Boy's Day Out

I really should have Todd do the blogging today but he's already gone to bed. It was cool and very windy today so we decided that Todd and Blaine should have a boy's day out. Valerie and I stayed at the apartment, washed clothes, and played. It sounds like they had a great time and even took some pictures so they could tell me about it. Today is Russian Independence Day so there was a lot going on around town for the celebration. Todd met a man who could speak English and they had a nice chat. He told Todd that this celebration is like our 4th of July. Funny how they know about our holidays but we know nothing about those of Russia and most other countries. This guy told Todd that he had seen the movie, Independence Day with Will Smith. Todd got a kick out of that!This is Blaine in front of a fountain in Lenin Square. The big building in the background is the courthouse where we had our adoption hearing. It looks so different here than it did when we were here in March. I'm glad we got to see 2 different seasons! Todd said there was a stage set up today with musicians and speakers because of the holiday. There were many people, flags, balloons, etc.
There was even an Independence Day bike race around Lenin Square!
Next they walked down to the beach and got a Coke and a hot dog for lunch. They they got some ice cream from a street vendor for dessert. Then they walked to a beautiful park with a lake. It had pretty fountains and there were paddle boats and those big clear balls that people can get in and roll around on the water. The guys said they had a really good time here.
At this same park were lots of cool statues and neat things for kids to look at. Blaine posed here with a cat!
This restaurant called the Eternal Cafe was overlooking the lake. It looks like a fun place to eat. The name is in English so we're hoping that means they might have an English menu. We are planning to all return here some day soon when the weather is a little nicer. It was windy like west Texas today! I'm sure Blaine and Todd could have told about their day better than I but thought I'd share their pics with you anyway. I'm glad they got a special day together. Todd laughed and said they had all that fun for a little over a hundred rubles, which is about 5 bucks! Can't beat that! I hugged and loved on Valerie all day today and thoroughly enjoyed it! I don't have any exciting news to share though.

There are several families here with another agency that we've enjoyed getting to know a little bit. It's so nice to speak English with people. The couple in the room next to us have invited us to go bowling on Monday so we'll probably take them up on that. One family has a son that's about Blaine's age and they've played together a couple of times. Tomorrow is Blaine's birthday. My baby boy is turning 6!! We are having a little party with Catherine, Jerry, Gene, Elizabeth, and Peter. Gene is making pizza for us! I was able to find some balloons and party hats at the grocery store here that actually say Happy Birthday in English on them so we're all set for a real celebration!

Thanks, Elle, for the milk tip. Why didn't I think of that?
Well it's just now really getting dark here and I'm beginning to hear a few fireworks. If there's a good show going on, I'm going to wake up the guys to watch it!