First Day

As mentioned, we were ALL awake from 3:30am on… good thing JJ had an "arranged skip day" today!

I put away Christmas decorations, unpacked suitcases and did laundry, JJ played his "Spore" computer game that he had received for Christmas but we couldn't get working before we left – thanks to Uncle Billy for getting the computer ready so now he can play it! Genya explored the house and found the few "weapons" we had in the house – if you would have asked me I would have said we had none but he found a plastic sword JJ had received at Logan's birthday part and also the Nintendo "gun" for Duck Hunter game… He also found some "Lightening McQueen" toys, including all the CARS cars we have and played with them quite a bit on and off through the day. He enjoyed the basement, especially the toy tractor he can ride on, and was quite good at not touching Brian's toys that aren't all put away.

Grandma came around 1pm so I could sleep a bit – I know I napped at least an hour. When I woke up I thought I was in Russia yet for a few seconds! Total disorientation! Grandma and Genya got along very well – she wound up being here all afternoon as we had some visitors and then I had to go meet with my dad for a bit to go over some business items.

I am keeping educational TV on for the background noise and to help him start with the English transition. Later in the afternoon my nieces Samantha, Carissa and Sophia (and their mom Aunt Sarah) came to visit as well as Pastor Pries and daughter Sarah came… They all played nicely together – Genya liked Samantha best it seems – and he spoke a few new words in English. I think the more we get him with other kids it will come as everyone says will happen. He just doesn't like to sit down to read books much or "work" on educational things so I have to figure out some strategy on our days to come.

Lunch was cheese pizza for the boys and I had my frozen Weight Watchers entrée – back to reality eating again! I am about 2-lbs lighter coming back from Russia than when leaving so all that walking helped combat the full-fat foods! Dinner was eaten in shifts – JJ was "so hungry" I made him dinner, Genya was taking a bath so he wouldn't fall asleep too early and Brian and I ate a little later. Genya ate a little bit but then was dozing off – a little after 7pm I put him to bed… Sang to him again like I had done in IRK but only two songs before he was asking to be put down. He was then OUT! JJ did a little bit of homework but since it's going to rain Tuesday I told him he could do much of it at school tomorrow as he'll have no outside recess. We then read for about 15-minutes before I couldn't see anymore. I fell asleep about 8:30pm and JJ shortly afterwards next to me in my bed. Brian's Uncle Bruce was visiting so once he left Brian came to bed, moved JJ (not as easy a task anymore!) and fell asleep also. I slept great until about 10:30 when I watched Leno and then fell asleep again until about 4am – Brian and I were both a little awake then – but then JJ came in by us and we all three fell asleep some more. Genya woke at 6:30am so I got up too, then Brian and JJ woke and we started day #2. A 6:30am wake up time is MUCH more manageable! Hopefully we'll all be adjusted soon!

Today's goal is to get our finances caught up to date – the piles of mail waiting for us took me over 1-hour to go through yesterday so I'm down to one big stack of "to handle" and a bigger stack of "to read" (magazines mainly!)

Brian was happy to be back at work yesterday. My dad is leaving for California/Arizona today so they had lots to discuss before his departure. Brian forgot his chiro appt tho so will not get in until Wednesday – he'll be happy to be back in line soon! We're settling in and the long stay away from home is already becoming a very distant memory!

I'll try to post some pictures from Moscow soon – one thing at a time! J