The Nutcracker (or tippy toeing as my grandfather would say)

Please don't fall over off your chair, as I know it has been ages since I have written.  I can give you a million excuses and say that I will try to do better, but who am I kidding we all know I won't.  This is not a New Year's resolution, this is strictly because I loved my experience so much last night that I am bursting at the seams to talk about it.  Especially with someone other than David as he does not understand ballet.  I didn't really expect him too so it is fine.

Okay, here I go!

For my Christmas present this year David took me to see The Nutcracker at the Bolshoi Theatre.  It was truly amazing to watch.  I grew up taking ballet.  I was not good and now after two children I am even worse.  I have noticed over the years that my ankles have even become weaker.  I didn't really know that was possible, but it is.  At least for me.  So I love the ballet.  I told David when we moved to Moscow that one thing I want to see is The Nutcracker.  Now let me tell you that if I really had my choice there are about three ballets on my top list and I would see one every weekend, but I had to narrow it down.  These tickets aren't cheap.  Also, the hubs isn't going to go to more than one.  I don't need to push my luck.

The night started off with an early blue hair dinner.  Russians of course would eat after, but I hate eating past 8 so 9:30 was out of the question.  We walked down to the Bolshoi.  It is not a far walk but it was snowing of course.  Oh and I didn't have any panty hose on.  Russian were staring.  I know it was for having bare legs.  The market for panty hose is here, even in the summer.  Anyway, after we get there and I am numb from the waste down I realize mud has splashed everywhere so I rush to the bathroom to clean it up.  No big deal but now I am in a panic to get into the show.  No it has not started yet and the bell hasn't rung, but I am a little girl in pure excitement here.  Oh and we had check our coats.  Another couple of minutes.  Ugh!!! Patience is not my virtue.  I think David took his time at dinner just watch me be antsy (well that and the fact he didn't really want to go.)  But hey he went so I am not complaining.

Now an experience in Russia is not one unless you describe what is going on around you.  And there is always something around you that makes you question or laugh.  The lady next to David took about a 100 selfies.  Yes you read that right and I am not exaggerating.  She kept taking them low like she was being discreet and then high where she was not.  She would have her hand over her chin and then not like the picture and take another one exactly the same.  Oh and the hair is all down and "mysteriously" in her face.  These are not good selfies.  She had to know it why else keep taking them.  But then at intermission she gets up and she is a scantily dressed Russian.  It is really not surprising at all but yet I am always shocked.  Okay I'm really not.

The lady on my side was texting the whole time.  This is not appropriate!!!!  There is a reason they say to turn OFF your phones.  It is not only the ringing but also the bright light.  Come on people!

The lady behind me was clap heavy and loud at it.  It is like she cups her hands just right so it echoes in the whole theatre.  Now I know this is debatable I personally do not like clapping during a performance.  I believe it is an interruption to the patrons and to the performers.  Unless you are clear it is an end, DO NOT CLAP!!!  But I realize not everybody agrees with this.  So I will let it slide.  Obviously the lady behind me did not agree with this.  But yet she was the first to leave when the performance was over.  I was expecting to plug my ears.  :)  Also, the Russians clap in a chant type way.  If it is longer than a quick applause, they just keep going and then it is a rhythm.  So after the whole performance this went on for quite a while by a few people and the main characters came out like 5 times for bows.  I am pretty sure I know what they are thinking at this point.

So I must not leave out coat check.  You have to wait in a long line to get your coat.  Which is fine until you get the usual Russian that cuts in front and lays down her 3 tags plus for coats.  Mind you David and I shared a tag.  So I am not sure how many she was expecting to be loaded down with.  Fortunately she came right as we were leaving, because I would have said something.  It is usually a dirty look that turns into a stare and then a loud "Really!"  2 1/2 years ago I would have done nothing but Russia  has changed me to be pushy like them.  And I say really and stare because I don't know enough Russian to tell here what I really think.  I should have learned that in my lessons.  Oh well I digress.

Now the ballet was truly beautiful and the dancers were magnificent.  The story is similar but different from the ones I have seen in the US.  David didn't know the story at all.  He couldn't understand why a little girl would dream about marrying her nutcracker doll.  All I said was you are a man and really don't understand girls and their dreams.  All girls have a fairytale dream.  I guess that is why the Lord blessed me with two boys.  Of course I don't understand them all the time.  Soooo...

Okay I have rambled and have given you plenty of poor grammar today.  I hope you enjoy this fleeting blog entry.  

Potty Training

Last week was one of the toughest weeks I have experienced as a mother.  We decided to conquer potty training.  So where do I begin.

I started by reading some articles about 3 day potty training.  I thought wow these moms make it seem so easy and their child is 21-22 months old.  Owen shows the signs of readiness, so let's do this!  LIARS!  It is not easy at all!  It is something horrific I think more so for the mom than the child.  They tell you to focus solely on your child for 3 days and that he/she will pick it up by the third day.  Owen was on the 4th.  But hey I will still give them credit.

Some things they don't tell you:

• You will feel like you are covered in pee.  Sorry if this grosses some of you out, but it is true.  And guess what you probably are covered in pee.  Your child starts to go so you pick them up and rush them to the toilet.   After they don't pee in the toilet, because they are being stubborn or just peed on the floor, you start to clean up the mess.  Oh and then guess what they are starting to pee again.  So back to the bathroom.  This a continuous cycle.  So the 100% focus to your child is already gone because you are just trying to clean up the mess before he decides water puddles are fun to play in.  
• You will be really close to having a break down on day 2 and will have one on day 3.  And if you haven't given up already then you will be praying for signs if you should quit by day 4.  
• The articles tell you not to bribe your child with if you do this then you get this but instead offer subtle prizes.  You stick to this at first and then totally cave and say you didn't potty so no sucker.  Yeah, mean I know!  But you get desperate.  
• You will need more stickers than you ever thought possible.  The bathroom and toilet are all stickered up!  
• You will start to let them watch tv on the ipad just so they will sit on the toilet for longer than a second.  No I am not exaggerating they will only sit for a second before telling you "all done!"  And then you realize they are just sitting there so they can watch tv and they are not actually trying.  So then you take it away and are back to frustration.  
• They tell you that you will need to give 100% attention or focus to your child and to play their favorite games or toys with them.  Yes very true but they forget to tell you that you are so busy staring at them that you can't really play because you are afraid you will miss an accident.  Oh and by the way 100% attention means no phone, no email, no tv, no eating, no cooking, no peeing, no nothing unless they are napping.  Oh and as soon as they are awake, quick to your feet to get them out of the crib so they can go pee and you don't have to change the sheets.  I lost all contact with civilization for 4 days.  
• The articles also tell you to go ahead and work on night time training.  This happened twice and then I grew tired of changing the sheets and having to get up early to wait for him to wake.  So we will worry about that another day.

One good thing about picking last week to potty train was that it was the week that the snow decided to come to Moscow.  So I missed this

photo courtesy of Shannon Davis

photo courtesy of Shannon Davis

photo courtesy of Shannon Davis

I tried to take this in the morning at about 8:30 

Oh there is so much snow!  So a good week to stay indoors.  And when I did try to get out it was tough to walk in and push the stroller.  Owen has been very good with his new big boy status.  Accidents are few and far between.  He has no fear of public toilets.  That is more me.  So I carry anti bacterial wipes with me to wipe down the seat first.  And we will see how he does on the long plane ride.  Prayers that it continues to improve are always welcome.  All in all it is worth it, just be patient and persevere.  If I can do it you can do it!

someone left the cake out in the rain

Today I decided to take Owen to the park.  We needed to get out of the house.  Since I have been back in Moscow the weather has been in the 60s and rainy.  My new rain boots have been in good use.  So today was beautiful even though the weather on my phone and computer showed rain clouds and 61 degrees.  So I get Owen dressed and I am ready and we head out.  It is quite warm.  I swear more like 70 so Owen and I are shedding our sweaters.  Even though if you look around people are in their scarfs, winter coats, and still look freezing.  And of course the kids are already in snow suits.

Being pregnant of course I am hungry.  Oh who am I kidding, I am always hungry.   I had the brilliant idea of stopping off for some delectable desserts before the park.  This was a better idea in my mind than in actual reality.  I have to cross the park to get to the cafe so of course someone wants out of the stroller.  I keep saying we are going to get something sweet, then I remember he responds to cookie and cupcake.  So that helped improve the jaunt.  We both enjoyed a yummy chocolate/caramel cake with nuts.  (I would compare to a snickers bar).  Of course when we get to the cafe Owen has to take his shoes off and his sweater.  I understand the sweater but the shoes and socks?!?  So all dressed and satisfied, off to the park we go.  Well now I see what the weather was talking about.  It starts raining!  I mean really, more rain!  So Owen and I run to a dry spot and wait and then run to a dry spot and wait.  This happens for about 4 stops and then I give up and we just take off in the rain.  So now we are receiving looks because I have a baby in the rain.  Well it wasn't by choice people!  And fortunately once we cross the street the skies are clear.  That is one thing about Moscow.  It can be raining on one side of the street and not on the other.  Now that I am out of breath thankfully we have a short walk to go.  Maybe I should mention that the park is about a 20 minute walk from my place.  That might help put things in perspective.  When I get home and look in the mirror I realized I am a bit disheveled.  Hair is all over the place clothes falling off and of course Owen is as content as can be.

Kids have the life!!!  They definitely don't understand the leaps and bounds we go through for them, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

So that is my day in a nutshell!

Moscowverisary

Well it is obvious to say that I have neglected blogging.  I have spent the last two weeks with it on my too do list and haven't had the motivation to do it.  Actually I have really wanted to write about my one year anniversary here but when I have the free time this is not what comes to mind.  Odd too since I seem to like it once I get started and finish.  Hmmm....

Anyway, I have lived in Moscow for over a year now.  We moved here July 7, 2011 and it is now August 9, 2012.  I went home at the end of June to see my family and take a little mini break in Florida.  It turns out Owen and I were on the same Singapore flight from last year.  I wonder if I will arrive in Moscow on July 8th every year :)  Probably not!

So here are some things that I have learned and like and dislike about our new home:

• The transportation system (metro) here is great.  It is easy to understand and can get you just about everywhere you need to go.  At the same time you have to ignore the mass amounts of people (I found out yesterday on average 9 million people travel on it everyday).  The smell and the hotness.  It is warm on the metro in the summer and the winter.  And no that warmth is not welcomed in the winter because you have a coat, scarf, and gloves already on.
• Moving here last summer and adjusting to the heat and the lack of air conditioning and ice did not make the transition to this summer any easier.  
• I do not like the government controlled heat.  When it turns on it is bloody hot and there is no way to control it.  So you have to open the windows, which mind you it is sub artic outside.
• I absolutely love staying home with my little boy.  He is a bundle of fun and is always entertaining.  I might get tired daily but I wouldn't trade it for anything.
• Owen climbs on everything.  I am going to have to move all furniture out of the house and sit on the floor to keep my child grounded.
• Whenever we move back to the US we will have someone clean our house there too.  No matter what David says :)  That is definitely something I have gotten used to.
• Whoever thought I would like to cook!  And not just cook but be able to throw stuff together, substitute foods, and not use measurements.  
• I need a bigger kitchen.
• Grocery shopping is a pain in the behind here.  I have to go to about four different stores to get everything I want.  And if you see something you better buy it then because it won't be there next time.  
• Places open and close here quickly.  I swear that store was not there a week ago.
• There are 24 hour flower shops all over the city.  You know for those people that stay out all night and need flowers to take home at 6 am :)
• If you ever need panty hose or tights this is the place to buy them.
• Prices are high here.  You have to ignore to eat but other than that you must really decide if you want that item.  Such as I need the basic pedicure but we can hold off on the deluxe.
• You can only do one thing a day here.  So, don't over commit.  Park with Owen sure.  But park and lunch with friends, no thank you.  Too tired and hot!
• I am still getting used to the language.  Even though I take lessons I have a hard time understanding people.  They talk to fast.  Funny for me to say that.  
• I love walking.  I actually like not having a car.  There are times that having a car would be easier but I really do enjoy the exercise.  If I am feeling like a slug I just go out and feel 10x better.
• I do not care for six months of winter.  Four is a good number.  Anything longer than that is just ridiculous.  I mean really who needs that much snow and subzero temperatures.  
• I do not care for the 10 days during the summer that they turn off the hot water.  I think next year we will have to plan a trip during that time.  
• I have figured out that I have gotten so used to things here that when people come to visit and go through the shocks I once did that I laugh at them.  But if I remember correctly they weren't that funny for me a year ago.  
• I love the friends that I have met here.  I love getting to know new people and learning about different cultures.  I love the interest groups I partake in.  
• I really miss Taco Bell.  
• I would love some iced tea that is not flavored.
• I glad McDonald's has expanded across the world.
• I love that it is easy to travel to other countries with a short flight.  

Maybe that sums everything up.  I am sure there are many things that I am forgetting.  After all I am a mom and my brain is only half there.  I have really enjoyed our experience.  I am blessed for being able to have an experience like this.  I have met wonderful people and have learned many things.  

We're still here!

I realize as I sit here trying to decide if I want to blog or not that I am officially the worst blogger.  It seems all the other bloggers take it on religiously and love it.  I am just not that type.  The artist, creative, side of me is gone.  Or maybe just the initiative.  Since I have gotten back from the US in March my days seem long and my ambition is gone.  But I have a renewed spirit today with a sunny day in the 60s.

I went back to Arkansas in March for a short week for my sister-in-law's wedding.  Since it was short I really didn't tell anybody I was traveling home.  So sorry to anybody that is offended.  I experienced beautiful weather in the 80s while in Arkansas.  And then I came back to the artic tundra and full snow.  It was nice to have my dear friend, Michelle, come back with me.  At least she kept my spirits high for about two weeks.  Then after she left, the snow and the cold took its toll.  I was ready to retire my winter coat and my boots.  More importantly I wanted to retire Owen's snowsuit.  He was always in good spirits.  If I laid the suit out he would stop his destructive streak and lay down in the suit ready to go.  But once out it was always hard for him to enjoy his time being all bundled up.  Of course, if you were with Owen would not think he was unhappy, so maybe that is just mom's state of mind.  :)  But now we have beautiful weather.  I sent the coats to the cleaners and put the boots up.  I refuse to pull them back out until October.  So at the moment I have been wearing one pair of shoes because it is not quite time for sandals yet (more so my feet are not ready for sandals.  can anyone say pedicure!)  Since my spirits are lifted I will try to give you a recap of the last couple of months.

• My friend, Michelle, came to visit.  It was great having her here.  We went to St. Petersburg, which is truly beautiful.  I would like to experience it in the summer next.  And now I have someone that can contest to what I have been saying all along.  When it is was time to leave she said she would miss us but not Russia.  And next time she came to visit, if she comes again, it will be in the summer.  She understands the snow, cold, stairs, rudeness, and difficulty with the stroller now.  Owen loved having her here and they played constantly.  I am surprised she didn't leave anything behind, what with Owen constantly unpacking her stuff and carrying it off for her.  We definitely need more visitors, as hard as it is to say goodbye.  
• Since the weather has made a change, they have started to clean the streets (a little bit).  And have started to paint every fence, door, and grate they can find.  Yes they are still dirty when being painted and the fumes are horrible.  Nothing like the smell of pain in the springtime.
• We go to the park almost daily.  Owen loves it!!!!  He runs around and talks to random people and picks up random toys.  Loves bicycles and strollers.  And of course he loves the dirt.  He will just sit in it and play.  I have a hard time with this but try my hardest to overlook.  I guess the days of a bath every other day are gone.  He absolutely loves the slide.  Any and all slides.  He will start to climb up the slide as soon as he down.  It is hard for others to have a turn. 
• He can now say horsey and recognize them.  He has taken to this animal quite a bit.  Of course they are a beautiful creature.
• Owen went to the zoo for the first time.  He really enjoyed seeing the animals.  He would sit in awe as they came close.  We will have to make this trip more often.

I think this about sums it up.  As always after I publish this a whole list of things will come to mind and I will be mad they didn't get in here.  And then it will probably be another decade before I write again and I will forget about it by then.  We are doing well and enjoying the sunshine.  But we are ready for visitors and very ready to go the beach this summer with Partner.  Remember there is always a place to stay in the Motherland.  So book your tickets now! :)

Sergiev Posad

Every weekend we sit around the house and do nothing and by the end of the day on Sunday we are both so restless that last week I gave David two options on the weekend.  London or Sergiev Posad.  Sergiev Posad is part of the many Russian countrysides.  I told him we either need to be traveling on the weekend or participating in true Russian experiences.  David passed the choice to me so I chose what I thought he would hate the most (making him rethink passing the choice to me.)  So I chose Sergiev Posad.

You leave at 9 am and drive for about an hour and head to Sergiev Posad.  You stop at Sveta's house for some yummy blinis (pancakes) and then head out to the forest for troika rides, campfires, sledding and more.  Then back to Sveta's for a Russian dinner and then home.  We went with some other families from the baby group on Friday's.  So there ended up being 10 adults, 2 sets of twins around 2, an 11 year old, a 9 year old, a 3 year old, a 14 month old, and a 10 month old.

The ride out there and back was quite long.  It turned out we got an extremely slow driver.  So rather than an hour each way it turned into 2 hours each way.  Which meant our time eating blinis was rushed.  But that did not manage to stop Owen from eating 3.

My boys all tuckered out after having full bellies.

Back on the road.  It is truly beautiful to see all the snow covered trees.

Waiting on the horse!

Us on our first Troika Ride!

From here we stayed in the woods and enjoyed a nice campfire, some sledding and some great playing.

Look Owen it's a bear!

Really mom bear!?!

I guess it's not too bad!

Nice bear!

Oh look a ball!  (Of course he comes out to the woods and spots the only ball)

Cayden snoring on the Troika Ride, like Owen should have been doing

Whoa we are going fast!  How do I get off this thing?  (Owen's first time sledding)

Crash Landing

At the end of the day we headed to the monastery

And then it was time to head back.  I feel the time in the woods was not long enough.  It was a beautiful day in the mid 30s.  This was a true Russian experience.  I was sure that I was going to hear David complain when we got home, but instead he surprised me claiming it was a good day.  The only thing we would all change is getting home at 9.

Week in Review

I have always known that I was not the type to scrapbook, update, and such.  But I did think I would get a little bit better at moving away and not working.  Well I was wrong, very wrong.  That talent was definitely passed to my other siblings.  Last week was a busy week.  It was a good week just busy.

Owen and I had a play date on Tuesday.  Lisa and her 10 month old son, Cayden, came over.  They have been gone for too long in the US by this point.  I was missing my friend and Owen missing his.  Cayden is a very active crawler and Owen is a very active walker, so they hit it off.  Owen was showing Cayden how to crawl under the table and over the chairs, up the stairs, and around the house, not to mention how to pull all the food out of the refrigerator and the cabinets.  I am sure Lisa was thrilled with all of Cayden's new tricks.  Owen plays with other kids, but that is the first time I have really seen him interact with another kid.  They were talking to each other and playing.  It was great.

Look Owen, I got into the cabinet!

And this is how you chew on cords

This is to keep us out of cabinets, but I play with it instead.  Why don't you try it?  Nothing can keep me out.

I think I will!  Thanks Owen!

Wednesday, Owen and I went bowling with the SSA (Schlumberger Spouses Association).  That was quite fun too.  Owen loved all the bright colored balls and kept trying to be the ball down the lane.  And even with him I still managed to bowl over 100.  We had a nice lunch and Owen ate a fair share of cheese pizza.  He missed his nap this day and only napped for about 30 minutes.  I learned he is not cranky when he misses a nap but quite hyper.  Which can be quite tiring on me.

Thursday, Owen and I went to the IWC (International Women's Committee) membership meeting at the Finland Embassy.  It was their sign up day for interest groups and my Bible Study leader asked if I would help her out while she was out of the country.  Sure why not.  Owen played in the playroom with the other kids and was the perfect little gentleman.  They said he shared his snacks and emptied all the draws. That would be my boy.  Me on the other hand am not sure what I was doing.  Obviously telling a point.  :)

Friday, was the weekly play group.  It was small group of all boys at play group this week.  It was quite nice.  Owen made a new friend that was around 2 1/2.  They seemed to follow each other everywhere. At the same time Owen helped Kim clean her house with the broom and dustpan.  He seems to love this toy anywhere he is.  And then Friday night David and I went to the IWC Embassy Ball.  It was quite fun.

We went and ate at the Switzerland Embassy and then headed to the Ritz Carlton.  It was the first time David and I have really been out in a long time.  Isn't he dapper in his tux!?!

So now I am nearly through with this week and will hopefully start blogging a bit better from here on out.  I guess we'll see.