2 More Days in Kiev

Tomorrow we get the Visa's for the kids and then Wednesday we are headed home. I can't believe I have two days left in Ukraine. Feels like I have been counting down forever.

We laughed a lot the last few days with Will. Mary brought him this little pink electronic bug. We thought he would love it. When we turned it on, he screamed and ran. He cried until we turned it off. It took him a few days to warm up to it. First he would ask me to turn it on and he would watch it from the bed, then he would hit it with a spoon, eventually he dared to touch it and now he loves it and asks to sleep with it. We laughed so much about it.

Will has warmed up a lot to us the last few days as well. In the orphanage he would never let me touch him, and the few times I tried to pick him up he screamed in terror. He clearly was not used to being picked up. The first few days in Kiev I kept holding my arms out to him, but he would not let me pick him up. One day he was standing on the bed and I held out my arms. He looked terrified, but he held out his arms and let me pick him up. The poor kid was shaking. I tried to walk but he squeezed me so tight and screamed. He was afraid I would drop him. After that first experience he wanted to be held the rest of the day. He remained a little scared when I picked him up but he snuggled up to me and smiled every time despite his anxiety. Now he always wants to be held. We call him my little leach. Cheri has been a lifesaver and helps carry him when I am worn out. Alina and Lena tell us to make him walk, but he is so cute when he holds out his arms and says,"please Mama," in Ukrainain that I can't help it.

Alina has warmed up too. She and Lena are hilarious and always make us laugh. She likes to wrestle and laughs hysterically when tickled.

It was Women's day last Thursday. In Ukraine all girls are supposed to get flowers on this holiday regardless of age. The girl's surprised us with flowers and chocolates so we got them flower balloons. There was a big party in the square. We had lots of fun walking the streets and watching the going ons from our window that over looks the square.

Will loved the carousel.

Cheri wanted a picture with this tiger since her son's nickname is tiger. Turns out the tiger was creepy. After two regular poses he started getting a little close for comfort with some crazy poses. Cheri was dying and I was laughing my head off. She banned me from putting them on my blog. These two were approved. Ha Ha!

Will trying sprite for the first time. We laughed and laughed.