May Day! May Day!

Yesterday (Monday) we celebrated May Day in Russia. It doesn’t seem to be a day of great celebration, but obvious that people, for the most part, get the day off from work. There were vendors set up across the street from the hotel, selling mostly plants. We did find out that this holiday is mostly a celebration of the beginning of spring. We walked through the plaza for a while in early afternoon, feeding the birds and wandering through the street vendors. Then we had a late lunch and spent the rest of the afternoon at the hotel, chatting with all the other families here and playing games.

The highlight of our day (of course!) was our visit with Alexander! It was another wonderful day! Very similar to Thursday, he cried when they first brought him in to see us, but settled down very quickly and was ready to play. The xylophone was a hit again, along with a few other toys we brought for him. Anything with music goes over very well! He loved the goldfish as well as playing with the sippy cup. He still hasn’t figured out just how to use it, but we’re sure it won’t take long! We spent about 2 ½ hours with him in the morning, and like Thursday, he cried when his caregiver came in to take him. I don’t like that he cries, but it does my heart good to think (or rather, hope!) that he is enjoying the time he has with us and is a bit sad to be taken away.

Today (Tuesday) we have just been around the hotel in the morning, but plan on heading out shortly to do some walking and shopping. There is a large shopping mall on Mira Street that we’ve been wanting to visit, and we plan on stopping at the large children’s store again on our way back to the hotel. There are a few Russian toys that we are hoping to pick up for the kids, and all of us (Mike, Kristen, Marina and Alexander) would like to get some Russian shoes. We’ll see just how successful we are! I’m not sure where we’ll have dinner tonight, but I do know that we would all like to go back to the Russian restaurant down the street from the hotel.

Tomorrow is a big day for all of us. We are going back to the orphanage to visit Alexander, and we will be taking Marina, John and Joyce with us!!! I get emotional just thinking about it. I have waited a long time to have our family of 4 together in the same room and we are so close to that happening! Marina is so excited to meet her little brother and I know John and Joyce are chomping at the bit to meet him, too! They have been so patient and I can’t wait to see their reaction when they see him IN PERSON for the first time! I think it will be a very exciting day for all of us! I can’t help but be humbled at how God has blessed us!

Justin….Happy 4th birthday, big guy! Sorry we missed your birthday, but we thought about you all day!
Mom…Happy __th birthday! :O) Sorry we can’t be there to celebrate with you, but we’re working on bringing your “real” gift home!
Aunt Pat…Happy birthday to you, too!

Sending our love from this side of the world, to yours!