First Day at the Apartment

Today was another special day; it was the first time we brought the girls back to our apartment and cooked a meal with them. We started out by shopping for all the food for dinner then made our way to the apartment. They were so good about helping out, we could hardly keep the bags of food out their hands, even though some of them were quite heavy.

Once we got inside the kids were very well behaved and we marveled at some of their good habits, such as removing their shoes as soon as they entered the doorway. This, apparently, is a universal Ukrainian custom. Also, they would always turn out the lights each time they left a room. This struck me as being a very sensible habit and I had visions of our declining utility bills. We got to show them some things on the computer and they emitted squeals of delight when we pointed out their orphanage on Google Earth then, around the globe, our home on Hilltop Lane in Wyoming (Ohio).

The big event though, was when the girls got to try on the clothes we brought them from Cincinnati. Everything fit the younger girl and she was thrilled, dancing around like a fairy. Not everything fit the older daughter, however, and she was a little disappointed, but put a brave face on it. It seems we may have a bit more shopping to do.

Lorelle cooked a delicious meal and we learned a bit about the children's likes and dislikes regarding foods. Once again though, they were good sports and we enjoyed a fine family meal together. We were having lots of fun when we realized that our "witching hour" was soon approaching. They are not legally our kids yet but the orphanage will let us take them out now unchaperoned, although they do expect us to have them back on time. Anyway, we bundled them up and whisked them off toward the orphanage in record time. We arrived about a minute late but no one seemed to notice and we were greeted by the usual smiles and well wishes. Another lovely day..