The Host kids are Here!

Last night we left the house around 9:30pm and arrived at the airport a little before 11PM. When we arrived we were told that the flight had still not taken off from NY, so right then we knew we were in for a long night! We had all 3 of our kids with us and they were restless! We ran up and down escalators for entertainment. We ate. We Sat around. We played charades. We all managed to stay awake - still not sure how the kids were able to do that! Then the word came that the flight should land 3am! Ok - at least we had a time and the plane was in route! Then we got word that the trains that carry passengers from the gates to the Baggage claim were not running... so these poor, exhausted children had to walk that long distance! So it was 4 am before our kids met us! Our family had 3 signs with their names and pictures on them so they could find us easier. Kolya found me immediately. I didn't recognise him because he is so small! We hugged and then He helped me find his sister and brother. The news cameras were right on us during this time, so I hope they caught that moment because our camera was not on (Josh thought it was, but it was on standby). The kids were so polite. I think we all felt an immediate connection. That hug therapy came in handy!







We left the airport around 5am and arrived home around 6am.
The kids were starving so I cooked scrambled eggs and biscuits. Then they ran around like wild Indians for a while. I finally used an online translation site to write "we did not sleep all night waiting for you to arrive at the airport - we need to sleep just a little while. We promise to have fun in a few hours. Please go to bed" It worked because they were all in bed in a matter of minutes! Bless their hearts! I could not sleep for very long - all I could think about was the fact that they were so excited to be here - I needed to be up doing things for them! I laid in bed for about 2 hours and then So I got up and proceeded to make waffles and other goodies for them. Josh and I woke everyone up around 9:30am (I didn't want them to sleep too much because they would not want to go to bed tonight!). They ate all of the waffles and drank a whole container of orange juice! We then let them just hang out and play with toys, video games and bikes. Around 1:30 my best Friend Liz dropped off dinner that she had made for our family (THANKS LIZ!), then we were off the horse back riding lessons for Alexis. The instructor allowed each one of the kids to ride a horse. Valya was so excited! She kept yelling mama - and then some Russian something that I am assuming meant - Look at me! They also had fun feeding the duck and the Lama at the farm. Unfortunately I forgot my camera! Maybe next week I will get a picture!
We came back home and my MIL, my mom, sister, brother in law, and nephew came by to meet the kids. Shortly after they left was when the crazy eating fest began.... All 3 of the kids came into the kitchen and started pointing at things they wanted - At last count they ate: An entire bag of chicken nuggets (or as Kolya called them "Chick'n nuuugets - fresh and hot"), 8 hot dogs, crackers, toast and 3 baked potatoes! I just knew they were going to get sick! I figured that they would not want dinner.... boys was I wrong! The chowed down AGAIN!
My pantry was full yesterday - BUT not today!!
We weighed them tonight because I figured at the rate they are going they will be HUGE when they leave!