Back by popular demand

Round three of spot the Cossack! Double elimination round!

It's hard not to be proud, but what a show

What a weekend, I had Drill so Heidi had a full court press on her hands.

As we have mentioned in the past, we belong to a very "Young Church", by that I mean the average age is in the high 20's, with a lot of very enthusiastic and energetic people (theaterchurch.com). They host a summer Baptism by the Bay. A couple hundred church folks, 20 boxes of Popeye's Chicken and pot luck fixens and ooooh so yummy desert tables. Over twenty members of our Church took the big step to commit or recommit themselves to their faith in the waters of the Chesapeake bay . It was a grate event and full of fellowship and good times to remember.

So when I saw her e-mail about the big finish I had to share it:

"This sort of got a little longer than I expected.... Just a recap (not necessarily for the blog, so just enjoy!)... So our church had a baptism at the bay at a state park in MD yesterday and at first the kids were just dipping there toes in the water... then we told them go ahead and after realizing that they were not gonna "not get soaked" we took their shirts (we only had a change of bottoms) so within a few minutes they were all having fun in the water. There were approx four little ones in diapers, and about ten or so including ours in the water. Sasha is on the beach just walking. Christina later swam over closer to the baptism action. This one was one where she was getting closer in on the action. She first showed up close and looked on with a hmmmm, as Tanya would say "what's dis?" look, and then swam a lot closer for a "give me look" as Christina has said for let me see! And yes, that is one of my favorites so far of the kids' phrases! In any event when Christina started getting in the photos and video coverage of the baptisms they were on the last two or three people. Thank goodness! (Pastors Heather and Mark get a little help from Christina) And yes, we had a lot of folks, ask, "is that one of yours? " The day was wonderful and the weather even better! The best part was Christina was a sport in the end when I realized I had to break it to her we had used her (spare in the car for accidents undies) for her bloody nose a couple of weeks ago, she said, it's ok, as she put on a pair of jeans. Then I asked if she wanted to wear my jacket I had in the car cause by now her dry shirt was soaked, so she agreed and went home just fine. The other kids were pleased to have dry stuff to put on too ! Got home at 8:30pm with three very tired kids, did very short showers - with me holding the shower head (hand held shower head) for each of the girls, and then Erik helping Sasha, and they were in bed and quiet by ten to nine pm. Wow! Erik and I even made it to a going away gathering at a nearby friend's home - just to prove we can have kids and still get out! Yeah! And of course we had to promise to the going away friend that we will continue to update the blog! We are getting better at all this on a daily basis and do so very much appreciate all your kindness and prayers! Much Love! -Heidi

It was such a special treat to take the Kids to the beaches I knew as a kid, and share with them the wonders of the Pacific Ocean. This was my playground as a kid.

Wow, that was a quick month, so sorry for the lapse in updates. Just recovering enough to fill in the story:

Four kids on the beach, and I'm proud to say to my knowledge, only one crab gave its all for the sake of scientific exploration. Well, I have just recovered enough from the trip myself to put my thoughts together enough for an addition to this blog.

The task that was ahead of us was: get our three kids to CA to meet up with Papa's Papa and Mama. We took it over the top by having Heidi's mother, her brother Jerry and wife Karen bring Maxim out too.

This is the first time all four have been together since February, time flies doesn't it. We all were very interested in how the kids acted together and how they acted with us. As you may have heard, Jerry and Karen would like to make Maxim a permanent part of their family, and we all agree this is the best fit all around for all the children's needs and temperaments.

We had many great moments to try to get caught up with all the friends and relatives, it was really a whirlwind of activity.

So many wonderful moments and adventures. Masha, our right hand came along for the trip, but we wanted her to get out from the old fogies for a wile. Loren and Amy Vogelsang came back into town to meet the kids and give Masha the twenty somethings tour of San luis Obispo (they got the cake but they chickened out on the waterfall at Madonna Inn ;).

The Wands and Rockwells put together a welcome bash at the Rockwells Casa, great food, wine and BBQ! Many of the supporters of our journey and central coast life.

I am getting ready to take Sasha out to California again this coming Weekend for my 30 year High school Reunion, and Heidi is taking Christina to her grandmothers 90th Birthday in Minnesota in August.

Things age changing at a Tidal Rate, at a glace you dont see it but come back in a bit and wow, the boats stuck on the beach, or out to sea!

We just got back from a Red Eye from "the Coast", after seven days of adventures, to be detailed when I am awake, the adventurers discuss their exploits with their fans.

Erik

Tanya at the park, lets see how we are doing,..

Skate board, Check!

knee pads, check!

Wrist Guard, check!

Cast, Check! .....what?

We went to a picnic at a park and one kid had brought his board and safety rigs. Tanya supplied the cast all herself! life is good, just another 30 days is all.

The week saw the end of classes at school and Tanya's promotion from Kindergarten and Sasha being recognized for his citizenship, math skills by his teacher and Christina was given the Most Improved award from hers.

Now for the important things, after the Rolando deal with Real Madrid. Our budding athletes are now playing a greater role in our retirement planning! Sasha's team, the Silver Bullets finished their season with all wins and one tie. he received a special award for Most Hustle on the team and he got his copy of the Team Trophy presented by the coach.

Christina really developed as a player and a team mate over the course of the season. in all it has been a very good school year.

Papa Bear, out here!

At the four moth mark, wow what a difference. it was a crazy busy weekend.

International night at the elementary school and the kids could not understand why they had to share their Perogees with the other kids.

Saturday finished the soccer league with Christinas Bluejays and with Sasha's Silver Bullets 11-0-1 undefeated record, he was recognised for his "Hustle" on the field.

Papa and Mama slipped away to play on our Scooters to "Scootergate". Our third year going to this Rally on H Street NE.

Sunday Cristina had a Birthday party to attend and met up with Tanya and Sasha at Garfield Park for the Mothers On The Hill (MOTH) picnic.

Of course these MOTHs have six tables of complimentary goodies from local restaurants, live bands, bounce house, face painting and free chair massages. Gotta love them MOTHs!

Being there, for the next one

At the four month mark and we have our first chance to help the next one down the rabbit hole. Heidi received an e-mail from a recently returned parent with a 9 year old girl from Russia. (To get the flavor of how far we have come you need to look at the good old days back on the 9th of February)

Stress, frustration, need for support came across loud and clear, and that was just the e-mail. We where forced to review in our minds our first week. Wow, what a flashback! The kiddie Olympics complete with the hand to hand child wrestling, Mattress toss, Door kick and down the street kinder sprint. Those where the days!


We headed to the store for some barbecue supplies and the newly minted family came over for a chance to meet, greet and speak our respective languages.

The kids paired up and had a chance to compare pasts and stories as did the the parents. Masha was indispensable at shedding light on some minor mysteries and the elders compared experiences.

Masha is helping with a little respite time for Mom and the little girl gets a chance to relax a little and ask some questions. As time goes on we see the kids unwinding, acting and trying to make sense of this crazy world they have found theirs selves dropped into.

This little girl is doing great, and our kids have set the bar mighty high on histrionics. Its nice to serve as an example, one way or the other.

Erik