Day 29 (Mon March 7th) Dnepro - Ice Skating/Day 6

We had fun today.  We were pretty lazy this morning and it was after Noon when we finally got going.  We got tomorrow planned out and then headed to find the ice skating rink.  There was a pretty cool area that we walked through.  It was chillier today, but still fairly nice.

Cool Building

The rink is actually inside a mall type building.  We wandered around awhile until we found it.  You go in a door and up some stairs to get to a very SMALL rink.  We found we had about an hour to wait before we could skate so we went to wander around the mall a little.  I was hoping to find some fun things to buy, but no such luck.  Unless clothes and perfume are what you're looking for.  We got something to eat and ran into the missionaries.  That was fun.  There is a place right by the rink with internet so today must have been P-day.  That was really fun.  Too bad they're not all from Utah.  I'd like to go to their homecomings. :)

After we ate, we finally got to skate.  They were a little low in figure skates so I got hockey.  Let's just say I'm  very used to having a toe pick and it's not as easy without one. LOL  I didn't fall at all though!  Yea!  Ira did much better than her first time there in Utah.  Masha did too. :)

Me and the girls

Naturally, we had to get different combinations

And again....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNg-KFy2_og
After skating we went to a large grocery store in the basement of said mall.  It wasn't fun to navigate around the tons of people, but there was actually such a thing as variety in this place.  We got a few things we can't get near home and off we went.  While on the way back, we saw this...

I thought it was cool to hear this guy just playing as people walked by.

Then, as we went back into the neat area on our way back, we saw this....

Then we saw this one with an electric violin.  Way cool!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7SXXZVm7sg
Once back home we just relaxed.  Nothing too exciting.  Masha went out with some friends and we watched Bye Bye Birdie.  The girls wanted to watch a Star Trek Deep Space Nine of all things, after that and I'm pretty sure it was their first Star Trek.  They thought all the make up on the people was weird.  They made fun of all the different characters.  Through lovely Google Translate I tried to tell them it was a show about people in space so they're not all human.  They seemed to understand, but who knows what it really told them. LOL

Now it's about time for bed.  Fun stuff.  Day 6 is done!  I'm sad to have to take Kristina back though.  Ira too, but I know I'll be picking her up again in a few days.  Not so with Kristina.  Can't we take them all?????

Day 28 (Sun March 6th) Dnepro - Church and a Park/Day 5

The girls and I headed off to church this morning. Masha made sure they knew how to tell the bus driver to stop and we were off.  I felt quite proud of myself that I went someplace without Masha.  Of course, she helped, but hey.  I was still proud of myself.  And no, I don't want to try and do this without her!  I'm going to have such a hard time leaving her.

We got to church fairly early and had a seat.  I found Sis. Nielsen and said hello.  She is so sweet.  I love her.  Yura came in with his son.  His son (can't remember his name!) sat with us and Yura sat behind.  No missionaries offered to interpret this week and I wasn't in the mood to ask.  Normally I would have, but I also love to just sit and listen to the language.  It's beautiful and fun to listen to.  I didn't get much out of the testimonies, but I did enjoy.

This is the entrance to the building where church is at.  It's on the 3rd floor and there is a dance studio on the 4th.

Once it was over we took the girls to primary.  I know they're YW age, but this worked out well.  Yura and his son left and said to call about 20 minutes out and they'd come pick us up.  We had fun in primary.  Some missionaries came in to interpret for Karissa, which was really nice.  We had a lesson and then they drew pictures.  One of them lives not too far from us (though not as close as the one we met two weeks ago) and goes home in two months.  The missionaries left to go to priesthood, but we played Do You Love Your Neighbor.  I love that game.  It was a bit harder when you don't understand the language, but we had fun anyway.  The cute primary pres helped out, even though she speaks only a little more English than I speak Russian.

Primary

As we were getting ready to go one of the sisters came up to me and tried talking to me.  I told her I didn't understand (I'm really good at that phrase) and she kept talking. LOL  She left and came back with the missionaries to interpret. :)  She said that she had seen us walking to church (or on the bus or something...I wasn't quite clear on that) and said she just knew we were members.  How sweet!  I'm really going to miss these people and wish I'd been able to go to church the other 2 weeks we've been here and missed.

In front of the church doors

We were a little late getting down to Yura with the people that came to talk to us after, but we made it.  We went to have Little One and I change our clothes and to pick up Masha and then headed off to a nearby park.  We had such a blast!  We had a very nice snowball fight and laughed and laughed.  Little One and Yura wanted to go swing but the other kids were ready to warm up.  We went over to the pizza place again (I know...not the best Sabbath activity) for some dinner.  We laughed and teased each other and had so much fun.

They were conspiring against the others

Note the snowballs behind the back

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-h4_VFIog0

Masha and the others went up to make their weapons

Playing

"He's dead, Jim."

But wait!

Off we go

Only one seems happy about the picture

A race up the stairs

Masha really liked these scluptures

We went home after that and Masha got ready to head off to a concert she bought tickets for awhile ago.  The nice thing is, our new apartment is right by the place she was going to!  The girls are all playing still and Little One is driving the other two crazy.  They are being very good about it, but she is wanting constant attention and if they aren't providing it she pouts, at best.  *sigh*

Another wonderful day. :)

Day 27 (Sat March 5) Dnepro - Pick Up Ira and Kristina/Day 4

We frequent the bus station so much I had to get a picture of it.

I slept in later than I wanted to yesterday.  I kept waiting for the sun to come in the windows and hadn't realized I face a different direction.  We got to the bus station to get the 11:20 bus and there were no tickets.  The next bus wasn't until 1:50.  We called Yura and luckily he was available.  We walked to the train station and he picked us up at the McDonald's by there when he finished what he was doing.

You know, at home, Mickey D's isn't my favorite.  Here, though... :)

We had a very nice trip out there.  Karissa slept the whole way since I'd given her some Benadryl.  She's got some other bites of some kind as well.  Masha and I actually have found some too so I wonder if we brought them with us to this apartment.  Lovely.  Anyway, I digress.

Yura spoke in English the entire trip even when he was talking to Masha.  That was so nice and so unlike anything anyone else has ever done.  I could also see out the windows so it was the first time I could enjoy in that way as well.  Very, very nice.  I really enjoyed the drive.

Downtown from across the river

The oldest train bridge (I think)

Pretty landscape

I'd love to see it during the growing season.  It reminds me of the mid-west.

More of the same.

We got there and Masha wrote a little thing saying I was responsible for the girls and their safety while we had them, then I signed it.  We all went to the bathroom and then we were off.

It was quite a nice trip on the way back as well.  We spoke in English most of the trip but there was enough Russian that the girls weren't left out either.

Ah.... :^)

Once we got to the apartment we dropped our stuff off and went across the street to the pizza place for dinner.  Very nice.  We went to get some water at the store and then came back to the apartment.

Yum!

The girls played and played.  They'd gotten balloons at dinner and were putting them under their shirts and running into each other.  They were tickling each other and who know what else.  We all showered and Skyped.  Husband made it home okay.

Day 26 (Fri March 4th) Dnepro - Moving Day - Day 3

Today began very early as Husband was getting ready to go to the railway station.  Our taxi driver was showing up at 5 minutes to 6am.  Ew.  Little One and I almost didn't get to go with him because of her major attitude.  She is only a morning person if SHE wakes up and isn't woken up.  She was one cranky, disrespectful, disobedient girl.  We did end up being able to go with him though and that was nice.  It was actually quite easy to get him to the right place and on the train.  Easy because of Masha, of course.  She can talk to people as well as actually read the ticket so we knew which section of the train and which seat was his. LOL  What would we do without her?

After we got back we packed up to head to another apartment.  We had talked to the landlord last night and while he didn't have another apartment in the same building that wasn't occupied, he did have one a few blocks down the main road.  We're actually right by TGIFriday's now.  This place is much nicer in a lot of ways (hopefully one of those ways is no bugs!) but as usual, not as nice in others.  We only thought we didn't have places to put things in our last bathroom!  This one REALLY has no room! LOL  I'll get pictures of the place tomorrow or so.

Masha wanted me to take a picture of my room like this.  Traveling girls, she calls it. :)  I should have had Husband use a medium size one instead of the large one he did that isn't even full.  I had all three of these stuffed and I haven't even gotten fun things to bring home yet....

We were all quite tired after all that, so we ate some lunch (since we were also very hungry) and then took a much needed nap.  After we woke up we went to find a store and it's not nearly as nice as the last place.  The stores are a bit farther away and VERY small.  Ah well.  No bugs, right?? :)  As Masha said, each place has it's advantages and disadvantages.

Husband made it to Kiev just fine and had his appointment at the embassy.  It went well and now he's a little bored as he waits to go to bed and then up even earlier tomorrow to head to the airport.  He didn't enjoy the train ride too much.  He said the seats were quite hard.  At least he was to Kiev in 6 hours instead of 8.

Here are a couple of pictures I forgot to take of our last apartment.  You know though...we've really got to quit moving.  I just realized this morning that I haven't seen Little One's booster seat since the first apartment here in Dnepro.  That wasn't cheep.

The outside of our building

Don't ya love how small the elevators are?

This door leads to three apartments and is locked as well.

Our apartment door

The view our our window :)

 As usual when I've missed blogging a day...check the last post for info on yesterday. :)

Day 25 (Thurs March 3rd) Dnepro - Woman's Day Program (Day 2)

Yesterday was AWESOME!  We were asked to show up to the orphanage at about 2 so we took the 11:20 bus instead of our usual 10:30 bus.  The weather actually resembled something pleasant.  It was cold, for sure, but not bitter cold.  We walked to the orphanage in relative comfort. :)  It was actually the first time I got to look around a little as well, since every other time I've walked I've been fighting the wind and/or watching my feet so as not to slip.

This is the road the orphanage is on

I thought it was hilarious that chickens were just out wondering in this yard

Some random field

Playground equipment at the orphanage

More playground equipment

When we got there, there was a bustle of activity as final preparations were made for the Woman's Day program.  Even though the actual holiday isn't until next Tuesday they celebrated it yesterday.  The usual workers have it off so they won't be there the actual holiday.  We waited while everything was finished up.  The director said I can take pictures and videos now.  Yea!  I was a little worried about Ira because she knew we were there, but wasn't coming out to say hi or anything.  When she did though, she was all smiles and luckily feeling better.

The program was ADORABLE!  And, since I can take pictures, I have lots. :)  The links are to YouTube videos.

These took part in the program

Some cross stitches 

The banner says something that doesn't translate well.  As close as Masha could get was Little Spring.

Little Ira

Little Masha

The Masha's

The director began the program and it was very nice.  There were judges (the older girls had a "competition") and they all got introduced.  I believe she told who a couple of the other people were and then she started talking about us.  We weren't guests.  We were part of the orphanage because we were Ira's family.  I was very touched.

The Director making announcements

The director had asked Husband to do a little speech congratulating all the women and girls on Women's Day.  He was kinda quiet so sorry. LOL
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMG5d4gSBoQ

The little kids reciting.  Unfortunately, I missed Little Ira's part on the video. :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NXhAH58biSs

Here are the littles singing a couple of songs.  They weren't actually sung together, but I'm going to put them together on here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzWEQbLry8w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6kS2khj-00

Next the older girls introduced themselves for the competition.  I love these guys!

I have no idea how to spell her name, so just know that I know it. :)  For those in the hosting program, she stayed with Faber's.  SUCH a sweet girl!

Olga (She and Little Masha stayed with Jorgensen's)

Nastia

Shnirzana (she was very nervous!)

Nadia

Nadia

One of the things they had to do was count the peas in the shoes with their toes.

Next the little ones did a dance.  The older boy in the middle there (not part of the dance) is Kola.  LOVE him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dRUVCLUSxAU

Here is them singing and dancing again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=272dA8kFQ84

Here is Little Ira and little boy singing together.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4yPanCjDoo

The painter kind of intro-ed Ira's part

Ira and Vika reciting something

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3It4j7fiITw

Both Ira's watching

The each got a team together and did a relay race to make the girls beautiful by adding freckles until the music stopped.

The girls a freckeled up

While all that was going on, the judges were judging.  This was seeing how they did sewing on a button.

This was how well they made a sandwich

Then the contestants did a dance as well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEAY1nIPN6A

After that we were each given a flower like the ones they had on and were to pick our favorite girl to win.  How could I pick??  I needed 6 flowers!  After the winners were announced they all got a stuffed animal of some kind.  So fun to watch!  I loved the program and wish they were doing another similar thing before we leave again.

After that, the little kids (since we are now allowed to see them and wonder the orphanage) were begging us to come see their area and play.

This is the room where they all sleep and yes, there are 16 beds in there

This little girl REALLY wanted to play with Little One so they played tag.  So cute!

I SOOO want to take this little girl home.  Talk about melt your heart!  She has a sis and bro too that I'd be happy to have as well. :)

Her sis is the one looking at Masha and her brother is as well...in the white shirt.  I really, really want to take them....

Isn't she ADORABLE?!  Masha was showing them where Utah is in relation to Ukraine.

Here she and her brother are with Husband.  Little Masha is there with her back to me.  They were showing him English books and wanting him to read/help...I'm not really sure what.

This is the little girl that loves Little One.  It was the cutest thing watching them play together.

 We got all ready to go and as we were leaving we came across the people that are teaching them English.  They are all from Poland, but live in Dnepro.  They speak very good English.  The guy offered us a ride and I thought he just meant to the bus station, but he meant all the way back to Dnepro!  We went ahead and waited for them, watching the class and visiting.  Kola came and enjoyed being able to talk to us finally as well.  Especially with someone there (Masha is usually surrounded by the girls) that could help us talk to each other.  He's really the only one of the boys that has shown much interest in us.  At least outwardly.  SUCH a sweet kid.  I'd take him home too, honestly.  I'm not exactly old enough to be his mom, but hey. LOL

English class - review for a test

Look at all those cuties learning English!

We had a very nice ride back to Dnepro with them.  Such good people!  I'm so glad we've gotten to know them, if even for a little bit!  We heard a little more about some of the kids and just had a very nice visit.  We talked about Mormon things and they had very kind things to say about the few LDS people they've met.

Ah...such a wonderful day!  Part of me worries for tomorrow since Ira seems to go from hot to cold each time we see her.  Since we had such a good day yesterday, what will tomorrow be like?? LOL  Na...I'm thinking it will be just fine.  We get to take her and Kristina with us to Dnepro for the holiday weekend and we're very much looking forward to that.  I'm actually very, very glad I didn't go home.  I think these last few days here are going to be the best, by far.