Third Visit

Yesterday was our third visit.  We didn't quite know what to expect.  We asked Zhenia if he would hang back and just act as interpreter rather than taking an active role, and he agreed.  I wanted it this way, because I didn't want it to appear that WE were trying to influence Game Boy in the same way as the teacher.  I wanted him to see US and experience US and not have to be talked into anything.  If he still chose to stay and wait for the other family, it would be his decision and not us pushing through Zhenia.  (BTW - we never asked Zhenia to push, but I could see how it might be interpreted that way.)

What a different visit!  Both kids were active and engaged.  Game Boy initiated some wrestling with Cliff.  Giggles was her usual silly self.  We had forgotten our backpack with the coloring books, mini-soccer ball, and snacks, so we were all they had to play with.

We got a treat of being allowed to visit in the room where Giggles sleeps.  She shares the room with nine other girls around her age.  There is an outer room where they had a table set with snacks.  Also they have a shower and toilet in separate rooms.  When we arrived, Giggles had just had a shower, so her hair was up in a stocking cap to keep her from catching cold.

Game Boy told us that he wants to be a builder when he grows up.  Not an architect.  He wants to build.  He likes math and computers.  He even asked the girls some math problems using his English skills.  He also studies English, Ukrainian literature, Russian history, and Ethics.  He plays soccer (futbol) and likes wrestling and video/computer games.  He has seen the Lord of the Rings movies and liked them.  He has seen Harry Potter but didn't like it very much.  He lprefers battle stories.  Cliff asked if he had read Three Musketeers, and he said he had seen the movie and liked it.

Giggles is not in school yet.  Here they start at age 7.  They go to school about 4 hours a day.  She should be in an orphanage for younger children, but the officials did not want to separate Giggles from Game Boy.  She is clearly smart, though, and is doing something like preschool.  She does recognize her name written in Russian, so I assume some familiarity with the Cyrillic alphabet.  She counts quite well in English.  She even brought in a matching game to play with Cliff.

One of the best things about this visit was getting to meet and talk with Giggles' caregiver.  She is very kind and likes Giggles very much.  She says she is a good girl, an actress, smart and kind.

I can't tell you how different this visit was!  And we don't know what made the difference.  Cliff and I had decided that we would just relax and see where things went.  And they went well.