Kyiv

The boys and I flew to Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday afternoon to spend the weekend with Craig.  We made it, but, wow, it is some serious work to get everybody packed, dressed, parked, ticketed, through security, through passport control, to the gate, to the plane, through the flight without upsetting other passengers, off the plane, to the luggage carousel, and, finally, though passport control.  It is worth it for a weekend with Craig and a new adventure.  There are no photos from Thursday because two hands weren't enough for the essential tasks, much less taking pictures. 

Here are some sights from Friday...

Craig and Seth in front of St. Michaels Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Monestary

While we were walking to the church this great babushka came to talk with us.  She doted on the kids and told us that Seth would grow up to be a doctor (vrach) and Vic a pilot (lodchik). 

When traveling with kiddos, we always find the parks.

On the Khreshchatyk, the main street through Kyiv.

Fruit stand inside Bessarabsky Market, one of the oldest markets in Kyiv.

The only remaining Lennin statue in Kyiv... and a recruiting spot for the Communist party.

The Neighborhood

Monday the boys and I went out for a stroll in and around post.  Here are some of our sights.




These friendly horses are in a nearby backyard.





The sign as you enter the walking trail through the fields.  Google translate did not provide a very good translation, but I think it says keep your dog on a leash and don't leave your trash.






This is not a great picture, but I am trying to show the fields of cows.  There are NO fences.  I've grown up around lots of cows, but they have all been in fenced pastures.  Each cow has a cow bell around her neck and is free to roam as she wishes (I guess).  This day they were farther away from the walking path, but many times they are close enough to touch.  I suppose this is completely safe, but it feels weird.  Here are huge animals with huge horns that just watch you as you walk by.  I would love some inight from farmers here as to how each gorup of cows stays safely and contendly in its plot of land. 





These are the horses a bit down the path.  They have a fence to keep them in, one flimsy string.   



Seth is always asking what animals live in the holes he finds. 

Our home.  There are six apartments in the building.  We are the middle apartment on the second floor -- the middle, middle.   



We love packages.  Here is a good day at the post office piled in the stroller. 



The boys playing together.  Maybe Vic's just getting old enough or Dad's absence has forced creativity, but the boys are finally beginning to enjoy each other. 

At Last

We thought that perhaps Somali pirates had intercepted our household goods (they have a thing for unfinished craft projects and antiques), but, at last, our goods arrived last week.  They were due no later than August 22nd.  Hmmm....  Well, unless somehow they get left at a port "untrackable" for a month.  I have been staying up way too late after the boys are down trying to unpack and bring order to our chaos.  The boys have been sick - Vic a little, Seth a lot (currently on our second antibiotic) - which has made the last week sleepless and crazy.  Here are our fun, hardworking group of movers.

Mustafa (no pork), Swinn (no English) , and Thomas (large and in-charge)