The weather here was beautiful yesterday afternoon. The thermometer said 28 or so, about 80 F. We took a walk in the afternoon, let Skip play in the playground, and walked to the store for ice cream. As promised, Irina & Vova took us to a kids playground/park for awhile before dinner. It was a collection of assorted kids activities. 2 Bounce houses were the highlight, and then there were a dozen or so miscellaneous play areas. Some swings, a motorized vehicle course - though only 2 were working, a small rock wall, some slides, some carnival type activities, a couple of trampolines, and last but not least, a shooting range. I didn't have my glasses on when we walked by it, and assumed it was something like the ones you see at Carnivals - pop-guns. I made the huge mistake of telling Skip he could try it. Soon as I did, Mike did a double take, and asked me if I was sure. Not knowing what the heck he was worried about, I said, "of course". Well, this wasn't any carnival game. They were pellet guns! Since I hate guns and forbid toy guns of any kind except for water guns in the house, it's easy NOW to understand Mike's reaction. Well I survived the ordeal, and Skip enjoyed - TOO much. He never hit the targets but Mike said he came close - I wouldn't know, I used the zoon lens to take pictures, but really didn't want to "see" him - if that makes sense. Trust me, you had to be here to get the full picture. Most of the rides/activities were pretty run down, but Irina said this was the last day of the season as they will close and prepare for their winter attractions -ice slides, and sculptures. We've seen several of these winter ice parks, and THEY are awesome! And usually free! Skip didn't want to leave of course, but it was very nice of Irina and Vova to take the time to bring us, knowing how bored he has been all week with the Dr. & Lawyer business and we didn't want to take advantage of her generosity. She did tell Skip she would call to find out about the Bowling Alley in town, and arrange for us to do that as well. She has been SO hospitable, and has worked really long hours for us. We can't thank her enough! At 7:10 (hey, I dunno, that's when programs start!) we watched a show that pits teams from US, Russia, Khazakstan (sp) and China against each other in "fun" challenges. Not quite Survivor, though two challenges included bulls chasing them, and trying to get the bulls to pop balloons. Irina had been telling us about it. We actually found it fun to watch, despite the fact the USA got crushed, but guess who?

Today we wont' go see Harry til this afternoon, after naps. Irina is getting us the final "Seal"we need from the head of the medical clinics, and picking up papers we think, from DHL! So we have a free morning. Skip is catching up on school work - it has been difficult to keep up with, given the Dr's and Court last week, but we're doing okay. He was however getting used to "mini" classes and is rebelling a bit!

I'm off to the store up the road. They sell balloons that say Happy Birthday in Russian. 8 rubles each, kinda expensive, but, I think a great idea to bring a bag home, so we'll have some every year on their birthdays! Anyone want some, let me know... Gotta run, for now