The Wooden Village

Our first real outing with the kids. We went to see the Wooden Village; Arkhangelsk is known for this. It was built in the 1600's as best we could tell-all the signs were in Russian. It was truly beautiful and amazing craftsmanship. It was really not far from the orphanage where Andrew came from. We were traveling in two cars and the boys were in the second car. I was hoping that Andrew wasn't nervous or worried that we were going back. I asked David later and he said he did not seem the least bit concerned, but enjoyed taking in all of the scenery. Kathlena slept the whole way there but was ready to go when we arrived.

It was very cold today...it even snowed on us a little at the Village. We did lots of walking...J.Michael and Andrew hand in hand the whole time. J.Michael is really loving being a big brother. Emily, our faithful historian, took pictures and video for us. The children, especially Andrew really enjoy watching the videos and seeing themselves with us...it is so sweet. Kathlena walked some but took in the view from 6ft up on Daddy's shoulders. She is starting to really warm up to Daddy. I do not think she has ever really been around men, especially tall, deep voiced men. :) The kids took a ride on this rope swing (pictured below) it was really fun. Just as they had a few turns they were overrun by a group of school children on a field trip. One of the girls looked at J.Michael and said "Hello, I am from Russia" in very good English. She was about his age. I wonder where she learned her English?

After a couple of hours of touring we decided we were freezing and hungry so we headed for the hotel. Kathlena did not sleep on the way back and about half way to the hotel she tells me " ho-chesh pee-sat" which means I need to pee. Nothing I could do so I asked her to hold it then remembered she has the pull up on so no problem. I placed her in my lap to see out the window and take her mind off of it. Well, she really needed to go and her pull up was apparently already full. So, I was quickly reminded what life is like with a toddler as I now sat looking like I am the one who needed to "Pee-sat". I shrugged to myself and thought well this is one of the joys of toddler motherhood. Soon we were nearing the hotel so I began to bundle up Kathlena to get ready to get out. We had to wait in line for a little while to get into the parking lot. Kathlena was a little fidgety, but I figured her soaked pull up, tights and pants were probably getting uncomfortable. Wrong! She began to throw up all over herself and down my jacket and pants. Not once but two times before I could convey to the driver (who only speaks Russian-but some things like a kid vomiting transcend the language barrier) we needed out. I fling open the door but by then she had finished throwing up. I am not sure if it was car sickness or if we simply fed her too much for breakfast then the excitement of the trip and all.

We got her back to the hotel and gave her another bath. She seemed just fine. She ate a little lunch then we put her down for her nap and she is still sleeping even now. I am not even sure that she has ridden in a car much before we took her to the hotel. I can only imagine what all is going through her little mind as her world is so rapidly changing.