Had a parent teacher conference for both of my kids recently. Emily's went fine... She is very smart and might grow up to be an writer.. She writes mystery stories using sentences like "he went down the cobweb infested stairs"...

Simon's was OK too. I am not sure I like his teacher thought process. She said that he needs to concentrate more and be less distracted. He also walks funny. "Maybe you should talk to a doctor about that? " I am sure he will grow out of it, he is only 4 years old. However, the good part is that he knows all his letters, numbers, colors, interacts with everybody in the class, has friends and likes the sharing time.

Things my kids say:

Emily while putting up her hair so she can take a bath: "Well, now, I look like a boy.... with a pedicure "

Simon is constantly paraphrasing Sponge Bob Square Pants episode about the Hash Slinging Slasher: "Look at me - I am eating breakfast - At night
I am putting my underwear on ------at night"

It is snowing here in Milwaukee... The stupid groundhog saw his shadow and I guess it is going to snow for a while. It is a good thing because it will cover up whatever Duke is doing in the yard.

Looks like a scene from a movie - you can pick "It's a wonderful life" or "Fargo" depending on your mood... I am picking Fargo....

Roger and out.

Started exercising yesterday.. Ran on a tread mill and did some very intensly painful exercises using the big exercise ball... Does it have a special name? I am not sure...

Maybe a session with a personal trainer would do me good. At least I would know what I am doing :)

Emily is enjoying swim team. She goes to the pool almost every day and swims for an hour... Good exercise for her!

Things my kids say:

Simon while playing Wii with Emily:

" Emily, don't be a winner! I don't want to be a loser! "

My grandma....

• This is my stylish Grandmother... Probably in her 30s looking very sharp in a Hollywood looking hat and a suite... She is like a picture from a magazine... She died in 2003 on March 1 which ironically our wedding anniversary. Did you know that this woman stayed in Moscow during WWII, had a baby and then after the war was over travelled through the scary war devastated country to deliver travel document to her evacuated in laws so they can come back to Moscow... How many of you would do that for your in laws???? :) She had two kids, my mom and my uncle and three granddaughters and 1 greatgranddaughter and 2 greatgrandsons.... I love you Grandma!

2010 already?

well, 2009 came and went and not we are on the second month of 2010... We celebrated New Years with a bunch of friends and all of the kids... Karaoke, fireworks, good food, music - got home around 7 in the morning.... :) fun :)

Also expriences a Russian invasion for two weeks over Christmas and New Years break... My dear friend with her husband and 5 year old daughter visited from Moscow... It was a weird experience, mostly good... Too bad Dunya got a little sick and we did not get to do a lot.. But still they saw Chicago, Milwaukee, ate, shopped and enjoyed themselves.. I think deer in our backyars made the biggest impression on them - Moscow does not have nature... Growing up in Moscow, my favorite flower used to be a 12 story building and the favorite scent would be gasoline... I am joking of course, but my mom used to work at a gas station in Moscow, the scent of gasoline would follow her home.. We live on a 6th floor of 17th story apartment building with windows overlooking 8 lane street... Such a difference from suburban Milwaukee :)

Anyway...

Kids are doing fine... Simon is really growing up, he knows what he wants and tries to get it... but that's a part of being a boy I guess :)

Emily is turning into a beautiful girl, very smart... She likes to write poetry and fiction... Some of her works are not so bad ... I will publish some of them here later...

She also started wearing a bra which cause a huge commotion in the house. Simon wanted to wear a bra as well and he got really upset when he was not allowed to do so... Anybody has ideas on how to explain bras to a 4 year old boy? I am sure he will learn sooner or later...


things my kids say:

Simon in the morning -

"Emily, come here and be tired with me"