Day 16- Orphanage Visit

Awesome visit today!!

Bryan and I both went to visit Danila today, even though he's still fighting that sinus gunk, it's not so bad today that he can't sit on the bench and visit our boy.


So, we go, and his grandparents are visiting with him, which is really great...until they tell him that they are leaving so that we can have time with him. I hate this part, because he'll take them over us any day (which my OWN kids will do when offered a choice between Gaga and Papa and us, too!  It's normal kid-behavior, and again, I am so happy for that relationship.)  Still.  


So, they leave (and Babushka gives Danila a wrapped chocolate on her way out...they are SO like my own grandparents!!)  Danila is fine after they make their exit, if not a little bit subdued.  I wonder if he is equating us with making them leave, or if he is just still a little sick and tires easily...or if he's just a social little kid and we are starting to get boring...? It may be time to add to our supply of toys from the toystore around the corner from the apartment.

 Because after we did some quiet activities, Danila's group came walking by with our favorite nanny.  He left the swing to say hello to his friends (I LOVE watching him with them-- he's going to make so many friends at home) and then, to my surprise and complete happiness, she let them stay and play with us!


Bryan and I both had kids surrounding us, it was so awesome.  There are 5 boys and 1 girl, I think.  They are all pretty healty, with some minor delays for a couple of them. One little boy stays in a stroller, so I think he can't walk.  THe little girl (I have to get her name) wanted to play with my hair.  The little boy who was drawing flowers with chalk the other day (we learned his name is Xaynya- that is an awful spelling, but I think I don't have the right letters to spell it on this keyboard!!) wanted to read books while sitting on my lap- he pointed to every picture and wanted to know the English word.  He also looked through our entire photo album and wanted to know the names of everyone in it. My friend Vanya (and Danila, too) taught Bryan how to count to five in Russian, and Bryan taught them to count to five in English. The other boys are more shy, but we got smiles and high fives from them, too.  I played a game where they would high five me, and then I'd shake my hand and say "Ow!!" afterwards- they loved that :)


The nanny today told us that Vanya is Danila's best friend.  I love that.  I love that he has a best friend.  I love that his best friend is Vanya, because his little smile is so infectious, and that probably makes Danila laugh :)

 My friend Vanya made a bow and arrow out of sticks and shot Bryan dead a few times :)

 Xaynya (shchaynya?  impossible to spell with English letters!!) wanted to color a picture, and let Danila help...but also asked for my sunglasses because it was so bright :)

Tatiana says that there are lots of kids in the orphanage who are unadoptable, because the parents put them there, or the state put them there, but they haven't given up their parental rights. I don't know the stories on these kids, but it's so sad, because all of them are such rays of light and would absolutely flourish outside of these walls.  


We so enjoyed the time that we spent with all the kids today.  It was awesome to see Danila in his element, playing with his friends, and participating in it.  Bonus- this nanny speaks a little English, and told us how she tries to teach it to the kids through play.  She was super, super nice...we hope to see her again on Monday.