The Weekend

We are allowed to visit Evan on Saturday and Sunday, but Steven’s orphanage does not allow visitors on the weekends so we made sure the lady that picked Steven up on Friday that she explained to him that we will be back to visit him during the week.

When we first greeted Evan on Saturday, he was excited and happy to see us as usual. We usually play with him in the teachers room which is a little walk from Evan’s groupa room. Evan was ready to go. He darted out his groupa door and down the stairs he went after greeting Andrew, Robert and myself. When we realized the teacher’s room was locked we headed back to play in the area right outside Evan’s groupa room. Evan was a bit confused and when we got back to where his groupa room is Evan’s eyes welled up with tears. He did not want to go back to his groupa quite yet, so he thought. I told Robert to hurry up and give me the ball to play with him to make him realize he is not being returned to his groupa but that we are playing here instead. He quickly understood and the tears dried up fast and turned into a smile. Wow! We are happy he reacted the way he did. I guess he’d rather play with us instead. Sounds to me that he is forming an attachment to us already. Praise God!

About an hour later, one of Evan’s groupa leaders came out to tell us we can take him for a walk outside. She was quickly getting the rest of the childrens’ jackets, snow pants and hats out of the cubby holes where they are kept. It was quite cold outside, however the sun was out for the first time I think since we’ve been in Ukraine. So Oxona helped to but his outerwear on. He had so many layers on he could hardly move. He had 2 or 3 shirts, leggings, pants and then snow pants, a jacket and then a knitted hat. When we were walking outside around the orphanage by ourselves, Evan didn’t seem himself. I finally realized when we past his groupa outside walking as well that he couldn’t understand why he wasn’t with them. Every other time he has walked outside he walked around with them. They were also sharing cookies and pushing some of them around in strollers. They only brought enough cookies outside for the kids they took outside so Evan was a bit upset when we were motioning for him to come along instead of hanging out with his groupa. We took him inside and Oxona came out to see what was the matter. She spoke to him and found out that it was his groupa that he couldn’t understand why he wasn’t with them. Evan quickly calmed down when I gave him some fruit snacks. Then he was a happy camper again playing with us inside.

Sunday, Evan seemed more himself. He was smiling more and playing peek-a-boo with me and actually laughing at times. We had a little toy from McDonalds that sang the first verse to “I like to move it move it”. He was so amazed that music would come from a plastic animal ever time you tapped it. The Italian couple was playing in the same room we were in with their son. It was a bit tight with all seven of us playing in a small room but we made it work. Little Gabriella (the Italian couple’s son) liked the McDonalds toy so when the toy was on the floor he picked it up and had it to his ear for most of the time. All three of the kids were finding it a bit challenging to share the toys, especially when the Italian lady went into the room next door and pulled out a tricycle for Gabriella to play with. As soon as Robert and I saw what she was doing we both looked at each other and were thinking the same thing. This is not going to be good. We both know how much Andrew and Evan like bicycles and as soon as they saw the lady bring out the bicycle they all wanted it. Boy if one child has something they all have to have it. We have come to learn that quick. Especially when they want the Leap Pad, the bicycles, play cell phones, trucks, cars or whatever at the same time.

The three boys were all wanting the same tricycle even though we found 2 other tricycles for Evan and Andrew to play with. It was not a good situation. Evan and Andrew wanted to ride in the tricycle Gabriella was in and Gabriella wasn’t giving it up. At one point the Italian Mama was trying to get Gabriella out of the tricycle to let Evan have a turn and he wouldn’t budge. Evan had his hand on the frame of the tricycle and ready to get into his seat, but Gabriella decided that his turn wasn’t up and ended up biting Evan’s hand that was touching the tricycle. He didn’t break the skin but I’m sure it hurt him. Evan was crying and I was right next to him to hug him and tell him “it’s okay” in Russian as I was rubbing his back. I was glad to see that Evan was letting me console him since that is a good sign of attachment.

Evan finally did get a turn in the favored tricycle but it was just about time for our visitation to be over for the day. Since Andrew didn’t get a turn on the favored tricycle and we were all putting the bikes away because it was time to go, Andrew had a tantrum. I must say, Andrew was good at sharing his toys today and was playing really nice with Evan and even let Evan play with the favored tricycle first, but since there wasn’t enough time for him to ride on it he had a fit. Oye Vey!!!

Please pray and agree with us for a smooth transition for all of us. It will be an adustment for everyone with the language barrier and all, but I'm sure the boys will catch on quick.