KZ School #30

We were invited to a Christmas skit at a local school #30. It was performed in English by boys and girls ages 13 - 16. It was quick, but very entertaining. First the girls were busy setting the table and preparing the food. The girls then told the boys to come eat. The boys were just sitting down watching television and not helping at all. I had to laugh because if that is how they were told we acted, then we have problems. Next Santa came in bearing gifts for the stockings. They asked us to join in and sit at the table that they had prepared for us. Cameron and Mason were so shy I went and did it myself, but then they came later. Santa gave them a BIG box of candy and both of them held on to it like it was the only toy in the world. After Santa left they wanted us to dance to "Jingle Bells". I don't know that dance (is there one?), but I improvised and still had fun. Finally three girls stood up and sang a song about New Years. The teacher asked me to give a toast and I did. A simple “health and happiness” to all in the New Year and I was done.
After the skit we sat and ate the food they had prepared (chicken, cake, bread, and cookies). The food was fine and I started to ask questions of the students, but they were shy. Shy until it was time to take pictures. I think they thought we were celebrities, because every student wanted a picture with us. I embraced the experience and actually enjoyed it. It might be the closest I get to stardom. We thanked the students and wished them a Merry Christmas.

Happy Birthday Jesus

This year we decided to stay in Kazakhstan to celebrate Christmas. It was nice to be able to be in our own home, to sleep in our own bed, and for the boys to open up presents under our enormous tree. It is amazing how big presents look under a small tree.
We started out with a Christmas Eve Dinner with turkey and gravy, sweet potatoes, stuffing, corn casserole, and of course pecan pie. The food was good and it goes to show that even though the pecan pie did not look right, it still tasted good. After dinner the boys opened up one present each. Before the boys went to bed, they put oats in the front yard so Santa's reindeer would know where the house was and have something to eat while Santa stopped by.
It took Mason until almost midnight to fall asleep and we kept telling him that Santa would not come if he didn't go to sleep.
Santa did come and left the boys a stocking full of gifts. On Christmas morning we started opening up presents. In our house we have made it a tradition to open up one gift and play with it for a while. This allows enjoyment on the gift you just opened and spreads the gifts out all day. By late afternoon we were finally finished and with toys everywhere I know the boys were good this year.

Merry Christmas and Happy Birthday Jesus



Take me to Funky Town

Not many exciting things happen here in Atyrau so when there is a new place for the kids to have some fun I make it a priority to go.  I told them we were going there for all their great work at school.  Good thing they loved it so much.  It is a two level arcade with a movie theater with a 3D movie, but in Russian.  I gave the boys their own card with money on it.  Before I knew it Cameron was off and winning a necklace for Stacey, shooting bad guys, and winning car races.  Mason stayed with me more and we did racing games together.  Needless to say Cameron was out of money way before Mason.  I can hear it now, "Can we go to Funky Town?"