Spring Update

First of all, no we STILL do not know where we will be living next year.  It is frustrating and the list of things we know we need to do is piling up, but for now we are trying to enjoy our time here and not to think too much about the chaos that will come once we know our next destination. Here are some glimpses of our lives over the last month...

I often bring Maria to Gio's school during his recess.
Maria loves all of the other children who are so sweet to her!

                A favorite game the two play before bed most nights called "Mr Stinky"....
                                    

And then he tries to calm her down.
So great that he has a very forgiving audience as he tries out his new reading skills!

Maria loves her yogurt!

In early April we flew to Italy along with Pepperoni.
Here are my two boys fast asleep in the car after the long morning of flying.
Pepperoni was a champ!

Easter Lunch bunny.

Easter egg hunt.

Favorite thing in her basket?  These egg glasses!

At "the rock" near our home.

Our local pizza joint is our favorite spot for dinner.  

Gio and Pepperoni enjoying a late afternoon snuggle.

Gio and his best Italian buddy Andrea (whose family owns that pizza joint we love so much!)
 spent most days out in our yard getting dirty and doing STUFF.

For a boy trapped in an apartment much of the year, this outdoor freedom is quite a gift!

Last night in Italy enjoying our favorite dinner spot.

At the airport in Kyiv awaiting our taxi.

Gio returned from Italy sporting a new ciuffo ("tuft of hair").  

Back at Gio's school for some recess fun.

Not to get stuck on only one hair style, Gio went for a "Maria"!

It may have been April 20th but wow was it chilly!  On this day it even snowed!

Tongues!!

Soon after we returned from Italy Paolo headed to the USA.
To console ourselves we went out to dinner a lot.  A new favorite is one called Dogs & Tails.
 On the way there one evening we met this pig.  And, yes, we were in the center of the city.

Gio has begun to write little stories whenever he has a free moment.
This one says "I was playing with my friend whose name is Maria."
This boy makes my heart melt.

A walk in the woods.

Finally getting some warm weather
(i.e. no babuskas yelled at me on this morning even though Maria was hatless!!)

This was Maria's first time on one of the "big kid" toys at the park.
She was thrilled!

Our park finally came into blossom!

Maria LOVES selfies.  (I do not, but am willing to play along once in a while.)

Making choices...

Enzo was professionally groomed this week.  He was not thrilled with his new flowery scent. 

Maria's newest demand is a pedicure after most afternoon naps.  Ah, toddlers.  

Day 1 of holiday weekend- dealing with a flat tire.

Pigtails!!

Day #2 of holiday weekend- switching winter tires for summer ones.

A new restaurant opened near our apartment.
This burger is called "The Obama."  Only in Ukraine...

Day #3 of our holiday weekend and it is COLD again (May 3).
Maria spent an hour at the park today "rescuing" worms.

Here was my one attempt to capture Enzo AND Maria in a shot at the park.

Happy May to all.  We head to Washington for a visit in early June (also to do some medical tests for Maria).  Hopefully by then we will know our future.....hopefully!!