Exhausted but happy

We are all adjusting bit by bit.

Masha came home with a raging cold- which Dave, myself and Kaitlin all have now. She really doesn't seem to be bothered by it. She is pretty good at blowing her nose but I have to get the tissue there before the yellow globs go everywhere. We have ventured out a few times to quieter less busy places. Except once. Dave and I had to get Sasha a new pair of tennis shoes. Our guessing at his shoe size before he came home was a good size or two off. Walmart is not the place to bring children who have had minimal contact with the outside world, especially the world of american retail. We will rethink those trips for awhile.

Masha and Sasha don't mind the car at all. They have figured out how to get us to stop if they want to get out. A request for "pee-sat" or "ka-cut" with the appropriate pained look on the face will get us to a restroom quickly.

Sunday we traveled downstate for my dads birthday. They have both charmed the rest of the family and Masha especially loves her 20 year old cousin Erik.

We have been to the beach twice. Both Sasha and Masha enjoy the beach and the water

but Masha only likes it if there are no waves. Otherwise papa has to carry her. Friday we went for a walk accross the street on the conservancy land and hiked the short distance to Elk lake. Both kids loved picking and eating the wild raspberries and Blackberries along the way (what would the mamas at the orphanage have to say about that- I shudder to think). When we arrived at the super tiny beach Masha suddenly started pulling off her clothes. Sasha looked at us with a look that said "well, is it ok?" and we looked at each other and gestured yeah, go ahead! So for about 1/2 hour both kids jumped and splashed about in Elk Lake completely naked. It was so darn cute I could hardly stand it. Of course we didn't have any towels with us at all - we thought we would just show them the lake and then walk back- oh silly parents!!!!