What We've Been up To

This is how our visits have been going...

I think Anton has picked up Jeff's default silly-face

We've been playing outside a lot with the kids... the first few visits, this really helped break the ice with us, as there was lots of physical things to do.... running, see saw, monkey bars... but after a few visits, this was not only completely exhausting, but also hindering us in a few ways...

The kids are pretty much free to roam about as they please, so they move rapidly from one thing to another... it's been difficult to get them to sit down and draw with us, or look at pictures... they have just wanted to run, be chased, be carried around, and to dig in our bag for any treats or toys.  Basically, a free-for-all.  Also, since they have no sense of parental authority or protection with us, it's not even within their nature to stay close to us if something else has distracted them, and they are slow to come when we call.  Actually, Anton is better at staying with us, and coming when Papa calls (he's pretty attached to Papa), but Lena is a wild bird and happy to stay with me, or happy to run off - and ignores our calls.

So having our visits outdoors has made it difficult to establish any boundaries.  However, the nannies want the kids outside for "fresh air" so we've really been hoping for rain.

Just Hangin Out

Then we got it!  Today it was finally sprinkling pretty good on our walk to the orphanage, and the kids were not outside with their groupa when we arrived.  So we ended up spending our short morning visit indoors - success!

Things were much more calm and focused.  Lena actually finished coloring an entire picture, and Anton sat with me and drew a picture with me, pointing and talking about what we were drawing.  Lena loved sitting on Jeff's lap looking at his drawing, and looking through our picture book, and Anton was interested in the pictures as well.

We still have a long way to go, and lots to learn and overcome, but all-in-all, this morning's visit was the best one yet.

Looking at Pictures from their New Home
(Look closely, Jess)