For now ...

We haven't gone to the beach, Washington, D.C., or even Williamsburg.  We haven't even been to Monticello, or UVA Grounds, or the Downtown Mall.  Mostly our days have been hanging out at home, doing math fact sheets, painting peaches, going to the pool, having dinner on our back porch, watching Pink Panther on YouTube, swinging in the tree swing, reading lots of Dr. Seuss, and riding BIKES!  (Thanks, Joan!)

"Papa, can you fix my wheel?"

"This is me with Josiah.  He's blowing the driveway."


"This bike may look kinda small, but it's perfect.  It's pink, and sparkly, and has pretty things on the handlebars.  NOBODY better touch my bike!"

Katya's situation is a bit unusual.  She is at the orphanage M-F.  On the weekends, she's with her grandmother.  Her grandmother signed the adoption papers changing Katya's status from "social orphan" to "pure orphan" in March 2008 because she is unable to care for her any longer. 

Katya lives in Odessa, a beautiful city on the Black Sea

 

And yet, this is where Katya goes to school:



The dormitory for the kids has been under renovation since 2003 and so the children are housed 1/2 mile away at another facility.  Regardless of the weather, the children walk between the sites. 

But, for now, Katya is with the Finley Family, climbing trees and riding bikes.