Babushka gets giggles, kisses, and a new doo

(Laura) Today was a great day with the boys although they both really missed papa. That was the first thing Vanya said when I picked him up this morning was. Papa? with his hands turned up side down and that famous furrowed brow. Clearly he knew that Papa was missing today however now he knows how to say America. He talked to Papa on the phone and got big wide eyes when he heard his voice but had a hard time figuring out how Papa was in the phone. I think Papa only got a very hesitant Alo Papa? He continues every day to laugh and giggle up a storm. Today he found the brush in Mama's bag. Boy was that a hit! Vanya, Mama, and Babushka all got our hair brushed along with the being fanned with the new fan Babushka brought. Perhaps hairdressing is in his future. I was a riot to watch him give himself spikey hair and then just laugh. Mama did get a little tougher today when the brush started to be used as a weapon to take down the cobwebs in the corner of the shelter. I found out that he is pretty heavy when being carried by one arm. The G-3 gand were there minus Rob, Giovani, and the Lambeths (they had court today and it was a successful 20 min.!) He ran out and gave babushka hugs and kisses and then raced mama up the stairs laughing the whole way. When I got him upstairs however he said his usual "peet mama" but the mistake he made this time was that he didn't let mama get his clothes off first so the caretakers came out and hollered at him and he looked so dijected and simply said in a very low voice "paka mama"and then gave me kiss and hug and his sad little face disappeared into the room for lunch.
Then the highlight of babushkas day was Yuri running all the way out of his building and straight for her to give her a big hug and get the kisses we promised him yesterday that he would be getting. When I went in to wake him up (yes, even 7 year olds take long naps after lunch until 4pm) he was already awake and waiting for me. He showed me his boo boo's were healing and then he got his clothes on and was ready to go. When I told him babushka was here he went to look out the window and then after he saw where she was he ran all the way down the stairs and out the door and left mama in the dust. Babushka welcomed him with open arms and covered him with the kisses on each cheek. I know who is going to be spoiled alot. We played in the shelter for a while and Yuri got a big kick out of taking lots of pictures around the internat (orphanage). I'm glad he did so he will have them to look at when we get home. Lots of Sabaka pictures papa. The puppy as well as ALL the other dogs. Andrey helped him, of course, and he got some great shots. He was all smiles to get his new bathing suit from Babushka as well as a sucker on a plastic stick. He did also eat the snack we brought and wanted his shoes and hat on and also remembered that Mama said he could get an ice cream today. We'll fatten him up in no time! He needs to eat some of Giovani's spaghetti too!
He was very happy today but also really missed Papa. He wanted me to throw him up in the air like Papa does but Mama just doesn't have the muscles for it. He was quite disappointed. Papa, you are missed! Most of all by me but the boys miss you too. Yuri was very proud to say though that Papa was waiting for him in America! Do you think they make Red Ruby flip flops so we can all click our heels and go home! That would be cool.

Babushka has made it to the internet cafe twice now and may need some extra vitamin I. Igor has left us and is working on another project but has the taxi's all lined up for our visits. Of course I was a bad mama and was yelled at by the teacher at Yuri's orphanage because he drove onto the grounds and she had to come find us and I was 10 minutes late. See papa, you complete me!

Cio and das vedanya to all,

Laura and Babushka