Finally it is Monday, our last planned full day in K'grad. The boys were up at 0615 to visit the facilities but returned to bed a while longer. They arose for good at 0730. They are very attentive to their morning chores: get dressed, make the bed, get ready for breakfast. We were downstairs again at 0900 for the usual fair.

Pictures (mouse-over for descriptions):

After breakfast Adrian and the boys went outside to burn off some energy: kickball time again. They played not so well together this morning. Some competition broke out between them ... just trying to monopolize on Papa's attention. The exercise didn't last long with the ball; it was time for a walk to take their attention somewhere else. We exited the hotel grounds, one boy in each hand.

Just down the street a car was zooming up to an apartment building. We stopped and watched him pass only to see him quickly U-turn and come back by us, stopping just 30 ft away. Someone jumped out of the car and ran into the building. We decided to continue down the street but just as we approached the vehicle, beside a yard with a large black-iron fence, a dog came bursting onto the scene. He had slipped beneath the fence and was just feet from us! It was then that I found out just how horrified of dogs these boys were. In a few split seconds the boys had disappeared from my hands. The dog was barking madly in front of me. I had been watching the car and its driver being unsure if he would speed off again. By the time I realized the dog was there, the boys were gone, my heart nearly stopped. Perhaps it did. I turned to see the dog, turned to see one of my boys doing a crab-walk backwards across the pavement and the other so terrified he couldn't move. I turned again to find the driver out of his car and heading towards the dog. The boys were screaming so loud I thought Carol would hear them from a few hundred feet away. The dog's attention was captured by the approaching man. What a relief it was to find this man helping me in a nearly helpless situation. The dog backed off toward the fence and I reached for Zhenia, then Sasha. I had to pick Zhenia up off the ground. He could not move on his own. I helped Sasha up and urged him toward the hotel ... he took off! It was only 30 yds away and he stopped at the gate and waited until I arrived with Zhenia stuck to me like a baby baboon on his mother. Whew! The first disaster narrowly avoided.

The boys were shaking with fear. We re-entered the hotel grounds, closed the fence and took refuge in one of the sheltered picnic areas. I sat down as both boys gripped me so tight I couldn't believe it. Their hearts were racing. Tears were running down their faces. Papa was surely having to find some courage quick ... to help his boys.

The little guys finally calmed down after about five minutes which was also about the time Mama showed up. The boys gave her an ear full. But who knows what they said as the Russian was rolling out quicker than anything we could pick up on.

Everyone but Christina then walked to the Internet Cafe only to find it closed again. It has now been four days without being able to get online and let everyone know we're doing just fine. Good thing we called home on Saturday night so Christina could talk with her mom.

We stopped by a children's clothing store on the return trip only to find the prices higher than at L.L.Bean. Imagine that. We're deep inside Kaliningrad City and caps for 5 yr olds are $20! Needless to say, the boys are not wearing any Russian hats this fall.

Misha and Natasha meet us at The Turtle at noon. We all pile into the car and head for the passport office. The trip is short, only a couple of blocks away. The passports were ready and we were out of there in five minutes, but had a 25 minute wait just down the hall as Alexander wanted to make copies of all the paperwork I had so far, including the new passports. He also took the time to explain to me (while Mama, Christina and the boys were in the car waiting) what we were going to do next ... visit the MOE as we couldn't tomorrow just before leaving for the airport. Again, with no choice in the matter, I waited patiently as the copies were made, things were explained and I wondered how Mama was doing in the car with two wildcats.

We had to swing back by the hotel so I could pick up the New York chocolates I'd brought for Constantine so I'd have a gift for the MOE and his staff. Had we known this was the plan we'd have brought them with us just 30 minutes ago. But, everything is so close to The Turtle that it really makes little difference in the timing; just a pain not knowing how to plan efficiently. The MOE was meeting another agency rep when we arrived but we were quickly ushered into his office and had our pleasantries exchanged. He was very supportive, complementary and genuinely, I think, pleased with our experience with the boys. We obtained a picture of him and the boys sitting at his desk. We also snapped another picture just outside the office ... the first family photo with no more legal work to complete.

Around 1pm we left the MOE and picked up the boys' airline tickets. No hassles there. Everything was in order. Our last formal task was now complete. A heavy stress burden was being lifted from my shoulders. Our long hours and patience with the K'grad staff were coming to a close. To their credit things have gone as they predicted. If you're following along with this story this far you must know by now that there is little effect you can have on the chain of events while in-country. Just go with the flow. They will take care of you.

We finally made it to our usual downtown cafeteria around 1pm; Misha dropped us off so we didn't have to walk this time. Everyone was hungry and we ate heartily. We sat upstairs this time at a large table for six. It was cozy and a good place to put two wildcats. Seriously, though, they were well-behaved given the new exposures over the past 68 hours.

We stopped by the market for more water and coke, then headed back to The Turtle. The rest of the afternoon was filled with keeping the boys busy: coloring, play park, kick-ball, reading to them, snacking. Carol and I began planning how we would pack in the morning. Our time to leave was finally upon us. Christina was packed by 4pm this day. She is so ready to go home. Carol also decides to try the boys in the shower. What a hoot! They really enjoyed the whole experience. I suspect the bar patrons on the first floor were wondering what was happening in Rm 202.

Tomorrow's plan:
+ Breakfast at 0800 in the room
+ Misha/Natasha to pick us up at 0850
+ Aeroflot flight to Moscow at 1055
+ Arrive Moscow at 1330 local time
+ Stop by US Embassy to arrange final paperwork
+ Check-in to Hotel Ukraine