We awoke after a long, nearly sleepless night. It was difficult not going to pick up the boys on the court date as we were promised. Neither Carol or I slept well. I was awake at 0330, laid in the bed for nearly two hours before deciding to get up and go read in our entrance foyer (so the light wouldn't bother Christina or Carol). I'm reading American Solder by General Tommy Franks. It is an interesting account of his military carrier, not particularly well-written but contains a number of ancedotes well worth remembering.

I basically skipped breakfast this morning only opting for yogurt and coffee. Christina had her usual omelet but it was without ham today. Time was dragging on. We were not to go anywhere today until 1pm and then to Victorias to shop for party items at the Orphanage.

Misha was about 5 minutes late today; Natasha walked to The Turtle from her flat and was 10 minutes late. We proceeded to Victoria for shopping. The store was busy as it was in July, our last trip there. Carol's plan was to do some shopping upstairs for toys, wallets and check on some clothes. She desired to have Natasha shop with me downstairs in the grocer which she did. Natasha is orderly like most of the Russians we've encountered to date. She does tend to hurry you more than some others. But this tendency can be held in check and I'll do so a little easier than Carol. Three cakes, two bottles of champagne, bananas, more fruit and six bags of candy were selected. Carol had found the toys we'd need for a playground near The Turtle: shovel, bucket, etc. You have to pay upstairs for things kept upstairs, groceries downstairs. After 30 minutes in the store we were on our way. I'm sure Misha was glad we were finally ready to move on. He usually sits in the car or walks about smoking his carton of Winstons we brought for him. Most of the Russians we've seen on the streets are smokers, especially the young. It is sad but it is the culture now.

Our trip to Chernyahovsk is now all too familiar. It is the seventh time riding 75 km to the east. We of course stopped at the halfway point for Misha to smoke and we had our obligatory ice cream bar. Christina joined us this time for our private celebration ... the last trip to go pick up the boys.

On one side of the road there is an area where the men go to relieve themselves. It is down a path towards the creek and is marked by heavy vegetation. There are evidently a number of dogs living near the creek and two small puppies made their way up the path to take a look at the most recent visitors to 'halfway point.' They were very cute.

Several of the Orphanage rooms were being painted today. The stench of fresh paint was nearly unbearable. It took about 15 minutes there before you didn't recognize it filling your lungs. The children were still at nap when we arrived at 1530. We were able to bring in the party items, slip a gift or two to the cook and prepare ourselves for the boys. About 10 minutes after arrival the Director motioned us to bring the new clothes for the boys to the bedroom so they could be dressed appropriately. We did so. The other children were there and made cooing noises as we gave them new clothes and Carol dressed them. There were smiles everywhere. Pictures were made. We were starting to feel like parents. It was at this time we noticed a bandage on Alexander's right index finger. It was wrapped down to his knuckle. We inquired about this and was told he said it was hurting so they applied some medicine and the wrap. They thought it would be ok in a day or so.

We used the 'new room' for the party, the room in which we'd played with the boys this trip. A long table was brought in, a fresh table cloth and was set by the cook. The party was for the staff, the Worker, us and the boys. Alexander (agency) was there too with Natalia but left around 4pm. The cook had prepared twisted pastries with brown sugar and cinnamon. We contributed the cakes, fruit and champagne. Many pleasantries were shared by the staff and the Director. They were all very happy for us and the boys. Maybe the champagne helped the happiness factor? Just kidding. It was evident the staff was very happy for us and the boys.

We then allowed the boys to each take one of the bags of candy for distribution to the other children. It was unfortunate that Alexander could only share with the group younger than he. His group had moved from this Orphanage to another just last week so they could start school this week. He was very sad that they had left, so the Director said, but she indicated that he was given a choice: go with them or stay and wait for Mama and Papa. The Director said he made a big choice, even though sad and emotional for him, and decided to stay so he could be with his Mama and Papa this week.

Carol and I did have some gifts to distribute. Some small packages of make-up items, a couple of leather pocket books and some cash for the Director to buy shoes for the other children for the approaching winter. Of course, the Director was very appreciative and had glassy eyes the remainder of our visit this day.

The distribution of candy went much quicker than in July. They expertly dispersed of the candy and returned to the room; maybe two minutes elapsed. At this point it was nearing 1700 and Natasha suggested we begin to prepare to leave for K'grad. We agreed. The boys and Mama had their obligatory pit-stop before leaving, we packed and then headed for the car. The boys were also given their own red back-packs. They were loaded with some of their things and placed on them for the walk to the car. It was pretty cute. The Director, Worker and cook each were at the steps as we loaded and drove away. The boys were waving, I took a picture of them at the steps just as I had done each day we had left them there. The feeling of happiness was nearly overwhelming. We had worked so hard and waited so long for this day. It was Day 7 of our trip and finally the objective was sitting in our laps on the first leg of their journey home. Praise be to God!

The boys were mesmerized of the sights up through the half-way stop. Misha stopped for a cigarette; we sat in the car for the 10 minute wait. The boys didn't get too restless there but did discover the back seat light over the door and began to turn it on and off repeatedly. A good distraction for about 10 minutes. We continued the trip to K'grad with the boys becoming more restless the closer we got to the city. At some point as we approached the City, I must have touched Alexander's wrapped finger and he jerked away abruptly. Hmmmm. Carol removed the wrap and his finger was badly infected just behind the finger nail. A large puss pocket had developed which stretched from beyond each side of his finger nail and back down his finger about a quarter of an inch. We were not pleased to say the least. This was a serious infection. We showed this to Natasha and she recommended we stop by a pharmacy on the way to the hotel and consult the pharmacist. We did. She suggested we soak the finger in hot water and then apply an oinment she had. I purchased the ointment and we proceeded to the hotel.

The boys were in awe at the hotel. They walked through the gated ground with their back-packs on and we led them around the walkway where the trees and picnic tables are located. Natasha translated Zhenia saying 'This is so beautiful.' We entered the hotel, went up the steps to Room 202 and led them in. They then let out all the energy they hadn't expended in the past two hours. Running from room to room (we have four rooms in Rm 202 as you noticed in the pictures for Sep 9), jumping on the couch, etc. Being good parents now (?) we let them go for it.

The evening went pretty well I suppose. The boys were so excited they didn't calm down until around 10pm. They were asleep in their beds at 10:25. Mama and Papa were hounded until that point to let them sleep in our bed. Below you'll see that their beds were at the foot of ours. We didn't relent but wondered if we should have given they had slept 'alone' for years awaiting their parents return. Maybe we'll do something different in a day or so.

Tomorrow's plan:
+ Breakfast at 0930
+ Obtain flight tickets for boys to Moscow at 1000
+ Figure out how to feed 2 more mouths