March Madness

As I sit here tonight preparing for Easter, I found a stray ornament and a box of unused Christmas cards.  Seriously?

March came and went and I have to look at photos to recall what we did.  Each week was packed with so much to do that I am grossly behind in everything - especially correspondence with family and friends.  Once again, I find myself treading water trying to stay afloat getting the "must do's" done and putting everything else on the back burner.

But I vowed to myself to make some time and document a few of the things we did this past month as it had some very special moments.

School Open House

Kristina loves to be the center of attention (not a shy bone in her body) and enjoyed every moment showing Nana and Grampa, as well as us, everything in her classroom.  From her desk, to her artwork, to her writing skills, and her teacher -- Kristina was quite the tour guide.

Showing Nana her desk where it all happens

This is something we are working hard at but nonetheless, Kristina is so very proud of her writing skills.

Ugh - the color code system for behavior.  Blue = good day, Green = ok day, Yellow = some problems type of day and Orange = Let's not go there kinda day.  Yellow was K's color du jour before Open House.  Sigh....

Kristina enjoyed the "Working Together" project!

Look what's up there, Grammy and Poppy!!!!

Thanks for taking me on a cruise!

Patiently waiting for Grampa....

...to show him one of her projects in which the teacher said Kristina was the group leader and did a great job!

Kristina loves her teacher, Mrs. Ro, even tho' "she gives me lots of yellows".  (Hmmm, don't think that is Mrs. Ro's fault!)

We are so very proud of our little girl!

Getting on Her Groove

Kristina continues to go to Hip Hop each Thursday at school and really enjoys it.  Hey, it originated in her mama's hometown, the Bronx --- what do you expect?

Patiently waiting for the performance to begin

 I about died...but had to laugh at Kristina's style:  stuffing the shirt into her leggings and pulling the leggings up to make them look like clam diggers.  Oye...it gets better

Even from far away, I can find Kristina easily amongst a crowd

Showing off her moves

Oh, the shirt and pants still have me laughing....

As I look at the above two photos, I caught a glimpse of a little girl I once remember...

 

 

And everything is more fun when done with friends Gaby and Natalie!

'Tis the Season!

Kristina started her first season of Coach Pitch Baseball.  Good-bye, T-Ball!  She is once again on the Marlins (I still think it's a sign that we should be moving to FL since the other team at the Park is the Dodgers...) and once again, Kristina is my lucky number:  12!

Coach Steven and the 2015 Coach Pitch Marlins

#12

If there is something around to climb, Kristina will climb it!

Three girls on the Marlins:  Nayeli, Kristina and Faith.  Watch out boys -- these girls mean business!

Game On!

March finished up with Kristina's first Baseball game.  It was quite exciting to see the kids start to understand the basics of the game and what was even more exciting for us -- Kristina actually paid attention (for the most part) during the game!  We still need to review being "batter ready" as the dirt, a drone flying overhead, the kids playing soccer on the next field, etc. can still be a distraction to her.

BTW:  For those of you old enough -- Kristina plays on the same baseball diamond where they filmed the 1976 "Bad News Bears."  Anyone remember that one??  :)

Line-up announced and Kristina is 1st batter up.

Nice form but just missed the ball (it's right at her right calf).

Eventually got a single at her first at-bat!

Not so thrilled playing in the outfield

Sticking with the pink bat and pink helmet.

Score!

One of my favorite photos taken from the stands after scoring.
One happy girl!

This was a great play ~ Kristina got the ball and threw it to 1st base in time!

Did you see that, mom and dad?

Such an exciting moment...she hits!

And she rounds 2nd.....

And she scores --- it's a homerun for Kristina!!!
Her first EVER!

Keeping 2nd base warm while waiting for the Dodgers to bat.

Oh, the look....

This is that blank "I'm getting hungry" look....

By the end of the 4th inning (and the game)...

Game over huddle.

Good game, Marlins and Dodgers!

Coach Steven giving a pep talk at the end of the game.

And as a huge surprise, Kristina was awarded the first game ball!

Asking her teammates to sign the ball.

This photo makes me tear up....she's so excited and proud!
Great job, baby girl - we love you


 April Anticipation

There is so much coming up on the horizon with Easter and preparations for Kristina's First Holy Communion, the arrival of Grammy and Poppy....but we' also will have some first-time visitors in April!  Jeff and Dawn, along with their son, Roman, will be in town for a family event so we plan on getting together.  They are special to us because we met Jeff and Dawn for the first time at the Ministry of Education in Yekaterinburg, Russia.  The MOE is the governing body that would officially provide you with a referral for a child (or children) to adopt.  As it turned out, Kristina and Roman were not only in the same orphanage, but also in the same grupa. 

Meal time back in Yekaterinburg, January 2009

In this photo, Kristina and Roman, as well as the other children, were watching an adoptive parent play with their soon-to-be daughter.  January 2009.

Reunited in Walt Disney World for the first time in over 4 years!
  July 2013



Face Time on the iPad -- Roman and Kristina saying good-bye and blowing kisses until they meet up again in a few weeks!

Stay tuned!