Another "taking it easy" kind of day today. Although we did make a quick trip to WalMart for Vladik's bike helmet and also stopped at the post office. He didn't see overwhelmed by WalMart, which I was kind of surprised about; but maybe he was and he just hides it well.
I think he was really excited about the helmet. He knew we were getting it *for him* and he was tickled to get to pick it out. We also got some more fruit... which at the rate he's going, I'll have to replenish again on Monday. I was warned that he'd go through fruit like crazy, and boy they weren't kidding!
We had scrambled eggs with sliced hot dogs (my boys' favorite way to eat eggs) and banana raspberry muffins for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and meatloaf for supper. He's been eating really well... had 1 1/2 sandwiches at lunch, and 2 servings of meatloaf at supper, plus all the sides. I'm glad about that. I know some of the other host parents are having a hard time getting their kids to eat. Vladik has been willing to try everything I've put in front of him. As a result, we're now out of Trail Bologna. :-)
Kyle asked him tonight if he wanted to pray at supper. I was surprised when he said yes. I'm DYING to know what he said-- all I got was "Amen." Of course for all I know it was the equivalent of "blah blah blah... amen;" but I don't think so. He seemed genuinely pleased to be asked. I thought maybe he'd feel uncomfortable, but he didn't seem to be.
I had to mow today (3 hrs) so they watched a little more tv and played the wii more than I would have normally liked, but they spent the rest of the day outside. I suppose it won't hurt.
Yesterday, Vladik fell asleep on the couch shortly after supper. Tonight he indicated he wasn't tired. So he helped me put the boys to bed, said prayers with us (again, I'd LOVE to know what he said), and then he and I came downstairs and played a couple rounds of Memory. I also taught him to play Connect 4, and I think it's a new favorite. I'll have to check and see of they make it in a travel size for him to take back on the plane.
For our English lesson today we worked on colors, letter sounds and their names, counting to 20, and some conversational phrases. It's really hard to do with Joe and Kyle in the room as they keep interrupting. I think maybe tomorrow, Vladik and I will use the dining room table while the boys stay in the kitchen... don't know if that will help or not.
I feel like I'm shooting the dark as far as the English goes. I know every little bit helps, but I would feel better if I had a plan to follow. For someone to say "Hey, this is what we did last year." Or "Such and such really helped us." I don't usually mind winging it, but this is different.
I think he was really excited about the helmet. He knew we were getting it *for him* and he was tickled to get to pick it out. We also got some more fruit... which at the rate he's going, I'll have to replenish again on Monday. I was warned that he'd go through fruit like crazy, and boy they weren't kidding!
We had scrambled eggs with sliced hot dogs (my boys' favorite way to eat eggs) and banana raspberry muffins for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch and meatloaf for supper. He's been eating really well... had 1 1/2 sandwiches at lunch, and 2 servings of meatloaf at supper, plus all the sides. I'm glad about that. I know some of the other host parents are having a hard time getting their kids to eat. Vladik has been willing to try everything I've put in front of him. As a result, we're now out of Trail Bologna. :-)
Kyle asked him tonight if he wanted to pray at supper. I was surprised when he said yes. I'm DYING to know what he said-- all I got was "Amen." Of course for all I know it was the equivalent of "blah blah blah... amen;" but I don't think so. He seemed genuinely pleased to be asked. I thought maybe he'd feel uncomfortable, but he didn't seem to be.
I had to mow today (3 hrs) so they watched a little more tv and played the wii more than I would have normally liked, but they spent the rest of the day outside. I suppose it won't hurt.
Yesterday, Vladik fell asleep on the couch shortly after supper. Tonight he indicated he wasn't tired. So he helped me put the boys to bed, said prayers with us (again, I'd LOVE to know what he said), and then he and I came downstairs and played a couple rounds of Memory. I also taught him to play Connect 4, and I think it's a new favorite. I'll have to check and see of they make it in a travel size for him to take back on the plane.
For our English lesson today we worked on colors, letter sounds and their names, counting to 20, and some conversational phrases. It's really hard to do with Joe and Kyle in the room as they keep interrupting. I think maybe tomorrow, Vladik and I will use the dining room table while the boys stay in the kitchen... don't know if that will help or not.
I feel like I'm shooting the dark as far as the English goes. I know every little bit helps, but I would feel better if I had a plan to follow. For someone to say "Hey, this is what we did last year." Or "Such and such really helped us." I don't usually mind winging it, but this is different.
Oh the English lessons.... I am getting so comfortable with the online translator, that I almost don't care. Well, not really, but it does make it fairly easy to communicate.
ReplyDeleteNice update. I'm really enjoying everyone's experience.
ReplyDeleteSounds wonderful! We're also getting settled in. Misha has been here before, so he kind of knows the routine, but we're adding in mandatory lessons beginning tomorrow. We'll see. He doesn't love the lessons, as I recall.
ReplyDeleteSince our boys are friends from the same orphanage, maybe they would like to visit by phone after a few more days? Give us a call if Vlad wants.
That's so awesome that he's praying with you guys already! Our little guy never did the whole time he was with us. I'm really curious about what he said too!
ReplyDeleteAs far as English lessons went, I just used livemocha.com . One lesson a day. Or the same lesson 2 days in a row if they were a little more challenging. It made things easier for us to have those ready made lessons.