Girls to myself

A beautiful and crispy cold morning would be the start of the day. At least for me today started with the mental preparation for return back to San Diego.  As I sat by myself staring out the window in my Chinese restaurant around 10 this morning absorbing the heat that seemed to penetrate through the panes of glass the overwhelming feelings of our return to San Diego seemed to me by only thoughts.

Returning home with my complete family is only ten days away.  2/3 of this trip is complete and has been an overwhelming success. Unlike our trip last year, this adoption trip has never had the uncertainty of our first. From day one, Nata was ours and no convincing her to become part of this family. In fact, from day one she called us her family, Mommy, Daddy and Sanija of course was her “real” sister.

As I sit here writing this part of this passage my mind is still focused on our return to San Diego. In fact, Sheri just left me and the girls to go Christmas shopping. The kids asked “why” they weren’t going and Sheri response, “Sometimes mommy need to shop without “Mommy, I need to go the bathroom, I want to go to the toy store, I’m bored, can I get this, can I get this and the very popular, Mommy, can I get this”.   The girls didn’t seem to mind as the girls and I are set to go the pool (indoor) at 4pm.

They had a busy morning as yesterday we gave them the day off from doing schoolwork. Therefore Sanija had almost double the amount of work. There were no tears today and according to Sheri, she did a good job. We have actually added “spelling” to her schoolwork as we have come to realize (by teaching her here in Latvia) that she needs a lot of work in that subject. Let me give you an example: altar vs. alter  But that’s not all.  She doesn’t was an altar is. So, not only does she need to know the spelling of both and also needed to learn what an altar is.   Now, I want you to multiple that by….by…… A LOT!   This is just one of the obstacles we learned by being on this trip.

Nata on the other hand is my responsibility when it comes to schoolwork. Those who know me may see the irony in this.  Sheri and I decided it should be this way as when we return to America, as I will be spending day and night with her, the same I did with Sanija when she first came to join us.

I’ll take a break right now and get back to you later tonight after we get home from swimming.

It’s about 10:30pm our time and we just finished our Family Movie night and tucked our girls in bed. Hopefully they will sleep easy from the swimming we did earlier. It took us about 20 to 25 minutes to find Aqua Dreams and it was out in Booneville. For those who don’t know where Booneville is, it’s right next to where the heck am I.  It cost me about 20 euros (about $20 bucks) to get there and don’t forget the 12 Euros getting back.  Admission was $25 for Nata, Sanija and I. Basically, it was a very old hotel’s swimming pool filled with a kids swimming class which turn into an old folk water yoga that took up almost the entire pool. They boasted about the 80 degree water temps which fell……..slight…short (he said with  sarcastic undertones in his voice). There was a Turkish sauna that we could not enter because the old ladies took up all 3 spots on the bench. The steam sauna was no better. After about an hour and a half I did managed to get the girls out of the pool for the drive home. Let’s just say we will not be putting that on the top of our travel advisor – must do’s!

But what was so great about the adventures is that it was just me and my two girls. As Nata forgot most of her swimming lessons in SD I held her most time. As Sanija was trying to play tricks on her in the water, Nata relied on me for her safety. This was a first as Sheri was not around. I could have easily stopped Sanija……..but why would I? I was the hero / safety for Nata.

As the girl did not have dinner we picked up Mommy back at the apartment and walked to our local TGIFridays. Yes, they have a TGFI here in old Riga.  Nata is so attached to Sheri, in fact, it was Nata that wanted to go pick up Mommy and even if I had decided to go to TGIF without Sheri, Nata would have simply run home anyhow.   Nata will always seek out Sheri’s hand when we walk anywhere and snuggles with Sheri every time she can. Kinda like last year. I’m the plate of chopped liver that sits on a plate that nobody wants. But this is what a male can expect from kids living with no loving / affectionate foster father. What I should have really said is with their old foster parents.  The good news is that during the movie tonight Sanija actually snuggled with me ON HER OWN for the first part of the movie!!!!

Well, it’s about 10:45pm right now and this pup is tired. My sleeping pills are not working and I find I typically go to bed around 2 to 3 ish, sleep very light till around 6, then flop around in bed till 9ish before I realize I’m not going to fall asleep and get up anyhow.

Good night all!