We got up a bit late today and Sergiy helped make pancakes...He did the pancake flippin' and ate them with his usual strawberry jam...
This afternoon we did his favorite thing..swimming.. or as he says, "plavat"; at least that is what the Russian word sounds like.
We did a bit of grocery shopping and went to eat out. After swimming he had told me, "hungry...fish". The kid loves fish. The short bio had said he didn't like fish, but he must have not understood because he loves fish.
Tonight we went to a New Year's Eve party at our church where he and some other boys spent the time playing Wii...I went downstairs to check on them. I came down as furniture was being moved out of a classroom. I inquired what the plan was.."we are going to play soccer". I wonder whose idea that was?
New food for today...his first Snickers bar and first Nacho chips.
Friday, December 31, 2010
Dec 30, 2010
My daughter just reminded me I forgot to blog about yesterday. I thought I had but must have gotten distracted.
In the morning Sergiy and I went with Levi and Riley Collins to Longview Golf up near Grimes Iowa. They have an 18 hole minigolf course which we played. They also have an indoor driving range under this huge inflatable building. You can drive as many balls as you want in 45 minutes for 9 dollars. So it is a pretty good deal. Sergiy did pretty well for the first time. He had his hands "backwards" on the club and wouldn't believe me that they should be reversed. My son-in-law Jake will hopefully give him some golf lessons before he leaves.
It was 61 degrees and we decided to go fishing at the dam. It is one of the things he had said he really wanted to do on the hosting trip. I didn't think we would be able to due to typical Iowa December temperatures. But at 61 degrees, we couldn't resist. Unfortunately, the fish weren't biting. Andrew and Shara went with us. Andrew demonstrated bow fishing but the carp weren't jumping either.
Sergiy helped me clean the chicken house before dark. He has gotten into the habit of collecting eggs each day so I will miss the help soon.
It is about the halfway point in the hosting program. He will return to Ukraine two weeks from Saturday. It has gone fast and I can't believe how much fun it has been. I hope others will consider hosting for the summer...it is a great experience. I think warmer weather will make it be a bit easier as you can get outdoors and have a few more options as to what you are able to do...
In the morning Sergiy and I went with Levi and Riley Collins to Longview Golf up near Grimes Iowa. They have an 18 hole minigolf course which we played. They also have an indoor driving range under this huge inflatable building. You can drive as many balls as you want in 45 minutes for 9 dollars. So it is a pretty good deal. Sergiy did pretty well for the first time. He had his hands "backwards" on the club and wouldn't believe me that they should be reversed. My son-in-law Jake will hopefully give him some golf lessons before he leaves.
It was 61 degrees and we decided to go fishing at the dam. It is one of the things he had said he really wanted to do on the hosting trip. I didn't think we would be able to due to typical Iowa December temperatures. But at 61 degrees, we couldn't resist. Unfortunately, the fish weren't biting. Andrew and Shara went with us. Andrew demonstrated bow fishing but the carp weren't jumping either.
Sergiy helped me clean the chicken house before dark. He has gotten into the habit of collecting eggs each day so I will miss the help soon.
It is about the halfway point in the hosting program. He will return to Ukraine two weeks from Saturday. It has gone fast and I can't believe how much fun it has been. I hope others will consider hosting for the summer...it is a great experience. I think warmer weather will make it be a bit easier as you can get outdoors and have a few more options as to what you are able to do...
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Dec 29
We are wanting to go see the latest CS Lewis adapted movie "Dawn Treader" so today Sergiy watched the second installment that we had taped on television. He seemed to enjoy it and gave me the impression that he had seen the first Narnia movie. We looked all over for it before he came in Russian but couldn't find a copy. The latest Narnia movie is in 3D so it should really be a good experience for him.
This kid loves to swim and asked to go again today. So we went to the pool this afternoon for 2 hours. As I rested on the side of the pool he would come by and say "Plavit" or "swim". I learned an important word today that I will use next time: "Ustal" which means "tired"....It's a word he doesn't ever use or seem to experience...
This kid loves to swim and asked to go again today. So we went to the pool this afternoon for 2 hours. As I rested on the side of the pool he would come by and say "Plavit" or "swim". I learned an important word today that I will use next time: "Ustal" which means "tired"....It's a word he doesn't ever use or seem to experience...
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Dec 28, 2010
Today we went sledding out the Collin's house. Sergiy got to feed treats to the horse and a pet deer that is in a fenced enclosure. Afterward, Kim served us some hot chocolate. Sergiy did not care for marshmallows. A Nerf gun battle followed between Sergiy and Riley and before we left Levi brought out some paints and brushes and showed Sergiy how to paint on a porcelain square.
We ate out at Pizza Hut tonight. He liked pizza, ate pepperoni but didn't exactly know what it was..he asked "Sausage?". Nope, pepperoni. He got seconds on the pasta and pizza and turned down the chocolate chip cookies. I even gave him a taste of mine but he didn't like them. (I can't believe he doesn't like chocolate chip cookies!) However, he liked the mushrooms in the pasta. (I can't believe he likes mushrooms!)
Now watching a Scooby Doo movie to be followed by the Iowa-Missouri game on ESPN. We got him an Iowa sweatshirt for Christmas so we will try to convey the connection!
We ate out at Pizza Hut tonight. He liked pizza, ate pepperoni but didn't exactly know what it was..he asked "Sausage?". Nope, pepperoni. He got seconds on the pasta and pizza and turned down the chocolate chip cookies. I even gave him a taste of mine but he didn't like them. (I can't believe he doesn't like chocolate chip cookies!) However, he liked the mushrooms in the pasta. (I can't believe he likes mushrooms!)
Now watching a Scooby Doo movie to be followed by the Iowa-Missouri game on ESPN. We got him an Iowa sweatshirt for Christmas so we will try to convey the connection!
Monday, December 27, 2010
Dec 27, 2010
Deborah, Sergiy and I just got back from swimming at the pool. He has been very interested in diving off the diving board since he first saw it. It took a little encouragement (like me doing it first) before he would dive off. Once he did it once, it wasn't a problem. Lucky for us, not many people in the pool so we could play with the volleyball and not have to worry about a crowd.
The last two days have been different. He is much more "at home" and now tries to talk a lot more which means a lot of chattering in Russian. Unfortunately, most of the time I have no idea what he is saying. Before, he spoke in "one word" sentences with words he knew. While we were in the car he said, "food in airplane, and then followed with a nasty face which was easily interpreted as "yuck", then he added, "mommie's food at home, yummmmm," while he patted his stomach.
After swimming, a quick drive through at McDonalds because he was hungry. He loves McDonalds fish sandwiches to which I say, "Yuck". He was smelling the sack on the way home because he loves the smell (I now have the nasty face).
The last two days have been different. He is much more "at home" and now tries to talk a lot more which means a lot of chattering in Russian. Unfortunately, most of the time I have no idea what he is saying. Before, he spoke in "one word" sentences with words he knew. While we were in the car he said, "food in airplane, and then followed with a nasty face which was easily interpreted as "yuck", then he added, "mommie's food at home, yummmmm," while he patted his stomach.
After swimming, a quick drive through at McDonalds because he was hungry. He loves McDonalds fish sandwiches to which I say, "Yuck". He was smelling the sack on the way home because he loves the smell (I now have the nasty face).
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Dec 26, 2010
Today was the second time Sergiy went to church with us. It is interesting in that he has really opened up at home. He interacts very well with Deborah, Bonna and myself and with Jake and Lacey when they are here and close friends such as Andrew. But when he is in a crowd of people he doesn't know, he tends to be shy. He won't get up and wander up to the snack table but pretty well stays put. It's hard to know what he thinks of it all.
We have ordered him a Russian Bible but an email came back and said it was on back order. They have since charged my card but alas no Bible. I have explained to him what is going on when we meet but it must be very hard not knowing very much of what is being said.
He is not too much of a picky eater although he usually doesn't like spicey food. Deborah made stir fry with sticky rice for lunch. He skipped the rice, he said he didn't like rice, but ate the stir fry. He got an assortment of American candy in his stocking for Christmas which he has enjoyed. He refills the PEZ dispenser regularly through the day.
The last thing he does before he goes to bed is to brush his teeth. I then go up and pray with him before turning out the light at night. Last night I sent him up to brush his teeth and when he came into his room he had this big wad of something in his mouth. I asked him, "Did you brush your teeth?" He said, "Yes". I asked, "What do you have in your mouth?" He showed me on his dresser the remains of a huge candy cane Deborah had put in his stocking. He had big hunk of it in his mouth as he was going to bed! Memo to Sam: followup instruction that we don't eat candy after brushing teeth.
We have ordered him a Russian Bible but an email came back and said it was on back order. They have since charged my card but alas no Bible. I have explained to him what is going on when we meet but it must be very hard not knowing very much of what is being said.
He is not too much of a picky eater although he usually doesn't like spicey food. Deborah made stir fry with sticky rice for lunch. He skipped the rice, he said he didn't like rice, but ate the stir fry. He got an assortment of American candy in his stocking for Christmas which he has enjoyed. He refills the PEZ dispenser regularly through the day.
The last thing he does before he goes to bed is to brush his teeth. I then go up and pray with him before turning out the light at night. Last night I sent him up to brush his teeth and when he came into his room he had this big wad of something in his mouth. I asked him, "Did you brush your teeth?" He said, "Yes". I asked, "What do you have in your mouth?" He showed me on his dresser the remains of a huge candy cane Deborah had put in his stocking. He had big hunk of it in his mouth as he was going to bed! Memo to Sam: followup instruction that we don't eat candy after brushing teeth.
Dec 25, 2010
Sergiy got up earlier than usual and was very surprised to see a stocking stuffed hanging on his door. We got up and opened presents. He really enjoyed the nerf guns, we had battles all day long. Jake and Lacey came over for the afternoon and evening. Lacey showed Sergiy how to work on the scrape foil projects we gave him. He worked on the car one in the afternoon and did pretty well. He also has a picture of a wolf to do as well.
Deborah made brisket for supper which he really enjoyed. He skipped the brussel sprouts although he said he knew what they were. His favorite drinks are milk and juice boxes. He also really like chips.
Jake's mom and stepdad came over and ate supper with us. Jake played the guitar and we sang Christmas songs. Afterward, we watched America's Funniest Home videos.
Deborah made brisket for supper which he really enjoyed. He skipped the brussel sprouts although he said he knew what they were. His favorite drinks are milk and juice boxes. He also really like chips.
Jake's mom and stepdad came over and ate supper with us. Jake played the guitar and we sang Christmas songs. Afterward, we watched America's Funniest Home videos.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Dec 24, 2010
We got around 3-4 inches of snow and Sergiy got to see how nice it is to have a snowblower. I would guess he hadn't seen one before. He was pretty amazed.
We started off today at the rec center. Jake, Sergiy and I went to play a little basketball, a little racquetball and Jake showed Sergiy what the different weight room machines were all about.They also practiced hackeysack moves in the gym while we were there.
We came home where Deb and Lacey cooked us all a big breakfast of waffless, bacon, sausage and eggs. Sergiy tasted chocolate milk for the first time and I wish I would have gotten a picture of his face...He chugged a glass pretty quickly.
We had a pretty lazy afternoon. Sergiy never takes a nap. I put it in the translator and he kind of assured me naps weren't something he did. But I got one in anyway. Deb and Lacey finished wrapping gifts upstairs while the cartoon channel was on downstairs.
For supper Deborah made chicken and noodles which is Lacey's favorite. The first time through, Sergiy skipped chicken and noodles and only put ham and mashed potatoes on his plate. I slipped him a noodle to taste while we were eating. When he got up to get seconds, he got chicken and noodles on the return trip...he decided they were pretty good.
Tonight, we are watching "Horton Hears A Who". We are looking forward to Christmas morning!
Addendum: It is 11:00 and I was trying to explain to Sergiy that if he wakes up, to feel free to come downstairs and wake Deborah and I up to open gifts on Christmas morning. So he signals he understands. He then gets tries to communicate to me by charades about something. I don't understand so he grabs his journal and proceeds to draw me a picture of a radio controlled car. Oh my....he thinks he is going to open up a radio controlled car!! I didn't know he wanted one. Well, my sister Marie
gave him a Visa gift card (which we opened tonight) so I got the card out and explained he could buy something with it. I told him that a radio controlled car could NOT go back to Ukraine, could NOT be put into a suitcase but would be something he could only play with this while he was here on his hosting trip. He said he understood "only here" but we will have a day to review this again.
We started off today at the rec center. Jake, Sergiy and I went to play a little basketball, a little racquetball and Jake showed Sergiy what the different weight room machines were all about.They also practiced hackeysack moves in the gym while we were there.
We came home where Deb and Lacey cooked us all a big breakfast of waffless, bacon, sausage and eggs. Sergiy tasted chocolate milk for the first time and I wish I would have gotten a picture of his face...He chugged a glass pretty quickly.
We had a pretty lazy afternoon. Sergiy never takes a nap. I put it in the translator and he kind of assured me naps weren't something he did. But I got one in anyway. Deb and Lacey finished wrapping gifts upstairs while the cartoon channel was on downstairs.
For supper Deborah made chicken and noodles which is Lacey's favorite. The first time through, Sergiy skipped chicken and noodles and only put ham and mashed potatoes on his plate. I slipped him a noodle to taste while we were eating. When he got up to get seconds, he got chicken and noodles on the return trip...he decided they were pretty good.
Tonight, we are watching "Horton Hears A Who". We are looking forward to Christmas morning!
Addendum: It is 11:00 and I was trying to explain to Sergiy that if he wakes up, to feel free to come downstairs and wake Deborah and I up to open gifts on Christmas morning. So he signals he understands. He then gets tries to communicate to me by charades about something. I don't understand so he grabs his journal and proceeds to draw me a picture of a radio controlled car. Oh my....he thinks he is going to open up a radio controlled car!! I didn't know he wanted one. Well, my sister Marie
gave him a Visa gift card (which we opened tonight) so I got the card out and explained he could buy something with it. I told him that a radio controlled car could NOT go back to Ukraine, could NOT be put into a suitcase but would be something he could only play with this while he was here on his hosting trip. He said he understood "only here" but we will have a day to review this again.
Thursday, December 23, 2010
December 23, 2010
Sergiy and I drove to Colfax to have lunch with my son-in-law Jake. We had never gone to a McDonalds before so we that's where we went. Sergiy wanted a plain fish sandwich and fries....We went to Jake and Lacey's apartment and Jake showed Sergiy how to play hackeysack. After seeing Sergiy play with a soccerball, I figured he might enjoy a hackeysack. Evidently, they are not as popular as they used to be as I tried Walmart and the Dollar store and couldn't find one. I ended up buying the last one at a Scheel's store last night in Des Moines.
We went to buy a few pair of jeans since the ones I bought when he first come have gotten a bit tight in the last 10 days. (I should have bought them bigger!). When we got home, we watched a little of the cartoon channel and I learned that he knew "Tom and Jerry", "Scooby-Doo" and "Garfield". Two of them were on DVD's that he had seen.
Jake and Lacey came over tonight and we skyped with Jonathan and Mo who live in California and couldn't make it back to Iowa for Christmas. We opened Christmas presents over skype which was fun. Sergiy got a watch, some colored pencils and some clothes.
Jake and Lacey are spending the night and Jake, Sergiy and I are going to the rec center tomorrow to play a little basketball.
We went to buy a few pair of jeans since the ones I bought when he first come have gotten a bit tight in the last 10 days. (I should have bought them bigger!). When we got home, we watched a little of the cartoon channel and I learned that he knew "Tom and Jerry", "Scooby-Doo" and "Garfield". Two of them were on DVD's that he had seen.
Jake and Lacey came over tonight and we skyped with Jonathan and Mo who live in California and couldn't make it back to Iowa for Christmas. We opened Christmas presents over skype which was fun. Sergiy got a watch, some colored pencils and some clothes.
Jake and Lacey are spending the night and Jake, Sergiy and I are going to the rec center tomorrow to play a little basketball.
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Dec 22, 2010
Today we went to the Sprint Car Hall of Fame where Sergiy could see lots and lots of sprint cars and then Gary Schumacher gave us a ride up the elevator to see the view of the Knoxville Raceway from the grandstands. Then Gary took us up to get a view from the skyboxes and gave Sergiy a Knoxville Raceway cap as a souvenir.
Andrew came over with a soccer ball and Sergiy put some soccer moves on him. Andrew had also brought a baseball and some mitts. I don't think Sergiy had ever put on a baseball mitt because he didn't know how to put it on his hand. They played catch for a while and came in because it was getting too cold outside.
Deborah got off early and we went to Des Moines to do some last minute Christmas shopping. It is really hard to get out of Sergiy exactly what his like and dislikes are. We ask for favorite this or that but he shrugs his shoulders. I really wonder if he has favorites, I think the concept might be somewhat foreign. He really likes and appreciates whatever comes his way.
We thought we would go up and down the toy aisle and watch his reaction as to what he pays attention to or gets excited about. Well, that didn't work, he didn't pay attention at all and was quite bored by it all. We would stop and play with Nerf stuff, Deb and I got Star War sabers out and fought....he really didn't care. None of it tripped his trigger. A little harder glance at soccer shoes with cleats maybe, or an interesting sports jersey but not much else. Until we took him to sunglass display. I had him try some on to see what he would like and we tried on sunglasses forever. He must have tried on half of the available stock and there was alot there.
We could tell what he liked and saved them back.
When we got home, he really looked tired but didn't much want to go to bed. He wanted to watch some more Animal Planet. This kid knows his fish. He said a Russian word and I would look it up and he was right, then another..he was saying the Russian words for pike and sturgeon. So, a bit more TV and then I told him...time for bed (because I really needed to get to bed).
The most interesting thing for me today was to see him read from these elementary school readers Kim Collins loaned to me yesterday. They are arranged from "super simple" to more difficult. We did one of the simple ones and progressed to a few more levels. It was a blast watching him read English without too much prompting!
Andrew came over with a soccer ball and Sergiy put some soccer moves on him. Andrew had also brought a baseball and some mitts. I don't think Sergiy had ever put on a baseball mitt because he didn't know how to put it on his hand. They played catch for a while and came in because it was getting too cold outside.
Deborah got off early and we went to Des Moines to do some last minute Christmas shopping. It is really hard to get out of Sergiy exactly what his like and dislikes are. We ask for favorite this or that but he shrugs his shoulders. I really wonder if he has favorites, I think the concept might be somewhat foreign. He really likes and appreciates whatever comes his way.
We thought we would go up and down the toy aisle and watch his reaction as to what he pays attention to or gets excited about. Well, that didn't work, he didn't pay attention at all and was quite bored by it all. We would stop and play with Nerf stuff, Deb and I got Star War sabers out and fought....he really didn't care. None of it tripped his trigger. A little harder glance at soccer shoes with cleats maybe, or an interesting sports jersey but not much else. Until we took him to sunglass display. I had him try some on to see what he would like and we tried on sunglasses forever. He must have tried on half of the available stock and there was alot there.
We could tell what he liked and saved them back.
When we got home, he really looked tired but didn't much want to go to bed. He wanted to watch some more Animal Planet. This kid knows his fish. He said a Russian word and I would look it up and he was right, then another..he was saying the Russian words for pike and sturgeon. So, a bit more TV and then I told him...time for bed (because I really needed to get to bed).
The most interesting thing for me today was to see him read from these elementary school readers Kim Collins loaned to me yesterday. They are arranged from "super simple" to more difficult. We did one of the simple ones and progressed to a few more levels. It was a blast watching him read English without too much prompting!
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
December 21, 2010
It was a work day for me today (even though I have a home office when I am not on the road) so it was a "hang out at home day" for Sergiy. We had taped WALL-E since it is a movie that has no dialogue and he enjoyed watching it. He played a bit on the Wii and discovered Animal Planet on TV. He is really taken with the channel. Since we ate supper we have watched several episodes on stingrays and then snakefish. I know now more than I ever wanted to about snakefish. He got his camera and tried to take a picture off of the TV.
One of our friends is a 2nd grade teacher at North Elementary. Sergiy visited the class and taught them how to count in Russian from 1-10. He told them where he was from and some basic info about his age and what country he is from.
This evening we finished up with a bit of basketball until the lap swim lanes opened. Since he and I were the only ones lap swimming they let him put fins on his feet and he got to "play" in the pool. He told me he could swim but I have had lots of kids over the years in church camp tell me they could swim as they sink to the bottom of the pool. So I wanted to be sure he could swim before turning him loose in a pool. I worried for nothing. The kid can swim very well. We will go back during an open swim time so he can use the diving board. You can't do that during lap swim time and he was dying to jump off the board.
One of our friends is a 2nd grade teacher at North Elementary. Sergiy visited the class and taught them how to count in Russian from 1-10. He told them where he was from and some basic info about his age and what country he is from.
This evening we finished up with a bit of basketball until the lap swim lanes opened. Since he and I were the only ones lap swimming they let him put fins on his feet and he got to "play" in the pool. He told me he could swim but I have had lots of kids over the years in church camp tell me they could swim as they sink to the bottom of the pool. So I wanted to be sure he could swim before turning him loose in a pool. I worried for nothing. The kid can swim very well. We will go back during an open swim time so he can use the diving board. You can't do that during lap swim time and he was dying to jump off the board.
Monday, December 20, 2010
December 20, 2010
Sergiy and I picked up Andrew this morning and we headed to the science center in Des Moines. I always love the IMAX films so we got to see the Hubble Telescope film. I had never been to the science center so we went through and saw quite of few snakes (which we were being fed mice) and got to visit some interactive exhibits. We got to build rockets which were then propelled by air, build an arch, and built a dam to compete against one another on how much energy was produced (Andrew won).
When we got back to Knoxville, Andrew picked up some sleds and we went out to the golf course to sled down the big hill. We built a snowman which Andrew and Sergiy destroyed by tackling before leaving to go home.
We called a hosting parent in Ohio and his daughter, who speaks fluent Russian, translated so Sergiy and I could have a "conversation". I learned that his favorite food was eggs, that one of the things he wanted to do before leaving America was to ride a roller coaster. I had her explain that we can't ride roller coasters in Iowa in the winter time. Another thing he wanted to do was go to a basketball game. He plays basketball many times after school. There was a basketball game tonight at the high school so we caught the last half of the girls game and the first half of the boys. I could also tell he liked watching the cheerleaders!
When we got back to Knoxville, Andrew picked up some sleds and we went out to the golf course to sled down the big hill. We built a snowman which Andrew and Sergiy destroyed by tackling before leaving to go home.
We called a hosting parent in Ohio and his daughter, who speaks fluent Russian, translated so Sergiy and I could have a "conversation". I learned that his favorite food was eggs, that one of the things he wanted to do before leaving America was to ride a roller coaster. I had her explain that we can't ride roller coasters in Iowa in the winter time. Another thing he wanted to do was go to a basketball game. He plays basketball many times after school. There was a basketball game tonight at the high school so we caught the last half of the girls game and the first half of the boys. I could also tell he liked watching the cheerleaders!
Sunday, December 19, 2010
December 19, 2010
We had a day where we didn't do a whole lot. We got up and took Sergiy to church for the first time. I took my laptop and found the lyrics of the songs we were singing and used google translate so he could at least read the lyrics in Russian. We had a Christmas program today which was done by the kids. Afterward several of the kids his age came and talked to him with the translator tool asking him questions.
We haven't had the TV on hardly at all this week. But this afternoon we turned it on and watched some football (KC vs STL). He seemed to enjoy it. And then later we watched some skiing.
Sergiy helped Deborah wrap gifts this afternoon and Jake and Lacey came over for a while. We all watched America's Funniest Home Videos. He thought it was hilarious. You don't have to be fluent in English to laugh at the videos. We had taped a bunch of them ahead of time because we thought they would be great to save for him and watch together.
We noticed that one of the videos had a Wii Fit on it. We have one and had forgotten all about it. We had not used it since last Christmas when we were all together for Christmas. So we dragged it out and let him snowboard, jump the ski hill and now he and Deborah are tight rope walking.
We haven't had the TV on hardly at all this week. But this afternoon we turned it on and watched some football (KC vs STL). He seemed to enjoy it. And then later we watched some skiing.
Sergiy helped Deborah wrap gifts this afternoon and Jake and Lacey came over for a while. We all watched America's Funniest Home Videos. He thought it was hilarious. You don't have to be fluent in English to laugh at the videos. We had taped a bunch of them ahead of time because we thought they would be great to save for him and watch together.
We noticed that one of the videos had a Wii Fit on it. We have one and had forgotten all about it. We had not used it since last Christmas when we were all together for Christmas. So we dragged it out and let him snowboard, jump the ski hill and now he and Deborah are tight rope walking.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
December 18, 2010
Well, it was a pretty lazy Saturday morning. Everyone slept in a bit. I showed Sergiy how to put the coffee on but he doesn't want to drink it. He only drinks milk or orange juice. Deb made pancakes, Sergiy scrambled eggs.
I volunteer at the LOT on Sat afternoon. Middle school kids come by and hang out, play video games, check email/facebook, etc. Sergiy came with me and was introduced to Halo 3. I don't think he cared for it. He ended up migrating to the Wii games. Colton was very good to Sergiy and helped him with the Wii games and how to operate them. One of the games was "racing cows". I'm sure it was a new game for Sergiy.
We went to Des Moines where we met Jake and Lacey at Outback Steakhouse for supper. I hadn't had a bloomin onion for many years and it was delicious. We used the translator to see if Sergiy wanted chicken, steak/beef, fish as his main meal. He chose chicken. Added some french fries and he did well.
After supper we were off to the Des Moines Buccaneers hockey game. Jake and Lacey went with us. Deborah, Sergiy, nor I had ever been to a hockey game. It was very entertaining, great moves, goals, people bangin up against the walls, pushing, shoving, throwing helmets off, fists flying, blood on the ice.....I'm not used to such sportmanship in athletics. And when the game is over, they leave...no one shakes a hand of the opposing team. Sergiy liked it I think...there was alot of action.
I volunteer at the LOT on Sat afternoon. Middle school kids come by and hang out, play video games, check email/facebook, etc. Sergiy came with me and was introduced to Halo 3. I don't think he cared for it. He ended up migrating to the Wii games. Colton was very good to Sergiy and helped him with the Wii games and how to operate them. One of the games was "racing cows". I'm sure it was a new game for Sergiy.
We went to Des Moines where we met Jake and Lacey at Outback Steakhouse for supper. I hadn't had a bloomin onion for many years and it was delicious. We used the translator to see if Sergiy wanted chicken, steak/beef, fish as his main meal. He chose chicken. Added some french fries and he did well.
After supper we were off to the Des Moines Buccaneers hockey game. Jake and Lacey went with us. Deborah, Sergiy, nor I had ever been to a hockey game. It was very entertaining, great moves, goals, people bangin up against the walls, pushing, shoving, throwing helmets off, fists flying, blood on the ice.....I'm not used to such sportmanship in athletics. And when the game is over, they leave...no one shakes a hand of the opposing team. Sergiy liked it I think...there was alot of action.
Friday, December 17, 2010
December 17, 2010
Jake and Lacey stayed over last night and Lacey made us all waffles this morning. Sergiy manned the waffle iron. We were walking in Walmart this afternoon when he saw a box with a waffle iron on it and he pointed and said, "Waffles!" His English improves a bit each day. He wanted to do more English today than what we usually do. I try to do an hour after breakfast and today he wanted to keep going.
Today he had his eye exam. No glasses needed and all was well. Next was the dental exam. No cavities, a little cleaning was done but Dr. Mott said his teeth were in good shape. Dr. Mott gave him a Knoxville baseball hat and a baseball as we left. Sergiy loved it.
We went to the rec center late this afternoon and introduced him to racquetball. I was a bit sore this morning from basketball yesterday. Tomorrow is going to be worse!
Tomorrow Deborah and I are taking him to a Des Moines Buccaneers hockey game in Des Moines. Jake and Lacey will meet us there. It is a first for Deborah and I as well. Neither of us have never been to a hockey game before.
Today he had his eye exam. No glasses needed and all was well. Next was the dental exam. No cavities, a little cleaning was done but Dr. Mott said his teeth were in good shape. Dr. Mott gave him a Knoxville baseball hat and a baseball as we left. Sergiy loved it.
We went to the rec center late this afternoon and introduced him to racquetball. I was a bit sore this morning from basketball yesterday. Tomorrow is going to be worse!
Tomorrow Deborah and I are taking him to a Des Moines Buccaneers hockey game in Des Moines. Jake and Lacey will meet us there. It is a first for Deborah and I as well. Neither of us have never been to a hockey game before.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
December 16th
Today Sergiy scrambled eggs on his own today and pretty much made pumpkin bread on his own. He says that he really enjoys our English class. We do a mixture of "livemocha" online language learning and just working on numbers, months, days of the week, colors and items around the house.
He has moved on from saying "yes" to most everything to feeling free saying "no" to some questions. His understanding is improving but I have to make sure that he speaks and doesn't just sort of "grunt" when he is trying to get your attention or get you to speak to him.
We went to play basketball at the rec center. His 14 yr old "cockiness" came out just a bit during our time. When I started to make baskets from a nice distance he said something like "wow" which I interpreted as, "I can't believe the old man can get a basket".
Tonight we finished decorating the Christmas tree. My daughter Lacey and her husband Jake came over. They got Sergiy two disposable cameras. He started taking some pictures of the tree and decorations around the house.
Tomorrow is the eye doctor and dentist appointments. He doesn't seem to be worried about the dentist. I wondered what he would think so we talked about it a bit today through the translator. It ought to be interested to see how everyone there does their exams with someone not speaking much English.
He has moved on from saying "yes" to most everything to feeling free saying "no" to some questions. His understanding is improving but I have to make sure that he speaks and doesn't just sort of "grunt" when he is trying to get your attention or get you to speak to him.
We went to play basketball at the rec center. His 14 yr old "cockiness" came out just a bit during our time. When I started to make baskets from a nice distance he said something like "wow" which I interpreted as, "I can't believe the old man can get a basket".
Tonight we finished decorating the Christmas tree. My daughter Lacey and her husband Jake came over. They got Sergiy two disposable cameras. He started taking some pictures of the tree and decorations around the house.
Tomorrow is the eye doctor and dentist appointments. He doesn't seem to be worried about the dentist. I wondered what he would think so we talked about it a bit today through the translator. It ought to be interested to see how everyone there does their exams with someone not speaking much English.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
December 15th
We visited Bass Pro today. I thought it would be fun for him to see all the animals on display. I was trying to figure out how to tell him what we were going to do. It's funny, you don't realize how hard it is to communicate with someone if they don't speak English. I didn't want to say we are going to see "stuffed animals" because I thought he might think I was going to show him "teddy bears". So I put in the translator "zoo but animals dead". What a dumb thing to say. The look on his face was priceless. I then showed him a taxidermy site and he understood. He enjoyed it, especially the fish which were in a huge floor to ceiling aquarium.
Sergiy is always wanting to help. Even if he is doing something, if he sees you working on something, he will stop what he is doing and come over and offer to help.
Deborah had asked me to peel some potatoes, so I got some out and started to peel them. Sergiy came over and offered to help. I thought, "Can this kid be trusted with a knife without cutting himself? What will people think if he slices his hand open and end up in the ER for stitches?" But I got a knife and handed him a potato. Silly me, this kid has peeled potatoes before. He was twice as fast as me and didn't leave much potato on the skin he peeled off. He was a pro.
I don't where he got his manners but I am really surprised. He will not start eating until you do. He always offers to do dishes. He folds every piece of clothing he touches. When I took him to try on some jeans, he will fold each pair after he takes them off. He never just lays them down or tosses them to the side. He makes his bed without asking.
He told me that he gets up at 7:00 in the orphanage, and bedtime is 9:00. That's a bit hard to do here. He has been sleeping till 8:30 am (I hate to wake him up) and goes to bed at 10:00.
Deborah and I took him to his first grocery store. It was fun to have him point to things he liked. Favorite: strawberry. He loves strawberry jam on his toast and tonight we bought him strawberry ice cream. He really eats everything. He didn't put carrots on his plate last night. That might have been because I didn't take any and he followed me. But so far, he has liked everything Deborah has made. We were told in training don't be surprised as some kids eat like horses and hoard food while others eat like birds. So far he eats smaller portions than most kids and doesn't eat a lot of junk even when you offer it. I bought him a pack of M&Ms and he ate half and put the rest in his pocket. We have a basket of small packages of crackers, cookies, snack type things and he chose a juice box. Go figure. But we were told they aren't used to a lot of sugary stuff, they just don't have it available and so far, he doesn't seem interested in it.
Sergiy is always wanting to help. Even if he is doing something, if he sees you working on something, he will stop what he is doing and come over and offer to help.
Deborah had asked me to peel some potatoes, so I got some out and started to peel them. Sergiy came over and offered to help. I thought, "Can this kid be trusted with a knife without cutting himself? What will people think if he slices his hand open and end up in the ER for stitches?" But I got a knife and handed him a potato. Silly me, this kid has peeled potatoes before. He was twice as fast as me and didn't leave much potato on the skin he peeled off. He was a pro.
I don't where he got his manners but I am really surprised. He will not start eating until you do. He always offers to do dishes. He folds every piece of clothing he touches. When I took him to try on some jeans, he will fold each pair after he takes them off. He never just lays them down or tosses them to the side. He makes his bed without asking.
He told me that he gets up at 7:00 in the orphanage, and bedtime is 9:00. That's a bit hard to do here. He has been sleeping till 8:30 am (I hate to wake him up) and goes to bed at 10:00.
Deborah and I took him to his first grocery store. It was fun to have him point to things he liked. Favorite: strawberry. He loves strawberry jam on his toast and tonight we bought him strawberry ice cream. He really eats everything. He didn't put carrots on his plate last night. That might have been because I didn't take any and he followed me. But so far, he has liked everything Deborah has made. We were told in training don't be surprised as some kids eat like horses and hoard food while others eat like birds. So far he eats smaller portions than most kids and doesn't eat a lot of junk even when you offer it. I bought him a pack of M&Ms and he ate half and put the rest in his pocket. We have a basket of small packages of crackers, cookies, snack type things and he chose a juice box. Go figure. But we were told they aren't used to a lot of sugary stuff, they just don't have it available and so far, he doesn't seem interested in it.
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
December 14th
We started English lessons this morning. We worked on introductions and how to handle it when he begins to meet new people. (He also helped me with some Russian). He already knew how to count to ten and pretty good at counting to twenty. He is very helpful and looks for things to do. He helped cooked breakfast, wanted to wash the dishes and helped get eggs. He will stop what he is doing and come help you if he sees that you have begun a project.
The translator web site where he can type Russian and push a button to translate to English is wonderful. I think he enjoys the time we sit on the couch and have a conversation with the help of the computer. I don't think he has any experience with computers at all so the internet isn't a problem. He has given no inkling or desire to do anything with the internet at all. (My computer requires a password to be on it anyway).
He seems to like to eat most things....and he got introduced to Jaarsma's bakery today when we were in Pella.
The translator web site where he can type Russian and push a button to translate to English is wonderful. I think he enjoys the time we sit on the couch and have a conversation with the help of the computer. I don't think he has any experience with computers at all so the internet isn't a problem. He has given no inkling or desire to do anything with the internet at all. (My computer requires a password to be on it anyway).
He seems to like to eat most things....and he got introduced to Jaarsma's bakery today when we were in Pella.
Arrival Day
We took off for Chicago at 7:30 am. The Illinois road report said roads were not completely clear of snow and ice....but they were fine. Stopped to shop a bit but still arrived 2 hours early. And then the plane was delayed an hour and fifteen minutes. Hint: you will not want to wait in the winter time in Terminal 5 at O'Hare. It is cold because the doors let the cold wind into the terminal and it is difficult to stay warm. Deborah and I went upstairs to departures to sit in the food court to wait.
The plane landed at 4:35 pm and it took two hours for customs to clear the kids. It must have been dreadfully long for the kids who had already been traveling 24 hours or so. Many had long train trips to get to Kiev and then a connecting flight before their flight to the USA. They all looked very nervous before they walked out into the arrival area to greet us.
Sergiy seemed nervous and shy. We got to the car and he was pretty quiet for the first hour. No, he doesn't speak a lot of English. After an hour we stopped to eat at a McDonald's (even though he told us he wasn't hungry). But we weren't sure if he was being agreeable, polite, or we just didn't understand. We had brought a Russian-English dictionary in the car, he found it and brought it in with him. We were able to use our Iphone translators. Eating and visiting a bit broke the ice. And no, he wasn't hungry...but he did like the french fries, and he knew what "coca-cola" was.
I showed him a video game on my phone when we got back into the car and he started playing that. It wasn't long and he fell asleep and slept the rest of the 4 hours home to Iowa.
When we got home at 12:30, I gave him a quick tour of the house, showed him how the shower works and that our hot water is really hot (be careful!) and how to get the shower to come one, etc. I encouraged him to take a shower and he needed one. Well, he thought I meant that he was to wash his feet. So back to the translator and I explained not just your feet but you head and hands as well (Gee does that sound sort of familiar). I explained shampoo and soap and explained to wash everything. He then understood and took a shower and put on clean clothes. He said he was tired and wanted to go back to bed. He went back to sleep around 1:30 and is still sleeping (it's 8:30)
He has a very sweet spirit about him. I think today will be easier for him and he won't be so nervous. I have found a program online where he can type in Russian and translate to English so that should help us to talk to each other a bit more until his English skills improve.
The plane landed at 4:35 pm and it took two hours for customs to clear the kids. It must have been dreadfully long for the kids who had already been traveling 24 hours or so. Many had long train trips to get to Kiev and then a connecting flight before their flight to the USA. They all looked very nervous before they walked out into the arrival area to greet us.
Sergiy seemed nervous and shy. We got to the car and he was pretty quiet for the first hour. No, he doesn't speak a lot of English. After an hour we stopped to eat at a McDonald's (even though he told us he wasn't hungry). But we weren't sure if he was being agreeable, polite, or we just didn't understand. We had brought a Russian-English dictionary in the car, he found it and brought it in with him. We were able to use our Iphone translators. Eating and visiting a bit broke the ice. And no, he wasn't hungry...but he did like the french fries, and he knew what "coca-cola" was.
I showed him a video game on my phone when we got back into the car and he started playing that. It wasn't long and he fell asleep and slept the rest of the 4 hours home to Iowa.
When we got home at 12:30, I gave him a quick tour of the house, showed him how the shower works and that our hot water is really hot (be careful!) and how to get the shower to come one, etc. I encouraged him to take a shower and he needed one. Well, he thought I meant that he was to wash his feet. So back to the translator and I explained not just your feet but you head and hands as well (Gee does that sound sort of familiar). I explained shampoo and soap and explained to wash everything. He then understood and took a shower and put on clean clothes. He said he was tired and wanted to go back to bed. He went back to sleep around 1:30 and is still sleeping (it's 8:30)
He has a very sweet spirit about him. I think today will be easier for him and he won't be so nervous. I have found a program online where he can type in Russian and translate to English so that should help us to talk to each other a bit more until his English skills improve.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Tomorrow we pick up Sergiy from the airport
A snowstorm with 5 inches of snow and 25 mph winds hit Iowa last night. We plan on the road to Chicago to be clear by morning in order to meet the plane at 3:15 pm at Chicago O'Hare airport. I have enjoyed reading the blogs of other families who have opened their homes to children for hosting. So, I am writing our experiences, hopefully, to encourage others who will think about hosting in the future.
We have his room ready, snacks selected for the road trip tomorrow, bought a few sizes of different clothes so he can have something immediately if he needs it. Extras can always be returned to Walmart if he sizes don't work out.
I have experimented with some online translators in order to help us communicate. My favorite is: http://www.richardlecour.com/projects/translator/
Not only can you type English and have it translated to Russian, he will be able to type in the Russian characters and have it translated to English. I also have a backup to double check as online translators are not perfect. Someone loaned us a Russian-English dictionary as well.
What are we nervous about before this journey begins? We are a bit older than most hosting parents (>50) with our children gone from the home. We are a bit nervous about not having other children in the home for him to pal around with. Although we have some fun trips planned, we think we will spend a lot of time just doing things at home, playing games, making Christmas goodies and doing things together.
Do we feel prepared? Yes, the New Horizons training was very practical and answered lots of questions. Plus, they send you a large training manual with lots of information and directions, too. And they give you cell numbers and email addresses so you can contact folks who can help if you have questions.
Is there anything that you have been surprised at so far? Host parents are warned that things can change, trips can be canceled and sometimes kids cannot come as planned. Unfortunately this year that has happened to some of the Russian children. It is a reminder that things happen in other countries that we have no control over.
I have been surprised at how "attached" you can get to a child before you even meet them in person and how much you look forward to this. It is one of the "risks" that hosting involves....certainly it has to be extremely painful for both the children who now cannot come and the host parents who have so been looking forward to having them.
We have his room ready, snacks selected for the road trip tomorrow, bought a few sizes of different clothes so he can have something immediately if he needs it. Extras can always be returned to Walmart if he sizes don't work out.
I have experimented with some online translators in order to help us communicate. My favorite is: http://www.richardlecour.com/projects/translator/
Not only can you type English and have it translated to Russian, he will be able to type in the Russian characters and have it translated to English. I also have a backup to double check as online translators are not perfect. Someone loaned us a Russian-English dictionary as well.
What are we nervous about before this journey begins? We are a bit older than most hosting parents (>50) with our children gone from the home. We are a bit nervous about not having other children in the home for him to pal around with. Although we have some fun trips planned, we think we will spend a lot of time just doing things at home, playing games, making Christmas goodies and doing things together.
Do we feel prepared? Yes, the New Horizons training was very practical and answered lots of questions. Plus, they send you a large training manual with lots of information and directions, too. And they give you cell numbers and email addresses so you can contact folks who can help if you have questions.
Is there anything that you have been surprised at so far? Host parents are warned that things can change, trips can be canceled and sometimes kids cannot come as planned. Unfortunately this year that has happened to some of the Russian children. It is a reminder that things happen in other countries that we have no control over.
I have been surprised at how "attached" you can get to a child before you even meet them in person and how much you look forward to this. It is one of the "risks" that hosting involves....certainly it has to be extremely painful for both the children who now cannot come and the host parents who have so been looking forward to having them.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
How It All Started.....
On October 6, 2010, I was in Lansdowne, Virginia at the home office of Prison Fellowship (my employer). I was scheduled to be in town for a series of meetings. Every Wednesday morning, there is a "chapel service" held for employees and guests. The speaker was Melissa Macy who presented on New Horizons for Children.
New Horizons for Children describes themselves as, "a Christian based, international hosting program, which brings over orphaned children from Eastern Europe twice a year to share with them the love of God and the love of a family".
Melissa shared her story of hosting two children from the Ukraine. I went online to the New Horizons For Children web site and signed up to view the photo listing. Later that day, I sent the link to my wife. After a week or so, we selected a child from the Ukraine to host for Christmas.
New Horizons for Children describes themselves as, "a Christian based, international hosting program, which brings over orphaned children from Eastern Europe twice a year to share with them the love of God and the love of a family".
Melissa shared her story of hosting two children from the Ukraine. I went online to the New Horizons For Children web site and signed up to view the photo listing. Later that day, I sent the link to my wife. After a week or so, we selected a child from the Ukraine to host for Christmas.
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