Big day for Vanya!

Today was the first day that Vanya got to ride the school bus and go to preschool without mama! I never thought I would be one to get emotional about putting a child on the bus for school and never really understood when other mothers cried after putting their kindergartner on the bus the first day. NOW I understand. Seeing that little face in the window of the school bus after he got on brought the tears right out but I held them back so he wouldn't see them.

He was sooo excited about being a big boy and riding the school bus right up until the time came to actually get on the school bus. He didn't cry or make a scene but his expression told the whole story; apprehension, uncertainty, and little scared. I knew he would fine and I had to resist just getting on the bus and taking him off and keeping him at home. He took his "baby" with him and was holding on tight so I knew he was a little unsure of the whole bus, school, no mama deal. One he got there the teacher said he was happy when he got off the bus and did fine all day. I'm waiting for him to get home now and trying to get this post finished before going outside to great my little man with a big hug and kiss.

It was touching to see Victor take Vanya's hand and walk with him and talk to him on the way to their bus stop. My oldest, Yuri, isn't quite the touchy feely kind so he was content to just watch the other two and get in a picture here and there. Victor and Vanya seem to be getting closer to each other and can now play nicely as they horse around instead of really trying to hurt each other. Yuri, on the other hand, still enjoys scaring the other two and playing keep away since he is bigger. I know one day they will all get along (hopefully) when they realize that mama and papa love them all equally and they don't have to fight with each other to get our attention. I know a little of that will always go on but it will hopefully be a little scaled down from the knock down drag outs they have now. When they realize having brothers is pretty cool and they start to stick up for each other I will jump for joy. Won't be today or tomorrow but I look forward to that in the future.

Gotta go,

mama mama mama

Planes, Pumpkins, Preschool and PT

What a whirlwind of activity the past few weeks at the Passanita house. The most recent highlight was that of the Babushka visit! Yes, the great babushka came to visit even after the trauma of going to Ukraine. We thought we might not see her for a few years after that experience. The boys talked about her coming for weeks and a little girl in Victors class even told me that she is going to start calling her grandmother babushka because it sounds so cool. Her mother told me that as well. How funny. We got a family photo taken and babushka got have a few shots of her with the boys as well. We did it in Colonial Williamsburg and it was great because the photographer is part of the Celebrate adoption group who does some free photo shoots and then you get a discount on the pictures. That was a nice blessing.
Babushka got the full gamut of activity that goes on here regularly. The good, the bad, and the ugly were present on most days from all 3 boys. We did soccer, school, preschool, bedtime rituals, baths,etc.. Babushka even babysat a few times and did a smashing job. Not so sure she will volunteer that again though. The boys can be a handful when they have an audience. Their cuteness and hugs make up for all of the "not so acceptable" behaviors. We still have a way to go but the boys have been making tremendous progress. They enjoyed Babushka's prayer bear and all the goodies she brought for them. PJ's , umbrellas, and hats & gloves and all kinds of other good stuff. They particularly liked when she showed them all the different shells she has found on "her" beach in Sarasota. We have gotten to get them out a few times since she left as well. Uncle Brian also came down for a visit for hte day nad hte boys enjoyed playing light sabers and going to soccer games. It was nice to see him as well.
Halloween was a fun time as well. We got some pumpkins and carved them and then we went over to our wonderful friends, the Rahn's, to have dinner and sit by the campfire. We don't believe the devil should even get 1 day of our attention so we don't do the whole trick-or-treat thing. In fact the kids didn't attend school that day either so they wouldn't be exposed to all the costumes and such. They love going to see Giny (the Rahn's dog) and visiting and we are so thankful for them. I think with the activity level of the boys we stand a chance of not being invited anywhere else anyway. Love you guys, Rick and Fran!
BIG news on the preschool front. Vanya was accepted into the Bright Beginnings program at the same school where the other 2 boys go. Woohoo! He will probably only go 2-3 days a week but he loves it so far. Mama has gone with him a few times and tomorrow is the big day of getting on the bus all by himself. We'll see how that goes. I'm a little nervous about that one myself but I'm sure he will do fine once he sees his teacher. His teacher's name is Ms Laura and she seems to be great with him and he is greeted by all the kids very nicely. Both the girls in his class want to see by him all the time and he just loves all the attention. He can say his ABC's pretty good and is still working on some other things but seems to be right up there with some of the other kids in the class.
Travis came home for the weekend and got to enjoy the boys soccer games (at least I think he enjoyed it, it was pretty cold) and Papa's cooking and he even said he was going to model his PT outfit. I'll post the picture when I get one. I think he would like to make the boys do some PT to settle them down a little. It was nice to have him home for a weekend and I'm sure he liked being able to do laundry and eat and sleep and such. I think that what college do most of the time.
We are looking forward to a group of Orphans coming from the Kherson region to perform the Old Russian Shoemaker play all around the Hampton Roads area. Heart for Orphans along with CBN is sponsoring the event and many of the families here are hosting the kids. We hope this Thanksgiving will be a wonderful blessing to those kids as well as the families who host them.
That's it from the home front for now. More later after the demolition crew is in bed.

Mama Mama Mama