Day 13

The battery on the laptop is low.
MY battery is lower.

We had a fun, but exhausting day at the Cleveland Zoo. It was CRAZY hot the first 3 hours we were there, and it rained the next 3.  We discovered AFTER we got there that it was "free admission day" for all Cuyahoga County residents... so every day care, church camp and girl scout troop in the county were there. It was CROWDED... more crowded than I'd ever seen it!  We had to park like in the back 40-- where I didn't even know they HAD parking lots! We met another host family there who is also hosting a teenage boy from Ukraine.
I had anticipated Vladik and Kolya would talk nonstop. I mean, they've been talking in single word sentences for 2 weeks, and FINALLY  they have a chance to exercise their tongues, right?

NOPE. They didn't say a word to each other.

A motley crew.. but even soaking wet, there were
still smiles!

On a positive note though, Vladik said he really enjoyed the zoo.
SCORE!!  Finally, I got something right!

On a completely different note, I've discovered Vladik has been stealing. I'm told it's not unusual, and honestly, I can understand why. He has SO little and he sees how much we have... how good we have it... and wants a little something of his own. He probably thinks we won't even miss it.

I like this one because it shows their personalities.
Kyle was being difficult, Joe was being goofy, and
Vladik was laughing at them- and me
trying to get everyone to cooperate.

And in truth, it's possible that he doesn't know that stealing is "wrong."
He's never had a mom who, upon finding her child has swiped a pack of gum, marched said child back into the store to return it and apologize.
     It's kind of ridiculous the things he's taken. Kyle's Leapster (which used to be Joe's, so it only works intermittently,) and a spare car charger for my cell phone.
I need to confront him about it today, but I'm not looking forward to it.
OH-and before I forget. If you're local and get the Times Gazette, Rick says we're on the front page.

Joe and Vladik working on a "hidden picture" book. 

Kyle on his way to a "full pull!"

2nd place trophy and an invitation to pull at the
Grand National competition in Columbus in January. 

Ice cream... always a favorite!

Day 12

Ok, so I was wrong when I posted last night that Vladik got into some stinging nettle.
It's fiberglass splinters..

It's a long story.

Not much to report today.  Vladik slept late this morning... late enough I had to wake him up in order to get to church on time.

After church we came home quick, changed clothes, and went to an Antique Tractor show at the Career Center.  The NKTPA (National Kiddie Tractor Pullers Association) has a pull there that Joe and Kyle compete in. Last year, Joe got 1st in his age category which qualified him to pull in the Grand National Championship in Columbus where he placed 3rd in his class.
Joe didn't do quite as well this year... placing 4th. He'd been bragging all day that he was going to win a trophy.... which he didn't.
I tried explaining to him that there's a big difference between saying "I'm GOING to win a trophy" and "I HOPE I win a trophy."
Kyle, on the other hand, did MUCH better than what he did last year. He was one of 2 kids in his age group to make a full pull. When it was all said and done, Kyle won a 2nd place trophy. He was REALLY excited!

Vladik was too old to compete as the age cut off was 10.

I realize that not every kid is enamored of tractors and machinery... and that it's not something he grew up around, so for it not to hold his attention probably isn't all that surprising. But I thought he might show just a little spark of interest.
NOTHING.
     I'm really striking out in the extra curricular activities department!

Tomorrow we head to the Cleveland Zoo to meet up with another host family. I hope it will be a good time for Vladik. The family we're meeting is also hosting a boy from Ukraine. I don't think they know each other, but I'm sure it will be nice for Vladik to exercise his tongue and speak in complete sentences.

I've been reading some of the blogs of other host parents, and I can't decide if Vladik's lack of English is a blessing or a curse. His ability to argue and talk back are greatly reduced, simply because the language isn't there..
Whether he would or not-- even if he knew more English, is hard to say.
For the most part, he seems pretty compliant. He hasn't really give me much grief about anything, but maybe it's because he can't.  It could be that if he were more fluent, I'd have a completely different kid on my hands.

Many of the host parents have kids that bend over backwards to help with chores, cooking, cleaning up, etc. There are others who have host kids that are really testing limits and boundaries and bucking up against authority.

Every hosting experience is different.... just like every child is different. And I think that's a really good point to make for anyone considering hosting for the first time this Christmas or next summer. Our experience with Vladik is just that.... OUR experience. Had he been chosen by another family, their blog may have read quite differently than mine.

Hosting is hard work-- no matter how well prepared you are.
It's hard.
It takes time.
It takes money.
It requires you to stretch yourself-- many times in ways you may not be comfortable with.
It's exhausting- physically, mentally and emotionally.
It takes PATIENCE.
It takes compassion... love... understanding... faith...
It's HARD.

Would I do it again?

In a heartbeat.

Day 11

Strike 3..... I'm out.

At breakfast, (again, everyone else had already eaten), I told Vladik that we needed to run a few errands this morning. My Aunt's, the Farmer's Market, the Library, etc. Not a ton of errands, but when one does not live in town, you combine as much errand running into one trip as you can. I had planned on making a stop at the local craft store, where you can pick a craft (there are quite a few from which to choose), and make it there... (which means the mess stays there) and then bring it home.
Joe and Kyle usually get something they have to paint, so only half of the mess stays there; but still.
So I asked Vladik if he thought that sounded like something  he wanted to do.

Yes.

GREAT! FINALLY I've found something outside the house that piques his interest.

Well, if you've been following my blog, I'm sure you can guess what happened.
Yep, you got it.
We got there and he was no longer interested. Joe and Kyle and I went ahead and did our crafts, but Vladik was completely bored.
Maybe it was overwhelming? It's a small shop, but visually, it's very busy. Too many options? Did he not know what was expected of him?  I don't know.
STRIKE 3.

We were there for about 30 minutes, did our thing, and left.

Out last stop was Buehler's. (A local grocery store.)

Vladik perked right up when we got to the produce department. In fact, come to think of it.. it was the most animated he'd been all day. A pineapple, a cantaloupe, plums, a honeyrock melon, strawberries, bananas, green beans, and a couple bags of chips later, we went home for lunch.

Kyle has been pretty cranky the last few days, so after lunch, I put him down for a nap. Unfortunately, I couldn't enjoy it, because I had to mow.  I told Vladik and Joe that they could watch TV until Kyle got up (which is usually about 45 minutes.... never more than an hour) and then they had to turn it off.

Evidently, I lost track of time. I kept expecting to see them come barreling out of the house asking for a snack. (Joe usually starts asking for a snack within 30 minutes of finishing a meal.) But they never came.

So I climbed off the mower and went inside-- fully expecting the three of them to be sitting on the couch watching TV, despite my instructions.  Imagine my surprise when I looked at the clock... nearly 2 hours had passed! Kyle was still asleep and Joe and Vladik were still watching TV. YIKES!

I ran upstairs to wake up Kyle.. UGH it's going to be torture getting him to bed tonight.
And as soon as we came downstairs, they (meaning Joe), started clamoring for a snack.

So I got the boys all situated, told them under no uncertain terms were they to turn the TV back on, and went back out to finish the yard. (yeah, we have a big yard.)

While I was mowing, the boys got their scrap paper, markers, and crayons out to draw.
Vladik is a pretty good artist!
He drew a tractor, a race car, OUR car (a Flex) and a Semi truck and trailer.

Tonight, Vladik asked if he could help make supper. (Which is a first).
We were having waffles, (I LOVE breakfast for supper!)
So I got a bowl out, and he measured the Bisquick, poured and added the milk, measured and added the oil, cracked the eggs... well, he cracked 1 of the eggs, I had to show him how to do it with the 1st.
I poured the batter into the waffle maker for the first one, but he wanted to do the rest.

**Vladik interrupted me about 2 hours ago. He tangled with some stinging nettle and the nettle won.
He's finally in bed, and I still need a shower.

I'll have to finish this post tomorrow.

Day 10... layin' down the law

I had to have speaks with Vladik and Joe today.

It was bound to happen eventually.

Joe occasionally.... sometimes.... often.... gets a little too big for his britches and bites off more than he can chew. When he doesn't like the natural consequences of his actions, he comes crying to me.

I laugh-- not at Joe, but at the situation in general. Because there are times we all bite off more than we can chew and find we can't handle it.

Vladik "plays" rougher that what Joe and Kyle are used to. I think I've mentioned that before. Anyway, there were several times today that I had to intervene and separate the boys.... all three of them. In one instance I intervened too late and now Joe has a bruise and a knot on his forehead. Well, it's not like this is the first time one of my kids have had a goose egg.
So after supper tonight, I sat down with Vladik, Joe and google translate. I typed and translated as I spoke to Joe, so Vladik understood what Joe was being told. And I spoke to Joe as I typed and translated to Vladik, so all involved were clear as to what was being said.  Hopefully, this will take care of it. Although knowing Joe as I do, I'm pretty sure we'll have to revisit this topic again.

The reporter and photographer from the Times Gazette came out this morning. They're planning on running the article on Vladik on Tuesday. The reporter took copious notes. It will be interesting to see how it turns out. I've been in the paper a few times in the last decade-- and never once have I gone without being misquoted.

Vladik helped me pick peas and peppers from the garden this evening. I think it was his favorite part of the day. It's funny how the things I know he'll just *love* he's ambivalent about; and the things I never even considered as an activity, he really enjoys.  Shows what I know!

It was cooler today, especially this morning. So during his breakfast, (he slept later that usual today) I asked Vladik if he wanted to help me make chocolate chip cookies. Again, an activity I thought he'd enjoy.

NOPE.

Did my kids want to help make cookies?

NOPE.

Of course, they all wanted to help EAT the cookies. You know, quality control and all.

This was at the park yesterday. I like this
picture because it's a GENUINE smile. He's
not posing... he's playing.

A close up of the Monarch caterpillar we found. We had to traipse through the north east corn field to find some viable milkweed, but we found our caterpillar. He's probably only a couple of days old in this pic.

Today, Vladik tried to teach my boys the  vitally
important skill of tossing an object in the air and
catching it in your mouth. If you look closely, you
can see the grape.

Joe trying to toss a grape into Vladik's mouth.

Not to be outdone,  Kyle tried it too.
I think the grape bounced off his glasses.

No, he's not as innocent as he looks. He's stealing cookie dough!

Day 9 .... more revelations

Before I get into my day...
Congratulations to my sister, Stephanie and brother-in-law, Grant, on the birth of their 4th child!!

So I learned some personal things about Vladik today.
To tell the truth, I'm surprised he was willing to share.

We were talking about names. Middle names in particular. He didn't know what I meant at first, so on google translate, I typed in Joe's full name, then Kyle's, mine and Rick's. He laughed at all of them.

Turns out he does have a middle name.
Then, all of a sudden he started "talking" (typing) about other names. After working with the translation a bit, I discovered he has 4 brothers.     Huh.
      One is younger.... younger than Kyle, the other three are older than Vladik.  I got the impression that the older three are old enough to not be in an orphanage... and in truth I don't know that they ever were. Just because Vladik is, doesn't necessarily mean the others are/were.
     He said he doesn't get to see them much. I don't know if that means "never" or "rarely".
I think it was a difficult admission for him; so I told him, truthfully, that I also have family I rarely see because they live so far away.

     Vladik had his eye exam today with Dr. Denbow.  He passed with flying colors. No glasses needed. YAY!   Even with the language barrier, it went surprisingly well.  Of course, I spent quite a bit of time this morning explaining some of the specifics about the exam, showing him pictures of some of the equipment, and giving him an idea of what to expect. If he was nervous, he hid it well.  He did a great job!
   
Before we left for town this morning, I asked Vladik if, after his exam, he would rather go play at the park or come back home.
He picked the park.
Unfortunately, it was pretty much a repeat of the spray park. He played for about 10 minutes and then sat on the bench until I forced Joe and Kyle to leave.

I got "How to Train Your Dragon" from Netflix today. We watched in this afternoon. Vladik said he'd seen it... and from what I can tell, he's seen A LOT of movies- certainly all the current ones. He said he goes to the movies often. That REALLY surprised me!  I guess if I'm going to find something he hasn't seen, I'll have to go back to *my* childhood/adolescent years.... The Neverending Story, The Princess Bride, Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure, Goonies, Candleshoe, Crocodile Dundee, etc. Or I could go WAY back... Summer Magic, Apple Dumpling Gang, Shaggy Dog, Flubber....

Can you think of any others?

Day 8

There were several "don't likes" for Vladik today.
There really haven't been very many "don't likes" in the past week, so to have multiples today was unusual.

1. He does not like the spray park.
I was really surprised, confused, and disappointed at his reaction. What's NOT to like about the spray park??!!  I mean, sure, it was busy.. but it was hot today... and the water felt GREAT!  Well, after speaking (on facebook) to a couple of experienced host moms, I can understand his reaction. A comment from one mom is as follows:
"I think some of the kids like the peace and quiet of home - the orphanage is often chaotic and loud and unexpected things happen. At home it is under control.. Relatively speaking that is."  And another comment:  
"He may just like being in your home so much that he'd rather be there."
Both are things I hadn't even considered. Now I feel bad about staying so long.


2. Vladik does not like spaghetti. 
Well, let me rephrase. 
Vladik does not like *my* spaghetti. 
 I know he doesn't like pizza, so I asked him about the spaghetti before I made it tonight. I told him we put a tomato sauce on the noodles. He said that was fine and that he liked spaghetti.  
Ummmm, no.
I'll give him credit though, he really *tried* to like it. He took several bites, but just couldn't get used to the flavor. He ended up with a ham sandwich.


3. Vladik does not like the strawberry-orange-banana flavor of Crystal Light. 
4. Vladik does not like iced tea.
5. Vladik does not like lime flavored sno-cones.


Don't get me wrong, these aren't "bad" things... just the first of many dislikes I'm sure to learn over the next 4 weeks.


After supper, the boys went out to ride their bikes. After cleaning up, I went out to water my hanging baskets. Well, I had the hose... the water was on... they kept riding past......


Yeah. They all got soaked!


So they kept circling the driveway, and riding past me... so I could spray them every time they came around. We must have done that for an hour!


It's the most Vladik has laughed since he's been here. I think he even giggled!


Vladik has his eye Dr. appt tomorrow morning. We talked about it extensively tonight. Well, as extensively as one can get using google translate. He knows what to expect at least; but I think he's still nervous.

Day 7

This will be a short one as it's about time for bed.


Vladik and Kyle slept in REALLY late this morning after being up late last night for the fireworks. I do realize as I write this, that "REALLY late" is a relative term. Kyle was up by 9, Vladik by 9:30. Of course, Rick and I were up before 6:30, so 9:30 SEEMED really late. LOL


We ran a few errands this afternoon. Vladik is good about wearing his seat belt and doesn't need to be reminded to put it on. WalMart was a chore, but WalMart is ALWAYS a chore. Joe and Kyle were rotten which makes it take twice as long as to get things done, but we FINALLY made it home. Vladik helped carry in groceries without being asked... what a TREAT! And Joe, seeing Vladik help, carried in a few bags as well.
The boys played on the Slip-N-Slide for a little while this afternoon. I was taking clothes off the line, and was pleased to hear Vladik use the words "stop" and "wait." It's his first voluntary use of English, other than names, good morning and good night. Progress? I hope so.


After we put Joe and Kyle to bed we worked on his English a little more. I learned some interesting things... the Russian words for "hand" and "arm" are the same- "рука" pronounced "ruka." Oven" and "stove" are also the same- "печь" pronounced "pech'."


We're going to the spray park tomorrow. Rumor has it, it's supposed to be HOT!