Home Again

A big sigh...home safe.

It was wonderful to see Natalie and Liam again. They were both very sweet. We snuck into their rooms (it was late) when we got home, and Natalie woke up for a second and asked "Did Daddy lose his luggage?" with a big grin on her face, and then she gave us each a big hug. Grandma said she has been playing "airport" a lot, where she stuffs her blankie in a bag and then pretends her luggage has been lost.

Liam made a checklist while we were gone, with little boxes to check when they are complete (yes, he gets his listmaking and checkmark affinity from me). His list included: - Liking the new baby (it was checked already), - Seeing the new baby (which he checked immediately after seeing our pictures), and - Making Owen's room (not yet checked, but he wanted to start on that first thing today). He says he wants to paint palm trees and animals in Owen's room.

Both kids seem to be feeling better. Liam took his antibiotic for strep nicely. Natalie did not. Poor Grandma. She didn't write much in her email about the Dr visit and medicine, but all she had to say was "She is strong!!!" and I knew. I have heard that phrase so many times from nurses/doctors trying to evaluate Natalie. It is the polite Dr way of saying "Holy @#$%! How can a toddler girl turn into the Hulk like that?!" The antibiotics just weren't going down. Like feeding a pill to a cat... Did I mention poor Grandma - what a trooper!

I will attach a few pictures of the Moscow tour. We did enjoy the history lessons and seeing the Kremlin, St. Basil's cathedral (with the onion domes), Lenin's tomb, etc. No, we didn't get to see Lenin - it was closed that day. We did hear that he has 10 different suits that they change him into periodically...which just makes me think that someone out there actually HAS that job. Changing Lenin's suits. I can guarantee they aren't paid enough. I don't have a change of clothes while in Russia, but Lenin still has 10 suits.