Although we had already looked around town a bit, a woman from our attorney's office came to pick us up and walk us around Riga showing us the sites and places that we should visit. We didn't do much shopping, except for buying some pink tiger lilies from a vendor on the street. It was really just an overview of what Riga has to offer, which later we could come back and explore more. She was very sweet, and will meet up again with her when we take the kids to the doctor later this week.
The temperature had warmed up and was melting the snow and ice in the city. I think it got up to around 36 degrees, so still cold, but not quite freezing.
We brought bread to feed the ducks and stopped to show A & E the lock bridge. E was content just pushing Penelope around in the stroller, and A was standing next to Tennyson making sure he didn't slip on the ice. They are SUCH good older siblings to all of the other kids! We are very fortunate!
When I asked the kids what color of love lock we should get for our family when the time comes and they both said they want blue. So blue it will be :) We took a photo in front of the Freedom Monument before heading home.
Back at our apartment, Keiffer and I have started working with the kids beginning with basic elementary level English, starting with letter names and sounds. It is amazing to us that the kids are so fluent in speaking English, but they don't even know the complete alphabet or the sounds the letters make! They are easily frustrated when we sit down and teach them, but they have expressed their desire to have someone hold them accountable. That they want to have a mother and father who make them do their homework and go to school. Here in Latvia, this is not occurring. We are realizing that the kids will need a lot of help with school, and getting up to their grade levels. It is a law in America that kids here on temporary Visa's cannot attend public schools. Even if they are being adopted. The only option we have until our adoption is finalized is to either home school them or put them in private school. It is maddening to think of all of the undocumented children in our school system, and a family like us who are doing everything right and are tax payers, can't have our kids in public school!
As gifts, we got our kids San Diego sweatshirts, which the kids hardly ever take off. You know how cozy a new hooded sweatshirt is, and it is pretty chilly here. The Tablets are not only for fun, but for their education as well. We put lots of great apps on them, but of course their favorites are just being able to watch movies and music videos on You tube. Oh boy...
On Thursday last week, we started off the day with fresh haircuts. Being a hairstylist, I could wait another minute to get my hands on their mops ;) Fortunately both were very excited to finally get freshened up! These two are obviously their before pictures.
Keiffer has been spending some time teleworking. He is #2 in charge at his work, so his absence for 3 weeks is something that will not go unnoticed.
We met a family through a private adoption Facebook page, who were in town adopting a child as well. I was excited to share pictures of their time with us, but just yesterday their adoption fell through, and they are leaving back to America heartbroken and empty handed. It is extremely tragic! So I will just share a few photos of our family from that evening. We really did have a lovely evening though, and they brought an amazing cake!! Did I mention at all yet that Latvia has the most amazing cakes?! I have been taking pictures of every one I eat, and will have to do a special blog just on Latvian pastries! Just like when we hosted them this summer, the kids love helping me in the kitchen! It is nice to have extra hands, and I enjoy allowing them to handle food, which is something they are not allowed to do in their children's home.
Tennyson and Penelope are having fun here in Latvia. I am SO happy they are here with us. They certainly are quite the pair, and Penelope is at the age now that she likes to get into a lot of trouble. So with these two it is double trouble for me!
Calista and Bridget are having a blast back in America with our good friend. She is taking such good care of them, and I honestly haven't really thought of them much, which is a sign of the trust I have in her! It is such a weight off my shoulders to not have to worry about their safety or happiness! I am so grateful for her, her husband and her girls for treating Calista and Bridget like their own. I don't think my girls are going to want to go home after 3 weeks with this family!!
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