Just call me "Grace". Of course I did provide some entertainment to the bystanders. The lady who gave me the sled instructed me to hold on tightly (she spoke just a little english) so the next time I followed instructions and flew down the ice. Definetely better the second time. After the ice slides Skip & I made snow angels in a patch of fluffy, virgin snow. After that I'm convinced the Russians think I'm crazy, but, they're right, I am!
When we tired of snow angels we walked to the ice sculptures outside the Eatery, and the boys slide down a small slide for quite awhile. From there we headed to the playground equipment. We had the wooden sled that Irina has been letting us borrow, and the boys wouldn't let me pull them all day! They kept saying they wanted Ksusha. Ya see, Ksusha gives them exciting rides - she runs with them, then stops, and whips the sled around, making them squeal like little pigs. I guess I can't blame them - her rides ARE much more fun than mine!
The playground equipment features that giant spider like tube slide that Harry couldn't quite maneuver last week. So, I decided that I would climb up this week, so he could see what to do. I had him go in first, and I followed. He got the hang of it immediately and never looked back. By the time I got to the center, he was long gone. Of course that left me up there like a big kid! I was graceful again, having to plop myself on my back in order to get through one of the openings (I'll pay for that tomorrow, I'm sure!). It was fun though, and Skip thought it was a riot. Not so sure about everyone else, but... Plus, after that Harry couldn't be stopped. He and Skip went up and down about 3 dozen times - at least. By the time we left I was TIRED! Lots of physical activity, which is good.
We stopped at quite a few stores looking for a new portable DVD player for me. The one we brought, which we've had since before Skip's adoption 5 years ago, finally croaked about a week ago. Right now we have just the kids Fisher Price DVD player which doesn't play Russian DVD's of which we have tons, so we really need to replace the old one. Couldn't find one that I like, but we'll continue to look. I'm sure we'll pick one before we leave. My laptop of course has a CD/DVD drive, but, IT needs to be sent out for repairs (thank goodness for the 4-year warranty I took out this time) as soon as we get back to the states. It is running horribly, and DVD's seem to tick it off even more. So right now, I'm kinda stuck until I find new one. We're back at the apartment now for the night. We're gonna have a quiet night and get ready for Monday and the normal routines of school and chores, etc. We've really enjoyed our weekends, and are very grateful that the Balashovas have provided us with many fun things to do and see. Right now, I'm gonna go put some ice on my knee - I knew that I'd regret that spider thing!
Eatery in the center of the excitement
Harry walking back up for another slide
I'm gonna regret this... Okay, I have composed myself again. 
Except now where?
Skip apparently thought I needed help :)
There, a piece of cake!So is it nap time yet?
Catching Harry at the bottom.Dancing skaters
Irina & Skip
Skip takin' a break, and Harry strutting up the hill
Free ride compliments of KsushaSnow Angels.
The boys & I go down together.
And here you have the winner of the best dressed dog of the day - not to mention, perhaps the ugliest!
I've got to show Correia that dog! She will die! She's been working on her Daddy to get her one for her birthday.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you guys are having too much fun.
Soooo fun!
ReplyDeleteAidan was sitting with me as I was reading this post. He asked "where are they" so I said Russia. Which was of course followed by him asking, "you mean where V is?" Well, kinda I replied. And he says, well, those boys don't look so sad, and they have a slide, so see mommy, maybe the orphanage isn't so bad... =)
What a great day, i had fun just reading it and I was not lucky enough to do it. You will never forget the first time with the saucer where you entertained the Russian on-lookers i am sure, hey, anyone can go down the hill ON TOP of the sled..... Also the part where you and Skip made snow angels is priceless... maybe it was not that the people watching thought you were crazy, but rather they were thinking that they had never seen a boy with a mother who was wonderful enough to lie in the snow and do that with her son :) I can just imagine Harry "strutting" up the hill, they way he proudly struts at time, lol, and how nice of Skip to try to help at the bottom of the slide....
ReplyDeleteGRAMMY: (about Mom's sledding w/o sled) Laughed very hard.... then (silent) "Was She hurt" I said no, and she continued to crack up for a few more minutes, she kept pointing at the onlookers and laughing... (also was very impressed with the title "Grace 'n Jubilee")
ReplyDeleteGRAMMY: about Skip trying to catch Mom "She's gonna slide right through his legs [laughing] (about "where now?" she said OH MY GOD She loved the picture of you lying down on the sled, she couldn't get over it said "it's no wonder she is tired"
ReplyDeleteGRAMMY: (about the snow angels) Awww look at that! (about the ice slide) "Oh my god, your mother was so brave to go down that!"
ReplyDelete(about the 3 of you going down and ending up sideway) awww how cute! sideways nontheless. (about the ugly dog) "awww (laughs).... looks like he needs a good shave and haircut"
First of all, you take the best pictures!
ReplyDeleteThat outdoor park looks like a fun place to play. The picture of you sledding "without" your sled makes me laugh.
I am so glad to be included in your adventures and journey here! :)
Hi Skip and Harry, It looks like you have been having lots of fun on the playgrounds!Those slides look very, very fast. Your mom is just like a big kid! Have you tried to make snowmen or is it too cold? Maybe your mom will let you bring some snow inside and you can make little snowmen.
ReplyDeleteHi Judy, Keep up the great work (play)! I am continually amazed by your resourcefulness and the way you make the best of the situation. Loved the blue hands and cardboard houses!
-Marty
That first picture of you coming down the slide less the sled just cracks us up! What a fun thing to wake up to! :) D&B
ReplyDeleteI am STILL laughing at you coming down the slide! TOO FUNNY! I don't know if I would be that brave, I would probably knock out a tooth or break a hip!
ReplyDeleteAnd the dog...those are some stylin' boots that pup is wearing!
I never get sick of reading and viewing the pictures
ReplyDeleteHi Uncle Marty,
ReplyDeleteThis is Skip. My mom said the snow is too dry & fluffy and not like the snow we have back home so we can't make a snowman. She said if we could, we would make one everyday because we all love to make snowmen!
This is for Skip:
ReplyDeleteHi skip! My name is Widna. I've been reading your Mom's exciting "email". I bet you're having a lot of fun in the Russian snow! How does it feel to finally be a big brother? Wow! Vot! Harry has a lot to learn and you will be such a good teacher for him. Have you sang the 'Alphabet" song with him? What about "10 little Indians" or "Where is thumpkin"? It can be so much fun teaching. Just remember to sing a lot and have a lot of patience. Harry sure is lucky to have such a wonderful "Big" brother like you. I can't wait to see pictures of you and Harry tomorrow! Can you wave HELLO to me and everyone? Have a fun day.
Widna
I just can't stop laughing!!!
ReplyDeletelooks like you all are making the best of the time there! funny to see mom on the slide! haha skip and harry we will have to all go sleddding when you come home!!! love you guys
ReplyDeleteOkay, Dev, I want to see YOU sledding with them! Maybe when we come back here in a few years to celebrate the winter holidays, you and Matt can come!
ReplyDelete