Alina asked to wear glasses several days ago, presumably because we look so good in ours. We tried to explain that following our fashion lead may not be the best way to impress back in the States. However sunglasses would be pretty cool, so we brought them each a pair today. Alina looks like a movie star in them. Kostin doesn't, but we love him anyway.We have mentioned several times thus far how acrobatic Alina seems to be. Today we provide photographic evidence. We sure are glad we opted for the monkey bars on the swing set we are haveing installed next month.
Kostin we have nicknamed "The Water Boy" as he loves nothing more than spending the day downing bottled water. More accurately, he makes the bottle last by primarily sticking it in his mouth and exchanging fluids with it more than he actually drinks. Every so often he shows his brotherly love by offering it to Alina for a thirst quenching refreshment. We disuaded Tanishka from taking a sip as only blood relatives should be that close.
All three kids really enjoyed today's main attraction: encapsulated sponge animals which form when placed in warm water. Kostin naturally wanted one to live in his water bottle, which resulted in Papa spending 30 minutes trying to fish it out with a piece of wire lest we allow the boy to choke to death before he even gets home.
Seth focused a little more on Alina today. She enjoyed being carried around the play yard and introducing us to her friends. She relished the individual attention which we think she felt was more directed to Kostin up to this point. She may turn out to be a daddy's girl after all. Leaving the orphanage today we spied a piece of Alina's artwork on the wall. Given we showed Kostin's poster yesterday, we thought we should give her equal face time.
5 comments:
I always say there's nothing like mandatory bonding. Actually, there is something rather Ellen Kaufman about it, no? Maybe just Life Springesque. Either way, it's clear that bonding is happening and that it seems like these kiddos were meant to be part of the family. Seth, let me say that there is nothing quite like the bond between father and daughter, and I know you'll be an amazing figure in Alina's life (even when she starts rolling her eyes at you). 7 more days to go, and I can't wait to read all the latest. Send our love to the kids (John was rather impressed with Alina's acrobatic pic, BTW),
hillary, john, miles and mini miz
Those sun specs will come in handy. We're enjoying an early, globally warmed heat wave this weekend, so don't get too homesick. All Connecticut is sweating, getting sun burnt and running up aircon bills. Cousins Sam and Zoe are recklessly throwing water at each other and we are enjoying the basement a lot more than we ever thought possible.
Mandatory bonding. Like you'd expect the form to say "love required". Rere's right - it's got that institutionalized life-springy sound to it. Guess the only question for you two is whether you would have spent two weeks there with the kids if they'd only recommended it. The bonding and love are obvious to anyone who knows you.
So you have a wee monkey in Alina. I'm sure that juice Kostin is making helps her grip.
I'd offer a pearl or two of wisdom about the daddy/daughter thing, but all I have is gumballs; that is to say, its sweet and chewy... and (I really should stop here) the biggest, baddest bubbles may get in your hair but blowing them up is so damned rewarding.
Ok, now I'm really hooked on both the blog and the comments! (To counter my feeling like a voyeur, I'm writing too)I hope everyone comes West and I can come North to bond when you do. (nonmandatorily)! Love to all, Lorry
Seth,
Since Daddy's girl is so athletic, I warn you now, for some reason it is mostly fathers who end taking the girls to ballet and gym classes. I'll probably see you there...
Mandatory bonding. Isn't that what parenting is all about?
You can pick your friends, you can pick your nose, but you can't pick your friend's nose. :)
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