4th /birthdays

Andrew's homemade grill


I saved a few fireworks from the new year, to celebrate the fourth of July, the kids absolutely had a blast. Eugene got more pictures which I will try to get from him later.


The birthday girls, Veronica and Nastya


a singing birthday candle it serenaded us while we had cake, and then it wouldn't stop singing even after all the wax was burned. Then Eugene threw it on the ground and stomped on it, though injured the thing was still singing!

                               In Back Eugene and Ira, front: Veronica Alina and Lera.

          

Sorry. . .

It gets bad, when you have to start every post with, "Sorry, I haven't posted in awhile". . . Things have been a teensy bit hectic around here. I am staying afloat, but barely.  I don't know how all you people can have umpteen bazillion kids, and have time to do this, and have everything illustrated with photos!!!! 

       Benjamin has to work through the summer, so I am busy with him doing that. I forgot what it is like to live for the weekend. Although if it wasn't that, he would be bored, and then I would have to find other things for him to do. I am trying to teach him a little Russian. He has learned how to count to twenty and he knows his colors now. I am trying to figure out what the next step should be, We brought back a childrens picture dictionary, which he kind of enjoys pointing out the words I say, but he really needs to learn some sentence structure and grammer as he is learning vocabulary. I have made up a few little obstacle coarses for him. The process will probably be a very slow one, he was excited to learn, but I think it is starting to get a little old. I try to remember to speak Russian when I know how to say it. That is the other challenge, I am afraid I am teaching him incorrect grammer. Russian is next to Chinese for the most difficult langauge in the world, reason being, because of the grammer. Which if you read my blog at all probably know, that that isn't one of my strong points! My russian friends have been very supportive and are careful to speak with him in Russian. Adele just repeats everything, so as I teach Benjamin she will pick it up. Today I told her to take the 'maclo' (butter) to the table, and she goes "nope butter!" I am thankful, Julian is such a laid back baby.  He will usually just kind of 'hang out' till he is hungry. We will see how long that lasts, but while I am so busy with the other two, I am very grateful for his laid back disposition.

        So that is what is going on in the Green household for now. I will try hard to post more frequently. I enjoy reading everybody elses blogs, even though I don't comment all that much, I actually visit them quite often. 

back home

Avery Patrick's daughter

Tea and Benjamin


Adele' holding Zane







Grandpa Ted, my mom's dad, mom Julian and I

Benjamin in the emergency room with his broken arm


I think it is hilarious (and very nifty) that they make kids drinks in these little cups, so the kids don't have any idea they aren't having the exact same thing you are.

It was this. . . no, THIS big!


Adele wanted broken arms too.


Benjamin's 'blue belly' lizard

setting up camp with dad, we camped out a few times while we were traveling, for one, it is cheaper, for two the kids thought it was a blast.


Adele' setting up the sleeping bags. They got to be quite the experts, after setting up and tearing down a few times.


Julian after the cheese


We kind of mozeed up the coast while we were visiting some western churches taking the kids to see the ocean. And we saw a couple of light houses, amongst our travels. We were there during a kind of stormy time of year, which really made it scenic, the waves were huge!


This is called and octopus tree. Benjamin and Andrew took a potty break and this was outside the rest area, I never got to see it, because I stayed behind with the other two.




it is impossible to get a normal picture of a five year old


Julian had thrush, but I didn't want to get to the doctor, just to get a prescription, while we didn't have insurance, so we went with a natural rememdy called gentian voilet so Julian had purple lips for a few days


Back in Minnesota just before we left. Adele and Avery loved to sit on their little chairs on Patrick and Corinne's porch


The science museum is free of third Sunday, of the month so we took the kids. They had a blast! They run water through all these pipes and you put ping pong balls in it, and turning the valves you have to make the water go certain directions to get it to carry your ping pong ball where you want. Or this thing was for the little kids, in other places they had bubbles in the water. Who knew water could be so much fun?


Tea' 'working' in a factory. Its to bad they don't have these kids actually doing something, 30 kids running all over the place, could be powering a city!


Talking on the phone

     

  Sorry I haven't had a chance to blog since I got back. We are doing great,  just getting back into the groove here.  

           We had a great time traveling in the States. Although it is good to be home. Benjamin is back to his studies, which he is just thrilled about. He has to work through the summer, as we weren't able to do much while we were traveling in the States. Adele is being your average, aggravating little sister. And Julian is growing so fast! He has just this week started to hold toys in his hands. His favorite toys, of course, are his feet. He sits on a chair and his feet 'float' around in the air while he tries to catch them and eat them.