Enzo & Grace

On Thursday we had a photo shoot with two very patient Ukrainian photographers.  Since I am without a camera I thought I really should try to get some images of my two rapidly growing boys (and perhaps a holiday card shot, too!).  I will share some of the images with you later.  Gio's best friend Grace joined us for some of the time.  Below is a picture Grace's mother Sarah took (I cannot take credit for this wonderful shot!)....

Enzo, age 7 months.  Grace, age 3

Not in my Halloween bag, please!

Ukrainians seem to adore chocolate.  There is a massive aisle in our grocery store devoted entirely to it (both sides!) and the Roshen chocolate factory emits wonderful aromas all around the metro stop near Gio's school.  As many of you know, I am not one to ever turn down chocolate, but I must admit that Ukrainian chocolate is not for me.  I like the good old American cheap stuff like Reese's, and M&Ms.  And speaking of those delectable morsels, I made an awful discovery today- the first M&Ms that I actually found absolutely disgusting...

The green bag tempted me, but the expression on the orange fellow's face should have warned me.  Since I cannot read anything on the package (well, except, of course, for the "m"s!), I gave in to temptation.  My first taste while driving home will be my last.  They are basically like an ill-advised marriage between a Skittle and and a chocolate chip.  Yes, Ukrainians like things VERY sweet.  I don't think this will ever make it to the US, though I sure wish the pretzel ones would come over here!
And what will I do with the nearly full bag??  It is going in my plane emergency bag for the flight on Monday.  They might help me bribe Gio through security where having to put "Big Tom" through the xray is usually a massive trauma. 
I am looking forward to seeing many of you in DC next week.  Can you guess what I will be passing out at Halloween??

Joys in the Metro

These may seem like small things (and one is very badly photographed), but these two sights down in the Metro today made me very happy....

In one metro station (and only one, so far), there are now signs in English!  Wow.  This station is right at the brand new stadium built for EuroCup 2012, so I guess the change is for the hoards of tourists expected here in June. 

I love emerging from the dungeon of the metro to the vibrancy of the flower vendors.  Tulips are newly available this week- my favorites!

Barbies, Buzzcuts & Cacti: Day in the Life of Gio...

I have not been writing too much as I find blogs much more interesting when pictures are involved and without a camera myself, I am not able to document our days very well.  However, today I pulled out my phone and tried to capture a few images.
This morning began with a trip to the health clinic for our flu shots.  Gio was very happy to be back in the toy-filled room and was so busy with a Barbie doll  that he barely noticed the puncture in his arm.  This was his first encounter with a Barbie and he tackled her in true Gio-fashion.  First- strip her down.  Second- remove one leg.  Third- point out her "elbows" to the doctor, nurses and me.  (Yes, for those of you well-versed on Gio, he is still confused about this part of the female body.)
Later this afternoon we took the metro four stops down our line to a hair salon that has a good reputation for doing children's hair.  The following photos document the rest of our afternoon....

I pantomined "buzz cut" the best I could.  She got it just right.

Post hair-cut we strolled back to the metro station with a stop at a typical public playground.  Notice the Soviet-era apartment blocks in the background.  For me these make much of Kiev a depressing-looking place.

Yes, it is cold here.  Snow is expected tomorrow!

Another beautiful sight- overflowing dumpsters in the middle of the playground.  How I long for DC's Turtle Park.

Gio loves waiting for the "wind" that signals the arrival of the subway.  Though he has the appearance of most Ukrainians in this shot, that is actually just a lollipop!

A favorite stop in our own metro station- the cactus man.  Gio loves to get poked (as if the flu shot today was not enough!).  Today I treated him and let him bring one home.  He wanted to sleep with it, a request I gently turned down.

Loot from the Metro station- cactus and raspberries!

Have a great week, everyone! Gio and I are heading to DC next Monday for a 3 week stay.  We are excited for a US Halloween.  Gio's costume choice?  A one-eyed blue monster.  Get your candy ready, Georgetown!

Babuhska Bench

In our beloved Shevchenko Park there is something for everyone and every mood.  After a busy afternoon playing with friends (furry and not-so-furry), we headed over to the pancake kiosk to get some dinner.  These are really what Americans would call crepes and can be filled with sausage, apples, honey, mushrooms and other things I cannot translate.  Gio orders himself- going right up to the window and announcing his choice (after first asking "What is your name?" and "How old are you?").  He pays and waits patiently, with a loud "Spossiba" (thank you!) at the end.  Here he is sitting down to his snack...

This is a new art installation at the park.  The friendliest babuska in Kiev!

Muffin Morning

With near freezing temperatures this morning, it seemed a good time to stay indoors and bake some muffins.  Gio knelt vigil at the oven for the entire 18 minutes of baking.

I used to make these muffins when I a teenager to sell at a local farmers' market each summer. Here is my "world famous" blueberry muffin recipe...

makes 12 muffins

1 c. sugar, plus more for sprinkling
1/4 c. softened butter
1 c. milk
1 egg
1 1/3 c. flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
1 c. fresh blueberries (or frozen, thawed and drained)

Cream butter and sugar.  Add egg, milk, 2/3 c. flour, b. powder, spices, vanilla & salt.  Mix until well blended.  Gently mix in rest of flour, leaving batter lumpy.  Fold in berries.  Spoon into muffin tins.  Sprinkle tops with sugar- as much as you dare! Bake in well buttered/oiled muffin tins 20-30 minutes at 375 F (or, in our very hot oven here in Kiev, at 190 C for 18 min!). Cool or wire racks.  Enjoy!