Saraychik

Today the boys and I went north about 45 minutes to a small city called Saraychik. It used to be an important city many hundreds of years ago, but now it is just something to go do while living in Atyrau. The first stop was the local museum. Since we didn't have a translator we did not get the full understanding of the history, but that was okay. We were welcomed by an older Kazakh man into the museum. We took off our shoes and paid the $5 for all of three of us to enter. The museum was lined with artifacts from around the area and had a map of the city in the center. The boys enjoyed seeing the old money and map. As we were leaving we were asked to sign a guest book. Mason wrote his name so beautiful and neat. I was so proud and told him his name would be there forever for everyone to see.


The last stop was the local archeological site by the river. It is kind of sad because the river has actually washed away part of a burial spot. Cameron and Mason had fun digging and it was eerie to see human bones and coffins sticking out of the ground about to fall as the wall of dirt moves. When I asked the boys what was their favorite part, Cameron said, "Digging up coins and bones" and Mason said, "Digging up bones." Nothing seems to faze them.

Got to go?

New Bikes

The boys keep growning so that means new bikes.  Mason is a little small to ride a 20" bike, but I knew he would be on Cameron's anyway so I let the boys pick out their own bikes.  They both wanted gear bikes and both came with all the best features.  Since the bikes came in a shipment I had to put them together and it took me a couple of days to locate the right tools and get a safety check.  At night Mason wanted just one more look at his new bike before going to bed.  He does love riding and the first day he rubbed his hand a little raw changing the gears so much.  Boys for you.

Mason has to see how this works.

Tie Die

The boys have always wanted to do tie die t-shirts so I brought a kit back from the USA and invited some of their friends over.  It was not the usual tie die, but more of a spray.  Easy to clean up and all the kids enjoyed making their own.  We even tried socks.  The next morning Cameron and Mason could not wait to wear their new clothes.

Paper Airplanes

Stacey challenged Cameron to make paper airplanes.  As an incentive she told him if he made all the paper airplanes that came in the pack (365) that she would pay him 10 cent for each one.  Cameron is motivated by money and was off to a fast start, but has tapered off now.  I think he will need a little reminding to finish the rest.