Day ????

Loosing track of time here, seems like we have been here forever, but it has only been 2 weeks.  It is a cold, cloudy, rainy day once again.  We are taking advantage of a day like this to work on school with Ashley.  Thanks to all her teachers who sent work for her to do! 
We saw the girls again yesterday, they were practicing for a show that the orphanage is going to present on Tuesday for the orphanages 50th anniversary.  We are so happy to be able to attend.  Both our girls are in the show.  Alina is singing 2 songs and both girls participate in traditional Ukraine dancing.  It is so beautiful.  We will take video.  We will not see them today as they must attend another practice.  Also they have practice on Sat. so we cannot pick them up until the afternoon, then they can spend the night.  We have tickets to take them to the circus Sat. We thought that would be a good memory of their country for them. 
Sunday the orphange is coming into the town where we are staying to attend a soccer tournament so we will be joining them for that.  A busy weekend ahead.  Then court on Monday and the 50th celebration on Tues.   Maybe the time will pass more quickly!!!
We are seeing more Ukraine culture and are enjoying seeing the differences.  We were walking in our neighborhood last week and saw a funeral taking place.  Out in someones yard was an open casket, a priest and friends and family gathered.  Later that afternnon we passed a store and out in front was a wedding taking place right on the busy street.  One of their traditions we saw was many padalocks locked on to a bridge over a river.  We walked over the bridge and read the locks inscribed with names and dates.  When you get married you pledge your love and then throw the key in the water so it can never be undone. 
Something that Dave and the girls enjoy doing together is going to the local market and buying a whole fish to eat.  Not I or Ashley, Yuck!!!  The fish looks like one on the beach that we would throw away.  It is dried and salted and has all the parts.  First you break off the head, then you peel away the skin and bones, and discard the insides.  They shared the meat and enjoyed it greatly.  Papa is Class-na (Dad is cool the girls say)  I will choose not to be cool.  I will stick with McDonalds. 
A couple things you cannot purchase here are ziplock baggies or syrup for pancakes.  Their pancakes are different than ours, even at McDonalds and are served with jelly.  A friend made us some homemade syrup, she is from Vermont.  All in all we are enjoying learning about the Ukraine!!!