Arcade

We arrived at the arcade only to find the electricity was off. This is not that uncommon here in the summer so we were not that surprised. Cameron was optimistic that the power would soon come back on, but it had already been out for over an hour. The arcade was on the 4th floor so we decided to walk up the escalators to see if our luck would change.
Once we reached the top we soon felt the heat and new the electricity was still not working. Still Cameron knew it would come back on soon and what do you know the electricity came back on. It took a few extra minutes for the games to warm up and for the employees to reappear, but we were soon having fun. Some of the games are for bigger kids, but the boys gave it their best shot.
Overall after ice cream and video games the boys were very happy and wanted to go back the next day and the next and the next.

Movie Time in KZ

I decided that since Ice Age 3 came out I should beat the heat and take the boys to the movies. I let them know that it would be in Russian and Cameron says, "That is okay I like the characters and I know a few words in Russian anyway." We went to the 15:30 movie (3:30 pm) and it cost me about $10 dollars for 2 kids and 1 adult.
We showed up about 10 minutes before the movie and it was pretty full already. The movie began and I just had to record a bit of it so view the video below.
The movie theater was small and there were no emergency exits. There was only one entrance and no door, just a heavy black curtain. It actually brought me back about 20 years except for the people that answer their cell phones during the movie and actually talk on it. All in all it was worth the experience and I will take the boys back for the next kid's movie. Ah the life in Atyrau, Kazakhstan.

Crocodile Slide

Every Friday all the children come over to join the fun of the Crocodile Slide. It is a 16 foot wide and 8 foot high dual slide and pool. All the kids enjoy climbing, sliding, swimming, splashing, and playing with water guns in it. I must thank Stacey for convincing us to buy it. Cameron and Mason sure do have fun.

Scooter Time

We thought it was about time to give the boys their scooters that we have had upstairs in the attic since March. We made the boys go outside with their helmets on for a surprise. They were excited and started riding immediately. Cameron is already trying to do jumps and tricks. No one has gotten hurt thus far and they enjoy taking scooter rides. Does anyone know if they make scooters for adults?

Giddee Up

I took Cameron horseback riding and he had a blast. He actually rode a pony and he did great for his first time. Cameron loves all animals and at this "farm" we even saw cows, goats, and sheep. The first five minutes made you not forget where you were since they wheeled two dead sheep past us in a cart. That is just how it is here sometimes.
I even rode a horse and after riding thought how people stay on horses when they are running fast. Practice I guess. Also look for the pics that show a sight from our drive home. Don't forget to click on the video.

Victory Park

Victory Park is small park in Atyrau, Kazakhstan with old war machines and a few statues to symbolize Victory Day which is held every May 9th. The day is honored for the capitulation or treaty between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union during the Second World War in 1945.
The boys liked to look at all the tanks, cannons, and airplanes. Of course they wanted to touch everything and go inside the plane. The park is located close to the pedestrian bridge which I took a picture of with the boys. There are also many benches to sit on and would be a good spot for a picnic if it wasn't 100 degrees outside.

Makhambet Square

This summer I am trying to see all the sights and sounds of Atyrau. That may be easy and difficult at the same time since there is not a lot to do or see here. The first stop was Makhambet Square. It is located in the center of Atyrau and a place where they host large events and festivals. It was built to honor two leaders, Isatai Taimanov and Makhambet Utemisov, whom, over 200 years ago, fought for Kazakhstan's independence. The men are carrying a sword and the other a dombra. A dombra is native to Kazakhstan and is similar to a guitar. Like Cowboys, the warriors use this at night for entertainment. The boys liked looking at all the weapons and climbing all the steps.

I'm Ready for PreK

Mason enjoyed his time at the QSI School this year and he is ready for PreK. All the teachers just loved Mason especially the women. Mason has this draw about him that everybody wants to get to know. He marches to the drum of his own beat and does not care what others are doing. With all that said he received a Certificate of Achievement for Mastering the Alphabet. He has learned more than I thought and I looking for him to make a big splash at his new school in Dostyk next school year. No more taking a taxi everyday to bring him to school. Now it will be a quick couple minutes walk to school. YEAH!!! The last couple of days he ate ice cream and played water games. Not all bad for a day at school. Wouldn't we all like to do that again. This summer should be filled with water slides, the pool, and some school work. SCHOOL IS OUT FOR SUMMER!!!

School is out for Summer

School is out for summer for at least Cameron (Mason has 2 more weeks). Cameron has grown this past school year and is excited about 1st grade next year. Cameron has improved in all areas of school and his favorite subjects were computer and PE. I will be teaching the boys this summer and we also plan on having lots of fun at the pool. Enjoys the pictures of Cameron's last day of Kindergarten.