Andry Feels Like Our Son Already

No legal obligations or appointments today. We took it easy and walked over to the “Defense of the Motherland” monument, Kiev’s version of our Statue of Liberty. To get there we had to climb a dozen flights of stairs and Cara got pretty winded halfway up. The children showed how helpful they could be by each taking one of her hands and pulling her up the remaining flights.

The monument commemorates World War II and the ravages on their country as well as their glorious victory. Under the giant statue of the woman holding her sword aloft is a museum of the war. Really powerful as you wander through seeing the relics of the weapons knowing they were used on the very land we were walking on. World War II didn’t happen overseas to the Ukrainians; over ten million of them perished.

We took lots of photos of Olya and Andry climbing all over the Soviet tanks parked in front of the museum. We also took funny shots of the kids mimicking the massive figures in the war sculptures on the grounds.

After we left the memorial we walked to a restaurant, “CCCP” (USSR). Wonderful Ukrainian food in an environment of traditional farm decoration and the waiters in traditional costume.

We walked back to our apartment through the embassy area. Our apartment is in a very historic area near the war memorial, the National Botanical Garden and the historic Percherska Lavra, the cave and monastery that is still a pilgrimage site. We’re also within walking distance of the Metro and a lot of shops and cafes. As we walked along Andry dazzeled us with his knowledge of cars. He called out the name of every car as it whizzed by. Olya, also, is wild about cars.

Later back at the apartment Ron and I relaxed while my parents took the kids outside to play catch. We had brought from the States a suitcase filled with softballs, gloves and a Frisbee. We thought it would be fun to play in the downtime. Plus it would give Andry a headstart on American sports he hasn’t played before. When they came back up to the apartment Mom reported that, like Olya, Andry has a naturally powerful arm. Though, at least for now, she can out-catch him. Mom had had a wonderful time playing with her grandkids. She asked Andry if Hanah, Maria’s “authentic babushka-styled” mother who is a few years older than my mother, ever played catch with him. What a picture that put in all of our heads!!! Andry laughed and said, “no”. Ron then went down to play a little more catch with the kids. After a few lessons Andry began to catch just about every ball. He was thoroughly enjoying himself.

Upstairs I (Pippa) practiced multiplication with kids; Olya knows the names of the numbers in English and Andry knows the multiplication answers. The kids both cheated, helping the other. Then Andry played his regular Crazy-8 card game with my father beating him at least five to one. They have a great rivalry going and really enjoy ribbing each other. It’s fun to hear Andry in his half Spanish and broken English with a heavy Ukrainian accent. (He calls spades “spaces” – so cute.)

Getting them to bed was a challenge. They kept calling us to them. When we came to check on them one of them would double back down a different hallway to our bedroom, then hide under the covers on Pippa’s side of the bed. Already Andry is accepting bedtime routine with us which includes play and a lot of affectionate hugs and kisses. Both kids love Ron’s rough tickling sessions that Andry calls something that sounds like “cuskillos”. But Ron’s not nearly as rough as Olya. She’s fearless and relentless while Andry is far more gentle.