If I could offer advice for traveling with little kids, whether it's a quick run to the grocery store or a longer trip by car or plane it's this... bring snacks and drinks! I learned early on that nothing beats whine-a-ria* better than those little cheesey-fishy crackers, or some pretzels, cucumbers, apples, whatever their favorite snack-of-the-week may be!
When all else fails and no amount of reasoning, cajoling or otherwise sensible conversation will stop the whining, give 'em something to eat or drink! It works like a charm and helps you get to your destination without twitching too much :>).
Being the one who spends the most time with our newly-adopted sons, I gave this advice to my husband as he was carting the boys off for a home-store run one day for some tools or supplies that he needed. Did he take my advice that day? One of my husband's favorite t-shirts states...
"my wife says I never listen to her, at least that's what I think she said." Well, let's just say that after that first trip to the store alone with the kids he now asks what type of snacks we have in the house! Yes, new lessons can be learned at any age or stage.
* whine-a-ria- that awful sound that comes from the back seat of the car making you temporarily sorry that you couldn't wait to be called "mama". You know, the "Maaaaamaaaaa, I'm hungryyyyyy," or "Maaaaamaaa, wherrrrrre are weeeeeee goinnnnng, " or "fill in your own child's whine here"....
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Friday, May 8, 2009
May 8, 2009- Sasha and Misha become US Citizens!
Today we arrived home from Russia after spending 3.5 weeks in-country to adopt our two wonderful sons, Sasha, age 5 and Misha, age 4.
The minute we landed on US soil, our boys became US Citizens. We went through immigration and thankfully the staff helped us through quickly. We handed in our still-sealed manilla envelopes and that was that. They told us that their citizenship papers would come in a couple of months.
Hooray, we are now a family of 4, plus two dogs and a cat!
Today we arrived home from Russia after spending 3.5 weeks in-country to adopt our two wonderful sons, Sasha, age 5 and Misha, age 4.
The minute we landed on US soil, our boys became US Citizens. We went through immigration and thankfully the staff helped us through quickly. We handed in our still-sealed manilla envelopes and that was that. They told us that their citizenship papers would come in a couple of months.
Hooray, we are now a family of 4, plus two dogs and a cat!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Gotcha Day Video- May 4, 2009
We made this video of our final drive from the Vostok Hotel to Biro #5 to pick up our boys for good. Vova, our translator was nice enough to take the video from the front seat and tell us what we were looking at- thanks, Vova!
We pass by the movie theater, victory square, the town square in front of the Vostok hotel, the train station, the bus station, buildings under construction and other stores, homes, towns-people, etc. And then we arrive at "Deski Dom", Birobidjan Orphanage #5, our children's home until today. As we approach we see Misha and then Sasha. They knew that we were coming soon and were keeping a lookout until we arrived.
The boys were thrilled to see us because that meant that they were going to be riding in the car again, and then going on an airplane.
This was an emotional day for all of us. Their caretakers had tears in their eyes as we dressed the boys in their new clothes and took them out of the orphanage for good. Lubov, the director of the orphange gave the boys and me a hug goodbye. She really made an impression on us during our stay and we are forever grateful for all that she taught and did for our boys while they were in her care.
We pass by the movie theater, victory square, the town square in front of the Vostok hotel, the train station, the bus station, buildings under construction and other stores, homes, towns-people, etc. And then we arrive at "Deski Dom", Birobidjan Orphanage #5, our children's home until today. As we approach we see Misha and then Sasha. They knew that we were coming soon and were keeping a lookout until we arrived.
The boys were thrilled to see us because that meant that they were going to be riding in the car again, and then going on an airplane.
This was an emotional day for all of us. Their caretakers had tears in their eyes as we dressed the boys in their new clothes and took them out of the orphanage for good. Lubov, the director of the orphange gave the boys and me a hug goodbye. She really made an impression on us during our stay and we are forever grateful for all that she taught and did for our boys while they were in her care.
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