Today's Amazing

1. The Boy slept in.
   
2. School went really well, and we even had a piano lesson.
3. I got the kids bundled up and they played outside (this is harder than you might think).
4. The water filter man finally showed up (after 2 no-shows) and although he spoke Russian, I understood perfectly and he understood my Ukrainian. The water is now clean and safe to drink again.
   
5. Baby Girl went down for her nap and stayed in the toddler bed without one single external bit of pressure {ahem}.
6. I had to wake her up.
7. The Boy sat on the sofa without complaining or playing the entire hour of rest time.
8. I got a nap myself.
9. Big Girl happily shared Tea Time Tuesday with her siblings today (due to #6). It was The Boy's first time to drink chocolate milk, and he had it served in our mini hot chocolate mugs.
10. The Boy has suddenly and unexpectedly taken to saying "Yes Ma'am" all on his own. I have no idea where he has picked this up, but I'm more than happy to roll with it!
11. I have decided to slay the "bewitching hour" that occurs daily from about 4:30-6: I'm going to let my kids watch a video every day while I'm single parenting this month.
12. I'm not going to feel guilty about #7. My sanity is at stake.
    
13. I have my menu made for the week and I actually have all ingredients on hand.
14. I'm about to practice for the second day in a row.

3 hours until bed time...

What amazing things has your day held?

P.S. I pressed some buttons and I've gone past the point of no return. I have NO idea what I've done. So I guess I'm "under construction?!"

A Little Bit of Culture

I told Ashley that I'd take her out to the rynok to find some national style shirts for her boys. We picked up my friend, Tara, too. Here are some of the sights we saw today. Enlarging some of the photos will bring you a little closer to Kyiv...

Behold, the man in the metro.

Note the cut off jean shorts, HOT pink socks,

white tennis shoes, and tatoo.

What you can't see are the tattoos that covered every inch of his arms.

It's the socks, though, that got me.

Along the sidewalks,

the babushkas set up shop

to sell their produce.

Fresh rabbit anyone?

Lucky rabbit's foot included.

At the rynok.

Fruits and Veggies

Meat Department

Feel like a fresh head tonight?

I tried to return my mixer and let's just say it was a flop.

We ate at the Tequila House next.
Very yummy.
Then, we headed up the old
cobblestone street known as the Uzviz.
(pronounced /ooze-veez/)

St. Andrew's Church in the distance.

You can buy souvenirs all the way

up and down this street.

Saturday is a big wedding day.

Couples take their bridal party

all over the city and have their

pictures made at important landmarks.

This guy had on a satin suit,

bouquet in one hand, cigarette in the other.

Classy.

And I love the Soviet car in front!

Bridesmaid

Another bridal party.

Some members get to wear a sash.

Even the guys (on the right there).

One of my favorite sites in Kyiv is the men playing chess wherever!

The other Tara.

I didn't get a picture of all of us or even Ashley!
But there she in the background
while Tara tried on jewelry!

At the top.

She was not smiling for me.

Rather, this was part of their

formal wedding portrait session...

right up in the midst of all the souvenirs!

I bought a beautiful painting for $12.

Then I got it home and it was a picture of a painting.

Not a happy camper. GRR.

Ashley's husband flies back in tomorrow

and their "gotcha day" is Wednesday.

Check out her blog to see the little cutie!

Take a Moment, People....

I'm going to the rynok (market) tomorrow
to try and return a mixer.

This should be good.

Whew.

I love getting dressed up as much as the next girl, but shopping for a formal gown can really stress me out. We will be attending the Marine Corps Ball at the end of October since we will not be in Rome to celebrate our 10th anniverary (the thought of leaving our kids in this foreign country while we fly off to another after recent medical debacles no longer sits well with us). I just checked and (1) I sent a dress, (2) it made it, (3) it's still in style, and (4 + most importantly) it fits even though I've had a child since its purchase.

{HUGE SIGH OF RELIEF!}

P.S. Our two weeks are up- the hot water was just turned back on! HOORAY!

Oaths and Lists

While we were in the States, Mr. YH's little brother called to say he had decided to re-enlist and asked if Mr. YH wouldn't give him the oath. Mr. YH flew out to Maryland and the ceremony took place at the Cryptologic Museum. We just found out last week that Brother YH is on the promotion list for Staff Sergeant and last night, we were sent the list for the Lt. Col. promotion board. I'm SO proud to say my handsome airman is on that list and will pin on March-ish!

Proudly,
Mrs. YH

6. Make Homemade Ice Cream

After the kids and I sat down to make their list, I sent some of it off to Baba and Didyc. They were WONDERFUL in making it all happen- buying cool guns, planning a picnic after the zoo, calling the fire station to set up a tour, and having ingredients on hand for the ice cream. We didn't really need to do any of these activities because the children would have had a blast just playing outside (and they did! it's rough now!), but I love it that they listened to what the kids were interested in doing and joined in the fun!

Sampling the ingredients

Mmmm! The finished product!

We have one of those ice cream balls
to make our own frozen treat, but I put it in storage.

I think we may need a machine when we get back, though!

How about you? Do you make your own ice cream?
What is your favorite flavor?

For My Viewing Pleasure

Mr. YH will be gone a lot next month, so I need your help ASAP. Leave a comment with some good movies {chick flicks!} I need to see and I'll get them on my list before they get the movies I'm sending back !

5. Visit a Fire Station

We haven't tried to do this in Ukraine, but it would be fun to compare now. All I know is that there used to be a limit to how high the embassy would assign apartments because the [Soviet] trucks' ladders could only reach so high. Comforting thought, huh?!

The town I grew up in was the perfect place to take a tour,
and everyone at Fire Station No.1 was very accommodating for our little field trip.

Thank you to all who work in the emergency/public services to keep us safe-
blessings on you and your families!!

4. Squirt Gun Fight

I have two brothers. The youngest and his wife and daughter (the little blond) stayed at my parents for a few days during the week we were there. After the hot zoo and naps, we cooled off outside. You'll notice there are no pictures of me because I am sly like that- shoot a few rounds and then hide behind a nice camera! Uncle Tim was a great sport.

Parker is 2.5 months older than Baby Girl.

Baba (Ukrainian for grandmother)
looked a little too comfortable with this gun!

Baby Girl was simply not interested and chose a safe viewing spot.