Second Night as a Family!

These kids are the best!  Zhenya continues to get so excited about each new things he sees that I think he is going to hyperventilate.  We got the final papers for Leeza signed yesterday and she said her official good bye to her caretakers.  Then, we finally made it to Nickolaev and spent last night in an apartment with a kitchen.  We cooked dinner together...the kids stayed right there with us...watching everything we did and getting so excited about it.  We have spend the last a day and a half hearing Leeza say mamachka and papachka.  Our facilitator said that is more endearing than mama and papa.   Zhenya is saying it to us all the time as well. 
We always reply Leezachka and Zhenyachka.....if we have heard and said it once we have heard and said it a thousand times.  They are excited to have a mama and a papa.  We are excited to have them too!!

Before we got our apartment we took them to the Nickolaev zoo, which boasts to be the best in all of Ukraine.  The American animal rights activists would have a stroke if they saw the tiny space the animals have.  The zoo was like something America would have had in the 60s or 70s.  We had a great time though seeing the animals.  My camera was dying so I didn't get many pictures.  It was interesting to see all the animals getting fed...you don't often see that in American zoos. 

Last night we walked through the market area near our apartment.  I asked Zhenya if he likes Nickolaev to which he responded DAH. (yes) Then I said that mama likes Kiev and he responded that he will like Kiev.  Then he quickly added that he likes America.  It made my heart happy!!  I can not tell you what a relief it is that our children are excited about going to America.  I have read stories about kids who got this far and didn't want to go any more.  It has to be heartbreaking to go through.  Praise God....we don't have to be concerned about that....they are raring to go!!!
For the second night, they BOTH fell asleep with no fuss.  I even had to move Leeza to her bed because she fell asleep in our bed where Jeff had crashed out as well.  It was a long day!  Leeza was the first one awake this morning at 7:45...well actually mama was the first awake...but wasn't ready to get up just yet. 
Now my husband and kiddos are going to walk over to the market to buy jam and whatever else for breakfast.  The kids are so excited to be going with their papa.
We should get their passports today and then we are off to Kiev.