Some Up's and Down's Today!

Marina learned today the bad effects of playing with fire. Shortly before leaving for soccer practice a visit to the bathroom was made and she 'discovered' a scented candle which was lit by mama a few minutes earlier. She found that when one puts paper into a candle bowl....it ignites.....Wow!!!!! Shortly after she ran out of the house for the car where papa was waiting, the smell of smoke and nylon drifted by my nose. As I followed the odor very quickly discovered the charred remains of paper in the wastepaper basket and a charred scorched bathroom carpet....not a large scorch but large enough to have been a real safety issue had we ALL been out the door to soccer. Later, after showing Marina the damage and explained what could have happened she understood the ramifications and will not 'experiment' with fire.

Andrew had his share of a 'learning experience' when he was not allowed to go to the school swimming pool, for one day, with the rest of the youth summer camp due to inappropriate behavior when he got a little too 'testy' with pushing and shoving another student with whom he felt was 'picking' on him......sooooooooo, Greg picked him up from summer camp and explained that you don't push, shove, or ever hit another person over a disagrement on an issue...(especially a girl).... After a little 'time out' at home he returned the next day to summer day camp with an 'adjusted attitude and a smile on his face.

So...as each day passes we all learn and experience things together and are doing pretty darn well. Both children are learning more and more English each day and working very well with their tutors. A-men.

Marina & Andrew celebrate July 4th

Learning about the 4th of July in America was quite an education and fun time for the children. Even though we explained (we thought) that there would be a fireworks display over the bay at midnight; that didn't keep things from not being too clear to the children as far as what is meant by 'fireworks'. Andrew woke up out of a sleep and thought we were being 'invaded' by terrorists as he heard what he thought was a lot of guns...but we assured him once again that some Americans celebrate America's birthday in this manner. He then looked quite relieved and went back to bed. For the holiday 'spirit' Andrew got into the festivities by joining some of our other local children who sprayed their hair green and also their faces. Ugh what a scarey thing to see on your children. He got the reaction he wanted!

Marina and mama have been working on word games and try to find words within words. Also learning to read and pronouce the months of the year. She is doing very well on her language skills and is using more phrases now. In order for her to learn more communication skills with mama and papa, the children speak only English after 6 pm daily....at least in our presence. Marina has depended on Andrew to be her translator and now is learning to depend on her own speech and ideas thus allowing her to develop her own unique personality.

Last week we took the children out on a dog cart ride and had a blast! This is a cart used for training sled dogs for the famous Ididarod Race held yearly in Alaska.
Andrew and Marina got to sit in the front seat directly behind the 13 dogs in the team and had the excitement of riding thru some of the trails in the woods. Greg and I rode right behind them so it was a family time we all enjoyed. After the ride Marina and Andrew got to hold some of the little puppies who were born recently and most likely one day will be pulling sled too. A great day....!!!! More later.