Day 3, Part 2. Colin and Claire meet the boys

After our meeting with the Director, we left with the boys for some intensive playtime to rectify the situation. Which basically means more attention, more candy, and fewer "nyet"s.

We introduced them to Colin and Claire. They hit it off right away. Claire says the boys are "adorable". Remember that both Colin and Claire picked these boys as their top choice when we were at the SDA last week (as did Nancy and I).

The boys really like Colin and Claire too, though they 1) still get their names confused (to them both names are babble so are not girl or boy names), and 2) can't quite pronounce their names. Colin can be Cohn, Cohlin, Clon, etc. And Claire can be Crar, Kaar, Clahr, etc. But they had been looking at their picture for several days and recognize them well.

We got the boys Spiderman action figures (Spiderman, Venom, Man-Spider, Doc Ock, and Green Goblin) and split them up between the boys and Colin. Playing with action figures with them is the same way Claire used to play Barbies. Bang, Bang, Wham (as one action figure slams into another).

We played more hokey pokey. Then, we played more London Bridge and Duck, Duck, Goose. Both are quite popular. The boys are very good about making sure everyone is picked in Duck, Duck, Goose as well as most games. They are emphatic about sharing. While energetic (to say the least), both boys really can show some good manners.

Since the boys had to go to lunch, we ducked out for the same. We ate at a nice restaurant by Lake Lutugino (really more of a large pond) just past some dachas on the east side of town. We were the only ones in the restaurant, and like most, the lights were out until we arrived. Even then, they only turn on the ones necessary for our use.

The restaurant really is geared for summer traffic at the lake with a sand patio and sort of tiki-style tables and huts outside.


We saw some men out ice-fishing on the lake. The lake is not totally frozen over yet though. It's a bit too early in the season.

On the way back we stopped at a hill where there is a large monument to locals who died in the Great Patriotic War (aka World War II). I'd guess there were about 1000 names on the plaques. The red crest on the spire (too small to be seen in the picture is a hammer and sickle).

There is a very nice 360 degree view from the monument. At least it looks like a great view in the spring and summer. It was a bit bleak (and cold and windy) today.

I finally got a good shot of the main building at the orphanage.

We got back with more gum and cookies for the boys (and some sort of small toy) for the boys. They came in just as happy as ever, with big smiles and big hugs for all of us. You'd never know V had said no to us just a couple of hours before.

R and V both come in carrying their bags with all the goodies they have received so far. All are neatly tucked into the bag. Anything that comes out of the bag goes back in exactly as it came out. (I hope they can keep their rooms as neat). They still have all the packaging for every toy as well. And no one else but the owner is allowed into their bag, including Mama and Papa.

We had the boys demonstrate their budding mime skills again. They love the attention. We couldn't get them to sing with us. Of course, they don't know our songs, but they seem to sing or at least chant some Ukrainian songs and rhymes. I think we have some performers in our midst.

We looked at pictures of our house and family again. They love to do that.

We played outside briefly, but it was too cold to stay long, and our afternoon visit was relatively short.

That was about it at the orphanage that day.

We got back to Lugansk and tried to find a good place to exchange some more cash. The government of Ukraine has begun selling dollars and buying hryvnia to support their currency. The rate changed from about 8.50 hryvnia / dollar (and over 9 hryvnia / dollar on the street Friday) to 6.50. We had seen that on Sunday, but that day the banks would not even accept any dollars. We finally found a place to exchange for 7.50 so that was pretty good. We didn't exchange too much though. I never have seen government currency support to work for long. Usually they end up supporting for a few days, using up cash, then seeing a resumption of the decline.

More cabbage rolls at the mall restaurant and we were done for the day.

Another good one, all in all, despite the early morning rejection. Of course, I went to high school so I already know how to handle rejection.