Zoo Day

Our final (full) day in Russia! I slept until about 7am and then got myself somewhat presentable to go to the lobby to get coffee. Then stopped at the computer to check emails, etc. Love the comments! While I was gone Brian said Genya slept until about 8am – so he got a good night's sleep! After my shower and getting dressed I went to the supermarket for some breakfast items, few more bananas and apples for Genya and some salsa which they restocked. I was surprised when I stepped outside to go there that it had snowed some overnight and was still some snow in the air!

Earlier I had stopped by the desk to inquire about the best way to get to the zoo. We had walked by it a few times but didn't want to walk that far today and then still do the zoo. It's one metro stop away or would be a 1000-ruble taxi ride! Yikes! I said we'll figure out the taxi (like 75c/person and kids are free). So for that much savings we'll get over being chickens about the Moscow Metro!

Meanwhile, while watching Nickelodeon, I'm planning out the packing – what can stay, what needs to go and how to pack it all in for space and protection!

There are a lot of Americans here in the Marriott right now – there is some big conference and from here I think they go to St. Petersburg and then Poland and maybe one more place – heard them talking on the elevator about it… Brian and I both commented this morning how since we've been here we've hardly spoken Russian at all (a little to Genya and some basic greetings) – I haven't had my translation books out once on this part of our stay! At the hotel they all speak perfect English and we haven't done much else talking to people… the few we have spoken to at length has all been in English.

We left a little before 11am to head to the zoo. The metro was so easy to use – of course it was only one stop and no transfers and that helped! It was neat – you take an escalator ride WAY down into the earth and then you wait for your train. They come very quickly – you sit and ride until you hear your stop (ours was the next one) and then you take a very steep elevator ride back UP to the street. Genya slipped backwards once on the first trip up – scared me some! We then just had use the underground walking place to cross under the street and we were at the zoo! Only 300 rubles for us adults, children free. This was the bargain of Moscow other than the metro ride! I'm glad we brought Genya's snowpants from IRK as he wore them and his boots – was dressed like we were in Siberia! It was just about at freezing but the wind was strong and the snow kept slapping our faces. The zoo was very nice – quite large! Not many of the animals were outside but we were able to see most of them in their inside lodging. We didn't pay extra to see the Siberian Tiger but we can see that at the MKE zoo! Overall it was very nice and we're glad we did it – and it greatly occupied the day!

The neatest thing on the day was this – we had seen the Polar Bears earlier in the visit and when we were walking by them again to head to the other part of the zoo Genya just started reciting the book we read a lot in IRK: "Polar Bear, Polar Bear what do you see?" So I replied "I see Genya looking at me!" We did this several times (and now he just did it in his bath too) – We know Grandma is ready to start reading to him so he'll be ready to listen!

Back at the hotel we treated ourselves to a drink in the hotel lobby bar – Genya had cherry juice and Brian and I had hot chocolate. It was an expensive treat but we enjoyed it! Tomorrow morning I'm ordering room service for breakfast – again somewhat expensive but it will be a nice "goodbye to Russia" for us and we'll have a decent meal before leaving for the airport. (Genya will be having his normal yogurt, fruit and dry cereal but I'm sure he'll eat some of our meals also!) Tonight it is Sabarro's Pizza again – Brian also went to the bookstore up the street where he found some magazines in English. As he's been out of reading material for WEEKS he needs something for the plane. I still have my one book so then we'll be set – we know we have STACKS of magazines waiting for us at home!

We had two callers this afternoon (had one last night also) – Elena was one of the callers so Genya enjoyed talking to her about the last few days. Wanted to know why we still weren't in America – she said there were documents we needed to get and he replied that he had all sorts of documents!! How right in a way he was. Overall tho he was still happy with everything so when we do discipline him it must not be retained as "bad"!

I did manage to get the suitcases all packed – there are some things we're leaving behind here in Moscow (mostly clothing items) to save space more than weight. Nothing we'll be heartbroken about! Have I mentioned how happy I will be to see my clothes and shoes again!?! I've been using the same one pair of shoes, one pair of boots (which are staying here) and six sweaters with four pants for the past two months!! Two sweaters stayed behind in IRK along with one pair of pants – the rest of my clothes, other than my PJs, will be coming home with us… both of us are thoroughly tired of our pajamas – to never see them again will not be long enough!

Genya's just finishing up his "last bath in Russia". We're all anxious to be getting on that plane tomorrow!

And we walked…

Early morning today! I slept well until about 4:30am and was mostly awake from then on so about 5pm decided to go to the computer to check emails. Apparently about 5:30am Genya woke to go to the bathroom and was up since then! So we were all up! I got coffee from the lobby and then went to the grocery store this morning (we decided on this rather than the café bakery) and I got a pecan Danish – yummo! I got Brian some donuts and Genya a little fried dough item (as yesterday he took a donut and only ate about two bites). Genya's thing was 17-rubles and he ate it up. He also finally finished the apple he started two days ago – and I think he ate the whole thing…seeds and all!

I stopped at the currency exchange here in the hotel to turn in some of our cash – I know it's not the best exchange rate but it wasn't bad and it was done…now we should have enough rubles to carry us the next few days, even allowing for a meal other than KFC!

Philip called a little after 9am and said his wife was sick so wasn't able to take us on our walking tour today. We were disappointed but that's how things go! Brian signed some papers for the hopeful consulate registration and then we headed outside since we were all up and ready! We headed toward Red Square but then took a turn and found a small children's park. Genya had just his shoes on and one time broke through the thin ice and got it a little wet but didn't seem to affect him any! It was a pleasant half hour or so swinging mostly. We then walked a block off the main Tverskaya Rd and found a short pedestrian street… that took us back to Tverskaya and the McDonalds we were heading toward for lunch! Well, actually we didn't know which one we were heading to, just to McD's as there are three in close proximity to where we were. A little more difficulty getting what we ordered today but it all worked out eventually! Then we walked through the underground mall near the Kremlin/Red Square and at then through the park by the war memorial. Cutting over on another street we found the Rolls-Royce of Moscow car dealership! And then all of a sudden (not too far walking) we found ourselves at Arbat St again! I had read the history on it – it's from the 15^th Century I believe! But then it's a long walk back to the hotel. Yes, we probably should figure out the underground (subway) but we're used to walking and we're chickens so we just walk. Genya was a very good walker today (in between getting carried by his dad) so it was fairly pleasant to do it! We were able to take a picture of the US Embassy from across the street today so we have something for the lifebook I'll eventually do for Genya. We had been out and about from about 9:30am-3pm and only stopped really at McDonalds for lunch and the park before that! Genya had a banana break about halfway back to the hotel and then I gave him a small chocolate bar once in the room…. I told him he deserved it!

One thing we are missing from Irkutsk are the café prices! We would always say that each day in Irkutsk was about a 500-ruble day (two café stops or one decent dinner)… Here in Moscow you get lunch at McDonald's for 500-rubles!

Philip stopped by about 4pm and said he was successful in getting us registered at the Russian Consulate. He said he told them our whole story and they couldn't believe it! I guess the time we put in counted for something here anyways! Lol I asked how his wife was and he said that she told him she is pregnant! I had that thought at one point this morning – women's intuition I guess! So now we have everything done here in Moscow and the registration done so just will have the three post placement reports over the coming years – at 6 mo, 12 mo and 36 mo I believe.

Genya and I then went to the 4^th floor to hit the balloon around for awhile. I was hoping maybe other adopting families would be there but it was just us and some American men having a post-business meeting discussion. We played until the balloon popped. Genya also did summersaults across the floor. Brian then left to go get our Sabarro Pizza for supper. Genya was bound and determined that I would put on my coat and we'd walk to find Papa (at least I think that was the gist of the conversation) until I finally got him to take a bath while we waited! Brian came back from his walk to tell me an interesting thing that happened to him – he got propositioned while he was carrying the pizza back to the hotel!! Due to the sensitive nature of this I'll make HIM tell YOU the details if you ask. Needless to say he said "no" and we laughed about it!!

The pizza was good – we each ate two slices! So Brian got jipped a little but Genya will sleep well with his full belly, tired legs and the early morning too! I then took a bath also to get the city grime off me and to enjoy the 5-foot long, 2-foot deep tub! Genya's spread out, tummy down, on the bed watching Nickelodeon and zoning…Brian's waiting to get on the computer and I'm typing and then reading. And yes, continuing to watch the TV news shows in English – I'm getting filled in on European/Asian/African news if not the USA's.

Also learned little Emma, who we met yesterday, is sick today…hope she gets better soon! I would not want to be on an airplane for so long with a sick child!

Embassy

It is not hard to adjust to the quiet sleeping room (compared to the noisy 5^th Army St we listened to for two months)!

We were all awake by 6:00am today – Genya apparently all slept out but until it got lighter outside we told him it was still night… but once he saw the lighter sky he said "good morning". Brian again went to get us some donuts for breakfast and Genya ate some of his big apple he has yet from last night, banana and some cereal we had also bought last night. As I told my mom last night, having English on the TV, no matter if it's usually the same news over and over, makes the time go much faster when in the room.

Yesterday when we were leaving the hotel I asked at the front desk if they could adjust the heat in our room (make it cooler). I reminded him we were used to Siberia (!) so he said "no problem, we'll change it to -40!" I replied "no, -20 will be fine!" LOL They have really nice people working here! I rode the elevator with the assistant GM yesterday and complimented him on his employees.

We went outside to walk a little before finding a place for an early lunch. The streets here all run on angles, similar to Irkutsk, so we know we have to be careful thinking we know where we are walking! We went a few blocks off the main street our hotel is on and eventually just doubled back to it. On the way there were some men on the street crew pressure washing the light poles. We had stopped so the water wouldn't hit us as then as we walked by they asked Genya if he wanted to do it! So he did that for a little bit and Brian got a few pictures. Genya thought he was tough stuff then! Lol We stopped at a coffee shop that is a chain (located every few blocks). It was good food but expensive! (as EVERYTHING in Moscow is)… 1000 rubles with the tip but I had good coffee. Brian had brought donuts in from the grocery again this morning and I had coffee from the lobby so my good caffeine level is getting up there again! Tomorrow we think we'll get bakery from this coffeehouse tho as it's just a little more money but sounds much more delicious – almond croissant anyone??? Lol

Walking back from the café Genya threw an absolute fit – all because I wouldn't let him leave the bookstore on his own!! He was very, very naughty but eventually apologized to both of us, in English. We met Philip in the lobby at 1pm and headed to the embassy. By now Genya was more his normal self, even quiet!

Going into the embassy is like going through an airport security – take off your coat (shoes don't come off tho), show passport, go through metal detectors, nothing sharp allowed, etc. It wasn't bad. It is a beautiful building and I wish we could have taken pictures but cameras are not allowed inside. We went to pay our visa fee and my credit card was declined! I checked later and there is "no credit left" so the hotel must have it all blocked!! Good thing Brian had his other card along – all of a sudden I'm having numerous credit card issues! We do have some cash yet tho so will be changing some of that for rubles tomorrow! We got called for our interview and it was Mark Seibel, from the Dept of State, who did it himself. He's not really responsible for that anymore since it's changed to the immigration service but he wanted to meet us, etc. Very nice man! Transferring to El Savador at end of month I think so we're probably the last IRK family he'll have helped personally through the end of this. Confirmed the spelling of Nathan Eugeny's name, went over paperwork with us, explained things, etc. Then shook our hands, congratulated us, and said the visa will be ready in about 30-minutes. There were 3 other American families there today – one from New York, one Alabama and one Mississippi (and then us). The other kids were all 15-months and younger…two girls, one boy. Nice families. They all said they won't complain about anything with their adoption after hearing our story! The passport/visa was then ready so we looked it over and it looks fine. We got our paperwork for immigration and were free to go. We met Philip and the driver Vladimir at the van. Showed the visa to Philip and he said "very good" and took some info he needed for the Russian Consulate registry off it. I thought we'd be doing that tomorrow but he said that we'll be doing it from home as otherwise we'd have to stay until Tuesday and he didn't think that was the right decision for us! Wow!! But then a few minutes later he said he would go to the Consulate tomorrow and explain our story and see if he couldn't get the registration done before we leave so we'll see what happens. Worse case he fills out paperwork for us again and we send from home. He also said his wife will be taking us on a walking tour tomorrow so we'll meet in the lobby at 9:15am - yeah! We'll learn more about what we saw on our own the other day!

Back at the hotel we were just hanging in the room when the computer became open so I was going to go down to check emails and quickly blog. I saw a lady heading into the hallway with a little girl and thought she looked like the picture Philip had shown me earlier of another BCS family who came in from St. Petersburg last night…well, it was! So I hung out in the hallway visiting with Caroline and her daughter Emma Alicia for a long time, a man from Massachusetts, Kim (dad) and his son Ilia and later the mom Jackie came by also. We just visited and told stories for a long time. Genya spent his time running the hallways – was his face red! Then Caroline and Emma and Genya and I went to the 4^th floor by the computer where the kids played with balloons and I blogged. Emma was laughing so hard!

It was almost 6pm by now so we headed upstairs to go out to get dinner. Genya then threw ANOTHER fit so Brian stayed in the room with him and I walked to the KFC for chicken sandwiches for dinner. (Genya had eaten some in between this all so low blood sugar was not an excuse for his behavior today!) By the time I got back to the hotel he was making up to Brian and then to me. We continue to tell him we love him but don't like his behavior when he's like this! Genya decided to eat yogurt and cereal instead of a chicken sandwich so that was his dinner tonight.

We watched some TV and Genya fell asleep about 8pm – not surprising considering all his running today and his outbursts. Brian's napping also but I'm trying to stay awake for awhile!!

And yes, our flights are confirmed for Sunday. We will arrive in Chicago at O'Hare at scheduled 4:30pm but have to clear customs and immigration so it will probably be closer to 5:30 before we see JJ again but it will be great!! We leave Moscow at 1:30pm local time, fly 11 hours and arrive 4:30pm Chicago local time… how is that for a day's "work"?

Gone American…

Oh, the joys of sleeping on a real mattress, with soft sheets, soft & comfortable pillows and a quiet room. Brian said his back actually did better on the other bed but not mine…it's feeling good!

Genya had fallen asleep about 7pm and Brian and I stayed up till around 9pm. I didn't sleep real soundly all night but did at stretches. (I never sleep well the first night in a different place and had some things on my mind too!) Genya woke up the first time about 3am to go to the bathroom but then went back to sleep. He is enjoying having the queen sized bed to himself after the little cot he had at the apartment and probably his little bed at the orphanage too – he slept every which way on the bed during the night! He then woke again a little before 5am and said "dobre ootra" (good morning) but I showed him it was still dark outside and had him lay back down. Wasn't sure at that point if he'd go back to sleep but he did until just after 6:30am – he then went to look out the window and it was a little lighter so he came by me and said "dobre ootra, mama"! I said now it's morning? He said "da" and so we all got up. He wanted some juice – not surprising as the room is a little warm and he hasn't drank much since lunch yesterday! I think I'm going to have to have someone come show us how to run the ac in this room – I thought I lowered it but it didn't help much. We're used to the Siberian climate now and need it a little cooler to sleep! They have great down comforters on the beds too so it's better to snuggle under when it's cooler!

I'm not usually a fan of watching CNN but we pretty much have that on when the TV is on here – it's English! We watched skynews also and saw the CBS evening news from last night. Seems we didn't miss much these last weeks! I gave Genya the portable DVD player as he wanted to watch his Spiderman DVD and he's happy pressing the pause/play buttons which usually drives me nuts but figure if that's how he wants to watch it…! He also keeps touching the screen thinking it will react to his touch like the DS – that's on the list of things to have Elena explain to him once we're home!

We got an English newspaper delivered to our door this morning. "The Moscow Times" which is 16-pages long but is 16-pages more than I've read in weeks and weeks. For those of you who don't know I'm a reading junky and get the paper delivered every Friday, Saturday and especially Sunday and also got for a Christmas present the local daily paper so this little paper is a welcome sight – I'll read every word!! They also had complimentary coffee in the lobby so Brian went to get me some – it tastes like hotel coffee but better than the Maxwell House instant! Sometime in the next few days we'll find the Starbucks or even will buy a McDonald's coffee (normally I'm not overly fond of McD's but hey, it's a taste of home). Genya ate the last banana I had brought from IRK and the last apple but since we're only a few minutes from the 24-hour supermarket we'll restock as needed. There is a very, very small refrigerator in the room so we'll just keep Genya's juice and a yogurt or two in there! Brian went to check the emails and then was going for a walk outside and will bring us some some baked goods from the grocery store for breakfast.

I did get email from our travel agent and she has us booked out of here on Sunday – there were no seats available Saturday – but until I know for sure we're leaving I won't post any details!

The thing with the passport is that the Russian names matches the birth and adoption certificates – so there really should be no reason the English middle name missing is a concern. We can prove who he is! And the English on the passport is spelled wrong anyways - he's Neytan Ninman - so how can something not being there make any difference??? This all has me vexed.

Brian brought back some donuts – yumm! Philip called around 10:30a and said he got the embassy to accept Nathan's passport – he said they didn't know what to make of it! So tomorrow really (Thurs) we go at 1pm to get his passport with his entry visa. After we got this great news (I cried a little when hearing it) we headed out for the afternoon. We walked to Arbat St – a LONG walk! We had the 'cultural map' that really isn't to scale but somewhat helpful. I thought we were getting close to our destination when Genya said he had to go toilet – so we looked for either the restaurant or a public toilet… finally spotted a pay toilet so he was better. Then I figured out I had looked at the map wrong and we were on the wrong side of the street! To cross the busy streets here you go underground and walk under the streets, but there isn't one on every intersection. We made it across and found (eventually) where we wanted to go… Hard Rock Café! Longtime blog readers will remember me posting last year that I was 21 before my first Hard Rock – JJ got to his first (Indy) at 7 – Genya his at 5! We had a nice lunch and it was smoke free in the roomuntil just when we were leaving – unbelievable! Brian had a hamburger w/fries, I had a salad with chicken and fruit and Genya had Mac n'cheese, fries with ketchup and even put his m&c into the ketchup also – said that will impress JJ! Genya also did some air guitaring with the music – cute! We then headed to look for a few souvenirs we had been asked to look for and found a few more things we thought were cute. I also found a traditional Russian shirt for Genya (or so they say anyways! LOL) they gave Genya a gift of a toy car but it has a missing headlight so probably couldn't sell it! Ah, it's the thought that counts – he likes it!! We then walked the rest of the street for awhile and found "two" Starbucks so I got a latte and Brian got an almond steamer – Genya liked the steamer also. When I came out with the drinks there was a street vendor drawing Genya's pix. We had already decided NOT to do it but they're somewhat aggressive and just did it. The pix of Genya is ok but he was quite happy about it getting done so we splurged and bought it (after getting a little discount anyway!) and then another guy came up and was doing mine "gift to you – nice eyes". That one actually looked quite a bit like me but I kept saying "no, not buying!" – but finally gave him what really is a token amount so between the two drawings we paid a fair price – and a unique remembrance. There was a McDonalds on the street so we were sure to stop at the "free public toilets" before departing the street. The walk back to the hotel didn't seem too bad even tho it was quite a ways… we stayed on the main streets so probably that made it seem shorter. We made a quick stop at the grocery store and then to the room. We had been gone for over 5-hours!

It was dinnertime then and we were getting hungry so headed for the Russian Chicken Restaurant owned by KFC (lists both names). We got some chicken pieces, fries and a chicken sandwich for Brian. Took it back to eat in the hotel room as it was quite busy there and Genya was a little ornery. That not eating on schedule affects him so much! He enjyed the chicken drumsticks – ate one complete and part of another and also some fries. Then part of one of the expensive apples we had purchased earlier… He didn't get a bath tonight but got his pajamas on after I put mine on also. By 8:30pm he had fallen asleep. I was reading some of the English tourism literature in the room and trying to stay awake until 10pm. Brian dozed some, checked email, took care of getting our travel arrangements paid for as the c/card the travel agent has expired end of February and then we watched an episode of "House" on the Hallmark channel – one Brian hadn't even seen believe it or not!

So yes, today we did Hard Rock Café, Starbucks, McDonalds (somewhat) and KFC… Also were asked a few times if we "lived here".

At 1:15am JJ and mom called from home – think they got the time difference messed up! We're "eight" hours, not nine different – the USA daylight savings time change is messing me up! I also posted the wrong phone number for here – listed central reservations so mom had to track us down! Genya slept through the whole call and Brian and I fell back asleep easily.

Moscow

We were awake on and off most the night so when the alarm rang we were ready. Got a call from JJ to make sure we were up and ready to leave… we were getting there. Got Genya up and dressed (when it was still night as he reported) and Andrew in the taxi arrived almost on time! It was a little hard saying goodbye but not too much! We somehow had overweight luggage – and that was even without weighing our carry-ons! So Brian went off to pay that charge (took a bunch of our rubles to pay it!) and we were on the way through passport control.

The flight left on time and was very LONG but very comfortable. We wish we would have flown Aeroflot before! Genya was given a little gift bag upon boarding and loved the orange baseball cap the best – wore it the rest of the day! Genya was a good flyer if a bit antsy. Never dozed a second but turned the reading lights and air fans on off/on off about 10,000 times at least. Also had to go to the toilet every 45-minutes. We were in the bulkhead seats so it was a LONG walk to the back of the plane! We got served a "dinner" meal around 7am IRK time so that was the start of our weird eating schedule today.

The plane landed safely and on time in Moscow and we were met by Vladimer, the same driver who has met us before. We met up with Philip (coordinator) after being in a HUGE traffic jam for a long time. Genya had fallen asleep for a bit on the way even tho he denied it (we have pictures)! Within minutes of being in the car Philip took all our paperwork and reviewed it in the car. (Brian was impressed by the multi-tasking!) We went to get Genya's pix taken as we needed it for some purpose and then went to the medical doctor for Genya's exam. It was quite short and he reviewed his medical history and signed the form we need for the embassy. We paid this in rubles also so that wiped out our "big bills" so had to stop at a ATM a little later to replenish! While there Philip asked if they had seen the new biometric passport yet and they said "no, this is the first one"… hmm – Philip hadn't seen one yet either he said. He's also suspicious of the whole procedure and some of the things that happened but nothing we can do about that now!

We then went to the Marriott to check in and got our room assigned. We signed some of the forms that Philip will be presenting to the embassy on our behalf tomorrow. Genya was drinking some water at the time and for some reason felt obligated to tell Philip "mama drinks peeve" (in Russian but I understood it) – Philip laughed, said now it starts! It was about noon Moscow time by now. After settling in quickly to our room we went to find something to eat – we were hungry! We walked towards Red Square and found a McDonalds – yep, we ate there! Brian and I had Big Mac's and fries and Genya had a hamburger happy meal. We enjoyed it all.

We then continued walking and found ourselves at Red Square and St. Basil's Cathedral. It was a bright sunny day so it was wonderful to look at. We snapped some of the obligatory pictures and continued our walk. We were heading back to the hotel now tho as it is quite a long ways to where we were. Good thing we trained Genya for walking in Irkutsk! He did pretty well considering! Got carried by Brian a few times but not too many.

We stopped at the grocery store up the street for a few basics (soda/juice) and found salsa and chips so that will be our dinner tonight. Genya is having a banana, maybe two. He hasn't eaten much today and is all off schedule. In the car from the airport he did throw up two times! Not bad (wasn't stinky or anything, mostly water) but messy enough – had an extra shirt in my carry-on as I was prepared if it would have happened on the plane… So put that shirt on and within 5-minutes threw up on that one. That one stayed on the rest of the day tho LOL

We were just settling down for the evening (5:00pm local time) and had given Genya his bath (big, deep bathtub!) when the phone rang. It was Philip and he said he was just reviewing the documents and Nathan's middle name is missing in English on his passport. I said I noticed that, along with the last name being spelled differently than ours (one less N), but I was told it's the Russian that matters – Philip said the Embassy might not agree as they're being extremely picky and might tell us to get the passport redone. He said this was no one's fault, especially not ours, and will argue about it tomorrow. So today's prayers will be that there not be a problem for the US Government to accept this passport that we waited SO LONG to get! (What gets me is that the RUSSIANS accepted it and would let him go anywhere with it but the USA might not accept another country's official document? What if someone did that to an American? Maybe I'm thinking too hard on this tho).Philip said I should still contact the travel agent to arrange us flights out on Saturday so he must feel somewhat confident. I asked if our contact inside the embassy would be any help and he said that that man is not the decision maker anymore (due to transfer of responsibilities from the Dept of State to USCIS (immigration)). But he again sounded ok, if not overly confident, that things would be fine. Me, as with everything with this adoption, once it's done then I'll feel confident! Said something about going without a middle name if needed or saying his middle name doesn't really matter – it is THERE but only in RUSSIAN, not ENGLISH) but my brain was faded already by that part of the conversation. This news on top of lack of sleep and jet lag is not a good thing!

Genya was quite wound up but is really sleepy too – he looks so wiped out! I hope he stays awake a little longer and then sleeps awhile into the morning! We'll be getting a call between 10-11am local time saying how the embassy interview went. Not sure of any other plans for tomorrow yet.

(Genya did fall asleep when I went to the computer)

This is a shorter report of a very busy day (we crammed more into the past 18-hours than we had done in the last few weeks but I'm a little tired and have to go yet to the public computer to post this and contact the travel agent also. And we didn't find any Corned Beef and Cabbage so we'll have to wait for that when we get home! We did find a Mexican restaurant tho that had its sign written in English!

Our phone number here is:

007-495-258-30-00 – we're in room 512 (they speak English when the answer the phone, or at least when you talk in English) – we are now 9 (nine) hours ahead of you!

So this will be how you reach us:

1-800-367-9241

150-763-2808

011-7-(4952) 58-30-00#

Pictures will have to wait for awhile as we're on a public computer and I'm too tired tonight tho so will try either when I[m up in the wee hours or tomorrow day!

More pixs - from Jane and Kathy

We're home!

At our dinner stop, Culver's Restaurant! They both had hot dogs

Attached is a pix taken at the airport late yesterday afternoon. It was a wonderful reunion and thanks to Kathy & Marty Friend and Jane Cook and Ava for coming too!!! The visit was too short but JJ was anxious to be on his way.

(Genya is blowing the pinwheel, he had wanted one at the zoo but we wouldn't get - he got one anyway!)

We've been up since 3:30am today (Genya awoke first, slept too long on plane I think) but I hope to keep him up ALL DAY to get on regular schedule. JJ and I might nap -- JJ got to stay home from school today!

Taking down my Christmas decorations yet but otherwise all is under control. Genya keeps turning on lots of things but is really doing ok... He and JJ are getting along very good!

I do promise to do updates soon but for now we are so happy to be HOME!!! Even tho it's cold and rainy here today! LOL