COLOR

Working on color.  I LOVE teaching art.

APOLOGETIX

The Christian rock group the Apologetix performed at Summit.  They were a lot of fun.  What a very talented bunch of guys to be able to replicate so many different styles of rock so effectively.  All with Christian lyrics replacing the originals....

I also loved the school's Praise Band,which is honestly very good.

I was in charge of concessions, which meant I had to stand in the back, which was a blessing - I honestly can't fathom liking music THAT loud.  (Old fogey here.)

PRETTIES IN THE POST

Wonderful, kind Rachael, knowing how much I love linens, brought me these beautiful ones from Ukraine on her recent visit with New Horizons for Children.   They are really special - each differerent colored towel has its own pattern woven in each area - all complimenting one another -  a little cottage in one section, and a sunflower garden in another, the sun shining down on the plot of sunflowers in a third.  Each towel has its own story.  They will never be TOWELS, of course!  Anastasia is in charge of the dining room, and she asked if she could use one for the center of the table.  Of course!

Zhenday

He was deep in his TV show and not happy to be interrupted, but I couldn't resist this cozy picture of my sweet Zhen on Zhenday.  Seven years; I can't believe it.  We celebrated with a banana cream pie.

A TEENAGER OR WHAT?

Nastia appeared so much the "quintessential" teenager that I had to take this photo - doing her nails while talking on the phone.

Pretty typical Nastia.

TWIN DAY

Zhen and his friend Jeffrey were very excited about the opportunity to be twin for the day - and I think they were adorable - thanks to Jeffrey's mom, who put it all together for them.

SOAKING UP THE SON

This was the Lenten "family retreat" day that our Formation team organized.  In the photo Zhen is being wrapped up (like Lazarus) by one of the Iraqui ladies, and Sergei's godfather.  Only Anastasia and Zhen went, and I had to [just about] forcably remove Anastasia beccause she was getting that snide, brittle attitude she gets when threatened by "family" things.  The leader was having everyone write "special things about your family" on a flowerpot.  When I heard that I headed over to see how things were going, and (as expected) the direction was south, so I lured her into my office to "play computer" before she started telling everyone at the table that we don't feed her, or something.

WHEN THEY GET ALONG

He put on this pathetic look just so I wouldn't take his picture, but I did it anyway.  He and his sister are getting along famously lately, and he allowed her to play hairdresser. 

IMAGINATION CAN BE BETTER THAN REALITY

Sergei picked up the plastic cover of the cake and sniffed it appreciativly, then recalled, "We used to always pick these up and smell them when we'd find them."  Just as my heart began to weep for the little orphan who had to smell the box, rather than ever get the cake, he commented, "They don't really taste as good as we thought they did," 

I supposed that since he smelled the containers of Russian cakes - perhaps they did.  ?

SLEDDING

Four of my beloved students sledding during break-time.  I took this by leaning out of the classroom window.  Not too conveniently, the sledding hill ends precipitously at the wall of the school.  Only a few injuries so far.  But, this school could be in Russia for all the worries about lawsuits.  I love it.

SORRY

I shouldn't post this, but I thought it was so funny.  Nastia became acquainted with a boy on-line, and eventually - because he lives nearby - it became appropriate to "get together".  So, it was agreed that an outing to the roller rink would be  suitable.  So, I packed up my lesson-planning books, picked up a friend for Zhenya (who was going as a second chaperon) and we went to the rink.  For a half an hour, at least, the young man's progress toward the rink was monitored via text.  Then - he arrives - shrowded from view by a monastic hood.  Nastia disappears into the ladies' room.  Boy sits and waits.  Nastia hides in corner; boy waits.  Eventually she comes over to me and waits.  He waits.  So - here you see in the foreground Nastia, and in the background, with the cowl, the gentleman friend.  They are texting each other. 

I got fed up and went to the snack bar (had to finish reading II Samuel, and they turned the lights down - as an aside I really do not care for King David).  When I came back - lo!  They were skating, not exactly together, but within two or three yards of one another.  Later, I asked if they talked, and it seems like perhaps they barely spoke.  But no sooner were we in the car than the phone was in action for a texting-fest.

I think it is much easier for Anastasia when her "boyfriends" are in Iowa or Ontario.  Definitely easier for me.  But Zhen had fun.

MASLENITSA

Yum.

MARCH

I leaned out of the car and took this photo of "March" as I think of it - cold, miserable slush.  The other option would be mud.  But, six years ago March brought the most wonderful gift in the form of our Zhenya, so quite honestly, slush and mud and damp cold have risen in my estimation.