The First 24 Hours (really 27-1/2 hours)

We've made it through the first full day! Woo hoo! Ivan slept through the night; he went to bed around 6:00 last night and woke up at 5:30 this morning. Tim and I didn't get much sleep because we kept waking up to see if HE would wake up during the night. With a 7-hour time difference and almost 36 hours of travel, we just didn't know for sure how'd he sleep.

It was slightly (and only slightly) nerve wracking to think that we would need to entertain a non-English speaking kid for over 8 hours until the welcome party in the afternoon. We muddled through it! He colored, built a small Lego fort, played with Tim's toy soldiers, played outside, put together a puzzle, played with the dog, played with the dog, and played with the dog! The two of them are inseparable. Teagan is loving having a boy around the house!

Our first visitors arrived this morning: Tim's parents and his sister and brother-in-law. His new aunt spoiled him terribly already! She came loaded down with coloring things, books, dinosaurs, yo-yos, slinkees, etc. He loved it all! I've attached some pictures of his "new" relatives.

He ate fairly well today. He inhaled fruit, liked the cheesy-potato soup, didn't like the fish sticks, loved the sauteed zucchini, so-so on the grilled chicken, adores goldfish crackers, and enjoys fruit juices to drink. We need to find some more substantial breakfast foods than just fruit. He shook his head to both oatmeal and cold cereal. We'll try some toast tomorrow and maybe some eggs.

Ivan really liked the welcome party; he seemed glad to see people he knew! At the beginning, there were some family games in which we competed. The "Triple Deckers" are very competitive! We won the grand prize for being the fastest in a relay race, spoon/string race, and changing clothes race. I've posted a picture of Tim wearing the clothes we all had to put on and take off. We are the champions!!!!!

We found out there that he knows about soccer. He spent a lot of time kicking and moving the ball around. Our neighbors loaned him a soccer ball, and he and Tim played with it in our commons area. Teagan was not happy! She has her very own soccer ball and was very upset that she wasn't invited to play. We'll see tomorrow if she will let Ivan borrow it. I have a feeling she doesn't share well!

Tomorrow starts the day camp for all the kids. They will have a short English lesson in the mornings, an arts and crafts time, singing, and a sack lunch. After lunch, there will be a field trip each day. Thursday we have gymnastics and an ice cream social; Friday is the park and llamas will be visiting. Should provide some good photo opportunities!!