Leeza's Birthday!

Leeza had her first American birthday yesterday!  She had loads and loads of fun as did Zhenya.  He now can't wait for his first American birthday next year.  We took them to Chuck E Cheese.  Upon entering the building, I thought they were going to hyperventilate with excitement.  They were yanking on my arm like crazy while yelling "mama, mama"  Here is the photographic proof of a fun time had by all! 

Is this not the cutest picture? 

Enjoying their pizza!

Excited about cake!

Yes, my daughter got a remote control hummer!  Now she can stop playing with Zhenya's cars!!

Dress up shoes...she LOVES dress up shoes.

More dress up stuff! 

Her babushka got her a stroll for her kukla (doll)!

Here's the birthday princess all dressed up!

She also got money from her dadushka (granddad), Aunt Aera and Aunt Barb. Money from Aunt Susie is on the way.  Overall, she had a great birthday!!  She is doing well in school and seems happy over all.  She has been sick lately, so bedtime is a challenge.  She goes to bed and stays there,but she is crying a lot which I find heartbreaking...but she has to go to bed.  Thankfully, she stays in bed and falls asleep quickly, but getting her there can be a bit of a challenge some nights....probably typical for age and situation.  Please pray for peace in her heart and mind as well as quick healing in her body. 

Ochen Candy!

"Ochen candy, mama?"  That was the question I got from Zhenya and Leeza about Halloween.  We use "ochen" a lot in reference to anything that is big, many, very..etc....  So it obviously didn't make it past my kiddos that there was candy to be had and they were getting it!  They got to wear their costumes to school on Friday and then again on Sunday to our church Hoedown which is honestly more like going to the fair with all the activities they have for the kids.  They had a blast.  On Friday night, our town square had trick or treating for two hours at the local businesses, so we took the kids there.  Then after the Hoedown at church, we came home and I let them hand out candy to the kids who came to our door.  I considered taking them out door to door.   After seeing the extremely large bowl of candy in my living room, I decided that it was out of the question.  It is going to take forever to eat what they have considering I don't let them have more than 2 or 3 pieces in a day.  They had a blast handing out candy.  (No, it was not their candy...I went out and bought more.) 

  ( I know some people have issues with Halloween as Christians.  I spent a number of year avoiding it...however, I went trick or treating for years after getting born again and I am turned out pretty good.)  So no theological discussion about the whys and why nots.  We trick or treated and got loads of candy and my kiddos are happy!  Besides...wait until you see how cute they were!!!
Here are a couple photos.

Zhenya was the blue Ninja turtle and Leeza was a Love Bug.

See how happy candy makes her?

I have pictures from the Hoedown too, but they are on my phone which is in the car and I am too tired to go get them.  I will download them soon!