Today with the kids

We had a great day today.  We asked if we could pick the kids up from camp today but we thought they would definitely say no.  The orphanage director was in a really good mood so he signed for us to take them until Saturday after court.  Natalia was with us today but tomorrow we will be by ourselves.  It will be a little hard without a translator but I hope we will do ok.  Tanya and Ellie had so much fun today.  Jody sang his new Russian song for the kids and they thought it was hilarious.  Then, tonight while we were driving home Tanya starting singing it in a voice like Jody used.  It was pretty funny.  Ellie and Tanya were singing out the windows of the car to everyone we passed.  I was a little embarrassed but they were having fun.  We can't believe how much they are alike.  Right now they are laying in bed looking at a magazine, giggling and giggling.  It's so cute.  We got to skype with my parents and the kids tonight.  It was fun.  I think it might have been a little overwhelming to Tanya because there were 9 kids all trying to talk to herat the same time.  She probably thinks her life is going to be just like the orphanage.  My sister is at my moms house with her 3 kids and my mom also had 3 of the kids friends over.  She and AnnMarie were about to take all of them swimming.  Wow!  The boys are doing good.  We are so ready to go home and see them.  Yesterday our water went off in our apartment.  Today it still wasn't back on so we moved apartments and its much better.  There are 3 places to sleep and it has a washer and Wifi!  Plus, it's much cheaper and in a better location.  After we picked the kids up from camp today, we came back to the apartment so Jody could help Bogdan take a shower.  He scrubbed his feet forever and even used a toothbrush to scrub his toes.  He still didn't get all the dirt off.  I think it will take several more srubbings before he is really clean.  He LOVED taking a shower.  It was a completely new experience.  Natalia and I went shopping for him some clothes while he was getting clean.  I can't believe I only brought court clothes for both of them.  Tanya can wear Ellie's clothes so that's good.  Clothes here are not cheap.  We went bowling tonight and the kids had a lot of fun.  Tanya has bowled before on hosting trips, but it was Bogdan's first time.  He loved it.  He waited his turn so patiently and loved bowling with Papa.  We ate dinner at McDonalds.  Natalia ordered Tanya and Bogdan cheeseburgers but neither of them liked it.  Maybe they will like Whataburger.  They liked the french fries and Tanya ate a chicken wrap.  Bogdan loved his salad at lunch today.  He tried to lick the bowl.  We did work on manners a little bit too.  Jody has been so great with him.  I mean really great.  I have just been amazed by him.  He isn't that comfortable with me yet.  I'm sure it will come, but I'm so thankful that Jody has been able to bond with him so quickly.  That's about it for today.  We are really tired and we have no idea what tomorrow will bring.  Thankfully, God knows and it's something that He can handle!

As soon as we left camp, Bogdan fell asleep on Jody's lap.

Tanya and Ellie - these girls are so silly!

More silliness!

Watching Monsters Inc. in Russian

Papa and Bogdan bowling

So cute!

This was a really nice bowling alley - probably the nicest thing we have seen here.

Bogdan thought this was so much fun, and we didn't even put money in it!

Sisters at bedtime!  So sweet!

Goodnight!