April 1

During our visit this afternoon, Halle and I went outside because it was so nice out! It was cloudy, but close to 60 degrees. We were big rebels because I didn't make her wear her hat. We got in trouble later, when a caretaker spotted Halle outside without her hat on! Come on, people! We had fun making "salad" out of anything green we could find...mostly new spring weeds and some pine needles. It was delicious! :) hehe
I've taught her to sing the chorus of Jesus Loves Me, and while making salad, she started singing it! How sweet is that?

Here is a picture of Halle and her little friend, Vera, who is being adopted by an American mom from New York. Yes, that thing on Halle's head is a bow, and yes it is attached to her hair! This is what bows look like here, and it just cracks me up! She came down all spiffed up this morning after a dance recital of some kind. She told me about all about it, but unfortunately, I have no idea what she said! I just smile and nod my head and say "da" alot... :)

This is a fun picture from our little "dress-up" visit yesterday. She is such a ham for the camera - loves to pose and then look at the picture on the camera LCD. Such a girly-girl!


And I'm finally uploading pictures from the Morning Market that I posted about earlier. The first one is a long row of vendors selling potatoes and onions. These are major staples here. I've never eaten so many potatoes in my life! The second picture will be a mystery to Americans, as bags are free with purchase everywhere at home. Here, plastic bags are something you buy and reuse - they can be precious commodities. They are a sort of status symbol as well it seems. My favorite vendor at the market is the third picture. It's one of the many places you can buy those stilettos that make Ukrainian women who they are. Everyone wears them here - and the gaudier the better. It's truly a sight to behold! (you can click on the pictures to see more detail - I know you want an up-close look at those boots! hehe)